Southeast Missouri State University will launch an educational program to inform people on regional, state and national issues.

The Public Issues Forum will begin this fall.

"As far as we know, this is the very first effort by a higher-educational institution in Missouri to provide comprehensive programs on major topics on a regular basis to the general public," said Dr. Kala Stroup, Southeast president.

The forum will provide well-known speakers on a regular basis not only on the Cape Girardeau campus but throughout the Southeast Missouri region.

There will be no admission charge at any of the forums.

Tentative plans call for the initial forum to be presented in September or October and to feature a nationally known speaker.

Future forums would be held bimonthly during each academic year.

Topics will cover world and national affairs and policies; Missouri issues; and economic, societal and cultural trends that impact the general public.