Committee narrows Southeast's priorities

Members of a steering committee whittled down a list of priorities for Southeast Missouri State University on Wednesday, focusing on branding, communication and funding.

Examining marketing practices was placed at the top of the list, as members agreed the university must develop an integrated plan.

"We heard over and over we need to let people externally know who we are," said Willie Redmond, an associate professor of economics and finance.

The steering committee is made up of 12 people, including a dean, university president Dr. Ken Dobbins, student representative Sarah Snyder and other professors or staff members. The university's board of regents formed the group to guide the university in its development of a strategic plan, which will outline the goals and priorities for Southeast over the next three to five years.

In November, members of the board of regents began preliminary discussions for the plan, and in February more than 100 people affiliated with the university or community met to generate ideas.

On Wednesday, the steering committee narrowed the list of ideas from February's 80 down to seven. Dobbins said a draft of the strategic plan will now be developed and presented at forums in April.

The seven priorities, as agreed to by the steering committee, are: to create a brand, improve customer service, communicate better internally and externally, find alternative funding mechanisms, refine the university's mission, invest in the employee through recruitment and retention and review all programs.

The university's biggest problem, most of the members agreed, is that the 135-year-old university is still "figuring out how to brand" itself, Dobbins said.

Business dean Gerald McDougall said the university "can't be everything to everyone," and it must examine the role it plays in the region.

Some people attributed the branding issue to the university's mascot change in 2004 from the Indians to the Redhawks. Biology department chairman Bill Eddleman said that when he says "Southeast" in the community, some people think he is referring to the hospital.

"I think some students are not feeling the pride here that they should. We have to have students feel connected," Snyder said.

In the seventh category, reviewing programs, members grouped improving technology, creating an environmentally friendly campus, thinking globally, promoting research and economic development, increasing diversity and strengthening relationships with regional campuses.

An infrastructure master plan will be developed after the strategic plan is complete.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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