SOUTHEAST WILL SEEK $78 MILLION FROM STATE IN FISCAL 2000 BUDGET

Southeast Missouri State University wants to tap the state's purse strings for more than $78 million in operating funds in fiscal 2000.

On Thursday, the Board of Regents is expected to authorize school officials to submit the budget request to the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education. Submission of the budget request to the coordinating board is the first step in the annual budget process.

The budget matter will be the main order of business when the regents meet at 1:30 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom.

The budget request for next fiscal year asks for $4.4 million more than the current fiscal year's $73.8 million appropriation for general operations.

The requested funding increase includes $2.5 million for inflationary adjustments, said Dr. Ken Dobbins, Southeast's executive vice president.

Those adjustments include an estimated 3 percent hike in faculty and staff compensation, a 10 percent increase in funding for library materials and a 3 percent increase in funding for equipment.

The university wants $1.77 million in mission-enhancement money from the state.

In a cover letter that accompanies the budget request, Southeast president Dr. Dale Nitzschke said the university wants to focus on three major areas:

-- New advanced technical education and other academic programs needed by the region, including several offered in cooperation with other institutions in the Southeast Missouri Higher Education Consortium.

-- Increased access to higher education for working adults and those living some distance from the campus through upgrading the Southeast P.M. evening program, further development of the SEE-NET telecommunications network for distance learning, and formation of a new continuing education office.

-- Partial funding for the continued development and operations of the Sikeston Area Higher Education Center as well as establishment of another off-campus center.

Southeast also wants an additional $130,000 in Funding for Results program funds above this year's level.

The state appropriated $252,830 this year to fund various academic projects at Southeast that are designed to enhance teaching and learning.

In its budget request, the university said education is essential to improving the region's economy.

"Much of the region leads the state of Missouri in negative indicators," the document states. "Poverty rates, unemployment, adult illiteracy, out-migration and the proportion of adults with no post-secondary education are generally above state averages."

School officials said Southeast wants to increase college attendance rates in the region, foster student success and aid economic development in the region.