Southeast Missouri State, TRCC work out detailed plan

Even though community leaders did not meet as scheduled to move forward with community college options in Cape Girardeau County, officials from participating schools met to create a more detailed plan.

Leaders from Three Rivers Community College and Southeast Missouri State University met Tuesday in Cape Girardeau. They combined feedback from meetings with their governing bodies concerning a recently established partnership plan to offer joint classes.

Staff from admissions, enrollment, marketing and financial aid departments at both schools also met. They discussed more detailed aspects of the plan like how courses will be numbered, what billing statements will look like and textbook options.

"Our hope is to have those details ironed out before the meeting so we can hand the coalition a plan that we believe is workable and can deliver those services," said Three Rivers president Dr. Devin Stephenson.

Southeast president Dr. Ken Dobbins said the goal of the meeting was to resolve differences presented by the boards and analyze the details.

"There are a million details that need to be looked at and in those details you might find something we need to have in that agreement," Dobbins said.

A coalition of business and education representatives was scheduled to meet Tuesday but the meeting was postponed for next week. The group has been collaborating for more than two years to create a community college option in the county.

"There were several things that needed to be discussed," Dobbins said of the postponement.

Dobbins and Stephenson presented a partnership plan to their respective boards Thursday. Both boards requested adjustments to the plans like including ways to measure the success of the project.

Stephenson said the college's board of trustees was open to being an equal partner with Southeast and unanimously approved a draft Thursday.

"I really think that they were pleased that we had made the progress we made," he said.

Stephenson said the plan is still a work in progress and plans for a location have not been set.

Dobbins said the current plan calls for classes to be initially offered at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center.

"I feel fairly comfortable that it's the right location and it will serve our needs for at least a while to see what the demand is," he said.

Four classrooms at the center could serve 500 to 550 students, he said. Past plans by Southeast called for a new center near West Park Mall. Three Rivers has also been scouting locations in Jackson including land donated by the city on U.S. 61 near Interstate 55.

Dobbins said a local committee will be set up to monitor the plan as it progresses through a three-year trial period.

"I think that in the spirit of cooperation that advisory board should help try to resolve any issues at the local level versus at the state level," Dobbins said.

Tuesday was the first time the staff members collaborated on the plan. Stephenson said some previously worked together when both institutions shared facilities at their regional centers.

"We're really more alike than different," he said.

The coalition will meet Monday morning to discuss the plan. Dobbins said it will go in front of the Coordinating Board for Higher Education in December.

abusch@semissourian.com

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