For the first time in its 57-year history, the University of Missouri System will have a president who is also the chancellor of the University of Missouri campus.

After months of discussions, the University of Missouri Board of Curators on Tuesday gave System President Mun Choi a second title: chancellor of its flagship campus in Columbia.

But faculty at some of the other universities have expressed concern that under the new arrangement, Mizzou would now be favored.

Curators voted unanimously to merge the two positions and created a council of chancellors chaired by the system president, to “ensure that all four universities have an equal voice,” the approved resolution said. Specifics about the council’s role will be developed over the next four months.

Choi has been president of the four-campus system since March 2017, overseeing chancellors at University of Missouri-Kansas City, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla and the University of Missouri-Columbia.

When former MU chancellorAlexander Cartwright resigned in Aprilto take a position in Florida, Choi was also named interim chancellor. The university system has been in a tight financial position because of state funding cuts and revenues lost due to COVID-19.

Curators said combining the two jobs could save millions a year.

“A search for a new chancellor could cost upwards of a million dollars,” said Christian Basi, university spokesman. The cost savings also include the salary for an MU chancellor, $400,000 to $500,000 a year, not including benefits.

Choi’s new job is effective immediately and does not come with additional money, said Julia Brncic, board chair.

Basi said curators discussed merging the two positions with leaders at each of the four campuses and other individuals with an interest in the university system in a series of about 30 meetings over several months. They also consulted with the National Association of Governing Boards.

“We have looked into this in a very detailed and thorough manner,” Basi said.

But faculty members at the three other campuses have expressed concerns about the merger.

“This merger risks undermining the outreach efforts and leadership capabilities of all four UM System chancellors,” a letter from the UMKC Faculty Senate said.

“External stakeholders will want to connect directly with the person who is in charge. The proposed merger has the potential to undermine the leadership effectiveness of three chancellors while also weakening the efforts of the MU chancellor.”

In St. Louis, faculty leaders in a letter to curators expressed concerns about Mizzou being favored over the other universities in the system.

“Since someone in the combined position would be most involved and most familiar with University of Missouri-Columbia’s needs and issues, it would be challenging for even the most conscientious and dedicated individual to maintain an objective perspective,” the letter said.

“Many of our faculty are concerned that this merger would move the system to a flagship and satellite model that would further centralize the focus of higher education in the state on University of Missouri-Columbia.”

Curators raised similar questions at their meeting Tuesday.

“I almost have no problem if Mizzou gets favored a bit, but I think other campuses would have some concern,” joked Curator Darryl Chapman, who is a Mizzou alum.

Rich Novak, one of two consultants with the National Association of Governing Boards, said, “the potential for conflict of interest does exist. But the potential for conflict of interest can be managed.” He suggested that much of the assurance will rest on “the integrity and competence of” the person who holds the position and oversight from curators and the council of chancellors.

Curators also questioned whether the combined position was too much for one person. Curator Michael Williams suggested that some of the system president’s work be spread out among the other chancellors.

“This system is bigger than any one person,” Williams said. “I want this to be a system that will survive whoever the president is. We want a model that works best for our system.”

Mará Rose Williams

The Kansas City Star

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Mará Rose Williams is The Star’s assistant managing editor for race & equity issues. She previously was a member of the Star’s Editorial Board and an award-winning columnist. She has written on all things education for The Star since 1998, including issues of inequity in education, teen suicide, universal pre-K, college costs and racism on university campuses. She was a writer on The Star’s 2020 “Truth in Black and White” project and the recipient of the 2021 Eleanor McClatchy Award for exemplary leadership skills and transformative journalism.