SMSU extends infant/toddler lab 6 months

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The Southwest Missouri State University Board of Governors voted July 18 to keep its infant/toddler laboratory open for six months and asked the administration to make a presentation on its long-term future at the Sept. 19 meeting in Mountain Grove.|ret||ret||tab|

A planning group will "assess the long-term feasibility of having a high-quality infant/toddler laboratory" at SMSU, a university release said. |ret||ret||tab|

Jim Baker, assistant to the president, will head the group, which is being formed by SMSU President John H. Keiser.|ret||ret||tab|

"The planning group will be asked to consider a number of issues, from funding the lab so it is self-sufficient to some reorganization within the university that might better focus and coordinate a number of programs we offer relating to family and early childhood development," Keiser said.|ret||ret||tab|

Keiser and Baker emphasized that the meetings will be scheduled in advance, well publicized and open to the public. Baker will provide an update at the Aug. 1 Board of Governors meeting.|ret||ret||tab|

Budget concerns led to SMSU's original decision to close its infant/toddler program as of July 31.|ret||ret||tab|

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