FORMER SOUTHEAST PRESIDENT DISCUSSES HIGHER EDUCATION

State policy has kept Missouri's public colleges and universities from offering discounted tuition to out-of-state students.

That policy isn't likely to change in the near future, the state's top higher education official says.

"Sitting here, I do not see as much interest in it as there was at Southeast," said Dr. Kala Stroup, commissioner of higher education.

Stroup served as president of Southeast before resigning to take the commissioner's job.

Stroup has served as commissioner since Sept. 1.

Admissions officials at Southeast have complained that it is hard for the school to compete against Murray (Ky.) State University for Southern Illinois students because of Missouri's tuition policy.

Stroup said the Coordinating Board for Higher Education has had the tuition policy for years. "There is an entire section on tuition and it says out-of-state tuition should exceed in-state fees by two to one," she said.

Stroup said the philosophy is that out-of-state residents should pay higher tuition because they aren't paying taxes to support Missouri's public colleges.

"There is a strong feeling we need to take care of Missouri's students first," she said.

Some Missouri schools don't want discounted tuition for out-of-state students because they count on the revenue from the higher fees, she said.

While discounted tuition isn't allowed, Stroup said the state's colleges and universities, including Southeast, offer scholarships to out-of-state students.

Some of those scholarships essentially allow out-of-state students to pay in-state tuition.

The coordinating board is developing a master plan for higher education in Missouri. The plan should be completed by June, Stroup said.

"I think it is important that we have plans. We can't just simply say we want more money."

Among other things, the plan will focus on the state's need for technical training programs and an improved telecommunications system that will allow universities to join together to offer off-campus classes to outlying areas of the state via interactive television.

Stroup said Missouri's industry needs a trained work force. Much of that training can be accomplished in two-year programs, she said.

Sikeston's business community and school district officials have suggested that the area needs a community college.

But Stroup said she would prefer to see what could be done by existing colleges and universities to fill such needs before the state would look at establishing any new junior colleges.