EDUCATION AT ODDS WITH ITSELF

An institution of higher education is meant to be a place where ideas all varieties of ideas are welcome. When a state-supported institution is involved in this free exchange of beliefs, taxpayers sometimes must grit their teeth in relation to an educational experience often at odds with itself. Southeast Missouri State University bears witness.

Last week, a department at the university spearheaded a conference that aimed at identifying effective strategies for keeping young people away from drugs. An anti-drug rally was held at the Show Me Center as the centerpiece of this conference. An office on the university campus also dedicates itself to educating students about substance abuse.

This week, an announcement arrived at this newspaper from a university-sanctioned organization called Help End Marijuana Prohibition, a group aimed at educating its membership about the injustice of laws regarding that drug. Next to the group's name on the envelope was a stamp cancellation that read: "State of Missouri - Official Business." It is a mailing privilege afforded such authorized campus groups.

True, much of the money paid for student organizations comes from students fees, but it is likely those who pay the fees are just as confused by the conflicting signals as the taxpayers who support public universities. Baffling as it might seem at times, a broad spectrum of ideas is part of the higher education package.