The fate of Missouri Southern’s name change now rests in the hands of the governor.

Senate Bill 55, sponsored by Sen. Gary Nodler (R-Joplin), that would change Southern’s name to Missouri Southern State University-Joplin, passed out of the House May 7, with a 135-17 vote.

Nodler said he believes the reason the bill passed this session, in comparison to others, was because of the amendments added to the bill while in Senate discussion.

“The cooperative degree part of the bill really strengthened it,” Nodler said.

He said this session, the bill was looked on as more of a “statewide interest.”

“We were able to communicate the importance of competing against Pittsburg State University,” he said.

Rep. Bryan Stevenson (R-Joplin) was the House sponsor for the senate bill. He said the numbers in which the bill passed the House are deceiving.

“It was a very difficult process,” he said. “It took a lot of discussion.”

House floor discussion took five to seven minutes. During talks, an amendment was offered to add Missouri Western State College’s name change bill to SB 55. Stevenson said he explained to his fellow representatives why this would not be beneficial, and the amendment was defeated 51 to 96. If the amendment would have been passed, the number of supporters of SB 55 was expected to decrease.

Stevenson said there were different motives behind the representatives that voted against the name change.

“Some of them didn’t like me personally, and others didn’t want our name changed without Missouri Western or SMS,” he said.

The name change bill was passed without any amendments, in the exact form the Senate approved it. Now SB 55 will go to Gov. Bob Holden for him to sign, not sign or veto.

“There’s a very high likelihood he will sign it,” Stevenson said. “I haven’t heard any talk of reasons why he wouldn’t.”

Nodler agrees and said he’s received no indication the governor will veto SB 55.

Stevenson said for the bill not to become law, Holden would have to take an active step to veto it. Otherwise, if left untouched for a certain amount of time, the bill would automatically become law, and Southern’s name would change effective Aug. 28.

In addition to changing the College’s name, SB 55 would also eliminate the Board of Regents and replace it with a Board of Governors. The regents would continue in their positions until their term expires. The vacancy will then be filled according to the new requirements imposed by the law Southern would also be required to abate all associate degree programs by July 1, 2008, unless approved by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education. Along with this requirement, the College would be allowed to offer programs, including graduate degrees, on the campuses of other universities. Any diploma received under these circumstances would include both the names of the institutions involved.

“I think it’s terrific,” Nodler said. “The College has wanted to do this for a long time.

“This along with the fair share budget will establish the baseline for success in the 21st Century.”

College President Julio León said he’s “tremendously excited” about the name change.

“University status confers validity to the excellent work of our faculty and to the quality of our programs,” León said. “University designation is going to propel Missouri Southern to greater heights, and the name change will be a great benefit to our students and to the entire region.”