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The SMSU name change bill moves to the house today with continued opposition.

February 10, 2004
By: Almitra Smith
State Capital Bureau

The fight over Southwest Missouri State University's name change moves over to the house . . . but the fate of the change is still in question. Almitra Smith has the story.

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The latest hickup in the bill's proccess is an amendment by Rep. Brian Yates that will also change the name of Central Missouri State University. Yates says this is about fairness.

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My main objection is the fact that we are taking one regional university over the others, and making it a state wide university.

The amendment is seen as a test of strength for the name change in general . . . if the amendment passes the name change probably won't.

From the State Capitol, I'm Almitra Smith

The fight over the Southwest Missouri State University name change contintues as the bill moves to the house. Supporters defend the change from chargers that it's a power grab. Almitra Smith has the story.

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Rep. Chuck Purgason says he doesn't believe the SMSU name change will pit one university against another.

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To me that attitude you have just insulted everyone who serves on the appropriations committee.

Rep. Brian Yates, says the the name change is unfair to other universities.

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My main objective is the fact that we are taking one univeristy over others... and making them a statewide university.

The amendment is seen as a test of strength for the name change in general. If the amendment passes... then the bill probably won't.

From the State Capitol, I'm Almitra Smtih

The fight isn't over for the Southwest Missouri State name change bill as it moves to the House. Almitra Smith has the story.

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Anyone who thought the battle over the SMSU name change bill ended in the Senate... got a suprise today. Rep. Brian Yates introduced an amendment to alter the new name proposed on the bill. Yates says it's about fairness.

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My main objection is the fact that we are taking one regional university over the others, and making it a statewide university.

Yates says the name change could threaten the current university system's funding.

But, Rep. Chuck Purgason, a supporter of the bill, disagrees.

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So you have a person on the outside who wants to get along who wants to join in and play in the sand box because we are all after the same goal but you wont let him have any toys to play with because you are scared of what might happen.

Purgason also says he doesn't believe the name change will pit one university against another. From the State Capitol, I'm Almitra Smith.