SIU HELPS IMAGE, STRESSES ACADEMICS

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale is working hard to clean up an image tarnished by a party-school reputation. Chancellor Donald Beggs has taken a no-nonsense approach with last year's out-of-control Halloween celebrations.

He's also reaching out to the region to stress that academics come first at SIU. Last week, Beggs presided over the first convocation for new students. University facility and officials dressed in their academic regalia as they addressed new students in a first-ever convocation.

The message was a sound one: Students are expected to put academics first and follow a certain standard of behavior.

SIU's image suffers from several years of Halloween hysteria. Last year, about 50 people were arrested when hundreds of people smashed store windows, set cars on fire and threw rocks, bricks and bottles at police. Three officers were hurt.

Some students even pitched a railroad crossing arm and road signs at a passing train. University buildings and a softball field were damaged.

Beggs sent 15 students packing -- more than had been expelled in the last decade combined. Another 12 students received lesser sanctions.

It isn't the first time Halloween celebrations spiraled out of control. In 1994, about 2,000 people created a disturbance, overturning two cars and breaking windows along The Strip.

Beggs believes stiff treatment of offenders last year will send a strong message to potential revelers this Halloween.

SIU is also working to boost sagging enrollments. Enrollment was expected to drop 1 percent this year to about 19,400 students. The university's all-time high was around 24,000.

One factor influencing the drop may be the fact the university no longer waives out-of-state tuition for contiguous counties to its service area in surrounding states.

In-state tuition is $2,700 per semester, but it jumps to a hefty $8,100 for out-of-state. Missouri also disallows such waivers so it is hard to criticize the change.

While SIU and Southeast Missouri State University athletes compete in Division I, the universities have pursued growing academic partnerships.

The SIU campus offers several undergraduate and numerous graduate degrees not available in the region. That's good news for students who seek different course work, but don't want to travel far from home.

With Halloween just a little over two months away, Beggs is working hard to lay a foundation of academics and high standards. His down-to-earth approach may be just what's needed to put a shine on SIU's community image.