Jefferson City, Mo. – State money for Missouri Southern’s new health sciences building appears to be safe.

That’s the word University President Bruce Speck received this morning. (Jan. 29)

“I did call the Department of Higher Education and the brief answer is we are not on the two lists that would restrict our funding here so our funding is secure for the health sciences building,” Speck said. “There are two lists. For one, a letter was sent out to institutions saying essentially cease and desist. Essentially you’re not going to get anymore money from the state at all and I think that list is composed of projects that have not broken ground yet.”

Speck said the second list is composed of projects in various stages of construction, but Southern’s project isn’t included. The Department of Higher Education will look at the second list to determine priorities for the remaining money.

Gov. Jay Nixon’s administration announced yesterday that funding was being withheld for some projects being financed with money from the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority.

“The good news for us is the money for the health sciences building will continue to come in and we plan to finish that sometime next spring,” Speck said.