The Southeast Gateway Connection is an assistance program that provides students with visits, recreation, shopping and tours of the St. Louis area. Southeast Missouri State University arranges a tour bus to run from the campus to three locations: Jefferson National Memorial (Arch/Old Courthouse), St. Louis Art Museum and Galleria Mall.

"We sort of picked those locations because we thought they were places that had lots of things going on, but also had the ability to connect to other kinds of transportations (cab, MetroLink, walking)," said Michele Irby, Director of Campus Life and Event Services. The trips are scheduled on pre-determined Saturdays during the semester and will depart and return on the same day. A one-way cost is $10 and a round trip cost is $20. Southeast students, faculty, staff members and guests may use these programs. The dates are Oct. 1 (the date may change, students are encouraged to check with Campus Life and Event Services for further information), Nov. 12 and Dec. 3.

A charter bus will leave from the Towers Complex at 7:45 a.m. and the University Center at 8 a.m. Once in St. Louis, the bus will drop students off at one of the three locations.

The bus makes two trips back to each location, one to pick up and take interested students/faculty/staff/guests to one of the other two locations (2-3 p.m.) and the second time to pick up and return to Southeast (6:30-7:30 p.m.).

The Aug. 27 trip provided a visit to the International Institute's Festival of Nations at Tower Grove Park for the first half of the day. The second half of the day was spent shopping.

Nelson Mwangi, the coordinator for International Student Engagements, accompanied students on the trip.

"It went pretty good. A lot of international students went," Mwangi said.

The Nov. 12 trip will be combined with a service project.

"If you go on that trip, and if you want to, during part of that day we're going to setup some service projects in St. Louis," Irby said. "You can ride the bus, participate in the service project and then still have part of your day to go explore and have fun."

To sign up for the Southeast Gateway Connection, visit the Center for Student Involvement in the UC (UC204) or by contacting the Office of Campus Life and Events services at (573) 651-2280.