March 26, 2021
By News Director Jared Atha
While speaking to the Elk City Rotary Club, Southwestern Oklahoma State University President Randy Beutler voiced his opposition to an Oklahoma Senate bill that, if passed, could handcuff the ability for individuals to receive higher education.
Beutler says Senate Bill 639 limits what the Oklahoma Promise program is designed to do, which pays college tuition to any college in the state for students whose parents’ total income is not more than $50,000. He says if passed, the bill would force those students to pay the tuition money back if one doesn’t graduate in six years. Beutler says the bill fails to take other factors into account, when it comes to today’s modern day college student.
Beutler warned that if the bill co-authored by Senator Adam Pugh of Edmond and Representative Rhonda Baker of El Reno passes, it could lead to more cuts to higher education.
The bill has passed the State Senate and is now before the House of Representative Higher Education Committee before going to the house floor.
