Missouri Western State University has acted to fill its lone vacancy on the Board of Governors by naming one of its students to the position.
The board, which is appointed with input from the university by Gov. Mike Parson, has had seven voting members over the course of the year. After a state of financial emergency came into force in March, the campus saw acts to reduce expenses, such as a three-year phase-out of many academic programs. This has resulted in dozens of job losses, and more are likely on tap. Hannah Berry, a junior studying economics, will attend for future such decisions at her first meeting as student governor on Thursday, June 25, though she will not have a vote.
“I’m really looking forward to being in the board meeting and understanding, you know, how I can be a positive impact for those in those conversations that we’re going to be having,” Berry said.