Southeast tackles new strategic plan

In three to five years, about 30 percent of the faculty at Southeast Missouri State University will be reaching retirement age.

How to replace the retiring faculty was one of the topics discussed Friday as university officials and the board of regents held a strategic plan meeting.

"That's an issue. That's a huge issue," said board member Jim Limbaugh about the retirement situation.

The board met all day Friday in a work session to begin revising the university's strategic plan, which outlines priorities and goals. While nothing definite was decided, the board expressed a desire to increase access to higher education, focus on technology and develop "centers of excellence," or programs for which the university could be specifically well-known.

"It's meant to get people focused on the university: what we've accomplished and where we want to go. This is just the beginning," said president Dr. Ken Dobbins.

In February, between 100 and 150 faculty members and students will participate in forums to offer their suggestions on how the university should progress.

The last strategic plan was approved by the board in June 2004. Many of its goals, officials said, have been realized.

"We have added programs, completed the River Campus, and expanded. Enrollments are up," Dobbins said.

While imagining where they would like the university to be in 2013, many board members and administrators said they would like to see enrollment increase further, from about 10,600 students to between 13,000 and 15,000.

But Dr. Dennis Holt, vice president of administration and enrollment management, has reservations.

"I don't think it's realistic or healthy. Even if we could get there, I don't think it's advisable," he said. He said tuition would have to rise for the university to be able to handle the additional students.

In the 2013 plan, board members and administrators listed building new residence halls, parking lots and classroom facilities, in addition to increasing faculty proportionally to growth.

Other items listed include placing a bigger emphasis on Southeast's funding mechanism, its foundation, bringing the university to Division 1 in athletics, and "internationalizing" the campus, meaning making students competitive globally. Retaining students and increasing the graduation rate, currently about 55 percent, were other priorities.

Whether enrollment increases or not, additional residence halls are needed, board members said.

"If we're at a point where we're turning students away, that's got to change right away," said board member Ned Matthews.

Southeast has progressed from a "small institution in a rural area to a comprehensive regional university," said Dr. Bill Weary, president of Fieldstone Consulting who the university hired to help with strategic planning.

Weary said it is important for the university to retain its dynamic and progressive attitude, and play to its biggest strength, connecting to the region.

But he said he has yet to see a closer correlation of the academic programs to the needs of the community. The last strategic plan, he said, simply listed generic excellence.

A comprehensive needs analysis of work force and higher education needs is expected to be completed this year, and will most likely play a major role in shaping the university's future.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123