In order to combat budget woes and the sting of withholdings, University President Julio León is leaving no stone unturned in the search for grant opportunities for the University.

“We are certainly interested in grants of all kinds to assist in every possible way,” León said.

Leon has been working with the offices of congressmen Roy Blunt, Jim Talent and Kit Bond to see about possibilities that may exist.

“We are seeking a grant to upgrade equipment in the crime lab,” León said. “We have a good chance of making that a reality.”

The grant is for up to $500,000.

“I have a list of equipment that is getting close to the end of its lifetime,” said Dr. Philip Whittle, laboratory director of the Missouri Southern Regional Crime Laboratory.

“I’m not concerned about the equipments reliability, but it would be very difficult to get replacement parts and service for some of our equipment,” Whittle said.

The crime lab opened in 1971.

“We have tried to stay as up to date as possible over the years,” Whittle said.

The lab services 50 area agencies, including police and fire departments as well as coroner’s offices. Currently, the lab is manned by five people but could use additional manpower, if funding allowed.

The lab is funded 42 percent by the agencies it serves and the rest is supplied by the state. The University does not fund the lab.

“It wouldn’t be fair for the students to pay part of their tuition to operate the lab,” Whittle said. “The college furnishes space, janitorial needs, and utilities, but as far as actual expenses, we have to come up with other sources.”

Whittle had officially retired in January, but has since worked more than 60 hours a week. He is paid for 20 hours of the time he puts in, and volunteers the remainder.

State budget cuts cost the lab more than $40,000 this year alone.

Whittle said he is glad he is able to fill in as it is not in the budget to hire a replacement.

“It wasn’t the Governors fault, it was the legislation,” he said. “Everybody has received cuts, it’s not out of the ordinary.”

The Missouri Southern crime lab is one of 14 in the state.

“We have also put in a grant request for $400,000 for technology equipment for distance education through lifelong learning,” León said.

If received, the funds will go toward new software and equipment to enhance the distance education.

“We want to upgrade individual faculty computers on campus,” said Dr. Jack Spurlin, vice president for lifelong learning.

Computers that would be upgraded are those used by instructors who teach Blackboard courses.

Internet courses offer self-centered learning and allow those who find it next to impossible to get to campus the opportunity to get an education.

“We would also like to enhance some classrooms with multimedia projectors and white boards for televised classes,” Spurlin said.

Room 112 in Webster Hall is the only classroom on campus with these enhancements so far.