Southeast Missouri State University plans to establish the Regional Public Service Institute and snare millions in state and federal grants for the region.

The Board of Regents will consider establishing the institute when it meets today.

University officials said the institute could pay dividends to address the needs of communities throughout the region.

Dr. Ken Dobbins, Southeast's executive vice president, said the institute could administer over $4 million a year in grants and contracts.

Cities and counties aren't aware of all the state and federal grants that are available to fund various programs and projects, said Southeast's president, Dr. Dale Nitzschke. In many cases, government agencies and lawmakers seek out the university to coordinate programs or projects, he said.

Federal and state agencies often give money to colleges for social and economic programs, Nitzschke said. "They still see colleges and universities as independent, fair, non-political and accountable," he said. "That is a reputation that we treasure."

The institute office also will serve as a clearinghouse for public service programs and projects.

Nitzschke said the public often doesn't know which office to contact at the university.

Southeast's mission to serve the region has grown in part because legislators want the university to take on an expanded role, he said.

"We did not go out and seek these dollars to do these things," said Nitzschke.

He said Southeast has tried to meet the requests of lawmakers and state officials for a practical reason too. Southeast has a better chance securing state funding for its own projects if it is willing to tackle other programs and projects that are important to lawmakers and state officials, he said.

Money for rice research, for example, is being funneled through the university at the request of state Rep. Marilyn Williams of Stoddard County.

"We are not asking for it. We are not out there grabbing these things. We are only responding to the needs that have been demonstrated to us," Nitzschke said.

The institute would be housed in the Dearmont building. The office would operate initially on a budget of nearly $45,000.

Nearly half of that cost would be borne by the Bootheel Initiative. The $700,000 grant-funded program is designed to help move people from welfare to work.

The institute would be directed by psychology professor Dr. Louis Veneziano, who would report to Dr. Paul Keys, dean of the College of Health and Human Services. Keys would serve as associate provost for public service and learning.

Nitzschke said the institute office would be funded largely with grants.

Dobbins said the institute will help assess needs, direct grant funding to various providers of services and monitor the activities.

Don Dickerson, president of the Board of Regents, said the institute won't be a drain on the university's own budget.

"I think people don't realize how many things our own state government has asked our university to do," he said.

"The university is willing to take these things on," he said, "but it has to be realized they have to be funded."