Mun Choi

University of Missouri System President Mun Choi signed an executive order last month outlining a process for faculty if they encounter ICE presence on campus. But an immigration attorney says it leaves "a lot of potential for exploitation of a lack of knowledge."

The university system's cost-saving measures will go into effect immediately as it faces economic stresses and federal policy changes. One key concern is potential cuts to research funding cuts from the National Institutes of Health.

University of Missouri's Black Studies Department demanded that MU Chancellor and UM System President Mun Choi apologize for suggesting the use of “Black” in an event name implies exclusion. The department also noted declining Black student enrollment.

UM System president Mun Choi said that the Department of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, which was established after protests about racial equality in 2015, will be dismantled and moved into other offices to reduce political visibility and protect its budget.

At all four University of Missouri System campuses, tuition will increase 5% for undergraduate students and between 3-5% for graduate and professional students.

The total pay for Choi, who serves as both MU chancellor and UM System president, has jumped from about $670,000 to nearly $1 million over the last three years. But the UM System Board of Curators has been discussing his raises in closed session meetings.

Critics call Choi, who's both president of the UM System and chancellor of Columbia campus, a bully who has hurt morale and diversity. Among ranked faculty without administrative duties, 208 said Choi should not be retained as chancellor, compared to 87 who said he should remain.

Students and faculty headed back to class last week at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, one of few public colleges in the state without a mask mandate.

The Board of Curators extended the current mask policy through Oct. 15, after three Republicans were defeated in their push to lift the classroom rule for anyone who has been vaccinated.

A new audio documentary highlights the experiences of Black students at the predominantly white University of Missouri, and our Media Critics discuss Bob Woodward's new book and UM System President Mun Choi's decision to block student-critics on Twitter.

The first layoff notices are expected to go out May 1. Additional staff may be furloughed or asked to take a pay cut.

UM System President Mun Choi warned faculty and staff on Tuesday that layoffs and furloughs will likely be necessary to offset economic losses from COVID-19. The four campuses could lose as much as $180 million.