SEMO VO-TECH EXPANSION ON AGENDA

Southeast Missouri State University will expand vocational-technical training under a statewide plan that could lead to construction of a building at the Cape Girardeau school.

The university wants $4.2 million from the state to construct a building to house an expanded industrial technology program.

The university's industrial technology department is housed in the Serena Building, which was built in 1906. It is the fourth-oldest building on campus.

"We need a new facility," said Dr. Randy Shaw, department chairman. "It just doesn't meet our needs. It is three floors and we need a one-floor building," he said.

The Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education last week approved a plan to strengthen college-level technical education at the state's 12 community colleges and three four-year institutions: Southeast, Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg and Missouri Western State College at St. Joseph.

The colleges would set up advisory councils in each of the 12 community college regions involving employers, government officials and educators and draw up plans for expanding technical education.

Art Wallhausen, assistant to the president at Southeast, said the vo-tech project is in its infancy.

"Right now it is a lot of type on paper until we actually have those discussions," he said. "It is all up for grabs right now."

Shaw was the lone Southeast Missouri area representative on the task force who drew up the statewide plan.

Shaw said Southeast Missouri State would work with Three Rivers and Mineral Area community colleges and the region's 10 vocational-technical schools to provide expanded training.

The university isn't trying to do everything itself, but rather in partnership with others. "We are not trying to play big-brother here and do everything," Shaw said.

Southeast offers both four- and two-year technical programs with an emphasis on high-tech areas such as robotics and automated manufacturing.

Educators say there is a need for highly skilled technicians in the manufacturing industry, which increasingly depends on sophisticated, computerized equipment.

Construction of a vocational-technical building is part of Southeast's $27.3 million, two-year capital budget request to the state.

The Board of Regents will consider submitting the funding request for the 1998 and 1998 fiscal years when it meets this afternoon at the University Center Ballroom. The request also seeks nearly $12 million for renovations to Academic Hall and the Art Building.

In other action, the regents are expected to adopt a $60.3 million operating budget and auxiliary budgets of $15.1 million for fiscal 1997, which begins July 1.

Adoption of a campus master plan also is on the agenda, as is awarding of architectural and engineering contracts for the $4.2 million project to renovate the Social Science Building.

SEMO BOARD OF REGENTS AGENDA

Today, 2:30 p.m., University Center Ballroom

Approve operating budget and auxiliary budgets for fiscal 1997.

Approve draft of request for capital improvements for the 1998 and 1999 fiscal years.

Approve campus master plan.

Award a contract for the university audit.

Award architectural and engineering contract for $4.2 million project to renovate the Social Science building.

Award an engineering contract to assess the condition of Academic Hall and the Art building.

Approve a student-records policy.

Establish a minor-degree program in child-life services.