The River Campus isn't the only project on Southeast Missouri State University's drawing board.

Although the university's plan to develop a former Catholic seminary into a River Campus for the visual and performing arts has garnered the public's attention, Southeast's administration also has other projects in the works for fiscal 2000.

Those projects total nearly $2.7 million and The Board of Regents will consider approving the spending plan when it meets Friday.

The plan includes $1.9 million from the state for maintenance and repair projects. Southeast will put another $767,000 of its own funds into the projects, including $300,000 to upgrade the campus telephone system.

The state money includes $592,624 for general maintenance and repair work, $400,000 for campus utility improvements and $250,000 for Kent Library renovations.

Dr. Ken Dobbins, Southeast's executive vice president, said the university's Little Theatre on the first floor of Kent Library would be renovated for use as a computer lab. The lab would provide bibliographic training for library staff and students.

"We don't use it," Dobbins said of the Little Theatre. "It has very poor acoustics. It is way outdated. The seats are horrible."

The improvements are part of the university's long-range plan for improving Kent Library. The new computer lab could be in operation by next spring, Dobbins said.

Also in the works is $225,000 in state and institutional money for structural improvements to the Houck Stadium seating.