By KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Some Missouri lawmakers are trying to keep University of Missouri President Elson Floyd from also being Chancellor of the Columbia campus.
Current Chancellor Richard Wallace will retire this summer. Floyd has suggested taking the job to save money.
But legislation in Jefferson City would prevent that move.
St. Louis Democrat Rita Days has concerns with what would happen on other UM campuses, including St. Louis.
She told a committee Tuesday she doesn't want UM-St. Louis "relegated to a super-community college campus."
But Kansas City State Senator Matt Bartle supports Floyd's efforts.
"It seems to me if we can save $250,000 a year by combining a position, we ought to do it," Bartle said.
The committee did not vote on the plan.
Floyd has said he'd prefer separate chancellors at all four UM campuses.
But he says recent budget cuts make that impossible. The university system needs the $250,000 it would save with the move, he has said.