SEMO SHOWS GAIN

Southeast Missouri State University began the first day of classes with 63 more students than a year ago. That represents a 1 percent growth in enrollment.

It may not be grounds to raise the roof, but it certainly prompted a sigh of relief by university officials. It marked the second year in a row that enrollment had grown slightly, reversing five years of declining enrollment.

Total head count at Southeast was 7,846 students. Graduate students account for the enrollment gain. A new master's degree in business administration and education specialist-degree programs helped to bring in more graduate students.

It was also significant that the number of returning freshman and sophomores was up from a year ago. Not only is the university working to attract more beginning students, it also is improving the retention of students. University officials feel tougher admission standards may slow enrollment growth in the short term, but it will lead to a better quality of students. These better-prepared students will likely stay in school longer, and that should boost overall enrollment.

It won't happen overnight. The university had set a goal of reaching 10,300 students by the year 2000. That ambitious goal probably won't be achieved in four years. Dr. Dale Nitzschke, Southeast's president, said it may take closer to 10 years to build that kind enrollment.

Southeast's new P.M. program, which allows part-time students to pursue degrees at night, should pay off in the long run as well. Part-time enrollment is already up across the board.