UPDATE: Friday, August 7, 2020 at 2:50 p.m.
Texas Tech has approved the memorandum of understanding from Midwestern State University.
With the approved MOU, leadership from the two universities can now begin meeting and working with local state legislators to create and introduce legislation to make MSU Texas a part of the Texas Tech University System.
The MOU will go into effect in January 2021, pending approval from the 87th Texas Legislature.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — As discussion continues about Midwestern State University potentially joining the Texas Tech University System, the MSU Texas Board of Regents approved a memorandum of understanding Thursday at the quarterly meeting.
If TTU officials authorize the joint signing, this will allow leadership to begin the process of working with local state legislators to introduce legislation seeking approval for MSU Texas to become a member of the system.
The MOU would go into effect if the 87th Texas Legislature approves the legislation when it convenes in January 2021.
The conversation comes after MSU Texas President Suzanne Shipley announced the initial invitation to join the system in February 2020.
“We’ve been on daily phone calls with them,” Shipley said. “We’ve been part of their leadership conversations, and it really gave us a chance to see are they really walking the walk or just talking the talk, how much do they interface with academics, how often do they make a command decision that you have no say in.”
Shipley adds the board saw a collaborative approach from Texas Tech University
They made this decision after feeling a sense of community where decisions are made together.
Following the announcement, numerous campus conversations between students, faculty and staff members to discuss how this would impact the MSU community.
“Since our first steps in considering this alliance, members of the MSU community have been welcomed into conversations and deliberations with the Texas Tech University System that proved helpful and enlightening,” Shipley stated in a press release. “From a shared response to COVID to reacting to reductions in our state budget support to reaching out to officials in Washington regarding major policy changes and our international students’ need for visas, the TTU System has generously and effectively offered support and guidance. We are grateful for their assistance to this date and believe that by combining our talents and interests MSU will move toward a strong future.”
Read the full press release below.