SOUTHEAST UNIVERSITY BUILDING FOR FUTURE

Southeast Missouri State University is building for the future.

It has a new business building and is moving ahead with improvements to the recreation fields, and plans to expand the Student Recreation Center.

The university also wants to construct a new student center, a polytechnic institute and a fine and performing arts center, renovate or build new housing for Southeast's fraternities and sororities, renovate Academic Hall and expand the Towers complex.

The projects would give a new look to the campus at a cost of millions and millions of dollars.

State funding, student fees and private contributions would be needed to finance the projects, school officials said.

"There isn't anything being discussed or planned that does not appear in our master plan," said Southeast's president, Dr. Dale Nitzschke.

"It's all in there. It is just a matter of timing," he said.

The goal is to provide a modern, up-to-date campus that will attract students and boost enrollment to the 10,300 level.

Today's students and parents are attracted to schools with modern facilities.

Southeast's campus has a number of aging buildings that are outdated by today's standards.

"Southeast has not made some of the investments in that physical plant that will keep it competitive with peer institutions," Nitzschke said.

Southeast won't be able to boost enrollment without upgrading its facilities, he said.

"We don't have the luxury of time," Nitzschke said.

He said the school needs to construct and complete all these projects within five years.

Some work is already under way.

Work has begun to improve the recreation fields at Sprigg and Bertling at a cost of $3 million. The project includes new tennis courts, softball and soccer fields, off-street parking, lighting and restrooms.

The Board of Regents has also approved plans to expand the Student Recreation Center at a cost of about $5 million. The expansion would include two NCAA-sized basketball courts, added space for weight rooms, aerobic dance and offices.

The center will be expanded on the west side to almost double its current size, school officials said. A new entrance will be built between the addition and the existing structure. It will face New Madrid Street.

Southeast wants to construct a polytechnic building. Don Dickerson, president of the Board of Regents, said it could cost $8 million to construct and equip the building.

Southeast had sought $6.9 million in state funding. Gov. Mel Carnahan has recommended $5.6 million for the project.

Nitzschke said private and possibly federal funds could help make up the difference. A donor has already pledged $1 million toward construction of the building.

The polytechnic building would house the school's industrial technology program. It would focus on high-tech manufacturing and offer customized training programs for employers.

No site has been chosen, but it likely would be on the north end of the campus, school officials said.

Southeast also wants to renovate Academic Hall. The project could cost the state about $12.5 million.

The university hopes to construct a new student center or University Commons as it is being called.

Current plans call for a new, three-story University Commons that would be built around three sides of the existing Parker Building. The Parker Building would be incorporated into the new structure.

Nitzschke said the project would provide a student center that would be closer to the north part of campus where most of the campus housing and many of the classes are situated.

Nitzschke said the University Center, which now serves as the student center, could be converted into a continuing education center. The center would offer training for real estate agents and others in professions with continuing education requirements.

Major renovations or complete new housing is needed for fraternities and sororities on campus, school officials said.

The complex of brick fraternity and sorority houses on the north side of the campus date back to the 1960s. The houses don't have air conditioning.

They are run down, outdated and unattractive, Nitzschke said.

"We are not going to continue to attract students to live there," he said.

Southeast has to provide better living space, he said.

New residence halls would be nice, but the cost could be prohibitive. "We may end up renovating because construction costs are so expensive," Nitzschke said.

Southeast has renovated two of the Towers high-rise residence halls. The school eventually will have to renovate the other two residence halls, he said.

The school wants to expand the dining and service area that is in the center of the Towers complex.

Southeast also wants to build a fine and performing arts center at a price tag of about $7.5 million.

Nitzschke said the university might look to fund that project entirely with private contributions or in combination with state money.

Nitzschke said all the building plans go hand in hand with efforts to expand academic programs at Southeast.

"We really are building for the future," he said.