REGENTS PLEASED WITH APPROPRIATION

Southeast Missouri State University officials are smiling about their 1995 fiscal year state appropriation. In short, they love it.

"The governor's budget was a good budget for higher education," university President Kala Stroup told the Board of Regents Wednesday.

The regents approved a $55.4 million operating budget for fiscal year 1995. State funding of $33.6 million accounts for 60.8 percent of the budget, school officials said. The fiscal year begins July 1.

Tuition and other student fees are expected to generate more than $20 million in the coming fiscal year, or about 36.5 percent of the budget.

Fifty-three percent of the operating budget is earmarked for salaries and another 12 percent for employee benefits, officials said.

The budget includes what school officials call "modest" pay hikes.

Faculty members will receive a 3 percent base salary increase, plus merit awards for those who qualify. University executive staff who qualify will receive a merit increase of 3 percent. Eligible professional staff will receive merit increases of up to 3 percent.

Clerical/technical/service staff will receive a 2 percent cost-of-living adjustment, and those who qualify also will receive a merit increase of up to 2 percent.

A pool of money, amounting to a 3 percent raise, has been set aside for university employees who are represented by labor unions.

The budget includes $487,294 in one-time funds for library technology and acquisitions, computer networking and other academic equipment.

The computer networking will allow for upgrading three and launching one new personal computer lab for students.

The improvements will begin next month and be completed by May 1995, school officials said.

Under the plan, Kent Library will receive 40 computer work stations; Crisp Hall, 16; Johnson Hall, 15; and the Greek housing complex, 10.

In other action, the board approved $13.1 million in operating budgets for university auxiliary services. They include $7.17 million for residence life; $1.6 million for the University Center and the campus bookstore; $1.1 million for telephone services; and $857,000 for the Show Me Center. These operations are not funded by the state, but generate their own revenue through sale of goods or services, school officials explained.

The regents also approved spending $1.26 million for various capital projects, not including the College of Business Building; and $1.02 million for ongoing maintenance and repair projects.

Capital-project money will be used to fund renovations to Magill and Academic halls, and the Parker Building.

The board also signed off on a $35.2 million capital budget request for fiscal year 1996, which will be forwarded to the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education for its review. Included in the request is $4.5 million for the renovation of the now-vacant social sciences building.