KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffCoalition: Community college plan for Cape Girardeau still has issues

Coalition: Community college plan for Cape Girardeau still has issues

By Kathy Sweeney - bio | email

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - The presidents of three Heartland colleges came together this morning, but it's still not clear if all three schools can agree on a plan to bring community college services to Cape Girardeau.

"We can't afford to delay," said Missouri Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Robert Stein. 

Stein listened as members of the Cape Community College Coalition met to discuss a tentative partnership reached by Southeast Missouri State University and Three Rivers Community College.

The draft proposal would have the two schools offer community college services at the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center for three years, then re-evaluate the need and impact before offering additional services.  Mineral Area College already offers services through CTC and would continue doing so under the Southeast/Three Rivers plan.

But, members of the coalition brought up a list of concerns, including the level and extent of services, the impact on the community, and the impact on the three schools involved.  State Senator Jason Crowell questioned the three year plan versus full community college services.

"It's my understanding that both Mineral Area and Three Rivers are ready, willing, and able to offer the full compliment of community college services in Cape Girardeau right now," Crowell told the group.

"I think he's got the right question," Commissioner Stein responded.  "And the question is to the community colleges.  Are you able to deliver that?"

But, Southeast Board Vice President Al Spradling III went back to the importance of that three year trial period. 

"We think it would be irresponsible to jump in for a brand new community college development on a full basis without having an opportunity to see what's going to impact the area, whether it's going to be workable," Spradling said.

"I think we're on to something significant," Three Rivers President Dr. Devin Stephenson told said after the meeting.  "I can assure you Three Rivers will be working to make it happen."

"I think we're very close to providing community college services to the citizens of Cape Girardeau County," added Mineral Area President Dr. Steve Kurtz.

"I think the most important part is, whether this goes forward as it is or with some modifications, we're serving the open admissions role here in Cape Girardeau and by our regional campuses," said Southeast President Dr. Ken Dobbins.

Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce President John Mehner says he'll ask Commissioner Stein to get the coalition back together in the next few weeks.  The coalition hopes to make community college services available in Cape Girardeau by the fall of 2010.

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