LETTERS: ROLE OF THE REGENTS

To the editor:

Several recent articles in the Southeast Missourian would have it appear that there is some uncertainty here at the university about what goes to the board of regents for formal approval. There is no such uncertainty. We are all well aware that a board of regents is the ultimate authority in the university.

I explained to your reporter that the board reviews all matters having to do with the expenditure of funds. In answer to a specific question -- Does the merit pay plan recently approved by the Faculty Senate have to go to the board for formal approval? -- I made the mistake of trying to explain the difference between policies and implementation guidelines. I explained that the board may, in cases like this where it has previously adopted a policy, simply review implementation guidelines for conformity to the policy, without giving formal approval to the guidelines themselves. Apparently my explanation was not clear.

CHARLES E. KUPCHELLA, Provost

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau