Setting Fall 2024 Room & Board

The Board set new Residence Life room and board rates, increasing both just over 5 percent to cover rising operations costs including insurance, food, and utilities as well as debt service obligations and maintenance. The Residence Life system is comprised of 21 residential buildings, including 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 has found efficiencies 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. Currently, 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 over 80 students, which Below said can be adequately accommodated in the remaining halls. 

Alcohol Policy Revisions

Changes were approved 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, and for the 85 percent of residence hall students who are not 21, alcohol is still prohibited. All students will be held to the Student Code of Conduct regarding behavior, so the ability of those 21 or over to consume alcohol comes with an expectation of doing so responsibly. The new policy will go into effect May 13, 2024.

Management Certificate

Working professionals without a bachelor’s degree will get the opportunity to earn a credential to gain vital management knowledge through SEMO. The new online 18-hour certificate is designed for those in supervisory roles seeking 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.” 

Dickson also says 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.”

Esports Minor

The Board approved adding a new undergraduate minor in Esports, giving students access to the knowledge and skills needed for the $1.7 billion global gaming industry. 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 which quickly became one of the largest student organizations on campus, currently with 360 members and seven competitive teams. The Esports Arena is open 24/7 allowing members a dedicated space to compete, play, and make new friends. The club also gives students valuable 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. 

Organizational Communication

The Board also approved a title change for the Bachelor of Science in corporate communication to organizational communication. The change also reduces external credit requirements and simplifies the degree path with clearer guidance for students.The change aligns the degree name with the focus of the course content, which 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.