SEMO MAY BUILD NEW STUDENT CENTER

Southeast Missouri State University may build a new student center in the middle of the campus, but first it will have to convince its Board of Regents.

The Board of Regents Monday authorized the development of preliminary plans for such a project. The preliminary work by an architectural or engineering firm will cost about $50,000 to $75,000.

But regents said they want any planning to include a study as to whether a new center or commons building would be well used by students.

Student leaders have said the current University Center is under-utilized by students because it is on the south end of the campus rather than centrally located.

Regents earlier this year approved a campus master plan that proposes a new student center.

School officials said a new building could be funded with bonds that would be retired with student fees.

But Don Dickerson, board president, said he wouldn't support the project unless it can be shown that a substantial number of university students would use the building.

He said he wouldn't want to saddle students with paying for a building that they wouldn't use.

Regent Sarah Long said any study should determine if a new student center is needed or if existing space could be renovated for use as a student center.

"This is a really big issue for the campus," said Dr. Ken Dobbins, executive vice president.

In addition to the planning work for a student center, the board authorized three other moves that had been recommended in the campus master plan.

The board approved plans to relocate the Small Business Development Center from its location in a former bank building at 222 N. Pacific to the new Dempster Hall business building.

The office of the KSAM Project, a program to improve teaching of math and science to children, will be moved to the Pacific Street building. The old KSAM office in a house at 368 N. Henderson will be demolished for parking.

In other business, the regents voted to discontinue the two-year nursing program in favor of strengthening its baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs.

Southeast will honor its commitment to students already enrolled in the two-year program, but as of fall 1997 it will no longer admit new students to the associate-degree program.

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