Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

The meeting, conducted as a State Regents Retreat, featured a presentation by Dr. Stephen Pruitt regarding the changing landscape of higher education, focusing on strategic planning, key national trends, and Oklahoma's ranking within the Southern Regional Education Board states. Discussion followed regarding challenges like declining birth rates, workforce demands, affordability, and best practices for admissions and performance funding. Subsequent discussions included an overview of the current Performance Funding Model by the Interim Vice Chancellor for Budget and Finance. The Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs reviewed the State System's geographic service areas and institutional offerings, which led to a legal review by the General Counsel concerning relevant statutes. The meeting concluded with a detailed discussion to inform the Strategic Planning Committee on topics such as institutional plans, retention incentives, shared services, and relationships with CareerTech.

The meeting included discussions and actions regarding new academic programs at Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Connors State College, and Redlands Community College. Program deletions were approved for several Graduate Certificates at the University of Oklahoma. Academic policy revisions were approved concerning Concurrent Enrollment exceptions for the University of Oklahoma and Tulsa Community College, the institution of Early College High School programs for Seminole State College, and revisions to policies on Distance Education, Functions of Public Institutions, Academic Program Approval, and Granting of Degrees. Expenditures for the Oklahoma Teacher Connection program were approved, as were scholarship slots for the Academic Scholars Program and the Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship Program. Approvals were granted for contracts related to the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Program, EPSCoR matching funds, and various contracts and purchases, including GEER II funds. Receipt of the 2023 Employment Outcomes Report was acknowledged, noting positive salary and in-state employment trends for graduates. Emergency and permanent rule revisions were approved or posted for several programs including the Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant and Oklahoma's Promise. The 2025 schedule of regular meetings was approved. An executive session was held to discuss the Chancellor's resignation and specific applicants for the Chancellor position, as well as pending litigation.

The meeting included an update on higher education investments, where strong year-to-date returns were reported, and recommendations for new commitments in private real assets and private markets portfolios were presented. Institutional updates were provided by the Presidents of Southwestern Oklahoma State University, highlighting workforce preparedness and low average student debt, and Western Oklahoma State College, detailing high nursing NCLEX pass rates and sustainability efforts. Progress on the Blueprint 2030 strategic plan was covered, including updates on the Inspired to Teach initiative, changes to the Oklahoma's Promise application window, and the low-producing degree program review process. Other discussions covered the state budget and revenue outlook, legislative priorities, and a proposed executive session concerning ongoing legal matters.

The meeting addressed several agenda items, including the approval of new academic programs across various institutions such as Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Rogers State University, and the University of Central Oklahoma. Program deletions were approved for multiple institutions, following a system-wide review of low-producing programs. Academic policy changes included the revocation of a policy related to undocumented students to comply with a court order, and the approval of a pilot project exception to the International Student Admission policy for Oklahoma State University. The Board also approved expenditures for the Oklahoma Teacher Connection Pre-Collegiate and Collegiate Program, authorized scholarship award levels and slots for the Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award Program and the Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship Program, and approved initial or re-authorization for several external institutions to operate in Oklahoma. Fiscal matters involved approving the allocation of cigarette and tobacco tax revenue to OSU CHS and OUHSC, accepting a grant from SARA, approving a fiscal policy exception for fee waivers at Eastern Oklahoma State College, allocating EPSCoR matching funds, and ratifying purchases and agreements, including a significant transfer agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. Rulemaking actions covered emergency and permanent revisions for Oklahoma's Promise, the Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award program, the Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant, and the revocation of rules for the Student Advisory Board.

The meeting addressed several critical items in response to the COVID-19 situation, including advising campuses on policies related to grading and concurrent enrollment as they transition to online formats. Key agenda items included the E&G Budget, where allocations were approved for Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center from cigarette and tobacco taxes. The Board also approved the listing of projects for submission to the Council of Bond Oversight for the 2020 A/B Equipment Master Lease Series totaling $7,200,000. Furthermore, approval was given for transmittal to the Attorney General regarding Oklahoma State University's bond statements for General Obligation Bonds. Finally, the Regents approved a request from the University of Oklahoma to offer the Executive Master of Business Administration in Aerospace and Defense via traditional and electronic delivery.