SUPPORT IS VOICED FOR DIRECTOR OF AGING

To the Editor:

This letter refers to recent articles about nutrition centers for older citizens.

The articles contain information that goes beyond decisions that the board of regents and administration of Southeast Missouri State University could make. It concerns considerations that are professional and academic in nature that include my responsibility and that of our faculty members.

Virtually all of the strength and expertise of Southeast Missouri State University in the fields of concern, nutrition and aging, are found in the Department of Human Environmental Studies and the Institute of Gerontology. Both are part of the College of Health and Human Services.

First, nutrition is part of the nutrition/dietetics/food section of the Department of Human Environmental Studies. It is a strong unit with three fine faculty members: Diane McKee, Marcia Nahikian-Nelms and Georganne Syler. These professors are extremely busy with teaching, scholarship and service responsibilities. In addition, each is in the process of completing her own doctorate degree.

Second, campus expertise in aging studies is found in both the Institute of Gerontology and the Department of Human Environmental Studies. The Institute is a unit that includes 23 faculty members, who collaborate on a part-time basis in the development of teaching, scholarship and service projects concerned with aging. These faculty members have full time appointments in one of the academic departments at Southeast Missouri State University. Professor Leslee Pollina is in her first year of directing the Institute. Also, the Department of Human Environmental Studies operates the Hoover Eldercare Center and other programs for the aging.

Although scholarship and service are important, the primary role of these units is to help students learn in their fields. Faculty members clearly specialize in teaching.

Consequently, these highly capable people do not have the background, time, or as far as I know, the interest to become involved in duties associated with nutrition centers. I have found nobody in any of these programs who has initiated a role in the nutrition centers. We have our hands full with what we have.

Finally, Glenda Hood Hoffmeister is a valued member of the Community Advisory Committee of the Institute of Gerontology. She has been a strong supporter of our efforts in programs for the elderly. We want Glenda to continue with her work in behalf of the elderly population of southeast Missouri.

~~Robert Boissoneau

Dean/College of Health and

Human Services

Southeast Missouri

State University~