MORE COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AREA

William Woods University is stretching into Southeast Missouri. The private four-year college in Fulton plans to offer three degree programs in Chaffee, New Madrid and Poplar Bluff -- including a master's program in business administration.

The move provides additional educational opportunities in the region.

Southeast Missouri State University well knows the advantage of providing education close to home. Its center in Malden has been extremely successful. Additional centers are operating in Sikeston and Perryville. SEMO is also looking at possible outreach sites in Kennett, Marble Hill and Festus.

William Woods provides a measure of competition. But it is also responding to supply and demand. If the need is there, students will fill classes. If not, William Woods will probably go elsewhere.

On the other hand, Southeast is here to stay. The university has also worked jointly with other institutions -- such as the University of Missouri-Columbia -- to offer specialty degrees and classes in the region.

Today's technology has broken down some of the traditional boundaries in higher education. With the Internet, phone lines and satellites, it's much easier to teach a class long distance. As such, higher educational competition will probably only increase.

But the more opportunities, the better. It will only encourage more people to expand their horizons and their education.