Mun Choi reports to MU Faculty Council for final time this semester about student numbers

Mun Choi, University of Missouri chancellor and system president on Thursday reported to the MU Faculty Council about record numbers of student applications and acceptances.

Choi also faced questions about the university's financial support of athletics.

Choi said applications have reached 24,255 even before deadline.

"Our applications are continuing to go up," Choi said.

The university has accepted 6,268 first-time students — a 19% increase over this time last year — and 867 transfer students — a 22% increase.

It's good news, but the university needs enough faculty and classrooms to serve all the new students, Choi said.

"Once they're here, we want to retain them for the following year," Choi said.

Faculty research expenditures totaled $204 million in 2024, up from $111 million in 2016.

The search for a new provost also was addressed by Choi.

"We have four very strong candidates," Choi said. "All of them understand what is required to lead at that level"

A choice may come late this month or early next month, he said.

The additional students will require more library services, but library funding has been shrinking, said faculty member Sanjeev Khanna.

Choi said he would look into the issue.

"I don't know enough about it," Choi said.

Citing published reports, faculty member Steve Karian asked Choi about university financial support of athletics. The amount was $22.8 million of direct financial support in the 2023 fiscal year, according to the reporting.

The university wants to find ways to reduce expenses and grow revenue in athletics, Choi said.

"I'm mindful of the amount of deficit they have but I'm also looking at how athletics improves the brand," Choi said.

The financial support must continue for the short term, Choi said.

"Athletics will require investment for the next few years," Choi said.

After the meeting, Karian said he would like more reassurance about the spending being curbed.

"It can't go to infinity," he said of the spending.

A vote may come in June on an intercollegiate athletics protocol designed to prohibit teaching assistants who are student athletes from grading the work of other student athletes to ensure compliance with an NCAA bylaw.

Roger McKinney is the Tribune's education reporter. You can reach him at rmckinney@columbiatribune.com or 573-815-1719. He's on X at @rmckinney9.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: MU Faculty Council hears information from Mun Choi about enrollment