THREE RIVERS CLOSES SHOP FOR SEMO VISIT

The lights were off, the classrooms and offices empty Monday at Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff.

The community college's 120 employees, from administrators to custodians, boarded three buses and traveled to Southeast Missouri State University for a daylong visit with their higher education counterparts.

Officials from both schools said the visit would improve the working relationship between the two Southeast Missouri schools.

"It is a whole lot easier to do business with people you know," said Dr. Dale Nitzschke, Southeast's president.

"It brings us closer together," he said.

More personal relationships between faculty and staff at the two schools will encourage a greater partnership between the two institutions, he said.

Nitzschke stood at the front doors to the University Center and shook hands with Three Rivers employees as they arrived shortly after 10 a.m. Monday.

Dr. Steve Poort, Three Rivers president, welcomed the partnership.

"I think it is a great way to better serve the taxpayers and that is what we are here for," said Poort, who didn't make the bus trip but instead drove separately.

He said it is easier to telephone a friend rather than a stranger.

Poort said Monday's visit was unique in Missouri and probably the Midwest.

He hopes to have Southeast employees visit the Poplar Bluff school in the future.

The community college holds daylong training sessions for its employees each fall and spring semesters. The sessions historically have involved all of the employees, not just faculty.

"It tells people everybody is important," said Mary Phyfer, vice president of TRCC.

Poort said every employee is an ambassador for the school.

Custodians, he said, can share information on cleaning compounds. Physical plant personnel can trade information on everything from heating systems to lighting.

Secretaries can communicate about how their offices are set up and how their commuters are networked, Poort said.

There is a growing academic relationship between the two schools in many degree programs.

Three Rivers has some 3,400 students. The majority of those that transfer to a four-year institution come to Southeast, Poort said.