A commission reviewing the University of Missouri has chosen Jeanne Sinquefield to serve as chairperson and former MU President Gary Foresee as vice chair. The commission’s first meeting was held Friday.
Sinquefield is the wife of major conservative campaign backer Rex Sinquefield. She says the commission’s work will not be political.
“In terms of complexity, you just have to look. There are Democrats and Republicans. I have donated to both sides, just in attempt to make Missouri better. We have people who aren’t political at all on this committee,” said Sinquefield. “This is a committee with very strong, articulate, smart people. It’s not being run.”
The panel is charged with proposing changes by the end of the year to the university’s rules and regulations, administrative and campus structures and degree and diversity programs.
Governor Nixon is withholding all of the commission’s funding due to lagging state revenue. Legislative leaders have told the commission that they can help with funding and staffing accommodations.
House Speaker Todd Richardson (R-Poplar Bluff) appointed Sinquefield Forsee, Maryville University professor Pamela Washington, and Texas Tech Vice President for Strategic Research Initiatives Robert Duncan.
Senate President Ron Richard appointed Legacy Pharmaceutical Packaging CEO and 2012 GOP gubernatorial candidate Dave Spence of St. Louis; Missouri Soybean Association District 4 director and Bredehoft Farms owner Neal Bredehoeft; partner at Williams, Dirks, Dameron law firm Michael Williams of Kansas City; and conservative talk show host Renee Hulshof, the wife of former congressman and 2008 GOP gubernatorial candidate Kenny Hulshof.
