SMSU expanding its downtown presence

The college students walking around downtown aren't necessarily there for the clubs and coffee shops. They just might be on their way to a counseling practicum or a drama rehearsal.

With the geographical constraints of Southwest Missouri State University's main campus, expansion in any direction is nearly impossible, said Dale Moore, university facilities analyst for SMSU. As a result, the university has looked to the downtown area for both permanent and temporary answers to space shortages. "The downtown area is close to campus and the real estate is reasonably priced," Moore said.

The SMSU Alumni Center, at 300 S. Jefferson Ave., was purchased in 1989 by the SMSU Foundation, the fund raising arm of the university, said Judi Smith, director of development and alumni relations.

Along with development and alumni relations, the building also houses Photo Services, the Centennial Project, and the university relations department, which includes publications and news services, she said. According to building manager Donna Hagar, some continuing education offices are also located in the Alumni Center.

The Jim D. Morris Center for Continuing and Professional Education was acquired by SMSU in September of 1990 through a gift to the foundation, said Jon Hanson, foundation accountant. The building, at 301 S. Jefferson, is home to continuing education classes and offices, as well as graphic design department offices and some of the library archives, Moore said.

The university's College of Arts and Letters is being represented in the downtown area, as well. According to Moore, in March of 1998 SMSU began leasing a building at 412 E. Walnut St. as rehearsal space for the theater and dance department.

The Art and Design Gallery, at 333 S. Jefferson, provides art exhibition space for outside artists and faculty exhibits, said Joe Zapytowski, gallery director. "We usually have seven to eight exhibits a year," he said. The building has been leased by SMSU since December 1998.

SMSU has been leasing space in the Holland Building since May of 1999, Moore said. The guidance and counseling department runs a practicum clinic there, said Charles Barke, department head. "Graduate students, under faculty supervision, provide individual, family and group counseling to clients from the community at low or no cost," he said.

The James River Basin Partnership is housed in the Holland Building, at 205 Park Central East, through its connection with the Center for Scientific Research and Education, said Diana Sheridan, executive director for the partnership.

Several programs are included in the Institute for School Improvement, a department of the College of Education, including the Southwest Regional Professional Development Center, said Vicki Schmitt, assistant director for the institute.

Other programs under the institute include the Missouri Assessment Project program and the Missouri Math and Reading initiatives.

Also located in the Holland Building is the Ozarks Partnership for Teacher Enhancement Initiative, a five-year grant-funded program whose goal is to improve teaching in rural school districts, said Amy Patrick, instructional technology support specialist and facilitator for the program.

In January 2000 SMSU began leasing space in the Levy-Wolf Building at 110, 111 and 112 Park Central Square.

The Center for Resource Planning and Management, housed at the Levy-Wolf Building, is a public outreach center intended to provide planning and development for small communities in the surrounding area, said Diane May, director.

The Center for Scientific Research and Education also is located in the Levy-Wolf Building, said administrative coordinator Sue McCrory.

Three middle- and high school competitions, including the Science Olympiad, are administered by the center, McCrory said. "We also have an e-high school' offering four science courses to rural high schools in the SMSU service areas that may not have enough teachers or sufficient enrollment to have the class on site."

As renovations are done to buildings on campus, Moore said that SMSU will continue to search for temporary locations for offices displaced by the remodeling.