POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

Southeast Missouri State University officials are pushing ahead with plans to construct a polytechnic institute at the university. The plans are part of a far-reaching effort to boost technology training as part of the university's enhanced mission and the strategic plan adopted by the Board of Regents last year.

"For too long the concept of technical education has been that it has been for kids that aren't smart enough to go to college or a university," said University Board of Regents President Don Dickerson. But today, he noted, many well-paying industrial jobs require advanced technical and computer training.

The university's industrial technology department will be at the core of the new institute. Southeast officials say the institute will be on the same level with the university's two existing schools of university studies and graduate studies. In addition, the university will establish a center for advanced manufacturing technology to serve existing industry and encourage industrial development in the region. The schedule calls for the university to hire an administrator, adviser-recruiter, technology supervisor and secretary during the current fiscal year.

Key to the plans will be the construction of a new technology center to replace Serena Hall, the oldest structure on campus. Attempts to secure funding for this facility fell short in last year's appropriations process, but university officials are talking with lawmakers to try to secure the $5 million that is needed. Indeed, plans are to go ahead with establishment of the institute even before state funds are committed.

Dickerson and Southeast's president, Dr. Dale Nitzschke, stress that this institute will be an integral part of the Southeast Missouri Educational Consortium, a partnership of five colleges and universities, including Southeast. It is good to see the university reaching out in this manner to serve the region. It is to be hoped that Gov. Mel Carnahan and state lawmakers can approve funding for the new institute so that the university can better serve the entire region.