SOUTHEAST LOSES ANOTHER OF ITS TOP ADMINISTRATORS

Southeast Missouri State University is losing another top administrator.

The assistant provost at Southeast will leave to become vice president for academic affairs at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M. University officials in New Mexico announced Dorothy Allen's acceptance of the position Tuesday. She will officially take over the post Aug. 1.

Southeast already had three vacancies in top administration. Provost Leslie Cochran announced plans in March to become president of Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio. Cochran begins that job July 1.

Also, the university is searching for a new vice president of student affairs and an assistant to the president to handle affirmative action and equal opportunity matters.

Allen was chosen from a list of 160 applicants. Eastern New Mexico University has an enrollment of about 6,000 students. It is made up of the main campus in Portales, a branch community college in Roswell, an instructional center in Ruidoso and a university broadcast center.

Allen will work at the Portales campus, university officials in New Mexico said, at an annual salary of $80,000. She will be in charge of all academic programs.

"I'm very, very excited about going to Eastern New Mexico," Allen said Tuesday.

"It is an outstanding institution. They have an excellent reputation in New Mexico and other states, they draw quality students and they have a strong focus on excellence in teaching and professional growth in the faculty. And they have a strong commitment to students."

Allen said she decided to leave Southeast because professionally, it is time to move on.

"My time at Southeast has been a very positive experience for me," she said. "I've had a lot of individuals at the university who have provided mentoring and support in terms of my own growth as an administrator."

The timing of the move is unfortunate, she said, because of Cochran's departure.

"I'm sure that before people leave, we can get our heads together and figure out what we can do in the interim," she said.

"There may be some unknowns at this point, but I'm sure (University President) Kala (Stroup) can get these positions filled."

Allen has been at Southeast since 1983, starting out as chairperson of the department of health. In 1985, she joined the provost's office as academic associate.

From 1988 to 1989, she served as interim dean in charge of establishing the college of health and human services. From 1988 to 1990, she coordinated the university's North Central Association reaccreditation process.

She was named assistant provost in 1989.

Allen said Eastern New Mexico has AM and FM radio stations and a television station that broadcasts university classes up to 90 miles away.

In a prepared statement, Stroup expressed regret about Allen's departure.

"In my two years here," she said, "I have seen Dr. Allen mature as a campus leader and I am pleased that another institution has recognized her merit."