REGENTS TO CONSIDER NEW DEGREE

The Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents is expected to approve a new manufacturing degree when it meets today.

The meeting will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the university's Glenn Auditorium.

School officials have proposed a new bachelor of science degree in manufacturing engineering technology.

The high-tech program will make available to Southeast Missouri the type of educated workforce needed to support regional economic development, school officials said.

Southeast officials said the new program would work in tandem with the two-year manufacturing degree programs at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff and Mineral Area College in Park Hills.

Dr. Charles Kupchella, Southeast's provost, said the need is well documented and ties in with the state's overall plan to strengthen vocational technical education.

In other action, the regents will consider consolidating the existing bond funds for the Student Recreation Center and the campus housing system for financing purposes.

The proposed funds merger comes as Southeast prepares to expand its Student Recreation Center and proceed with further improvements to the recreation fields.

The regents recently adopted a 50-cent-per-credit-hour increase in the Recreation Center fee charged students.

Dr. Ken Dobbins, the university's executive vice president, said the funds merger would allow the school more flexibility in issuing bonds.

The regents also will consider approving new minors in entrepreneurship and small business management, international studies and fashion merchandising.

The regents will consider name changes for a number of academic programs. Also on the agenda for approval are new programs and options, including a science education emphasis within the master of natural science program and a new option in computer numerical control machining under the associate of applied science degree in computer technology.

The board is expected to reappoint Anne Bradshaw to another three-year term on the Show Me Center Board of Managers.

Board of Regents agenda

Friday, Dec. 12

Glenn Auditorium

Action Items

* Approve new minors in entrepreneurship and small business management, international studies and fashion merchandising.

* Approve name changes in management major options, and industrial technology's technical graphics option and certificate program in graphics technology.

* Establish a new master of natural science degree with a science education emphasis; a bachelor of science degree in engineering technology and n associate of applied science degree in computer technology.

* Confer degrees for 1997 winter commencement.

* Consolidate the school's existing Student Recreation Center and housing system bond funds.

* Approve resolutions honoring the Southeast women's volleyball team and the 1997 District 7 GTE Academic All-America First Team.

* Reappoint Anne Bradshaw to the Show Me Center Board of Managers.

Report Items

* Governor's Conference on Higher Education

* Southeast Missouri University Foundation report

* Facilities Management progress report

* Polytechnic Institute

* Board of Regents web page