Southeast Missouri State University revisits strategic plan

In light of financial constraints statewide and locally, Southeast Missouri State University is taking another look at its goals.

On Friday, Dr. Bill Weary, president of Washington, D.C.-based Fieldstone Consulting, met with several campus groups, including Student Government, the board of regents and the budget review committee, to revisit the university's strategic plan.

"Put on your thinking caps. There are no bad ideas," said Southeast president Dr. Ken Dobbins.

Originally set in 2008, the strategic plan outlines the university's vision to be the university of first choice and lists priorities.

The work session, which lasted all morning, included breakout sessions to evaluate which university goals should be eliminated or changed. After taking a look at the current plan, many attendees suggested prioritizing services throughout the region.

Refocus original plan

Weary said the university should refocus work within the framework that was established in 2008.

"You're not starting from scratch," Weary said.

Thursday, the board of regents approved fee increases for application fees and inactive accounts. The board also gave direction

in other areas of cutbacks, including employee benefits.

In December, eight budget review subcommittees were set up to review areas like scholarships, program fees and athletics. The groups were charged with outlining $2 million in budget cuts. During the meeting they collectively presented $1,02 million in cuts and revenue increases.

$7.76 million in cuts

The subcommittee work is part of $7.76 million in budget cuts over the next two years. In other areas, the university previously cut 39.25 faculty and staff positions, 19.5 of which were filled.

Dobbins said the feedback will be put into a plan to go to the board of regents. The plan will include recommendations for balancing the budget and other university goals up to 2016, he said.

abusch@semissourian.com

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