SOUTHEAST PROFESSORS ASSIST IN `MISSOURIANS FIRST' PLANNING

Nine professors at Southeast Missouri State University had a hand in recommendations released recently as part of the Missourians First program for long-range legislative policy and the wise use of state resources.

The faculty members joined professors from other Missouri colleges and universities over the past year in sharing their expertise with members of the Missouri House of Representatives in an effort to shape public policy.

The Missourians First program was established by Missouri House Speaker Bob Griffin, D-Cameron, in an effort to take a more informed, coordinated and future-oriented approach to policy development.

The professors were appointed to nine bipartisan task forces by Griffin and Minority Floor Leader Jim Talent, R-Chesterfield, to develop strategies to deal with state education, economic development, health care, highways and transportation, agriculture, the environment, crime prevention, tourism and human services.

Jane Stephens, academic associate at Southeast, served as a coordinator. Representing Southeast on the various task forces were: Sheila Caskey, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Extended Learning; Carol Veneziano, associate professor of criminal justice; Michael Aide, assistant professor of agriculture; Stephen Overmann, associate professor of biology; William Thompson, associate professor of social work; Frank Nickell, associate professor of history; Linda Cochran, director of economic development; Helen Miner, assistant professor of nursing; and Gary Johnson, assistant professor of accounting and finance.

The task forces comprised nearly one-third of the House membership and more than 100 professors.

Kala Stroup, Southeast's president, called participation by the Southeast faculty "significant.

"Missouri is the only state of which I am aware that is using its academic resources in a consulting process for public policy," she said. "Participation by our faculty not only is significant for our state, but is important for Southeast Missouri State University."

Griffin said the work by faculty members represents an historic moment for the legislative branch of government where the "brightest minds deliberated over exciting concepts to take Missouri into the 21st century."

Each task force reported short and long-term policy recommendations. Next, eight House members working with Griffin and Talent as the Missourians First planning coordination committee, reviewed the task force recommendations for the 1992 legislative session and endorsed a Missourians First program of policy strategies.

"In endorsing these policies, the planning coordination committee does not endorse any particular bill or joint resolution," Griffin said. "Task force members and other House members are sponsoring specific legislation that would accomplish the policy recommendations set out here."

The Missourians First program is an ongoing process, Griffin said. After the 1992 legislative session, task forces will be asked to take their planning process to the public through regional meetings to allow citizens the opportunity to discuss, evaluate and contribute to the goals, objectives and policy proposals of the program.

"The Missourians First legislative program is the result of months of work by both parties in the House of Representatives and reflects the type of long-range planning which is greatly needed," Talent said. "This program represents a comprehensive approach to the important issues facing this state."