SOUTHEAST PRESIDENT TAKES OFFICE TO STUDENTS

Some students recognized Dr. Bill Atchley; others didn't.

Some passed right by Southeast Missouri State University's interim president, who was seated behind a desk in a corner of the University Center lobby Wednesday morning. Others did a double take, surprised to see a university president hanging out at the UC.

The 63-year-old Atchley took it all in stride, readily talking to the students and staff members who stopped to visit.

"I like my waiting room over there," he joked, referring to the students who studied and talked with their friends in the main area of the lobby.

"It is a great break in the day, in the week," he said. "It really revitalizes me."

Atchley said his "traveling office," an innovation he used at other universities, gives him a chance to talk to students directly and to listen to their concerns and comments.

Students benefit too.

"I think it is great; it kind of brings him down to everyone else's level," student Chris Kirk said after a chat with Atchley. Kirk is vice president of Student Government.

"This is fabulous," said student Theresa Haug. "It gives the students an opportunity to see he is really human."

One older student told Atchley he was holding down three part-time jobs to work his way through college. He urged Atchley to keep a lid on student fees.

He said it would take him 5 1/2 years to graduate unless the school offers night classes in the summer.

Atchley said the university might consider setting up a separate night school as has been done at many other universities.

A number of students spent the morning at the Fall Career Expo in the University Center.

One stopped to ask Atchley where to obtain information about the career-day program, apparently unaware that he was addressing the president. Atchley directed him to the career-day activities but didn't identify himself.

A sign next to the desk said: "Have you met the president yet?"

But even that didn't register with some students, who apparently weren't certain what Atchley was president of.

Atchley enjoyed being away from his formal Academic Hall office.

"It's a nice office, but I kind of find myself being glued there too much," he said.

Atchley was at his temporary desk in the University Center from 9 a.m. to noon.

He plans to set up his office in the University Center twice next month. In the spring he plans to set up shop outside on campus.