Letter to the Editor

THE PUBLIC MIND: SCHOOL'S ENTRANCE REQUIREMENT UPGRADING NEEDS MORE THOUGHT THAN JUST UPGRADING

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To the Editor:

Our copy of the Southeast Missourian did arrive yesterday at or about 10:30 a.m.

Today the paper arrived at or about 7:15 a.m.

While I am writing I thought I would add the following thoughts on the move to upgrade the academic entrance to Southeast Missouri State University in a "Pac-8 Conference" style.

One thing that hasn't been written, or a single step of preparation made, at least that I am cognizant, is the accompanying need for area junior colleges.

High school students rejected by Southeast Missouri State University are going to need training somewhere to be able to contribute and earn a living.

What better place for educational training for a vocation, trade, pre-professional or later entrance into a four-year college than a junior college?

Of course, here is the problem, or problems: Where do we locate these junior colleges, do we have the finances to implement the higher education plants and how do you serve our sparsely populated areas like Bollinger County, Wayne County and maybe Iron County?

Then, in siting the two-year educational institutions, you have to consider Sikeston and Cape Girardeau. The two cities might be benefited by a community college located in the Benton and Chaffee areas.

For example, I think in the 1960s approximately 1,000 students commuted back and forth to Middle Tennessee State University at Murfreesboro, Tenn. So, here highway access, ground site, housing and student access are some of the concerns ahead.

I think the entrance requirement upgrading needs more thought than just upgrading, or leaving the semi-open door policy.

James M. Hartle

Marble Hill