University of Missouri System President Mun Choi Archives

University of Missouri System’s president, vice presidents, chancellors, cabinet members, and deans will be taking 10 percent salary cuts, starting May 1 and to last until at least July 31.

Dr. Mun Choi (Photo courtesy of Peter Morenus/UConn)

System president and chancellor Mun Choi says major sources of funding will “remain under stress for some time to come,” as the university copes with the impact of the current public health crisis.

Other senior leaders and administrators throughout the university will also be asked to take a similar pay cut. The universities are deciding how to make 15 percent cuts; options include layoffs, unpaid leaves, restructuring and strict cost containment.

Choi says budget planners are working on a 60-to-90 day timeline, with the expectation that the Fiscal Year 2021 budget will be revisited at the beginning of July. The system expects a $180 million budget shortfall as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

In 1870, legislation was signed into law creating what is now called the Missouri University of Science & Technology – making it one of the first higher education technology institutions west of the Mississippi River. Previously, the school, located in central Missouri’s Rolla, was called the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy and then the University of Missouri-Rolla.

Photos by Tom Wagner/Missouri S&T

During a celebration today at the state Capitol in Jefferson City, University of Missouri System President Mun Choi says the next 150 years will be bright and strong for Missouri S & T.

“During the past 150 years, I can’t think of a university that had more of an impact in the scientific and engineering breakthroughs that fuel the economy of Missouri and the country,” says Choi.

He cites university researchers developing many things, including TheraSphere, a radiotherapy treatment to save liver cancer patients, and ways to prevent and find traumatic brain injuries in America’s warfighters.

Chancellor Mohammad Dehghani says Missouri S & T is a “crown jewel of American engineering, science and education”.

“The average number of job offers that our graduates get is seven,” he says. “We have a sold out crowd of international companies that come to campus to recruit our graduates.”

Dehghani says the university’s graduates are the second-largest supplier of engineers and scientists to aerospace manufacturer Boeing’s worldwide operations and John Deer tractors.

Pictured are: Avery Welker, student representative to the University of Missouri Board of Curators; Missouri S&T Chancellor Mo Dehghani; UM System President Mun Choi; Robin Wenneker, UM System Curator designee; Missouri S&T mascot Joe Miner (Photos by Tom Wagner/Missouri S&T, Missouri S&)

Larry Gragg, a Missouri S & T history professor Emeritus, has written a book about the university’s 150-year history. Forged in Gold comes out this fall.

Gov. Mike Parson has made February 25 Missouri S & T Day. He signed a proclamation making the historic day the real deal. Missouri S & T Day at the Capitol includes displays and hands-on activities for science and history lovers, like extracting wheat germ DNA and a S & T pop-up museum.

Special guests at the Capitol event included Missouri S & T graduates State Auditor Nicole Galloway, Rolla State Senator Justin Brown, and State Representatives Jason Chipman of Steelville and Don Mayhew of Crocker.

UM leadership to take 10 percent pay cut, starting in May

Missouri S & T celebrates 150th anniversary