River Campus hinges on state aid or student fees

Southeast Missouri State University students by fall 2008 could be footing the bill for the school to make payments on River Campus bonds if the state legislature doesn't provide the necessary funding, school officials say.

University president Dr. Ken Dobbins says he hopes that doesn't happen.

He and state Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, remain hopeful the university will receive $17.2 million to help retire River Campus construction debt as part of legislation that would provide $350 million for campus construction projects across the state. The projects would be financed with cash from the state's student loan agency.

But Senate Democrats last week blocked a vote on the higher education bill favored by Gov. Matt Blunt by waging an all-night filibuster and then rejecting a proposed compromise.

Read more in Sunday's Southeast Missourian.