Opposition from a legislative supporter of the University of Missouri stalls a proposal to change the names of four smaller schools. Senator Ken Jacob of Columbia leads the opposition to hopes of Southwest Missouri State to becoming Missouri State University. But backers say Southwest Missouri State has outgrown its regional status. The most Jacob has incidated he would tolerate is for SMS to become a fifth campus of the University of Missouri. SMS supporters say that’s notwhat they want. The bill also would make Harris Stowe, Missouri Southern, and Missouri Western into Universities. They’re colleges now.
