SOUTHEAST EYES $35.8 MILLION BUDGET

Southeast Missouri State University expects to receive $35.8 million in state funding for general operations for fiscal 1996, an increase of $2.2 million from this year's funding.

The fiscal year begins July 1.

The university also is slated to receive $5 million over the next two fiscal years to improve its power plant and upgrade its electrical system. Power plant improvements include renovating two coal-fired boilers and repairing two steam turbines.

Unlike general appropriations, lawmakers have doled out funding for capital improvements over a two-year budget cycle.

Southeast's chief budget officer, Ken Dobbins, is pleased with the appropriation.

The funding is part of the $12.8 billion state budget sent Gov. Mel Carnahan.

The governor is expected to sign the budget bills in June.

Carnahan's budget director, Mark Ward, said Friday the higher education appropriation is only slightly less than the governor recommended.

Carnahan had recommended $775 million for the state's public colleges and universities; the General Assembly approved $763 million.

The $763 million figure is up 6.7 percent from this year's $715.5 million, Ward said.

"We had a significant amount of one-time funding available from gaming sources," he said.

Southeast's appropriation for general operations is $36.9 million, including $4 million in state lottery money.

But 3 percent of appropriations for general operations of state government is routinely held in reserve, and Southeast would receive about $1.1 million less than the appropriation figure or $35.8 million.

Southeast's appropriation would include $725,000 for maintenance and repair projects and $380,000 for computers and technological improvements.

Dobbins said the university is particularly pleased with receiving funding for needed power plant and electrical distribution improvements.

The $5 million in state funding over the next two fiscal years will pay the bulk of the estimated $6 million cost.

The school will pay the remaining $1 million, with the local cost budgeted to auxiliary operations, such as student housing, the Show Me Center, the Student Recreation Center and the University Center.

Dobbins said power plant and electrical improvements, including major improvements to the switch yard, will have to be done during school.

Southeast, he said, simply can't shut down. Classes are in session almost all year, counting summer sessions.

Dobbins said the improvements should begin late next fall and be completed by the summer of 1997.

The switch yard has long needed to be upgraded, he said, because the university has World War II vintage technology.

The power plant improvements will allow Southeast to generate much of its own power and avoid campus brownouts that occur when Union Electric must curtail power to the campus.