Missouri higher education officials plan conference

Officials of Missouri colleges and universities will gather next week for a day-long conference on issues including finances and academic quality.

The state Coordinating Board for Higher Educations is sponsoring the June 7 meeting in Columbia. It's expected to draw about 100 top administrators and members of governing boards, along with leaders of national organizations.

Coordinating Board chairwoman Kathy Swan says colleges and universities in Missouri face a common set of problems, including reduced funding and growing enrollments. Swan says the schools can learn from each other and from the national organizations.