Coalition's study finds a need for more higher ed opportunities in Southeast Missouri

There is a need to make higher education more available locally, according to a study released today by a coalition of 11 business and education leaders.

The 238-page report concluded that there are educational gaps in the Cape Girardeau area for nontraditional students who do not pursue a four-year degree.

"You can't just walk into one place, enroll and in two years finish your degree," said John Mehner, president of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce.

In addressing educational gaps in the Cape Girardeau area, the study laid out five solutions: an off-campus center run by an existing community college, creating a community college division within Southeast Missouri State University, creating a new community college, converting the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center or a collaboration of services from colleges in the region.

MGT of America, a consulting firm based in Tallahassee, Fla., conducted the $70,000 study funded by the coalition, which includes Mineral Area College, Southeast Missouri State University, Three Rivers Community College, the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and Rust Communications chairman Gary Rust. The group has been meeting since early 2007 to discuss higher education needs in the region.

The study, which started in September, collected data from 786 high school students, 319 colleges and 86 employers.

Mehner said the coalition will meet again within 30 days to move forward, eventually making a recommendation to the Coordinating Board of Higher Education. With some alliances already established between the education and business community, he said, the final decision will not be easy to reach.

"Everybody might not be happy when we get to the recommendation," he said.

Possible animosity

The report said disagreements in the community could delay the process.

"In some instances, animosity may be so strong that it may hinder the adoption of long-term solutions that may best benefit residents, high school students, and employees of Cape Girardeau County and the surrounding communities," the report said.

Disputes between Three Rivers Community College and Southeast Missouri State University go back to 2005. Three Rivers filed a lawsuit against Southeast after the university evicted the college from its centers in the Bootheel. Three Rivers dropped the lawsuit in June.

In 2007, Three Rivers Community College proposed opening an education center in Cape Girardeau. The college eventually dropped the proposal to participate in an analysis of the demand for a community college.

Joe Rozman, who took over as president of Three Rivers in June, said the college leadership is new and he wants to work with other area colleges.

"We are not going to be the problem," he said. "We are going to be part of the solution."

One of the five solutions includes the possibility of Three Rivers establishing a center in Cape Girardeau. Under that plan, students outside the college's taxing district would have to pay higher tuition.

When it established its Bootheel centers in 2005, Three Rivers converted existing structures in Sikeston and Kennett into labs and classrooms. Rozman said he has already scouted potential locations in Cape Girardeau and the college has the financial resources to establish a new center, if that is part of the solution chosen by the coalition.

Another option proposed establishing a new taxing district and community college, which would have to be approved by voters. Mehner said that is the only solution that would not be a possibility in the immediate future because of the state of the economy.

"As we sit now, that would be a tough sell for everyone involved," Mehner said.

Education leaders agree the solution will emerge gradually.

Rich Payne, director of the Career and Technology Center, said he did not have a preference among the five solutions, including the one that would convert the center into a community college.

"Can we all of a sudden pass a magic wand over the Career and Technology Center and make it a community college? No," Payne said.

The center, which is run by the Cape Girardeau School District, confers associate's degrees through Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo.

The study laid out several barriers to education, including the high population of younger students at the career center and Southeast, which can be overwhelming to older students. The study also cited the lack of child-care facilities and cost of transportation.

Southeast president Dr. Ken Dobbins said the gaps presented in the study do not show a strong demand for establishing a new college.

"You surely don't want to start a community college and find out that report wasn't accurate," he said.

Dobbins said existing services should be promoted better. Southeast offers five associate's degrees and Southeast faculty teaches general education classes at the Career and Technology Center.

Another solution presented in the study included a community college that operates within the university. Dobbins said the university does not have the financial resources to fund an addition to the university. He said existing programs and facilities could be streamlined to meet short-term demands.

"We need to see what the demand is and work a little at a time," he said.

abusch@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent addresses:

2080 Three Rivers Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO

One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO

5270 Flat River Road, Park Hills, MO

1080 S. Silver Springs Road, Cape Girardeau, MO