UNIVERSITY HAS STAKE IN GAMBLING

Southeast Missouri State University could receive a $4 million-plus payout from riverboat gambling.

That message wasn't lost on the school's Board of Regents when it met Friday.

Don Harrison, board president, said that, from the funding standpoint, an anticipated April statewide vote on a constitutional amendment concerning riverboat gambling looms large.

The legislature is looking to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to correct Missouri Supreme Court-detected flaws in the state's riverboat gambling law.

Harrison said voters need to approve the measure so riverboat gambling can proceed "from an economic standpoint, if nothing else."

At Friday's meeting, the board also voiced support for moving ahead with development of a strategic plan for the university's future.

As to the funding issue, university President Kala Stroup said many of Gov. Mel Carnahan's budget recommendations for Southeast and other colleges and universities in the state are tied to anticipated revenue of the gaming industry.

Southeast officials said $3.6 million in anticipated gambling revenue is earmarked for capital improvements at the university. The list includes $1 million for maintenance and repair projects, $224,500 for Magill Hall renovations, $222,100 for Academic Hall third floor renovations, $386,400 for Houck Field House renovations and $1.75 million for various other renovations.

Another $483,850 in projected riverboat gambling money would be used for library improvements at Southeast as part of the fiscal year 1995 operating budget.

Other funding, both in terms of capital projects and general operations, would come from state lottery proceeds.

Carnahan has recommended a $34.8 million state appropriation for Southeast for general operations for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Of that amount, 49 percent is tied to lottery proceeds, 31 percent to general revenue and 21 percent to riverboat gambling, a university budget document shows.

On the capital improvement side, Carnahan has recommended $16.95 million in funding for Southeast, 4 percent from lottery proceeds and 21 percent tied to anticipated riverboat gambling revenue.

Seventy-five percent of the funding would come from a state general obligation bond issue, which would require voter approval, university officials said.

The bond issue, which would fund numerous higher education projects in the state, would provide $12.68 million for construction of a new business college at Southeast.

On the issue of strategic planning, Regent Donald Dickerson said it's "vital" for the school to chart a course for its future.

Dickerson and other regents said it's important for the university to seek input from the region's business leaders and others.

"I have talked to any number of business people all over Southeast Missouri," said Dickerson. Some, he said, believe the university doesn't serve the needs of the area.

There are businessmen in the region who have a "vision" of what Southeast should become, he added. "I'd like to get their input."

Stroup said the planning process is expected to be launched this spring. The entire process -- which will include the use of a consulting firm and involve input from alumni, students, business leaders and others -- could take 15 to 18 months, she said.