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Southeast Missouri State University offers “small class sizes,� “personal attention,� and “a wide range of majors.� “The education program is awesome,� and business and nursing programs also receive high praise. A new and “really, really nice� River Campus for theater, music, and art boasts “absolutely breathtaking� views of the mighty Mississippi. However, “the best thing about SEMO is the fact that it is so cheap.� A textbook rental program reduces costs even further and “scholarships are quite generous.� Professors are decidedly “hit and miss,� though. There are “amazing professors� who are “very enthusiastic� and “encourage you to come see them in their offices.� “What I really like about my professors is that they actually know who I am,� says an education major. “They go out of their way to commend students who work hard and produce quality work.� There are also some professors who “lack the ability to get information across.� “I have taken some courses and learned absolutely nothing,� laments a marketing major. Some students call the administration “pretty reliable� and approachable. “They try to make everybody feel welcome,� asserts a history major, “from the 18-year-old freshman to the 45-year-old nontraditional student.� Detractors say that the administration is overly concerned with “building the brand� and “needs to rethink some of their priorities,� Also, despite SEMO’s affordability, some students are “less than satisfied� with the handling of financial aid paperwork.

Ethnically, it’s mainly white students here along with a rapidly growing international student population. Southeast is home to “a lot of St. Louis suburbanites� who “wanted to go to Mizzou but either didn’t have the grades or the money to get in.� Many students from Missouri’s Bootheel choose SEMO because it’s “affordable and close to home.� There are also commuters and nontraditional students from Cape Girardeau “who work outside of school.� They “just go to class and that’s it.� Students describe themselves as “friendly and energetic.� Many are “hardworking� and “diligent� while others are “average� academically and “just go through the motions� when it comes to coursework.

“There is an insane amount of clubs on campus,� says a sophomore, “and it’s not too difficult to get involved in whatever it is that interests you.� There’s “a big crowd� of people involved in music and theater. Also, the Student Activities Council “works really hard to bring entertainment to campus.� Athletic events are sparsely attended, though intramurals are popular and the recreation center is impressive. SEMO’s strong commuter aspect is the biggest social limitation. “We are still a suitcase campus,� counsels a senior. “A lot of local students from small towns don’t stay to get involved.� Students who stick around “party a lot and are extremely social.� They frequent the “many bars� and very tasty local eateries in the “great small town� of Cape Girardeau. “There are some good parties,� too, and “Greek life is a very big deal.� Complaints here include the parking situation and a few “really run-down� dorms. Also, be warned: this campus is “beyond hilly.� Climbs can be steep.