By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Two colleges in Missouri are back in Jefferson City this spring, trying to get their names changed.
Southwest Missouri State, in Springfield, wants to be called Missouri State University.
Missouri Western State College, in St. Joseph, wants to become Missouri Western State University.
Southwest has tried for several years to win legislative approval of the new name, but the effort has been opposed chiefly by lawmakers who represent the University of Missouri in Columbia. State Senator Ken Jacob and others have worried that a Missouri State University would compete for state money with the University of Missouri system.
But this year the Senate's top leader, President Pro Tem Peter Kinder, is sponsoring legislation on the topic, and almost two-thirds of House members are co-sponsoring a similar measure.
A Senate committee heard the proposals Tuesday. Members are expected to vote within the next week.