CITIZENS URGE BROADER OPPORTUNITIES AT SEMO

Citizens conveyed the need for broader educational opportunities for older and minority students and an expanded curriculum at a strategic planning forum at Southeast Missouri State University.

Wednesday's forum, the fourth in a series of meetings conducted by the university's board of regents, was held at the Show Me Center.

About 30 people attended the event, with nine people taking the opportunity to be heard by the Board.

"I would encourage you to continue scheduling of nontraditional students," said Mary Spell, the director of marketing and planning for St. Francis Medical Center. "Also, I would encourage more night classes. We have tuition reimbursement programs, but it's hard for some employees to get off in the middle of the day to take classes."

Karen Hendrickson, assistant administrator for Southeast Missouri Hospital, urged the university to offer a baccalaureate degree in medical technology.

She also said nursing education should include course study for nursing practitioners, administrators and faculty.

"I'm not seeing those nurses coming up through the ranks," she said.

Other people touted the need for broader educational opportunities for traditional and older students.

"Voting on Proposition B and Amendment 4 in this area gives you a reading of what people really feel," said

Jim Drury, of Mid America Hotels, said area voters' negative views on recent school tax issues "gives you a reading of what people really feel.

"People are full of apathy," he said. "I believe the university should be opened up to the elderly and minorities."

Drury said his definition of minorities extends beyond black or low-income families. He said the university should try to find educational opportunities for those who statistics show typically don't attend college.

Marjorie Monohan agreed: "I would encourage you to open up the school to the older people."

Monohan, born in 1910, said she inoculated her children with education. Three earned doctorates, one is a certified public accountant and another is a nurse. "I think I inoculated them right," she said.

L. G. Lauxman, director of the university's student recreation center, said Southeast students aren't expressing the pride they once had for the university. He said he would like that to change.

"We're also not recruiting the minority students from this region like we should," he said.

Board members agreed that the forums help them to better understand the region they serve and the needs of its people.

"We're starting to hear some of the same things again and again, and that's very important for us in planning for the future," said Dr. Kala Stroup, president of Southeast.

The board of regents will host five other regional forums in the next week.

Today, meetings will be held at noon at the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, 125 E. Main; at 4 p.m. at the Farmington School District offices, 1022 Ste. Genevieve Ave.; and at 7 p.m. at the Perryville High School Library.

On Wednesday, meetings will be held at 4 p.m. at the "Beyond the Bay" banquet hall in Sikeston, 915 Kingsway Plaza Mall; and at 7:30 p.m. at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff.

Each forum will last about an hour and a half.