Mission: The mission of the University of Missouri, as a land-grant university and Missouri's only public research and doctoral-level institution, is to discover, disseminate, preserve, and apply knowledge. The university promotes learning by its students and lifelong learning by Missouri's citizens, fosters innovation to support economic development, and advances the health, cultural, and social interests of the people of Missouri, the nation, and the world.
Function: The University of Missouri Board of Curators has the constitutional authority to oversee the operation of the four-campus University of Missouri System. Among other things, the board sets fees, determines admissions requirements, grants degrees, enters into contracts, approves all property transactions, issues bonds, and hires the President of the University.