LETTERS: UNIVERSITY PROVIDES ARTS ASSISTANCE

To the editor:

Recently, the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri was hosted for Arts for All: Arts for Differently Abled Persons at Southeast Missouri State University's newly acquired seminary grounds. Miscommunication and scheduling conflicts beyond anyone's control caused last-minute reorganization of the day's events. Fortunately, members of the staff and faculty from the university community were readily available to offer assistance and were equally generous with their time and talents for our purpose.

It is instances such as this that remind us of the importance of university and community coexistence via productive interaction. Politics and administration are only a small portion of the university community. The faculty and staff are the majority. While the university community is often perceived as a separate entity, we must remember that the employees are our friends and neighbors. Whether they act as community organizers or simply participants, we live, work and grow as one in our region.

The university's planned River Campus will provide much more than just a forum for the arts, educational facility and heritage/art museum. The possibilities for increased tourism, regional commerce growth and audience development pale when compared to the benefits of untapped employment opportunities and fresh social interaction. Beyond all the financial gain lie the social benefits to our area. A second campus will introduce us to more of our ever-important university employees who contribute to the wonderful community we call both Cape Girardeau and home.

DANIEL NORTH

Executive Director

Arts Council of Southeast Missouri

Cape Girardeau