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Statewide and University of Missouri system initiatives are the talk of the year. The region itself saw many private colleges celebrating their anniversaries in the year 2010. Looking back on higher education in the year 2010, one fact that glaringly stands out is the hit MU-friendly lawmaker Gov. Jay Nixon’s reputation took. This followed his four point agenda through which he called for colleges and universities to enhance the efficiency of their higher education network.

Higher education coordinating board of the department found enough leverage for flexibility through his agenda that provided them with the right platform. This is because, technically speaking, both the board and the department do not have enough control over the universities and colleges as such. Being autonomous, this is especially true with the University of Missouri.

Including the MU, all universities were called upon by the department to submit a list of programs that did not graduate many students. MU did this and also suggested merging a few degree programs.

Another significant event was the rift created between the private and public schools this year due to the Access Missouri scholarships. This scholarship was initiated especially to help needy students who qualify to pay for their tuitions. More state dollars were diverted to students from private schools as the fee was higher here.

There was a struggle by students and administrators of private colleges to equalize dollar amounts following which there was a suggestion by Nixon to do away with dollars completely for private students. Scholarships amounts were then equalized by the lawmakers.

The month of June saw David Russell, associate Vice President of the UM system, filling in temporarily as higher education commissioner of the state. After a nationwide search was conducted by the Higher Education coordinating board, it was decided to combine secondary elementary department of the state with the department and when it became evident that there was going to be no merger, Russell was permanently appointed the commissioner.

In a survey conducted by the HR team of the UM, there was a general consensus from employees of all four campuses that the top priority should be to raise the base salary. There are talks of changes in the retirement policy.

Economic development related to the university flourished this year with a new plant science center being planned in Mexico and a brand new research park planned at the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Curators meetings saw many a discussion on E-learning. There was increased focus on online learning opportunities. A system-wide portal is in the process of being developed that will provide increased access to students to classes conducted in all four campuses. 

The year has not been too good for the MU School of Law even as its ranking in the US News and World Report plunged to 93 from 65. Following this, the students were reassured by the Dean that they are in good academic hands.

Universities are indeed complicated systems that keep changing with changing times as is evident with what has been happening in other colleges and universities across the region and nation.