MASTER PLANNING

Aware that it could be committing Southeast Missouri State University to a number of significant and costly campus improvements far into the future, the Board of Regents is considering a master plan for campus development over the next two decades.

The plan, which the board has indicated it will adopt in some fashion at its meeting Aug. 30, should be useful in providing long-range planning for development of the growing campus as the school tries to boost its enrollment to 10,000 students. But because conditions change, the university shouldn't be tied down to any single item in the plan. The board wisely realizes that, and has been straightforward in telling the administration it wants nothing written in stone.

The plan was first submitted to the board June 21, and the regents promptly tabled it in favor of time for study. They met July 26 with representatives of the consulting firm that drew up the plan and are continuing to study it as the Aug. 30 meeting approaches.

Again, at the meeting with the consultants, the board stressed that it wants a plan that will serve as a very broad guideline for campus development. The board also insisted that the administration will have to get approval of this board or any future board to carry out any part of the plan. That is how it should be, considering some of the monumental changes it includes such as moving departments and converting buildings for other uses.

As envisioned by the Board of Regents, the master plan should serve as a blueprint for campus design in the years ahead. That isn't to say the plan is bad. It contains recommendations that will significantly improve the campus as it continues to grow.

The board is on the right track with its approach to the master plan. The plan should be viewed like any other long-range plan implemented by any business or government agency: It should be a flexible design subject to change.

If the board adopts the master plan, the university should use it for guidance when needs change and new ones arise. If recommendations in the plan are feasible they should be carried out; if not, nothing should prevent the school from deviating from it.