LETTERS: STUDENT INTEREST IN ARTS IS HIGH

To the editor:

As the new River Campus and School of the Visual and Performing Arts opportunity has been discussed, the issue of student interest in the arts and the new campus's ability to draw new students has been questioned. In my position at the Office of Admissions, I study prospective student-interest data and assess Southeast's ability to compete for new students. When we examined the level of student interest in the arts and the arts programs at other schools in the region, the data included two conclusions: The prospective student level of interest in arts at Southeast is very strong and growing, and there is no comprehensive school and campus for visual and performing arts at a public institution in Missouri.

From a marketing standpoint, the combination of the conclusions indicates a great opportunity for Southeast and Cape Girardeau to create a school that would not only draw and retain additional students to the university, but would also create a dynamism about the Cape community that could generate growth in many, many areas. The River Campus would create a mindset for people throughout the state and region that when a student is interested in the arts, they should go to Cape Girardeau and enroll at Southeast. That distinctive niche does not currently exist but could if the River Campus is developed.

The actual data surrounding student interest in the arts at Southeast are notable. For example, in the last three years, the dance program has increased its prospective student base by 550 percent (from 34 to 187 prospective students interested in dance at Southeast). The dance class enrollment increased by almost 1,000 percent (from 50 to almost 500 students enrolled in dance courses). In addition, over the past five years, more high school students interested in Southeast have indicated art as their area of interest than any other academic area. Both the music and theater programs have continued to maintain stable enrollments and always draw a lot of interest from prospective students.

The potential to extend the university's recruitment strength in the nearby arts-oriented metropolitan areas also exists. The high level of interest in the arts in the St. Louis area alone has already persuaded the National Association of College Admissions Counseling to host an annual national visual and performing arts college recruitment fair in that city. With first-rate facilities, Southeast is an ideal location to attract those students.

The high level of interest in the arts at Southeast is very exciting, but also frustrating in terms of new-student recruitment due to the quality of our current campus facilities for the arts. Today's students shop around for the best program their money can buy. Prospective arts students have told us they like Southeast and the Cape community, but the facilities are not at the level they prefer.

The River Campus would provide real potential to grow. It is rewarding to see so many of our young people have a growing interest in the arts. We would love to have those students choose Cape and Southeast, but if we do not build it, they likely will not come.

JAY GOFF, Director of Admissions

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau