A real-world learning experience for college students will save the United Way of Southeast Missouri thousands of dollars.

As part of their management of information systems course, nine Southeast Missouri State University students created an electronic grant application and searchable database for the United Way.

This program will be placed on the United Way Web site and be used by the 32 agencies it serves, said Regina Tucker, grant program director for the United Way of Southeast Missouri.

"These agencies currently fill out paper applications for funding from the United Way, which can be a very tedious process," Tucker said. "The application these students created will allow the agencies to do everything electronically."

This will also enable the local United Way to obtain additional funds through its own grant pursuits, Tucker said.

If the United Way had purchased this type of system, it would have cost anywhere from $45,000 to $60,000, said Dr. Joseph Wen, professor for the management information system course.

"This is an opportunity for our students to complete a real-life project," he said. "Given the overall time constraint, they did an excellent job."

The students spent the three-month semester working on the project, which they presented to Tucker on Wednesday.

"This application is the first of its kind among United Ways in Missouri," Tucker said. "I don't even know if United Ways in bigger cities have something like this."

Wen said the students met with Tucker on three visits to discuss the project.

Tucker explained to the students the United Way's need for the electronic grant application and search database.

"I think what the students did, is wonderful," Tucker said. "And it's going to save the United Way so much time and effort, as well as other agencies who will utilize it."

Wen said his management of information systems' courses complete projects, such as the one for the United Way, every semester. Last year a group of students made an electronic database for State Farm Insurance.

Gerald McDougall, dean of the Harrison College of Business, said the University involves its students in the community as much as possible.

"Each year we've had 300 or more students participate in projects like the one presented today," McDougall said.

The United Way will be able to start using the electronic grant application and search database early next year.

jfreeze@semissourian.com

335-6611 ext. 131