DOBBINS STRESSES ACCESSIBILITY AT SEMO HELM

Ken Dobbins is certainly no newcomer to Southeast Missouri State University. But as president since July 1, he's looking at the university from a different point of view. For the previous eight years, he served as university's chief financial officer.

He has gone above and beyond the call of duty to keep in touch with the university by visiting classes and extending informal breakfast and lunch invitations to students and faculty. Participants can even sign up for a meal at the president's new Web site.

Dobbins is living up to his promise of being accessible to faculty, staff and students. These gestures will go a far way to building morale. They will also help Dobbins learn firsthand what works and what doesn't on the university campus.

Dobbins has proven to be a good choice for president. But his credentials are more of a money man than academics. Since taking office, Dobbins has repeatedly stressed academics. His trips to the classroom and breakfasts with faculty and staff should help convey his understanding of classroom challenges.

The fact that his son is currently a student at Southeast also provides Dobbins with an unique point of view. Paul Dobbins, an Internet whiz, has given his dad a helping hand by developing a Web site called the The Rumor Mill @ Southeast.

Students can post questions at this site and receive an official answer from the university. It's a great way to squelch rumors and build a rapport down the chain of command. Many students are fairly e-mail savvy, and this is just another convenient way to make the president's office more accessible.

Dobbins follows President Dale Nitzschke, who remains a master of communication. As president, Nitzschke practiced open access for faculty, students and staff.

Southeast Missouri State University is a big place -- one of the top employers in Cape Girardeau. Add a student enrollment of more than 8,800, and it rivals the population of many small cities. Keeping communication flowing among all these people is quite a challenge for anyone.

These goodwill gestures on the part of Dobbins demonstrate his genuine interest in students, faculty and staff. His action thus far will go a long way to keeping the lines of campus communication open.