Regents send associate degree proposal to higher ed department

Within a week of receiving the go-ahead from the board of regents, Southeast Missouri State University officials sent their associate degree proposal to the Department of Higher Education. The department received the proposal at about 4:30 p.m. Friday, said department spokeswoman Kathy Love.

Southeast received a strong reaction last week after announcing plans to pursue associate degree granting powers at its Bootheel Centers in Sikeston, Kennett and Malden. Dr. Devin Stephenson, president of Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, expressed concern saying community colleges should grant the two-year degrees. Three Rivers already has proposals pending at its centers in those towns.

The department posts new program proposals to its website on the 15th of every month. The proposals are open for comments for at least 20 working days. Dr. Robert Stein, the commissioner of higher education, reiterated the policy in a memo to university presidents last week after the department received several e-mails on the matter.

Pertinent address:

One University Plaza Cape Girardeau, MO