[6] The health care system operates several hospitals and clinics in central Missouri,[7] while the extension program provides distance learning and other educational initiatives statewide.

All four campuses are comprehensive, separately accredited, land-grant/research-intensive institutions offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs.

[22] Using science-based knowledge, University of Missouri Extension engages people to understand change, solve problems and make informed decisions.

MU Extension offers distance learning, Mizzou Online, continuing education, evening classes,.

[23] Programs in agriculture, natural resources, lawn and garden, home and consumer life, nutrition and health, families and relationships, community and leadership, business and careers, and emergency management[24] are available through offices throughout the state.

[25] As part of its economic development mission to support high-tech growth in Missouri, the UM System owns and operates 10 research parks throughout the state.

ASUM has an internship program that lobbies the Missouri General Assembly on a regular basis pertaining to student issues including equalizing the Access Missouri tuition grant, increasing funding for the Bright Flight Scholarship, and giving the student representative to the UM Board of Curators a vote.

The UM System is governed by a board of curators, consisting of nine members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Missouri Senate.

In addition, there is a non-voting student representative to the board, likewise appointed and confirmed, who serves a two-year term.

Prior to the formation of the system, the position of president was more akin to what is now chancellor of the Columbia campus.

On 6 April 2007, the board of curators approved a proposal to rename the school the Missouri University of Science and Technology, effective 1 January 2008.

[49] This quickly catalyzed a long-dormant "name restoration" campaign at the Columbia campus to drop its regional designation.

On 29 November 2007, the board of curators voted unanimously to allow the Columbia campus to use the generic University of Missouri name for essentially all public purposes, but not when dealing with "official business" such as budget documents, legal contracts, and other internal UM System documentation, or whenever clarification from the system or other campuses is needed.

Proponents of the change say that it simply provides clarification and recognizes what has always been common usage, but the issue remains controversial.

This change was initially vehemently opposed by the UM System, as it saw this as a threat to its funding and its stature as the premier public institution of higher learning in Missouri.

[54] In November 2015, Missouri's Legion of Black Collegians announced that approximately thirty athletes would not participate in any team activities unless Wolfe resigned.