Room & board rates to increase at Southeast MO State University

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Room and board rates will increase and changes were made to the alcohol usage policy by the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Governors.

The Southeast Missouri State University Board of Governors approved motions during its meeting Friday to set room and board rates for the fall, revise the alcohol policy, and several academic program related actions.

The new Residence Life room and board rates will increase both just more than five percent to cover rising operations costs including insurance, food, and utilities as well as debt service obligations and maintenance.

The Residence Life system is made up of 21 residential buildings that includes 12 residence halls, a five building Group/Greek Housing community and four buildings in the Greek Village leased to fraternity housing corporations.

“SEMO remains competitive in room and board cost when compared with other institutions. Our average room and board rate increase for the previous three years was 2.43 percent,” said Dr. Debbie Below, vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Success. “But with rising inflationary costs and a decline in residence hall occupancy, we have been modifying how residence halls and dining facilities are used.”

Below said the Residence Life system is more efficient by transitioning to a block meal plan to optimize use of dining facilities, converting double-occupansy rooms to singles to answer demand, and closing aging facilities.

Nine of the 12 residence halls are occupied.

Myers Hall is one of the occupied halls, but with plans to close it after the spring semester because of increasing maintenance and repair concerns. Myers houses just more than 80 students. Below says those student can be adequately accommodated in the remaining halls.

The board approved changes to the Alcohol Beverage Usage Policy. Under the revised policy, residence hall students 21 years of age and older can possess and consume alcohol behind closed doors in their residence hall room. The existing policy prohibited alcohol consumption in residence halls regardless of age.

The policy still prohibits students from drinking in public areas. Alcohol is still prohibited for about 85 percent of residence hall students are not 21.

All students will be held to the Student Code of Conduct regarding behavior. Those 21 or over are expected to consume alcohol responsibly. The new policy will go into effect May 13, 2024.

Working professionals without a bachelor’s degree will get the opportunity to earn a credential to gain management knowledge through SEMO. A new online 18-hour certificate is designed for those in supervisory roles wanting to enhance their management skills. The certificate can be completed in as little as one year with seven potential starting dates.

“This certificate is flexible, online, and eligible for financial aid,” said Department of Management Chair Dr. Kevin Dickson. “Not all non-degree programs are eligible for federal financial student aid, so that is a real benefit of this certificate.”

The certificate and its 18 credit hours are stackable for those who want to apply it toward a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA).

“There will certainly be people who will use the certificate to upskill to strengthen their job performance or perhaps get a promotion,” said Dickson, “but for those who want or need to continue and pursue a business degree, this is an excellent way to start.”

The board also approved adding a new undergraduate minor in Esports. The minor will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Esports, including its management and marketing aspects.

“Esports is a booming industry,” said Dr. Jason Wagganer, chair of the Department of Allied Health, Kinesiology and Sport Sciences. “More than 500 million people play Esports and another 200 million watch. The industry has created platforms for the creation of content and streaming Esports, leading to a growing new industry and in-demand jobs.”

SEMO created an Esports team in 2019. The team became one of the largest student organizations on campus. It currently has 360 members and seven competitive teams. The Esports Arena is open 24/7 and allows members a dedicated space to compete, play and make new friends. The club also gives students experience in team management, broadcast production, content creation, event organization, coaching and graphic design.

“This field really has become a global phenomenon,” said Wagganer. “With the popularity of our student organization, we knew a minor within our sport management program could align students with Tomorrow’s Careers Today by adding another innovative academic offering at SEMO.

The Board of Governors also approved a title change for the Bachelor of Science in corporate communication to organizational communication. It reduces external credit requirements and simplifies the degree path with clearer guidance for students.The degree deals more with effective communication internally within an organizational setting rather than the more externally-focused communication objectives in corporate communication. Options to focus on external communication are available in majors within the Department of Marketing and the Department of Mass Media.