SOUTHEAST GETTING FACELIFT

Southeast Missouri State University has numerous building projects on the drawing board as it works to provide a foundation for the future.

It has a new business building. The renovation of its old Social Science Building should be finished by June.

The school is moving ahead with improvements to the recreation fields, and plans to expand the Student Recreation Center.

The university also wants to construct a new student center, a polytechnic institute and a fine and performing arts center, renovate or build new housing for Southeast's fraternities and sororities, renovate Academic Hall and expand the Towers complex.

The projects would give a new look to the campus at a cost of millions and millions of dollars.

State funding, student fees and private contributions would be needed to finance the projects, school officials said.

"There isn't anything being discussed or planned that does not appear in our master plan," said Southeast's president, Dr. Dale Nitzschke.

The goal is to provide a modern, up-to-date campus that will attract students and boost enrollment to the 10,300 level.

Southeast won't be able to boost enrollment without upgrading its facilities, Nitzschke said.

He said he hopes the projects can be constructed and completed within the next five years.

Work has begun to improve the recreation fields at Sprigg and Bertling at a cost of $3 million.

The Board of Regents has also approved plans to expand the Student Recreation Center at a cost of about $5 million.

The center will be expanded on the west side to almost double its current size, school officials said. A new entrance will be built, facing New Madrid Street.

Southeast wants to construct a polytechnic building. School officials said it could cost $8 million to construct and equip the building.

Gov. Mel Carnahan has recommended $5.6 million for the project. Nitzschke said private and possibly federal funds could help make up the difference.

The polytechnic building would house the school's industrial technology program. It would focus on high-tech manufacturing and provide customized training programs for employers.

Southeast also wants to renovate Academic Hall at a cost to the state of about $12.5 million.

Major renovations or complete new housing is needed for fraternities and sororities on campus, school officials said.

The complex of brick fraternity and sorority houses on the north side of the campus date back to the 1960s. The houses don't have air conditioning.

They are run down, outdated and unattractive, Nitzschke said.

"We are not going to continue to attract students to live there," he said.

New residence halls would be nice, but the cost could be prohibitive. "We may end up renovating because construction costs are so expensive," Nitzschke said.

Southeast has renovated two of the Towers high-rise residence halls. The school eventually will have to renovate the other two residence halls, he said.

The school plans to expand the dining and service area that is in the center of the Towers complex.

Southeast also wants to build a fine and performing arts center at a price tag of about $7.5 million.

Nitzschke said the university might fund that project entirely with private contributions or in combination with state money.