Ellen Marie Buettner

The meeting addressed numerous facility approvals for East Central University, including budget increases for the Football Locker Room renovation and parking lot repairs, as well as new bid requests for campus fence replacement, tennis court remodeling, library roof replacement, and major hall/administration building renovations. Approvals were also granted for facility projects at Northeastern State University, such as flooring replacement in the Fine Arts Annex and kitchen repairs at the President's Residence. The Board reviewed informational facilities purchases for Southeastern Oklahoma State University. For the University of Central Oklahoma, approvals covered Wantland Hall renovation, parking lot replacement, asbestos abatement at West Hall, Wellness Center roof replacement, ID Card Office relocation, and video surveillance installation. The Audit and Finance Committee reported on accepting the RUSO administrative office audit and accepting transitional audit reports for former Southeastern Oklahoma State University personnel, while also approving the retention of counsel for future transitional audits. The Personnel Committee ratified an emergency approval for employee stipends at East Central University. The Educational Excellence Committee approved academic program proposals and reviews across all five universities, approved New Program Letters of Intent from Northeastern State University and the University of Central Oklahoma, ratified an emergency approval for an honorary doctorate degree for Reba McEntire at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and approved a posthumous degree request for East Central University. The System Advancement Committee approved RUSO policy positions for the 2026 legislative session and approved entering into a communications contract. Finally, the Board approved the presidents' recommendations and reports for all constituent universities and subsequently discussed real property purchases for East Central University and the University of Central Oklahoma during executive session before returning to open session to ratify those purchases.

The Regular Board Meeting covered several major areas, including administrative reports, committee proceedings, and university recommendations. The Chair's Report noted the passing of former RUSO Regent Richard Ryerson and requested rescheduling of the June and November 2024 board meetings. The Consent Docket involved the approval of program modifications across Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and Northeastern State University, including the addition of a Bachelor of Business Administration option in Aerospace Management at SWOSU. Committee reports addressed facilities stewardship, where approvals were granted for a new football scoreboard at SWOSU, a new Nursing (STEM) facility at East Central University, renovations at Southeastern Oklahoma State University's Aviation Sciences Institute, land purchase for campus expansion at SE, and major repairs/renovations at the University of Central Oklahoma. The Audit & Finance Committee accepted the external audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2023, and reported on the RFP process for selecting a new external auditor. The System Advancement Committee received a legislative update and discussed upcoming events like Higher Ed Day. The Policies and Procedures Committee approved a new policy regarding the acquisition of real property. The Educational Excellence Committee approved new program proposals for SWOSU, ECU, and NSU. Presidents' Council reported on efforts to phase out zero level courses and collaborate on academic programs. The session concluded with an Executive Session to discuss the evaluation of a President and confidential litigation matters.

The meeting addressed several key areas including committee reports and action items. The RUSO CEO provided an update on her initial engagement with stakeholders. The Board acted on numerous academic program modifications and deletions across the constituent universities. The Facilities Stewardship Committee saw multiple action items approved, including funding for softball field lighting, electrical work, and turf replacement at East Central University, residence hall renovations at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, road resurfacing and network upgrades at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and approvals for facility additions and renovations at the University of Central Oklahoma. The Audit and Finance Committee addressed internal audit plans and accepted external audits, along with approving fund transfers and stipend requests. The Personnel Committee approved a title change and authorized engagement for university president performance evaluations. Furthermore, Letters of Intent for new academic programs were approved for Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Northeastern State University. The Presidents' Council Report was presented, followed by the approval of president recommendations concerning personnel and grants/contracts for all six universities. The Board entered and exited executive session to discuss litigation matters and the offering of the Presidency of Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

The meeting commenced with an announcement confirming the filing of the meeting notice and posting of the agenda in compliance with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. The Board entered into an executive session to discuss the employment matters concerning the president, interim president, and acting president of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Upon returning to open session, the Board unanimously approved the acceptance of Diana Lovell's letter of resignation and approved the next steps regarding the interim presidency at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, as discussed in executive session.

The Pension Committee meeting involved a USI Fiduciary Oversight Review for the 403(b) and 457(b) Plans, which included the 2025 Q2 Economic Review noting GDP growth and expected Fed rate cuts, and a Plan Assets & Performance Overview showing asset increases in both plans. Discussions also covered the review of the Investment Policy Statement (IPS). A review of the Voya 403(b) and 457(b) Plans highlighted participant statistics and upcoming changes regarding SECURE 2.0 Roth catch-up contributions effective 2026. The committee reviewed the USI SRA, approved necessary rebalancing trades, and discussed the IPS. Finally, the USI OPEB Review indicated asset growth and performance in the top quartiles, leading to an approved increase in biennial actuarial fees for OPEB and annual actuarial fees for the SRA Plan, effective July 1, 2026. A portfolio review for the BOKF Retiree Medical Trust was also conducted.