SEMO STRAGEDY NEEDS TO INCLUDE IDEAS

Southeast Missouri State University has reached out into the region as part of its strategic planning. The university sponsored a series of community forums in late September and early October. The public turnout for these forums was disappointing. Only 140 attended the nine hearings held from Cape Girardeau to Poplar Bluff. The handful who attended each forum were those most directly involved with the university. The input provided was meaningful. But the forums didn't succeed in reaching those not served or disenchanted by higher education.

Too many people are quick to criticize the university, but they aren't willing to put their comments on record. Judgment is easy. Change requires people to roll up their sleeves and exert some elbow grease.

One message that was repeated at the forums was that Southeast Missouri residents want more access to higher education. People want more community colleges or other opportunities to earn college credit closer to home. There are four community colleges in Southeast Missouri, but none is close to Cape Girardeau County. Securing a new community college might be difficult politically and financially. But the university could offer community college courses in the region.

Many people also asked that the university extend a presence to their communities. And the forums cited a need for degree programs in occupational and physical therapy.

The easy part is over for the university. Officials listened and took notes from those who did attend. Now they must weave these suggestions into a long-range strategic plan. Southeast's regents will discuss the forum results at their Oct. 25 meeting. A university committee hopes to formulate this strategic plan -- with four to six main goals -- that will direct the university for the next decade and beyond. The planning process is expected to take about a year.

People of the region -- both those who did and didn't attend -- will be watching the planning recommendations closely. It is important they see their suggestions among the strategic plans. If not, the forums were nothing more than window dressing. Politicians excel at asking our opinion and never using it. Perhaps that is why people are wary of even providing feedback to government entities. Such cynicism might even explain the low turnout for these meetings.

The university simply can't dismiss the public comment it so vigorously sought. If Southeast demonstrates that officials not only heard these suggestions but will use them, that will go a long way toward nurturing public trust. The give and take of making a good university even better must be a team effort.