MU Chancellor: University To Ask for Proposals from Private Developers for Future Child Care Center on Campus

May 15th, 2014

COLUMBIA, Mo. ­— Following a report from a task force established to examine the need for child care on the University of Missouri campus, MU Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin announced today that the university intends to issue a request for proposals from private developers who would partner with MU to build and operate a child care facility on university property.

The report documented that the primary supporters of university child care are graduate and professional students and faculty.

Specifically, Loftin said university officials intend to issue a “request for proposals” from the private sector, seeking a partner to build and operate a child care facility on university property.  Loftin has proposed that the university would lease land for a child care facility at essentially no cost to a private developer. By providing the land, Loftin expects the operator of the facility to offer discounted rates to MU students, faculty and staff.

“I’m very grateful and appreciative of the task force members and all those in the MU community who took the time to talk with us about this issue during the past six weeks,” Loftin said. “A great deal of information was received, and I’m aware of the time and effort that was involved in this work.”

The current Student Parent Center is scheduled to close on June 30.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A copy of the task force’s report can be found here: https://nbsubscribe.missouri.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Future-of-Childcare-on-Campus2.pdf