REGENTS APPROVE SCHEDULE FOR PLANNING FORUMS IN AREA

ST. LOUIS -- A schedule of nine public forums to be held across Southeast Missouri State University's service region was set by the university's Board of Regents at a meeting here Saturday.

The forums, established as part of the development of a university strategic plan, will allow regents to learn more about what people in the university's service region expect from the school, how better service can be delivered, and how to educate a work force for the future.

University President Kala Stroup said universities are undergoing rapid change. "Recent trends in higher education and at Southeast have served as a reminder that critical choices must be made as universities continue to strive toward fulfillment of their respective missions," Stroup said.

Provost Charles Kupchella is leading the planning effort. Kupchella said there are three major phases of the process: "assessment of strengths, challenges and opportunities; assessment of programs and broad strategies; and application of broad strategies to individual units."

He said hopefully all will be tied to an overall institutional theme and to the university budget.

Stroup said alumni of the Cape Girardeau-based university and others who are interested in the future of the region's economy and university are invited to the forums.

The schedule:

-- Sept. 26, noon-1:30 p.m., City Recreation Center at Caruthersville; 4-5 p.m., Kennett High School Library Media Center, Kennett; 7:30-9:30 p.m., Harry L. Crisp Bootheel Education Center, Malden.

-- Sept. 28, 7-8:30 p.m., Show Me Center, Cape Girardeau.

-- Sept. 29, noon-1:30 p.m., Chamber of Commerce, Jackson; 4-5:30 p.m., Farmington School District administrative offices, Farmington; 7-8:30 p.m. Perryville High School Library, Perryville.

-- Oct. 5, 4-5:30 p.m., Beyond the Bay banquet facilities, Sikeston; 7:30-9 p.m., Three Rivers Community College Administration Classroom Building, Poplar Bluff.