A state higher education official will be at Southeast Missouri State University today to talk about the state of higher education funding in Missouri.

Paul Wagner, deputy commissioner of the Missouri Department of Higher Education, will speak about the financial challenges facing the state at noon in Academic Hall auditorium.

The university has been working on plans to cut $7.76 million from the budget over two years. Part of the plan will be outlined during the board of regents meeting Thursday. At the state level, Gov. Jay Nixon proposed merging the Department of Higher Education with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, among other proposals, to balance the state budget.

Wagner will give a 30-minute presentation followed by a 30-minute question-and-answer session. During the presentation, he will discuss the federal stimulus package, the outlook for higher education budgets and challenges for Southeast.

Pertinent address:

One University Plaza Cape Girardeau, MO