The guessing game is in full swing at Southeast Missouri State University this summer, where the search for a new university president remains a big question mark and a hot topic of conversation.

Two of the school's top administrators have been talked about among campus circles as possible candidates to succeed Dr. Kala Stroup. They are Dr. Ken Dobbins, executive vice president, and Dr. Charles Kupchella, provost.

Neither one has thrown his hat in the ring. But neither has ruled out the possibility. Both say they are keeping their options open.

Longtime faculty members say Dobbins and Kupchella are the only current staff members who could even be considered as serious candidates for the job.

But both come with some baggage, faculty members say.

"Kupchella may not be as well liked on campus, and Dobbins may not have as good a handle on academic affairs," said Terry Sutton, Faculty Senate chairman.

Sutton said Kupchella has academic experience, while Dobbins is well versed in financial affairs.

Faculty members want a president who has a teaching background.

Kupchella said the search involves a time of transition. "Those of us closest to the presidency are the ones that would likely be the most affected by the change."

Biology professor Allen Gathman doubts either administrator would be picked permanently to replace Stroup, who will become Missouri's commissioner of higher education in September.

The university's regents say they will conduct a national search, and no automatic preference will be given to internal candidates.

"If you do a national search, you are going to have a number of really top-notch candidates," Gathman said. "I think anybody already on campus has a kind of disadvantage. I think people always wind up looking somewhat better on paper than when you have a chance to evaluate them in person."

The issue of an interim president has sparked speculation too.

The regents haven't decided if an interim president will be needed. They don't plan to make any moves until they have hired and met with a search consultant.

Gathman thinks the regents will have to name an interim president, because a nationwide search could take about a year.

The interim post could be filled by Dobbins or Dr. Sheila Caskey, dean of graduate studies and extended learning, some faculty members say.

These same faculty members assume any interim president wouldn't be a candidate to hold the post permanently.

Some Southeast employees have speculated that Dr. Robert Foster would be a logical choice for interim president. Foster plans to retire soon as director of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation.

He served as the school's 13th president in what was an interim role in 1989-90.

Foster said Friday that none of the regents has raised the issue with him.

"Nobody ever talked to me about it except people out on the street," Foster said. "I don't expect that to come to fruition."

Donald Harrison, president of the regents, said the search process is as important as the result.

"During this time of transition, the Board of Regents requests your support, involvement and patience," he said in a June 29 letter to the school's employees.

Harrison said the regents welcome nominations and advice. Such correspondence should be directed to Harrison at Southeast Missouri State University, 1 University Plaza, Mail Stop 3315, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701.