STRAUSS TO HELP DIRECT DEVELOPMENT OF RIVER CAMPUS

Marc Strauss didn't dance his way around the issues. Rather, Southeast Missouri State University's dance professor vowed to take charge of efforts to develop a first-class school for the fine and performing arts in his new role as associate dean for the River Campus.

Strauss and other members of the university's arts task force discussed the future of the arts Monday with the River Campus Board of Managers.

In his new job, Strauss will coordinate academic plans for the River Campus. The university plans to spend some $36 million to develop a former Catholic seminary into a visual and performing arts school.

Southeast's arts task force had recommended the university appoint an associate dean to help spearhead the development of the arts school.

Don Schulte of the speech, communication and theatre department headed up the arts task force.

Schulte said the task force wants to develop interdisciplinary programs that reach across the dance, theatre, music and art departments that will be housed at the River Campus.

Southeast recently developed a music theatre degree and more cooperative ventures between departments should be encouraged, the task force said.

Schulte said the university needs to reach out to the community and the region with its arts programs.

Strauss said, "I could get giddy over all the possibilities as all of us could." But he said it will take time to develop specific academic programs. The River Campus likely won't be ready to open its doors until the fall of 2003. Art professor Ron Clayton said world-class faculty and facilities are the key to attracting students to the River Campus. Clayton said the goal is to develop a River Campus with a national and even an international reputation.

But Dennis Vollink of the River Campus Board of Managers, who attended the meeting via speaker phone, suggested the university needs more than quality faculty and buildings to attract students from across the nation.