UNIVERSITY WILL STUDY WHETHER TO OFFER DAY CARE FOR STUDENTS, STAFF

Southeast Missouri State University will explore the feasibility of setting up a day-care operation that would serve faculty, staff and students.

The issue has been raised sporadically in recent years, but nothing has been done.

Student Regent Christie Johnson told the Board of Regents Wednesday that the issue is being explored.

In other business, the regents created the Vandiver Show Me State Award and approved a new lease agreement with the Bootheel Youth Museum in Malden.

The award will honor individuals or groups that have made significant contributions to the school, region or state.

Following the meeting, Johnson said university employees have approached Student Government about the need for campus day care.

She said it also is an issue with students. Many of the older students on campus are parents with young children, she said.

She said students need affordable day care.

Dr. Dale Nitzschke, Southeast's president, said after Wednesday's board meeting that the school plans to set up a committee to study the issue. The study could take months, he said.

While the concept is new here, many colleges offer campus day care, he said.

Nitzschke said the issue needs to be addressed. "I think the board would be interested in that, too," he said.

Nitzschke said the university would have to consider how it would fund and operate a day-care center. One possibility, he said, would be to contract for such a service with a private firm.

Day care has been a concern for senior Jennifer Moore. She is a single parent with a 5-year-old son.

In a written letter to the regents, Moore said it has been difficult to find a babysitter. Many of her classes are at night.

She said the university should consider providing day care.

Moore was scheduled to speak to the regents Wednesday afternoon as part of a presentation by non-traditional students, but couldn't attend because she was sick.