October 20, 2023
Press Release
Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker Pro Tempore Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, today held an interim study assessing the capital needs of the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) as well as for rural colleges and universities.
IS23-077 was held before the House Higher Education & CareerTech Committee.
“Our network of regional and rural colleges and universities serves thousands of students each year, preparing them for a diverse array of careers,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement. “Having access to these schools benefits these individuals in innumerable ways. This also benefits the communities where these students live and work. When we have a more educated workforce, we attract more businesses and more jobs, which in turn strengthens local economies and our entire state. This study helped us better assess how the Legislature can support these schools in their missions, knowing that an investment in education is an investment in a stronger, better Oklahoma.”
Mark Tygret, vice chair of budget and finance at the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, presented a history of legislative investment in capital needs and deferred maintenance for rural and urban two- and four-year colleges. He explained the master lease program as an example of helping schools take care of their building and maintenance projects. The program is a huge asset in making campus more functional and more efficient and making for a better experience for all who enter – from students to staff.
Tygret suggested a structure similar to what has worked to improve transportation in the state could benefit regional and rural higher education institutions as well. He also mentioned the Legislature’s new Legacy Capital Fund, which makes use of available state capital to meet agency needs instead of requiring them to secure bonds at market interest rates.
Former Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, now president of the University of Central Oklahoma, spoke about RUSO’s commitment to affordability and accessibility.
RUSO colleges and universities are spread all over Oklahoma, he said, and they are committed to meeting students where they are. He specifically mentioned the number of returning adult learners the system serves.
More than 45,000 students are enrolled in RUSO, he said, with 57% coming from rural Oklahoma. A large number of students come from families with lower-than average income.
Munson said she was one of these students who came from a single-parent household without money for college. She’s a proud RUSO graduate. She thanked the presenters for giving students like her an opportunity to graduate college. She said it’s her hope the Legislature can find better ways to support the schools so they don’t have to be quite so innovative with their finances.
Lamb said 92% of RUSO graduates are employed within one year. Nearly half graduate without college debt, and the others graduated with $11,000 less in debt than the national average.
The return on investment for Oklahoma from these graduates is $9.55 for every $1 of state funding. The schools also meet many critical workforce needs, he said.
Against that backdrop, Lamb then shared various current capital needs of RUSO’s campuses.
Other presenters before the committee were:
Dr. Kyle Stafford, president of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College;
John McArthur, president of Cameron University; and
Julie Dinger, president of Oklahoma Panhandle State University.
Each shared about their schools’ student populations and their building and maintenance needs and asked the Legislature’s help in investing in facilities and upgrades.
Stafford said school leaders must be creative and innovative to update facilities, many that were built decades ago.
Dinger said her school seeks every external grant it can as well as partnerships with other entities to share costs.
Both leaders asked the Legislature to consider matching funds to help the schools hold onto assets already in place.
“We’ve got to be price sensitive when it relates to our students,” Stafford said.
Raising the price of tuition and fees is not the optimal way to fund building and maintenance projects, he said.
McArthur said his emphasis is on renovating and refreshing, not building new. This can be done for pennies on the dollar verses the cost of new construction, but it does require hiring people who can work on older buildings as well as on older plumbing and electrical systems. One project on which he’s asking the Legislature’s help is to update a 1929 building’s fire suppression system. At the time the building was constructed, that was a bucket of water, her joked. The facility now needs a better system.
Dinger said some critical infrastructure pieces must be replaced as they can no longer be repaired because of their age.
She also explained jumps in costs such as property insurance as well as for energy usage. A 657% jump in gas costs happened this year, for example, as the school’s provider recalibrated meters for the first time in years. She’s looking at energy efficiencies to offset this unintended expense, she said.
Americans with Disabilities requirements were part of the presentations as well as security and technology upgrade needs.
“We are passionate about what we do, and we are so thankful you are willing to hear from us what our capital needs are,” Dinger said.
Hilbert noted millions of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds went to regional and rural colleges and universities and asked several school presidents who were not on the list of presenters to give on-the-spot updates on how these funds helped with their needs.
Wendell Godwin, president of East Central University said it was cheaper to build a new facility for the school’s growing nursing program versus renovating an older facility. The ARPA funds will help in this, he said. The school also is partnering with the Chickasaw Nation on the project, he said.
Northeastern State University spent ARPA funds on upgrading HVAC systems to improve air quality in older buildings. Additional funds are being spent on an optometry school on campus.
SWOSU spent ARPA money on a new pharmacy school and a rural health center. This will give nursing students adequate space for study and will allow the school to continue growing it’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
Help, Inc. Food Pantry — Thank You, Donors!
“Help Needs Help” Big gratitude to the community partners lifting up local families. Please share this to keep the momentum going—neighbors helping neighbors.
Public Relations and Marketing Team at SWOSU Earns Three Davey Awards
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Office of Public Relations and Marketing has won three honors in the 21st Annual Davey Awards, an international creative competition that recognizes outstanding work by in-house teams, small
Partnership with Mexican Consulate Brings IME Becas Scholarships to SWOSU
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) continues to expand opportunities for its students through its ongoing partnership with the Consulate of Mexico in Oklahoma City and the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME). Representatives from the
Helping the Community: Help, Inc. Food Pantry
No one should go hungry in Elk City. If you or someone you know needs a hand—or if you’re able to lend one—here’s how to connect …
Miss SWOSU Scholarship Pageant Set for November 15
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) annual Miss SWOSU Scholarship Pageant will take place on Saturday, Nov. 15, at the SWOSU Fine Arts Center. The event will begin at 7 p.m., bringing together seventeen
SWOSU Researchers Study Rattlesnake Predator Interactions at Wichita Mountains
Comanche County, OK – Researchers from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) recently conducted fieldwork at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, retrieving camera traps and snake replicas that had been deployed earlier this summer. The project is jointly
ECPD executes search warrant in child sexual abuse material case; one arrested
Elk City, OK — Elk City Police served a search warrant Tuesday at a home on West 2nd Street as part of a child sexual abuse material investigation that began with a CyberTipline report from the National
Deputies stage at county line as Roger Mills incident ends safely
Roger Mills County, OK – Beckham County deputies positioned at the Roger Mills County line late Friday after a report of a man firing from a vehicle with an AR-style rifle. Sheriff Derek Manning said he mobilized
Lawmakers weigh cleanup plan for abandoned marijuana grows. Beckham County sheriff describes local fallout
Oklahoma City, OK – Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning says a statewide surge in abandoned marijuana grow sites is leaving rural neighbors with trash, chemical waste, and rising calls for help. His office has fielded complaints about
Teen arrested after purse snatching leads to high-speed chase in Clinton
Clinton, OK — An 18-year-old Minnesota man was arrested Tuesday, Oct. 14, after a reported purse snatching in Weatherford and a high-speed chase that cut through west Clinton before ending at Oliver Avenue and Gary Boulevard, according
Clinton man charged after police say child-exploitation files found on devices
Clinton, OK — Jason Scott Denney, 37, was arrested October 12 on suspicion of possessing child sexual abuse material and violating Oklahoma’s Computer Crimes Act, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Custer County District Court.
Burns Flat man injured in Route 66 crash, OHP says
Canute, OK — A Burns Flat man was injured in a single-vehicle crash early Friday on Route 66, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers said Jonathan C. McIntyre, 45, was driving west on Route 66 about
Driver killed in single-vehicle crash north of Putnam
Putnam, OK — A 78-year-old Lawton man died Thursday after a rollover crash on Highway 183 about 4 miles north of Putnam, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers said the southbound vehicle left the right side
Government Shutdown Forces Cancellation of U.S. Marine Band Concert in Elk City
Elk City, OK – The highly anticipated performance by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, scheduled for Tuesday night at the Pioneer Center on the Elk City High School campus, has been canceled. The reason: the
Flu Vaccine Drive-Thru Coming to Jackson County Expo
Altus, OK – The Jackson County Health Department will host a Flu Vaccine Drive-Thru on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Jackson County Expo, located at 412 Todd Lane in Altus.
Search warrant: Man says SWOSU freshman died after fight, body left near Sulphur
Weatherford, OK — An 18-year-old charged in connection with the death of Southwestern Oklahoma State University freshman Logan Musil told investigators the student died after an accidental fall during a drug-fueled fight, according to a federal search
Voters approve $5.975 million bond for Hinton Public Schools
Hinton, OK – Hinton voters passed the district’s bond proposal Tuesday, approving $5.975 million for facility upgrades across the district. The proposition received 249 yes votes [70.9%], with 102 voting no [29.1%]. Total ballots cast: 351. District
Fatal SH-54 crash south of Gotebo
Gotebo, OK — A two-vehicle collision on State Highway 54, about 3.8 miles south of Gotebo, left one man dead and another injured early Tuesday, October 14, 2025, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. OHP says the
House interim study to target OSIDA funding and Burns Flat spaceport
Oklahoma City, OK — State Rep. Nick Archer of Elk City will lead a House interim study Thursday aimed at turning the Oklahoma Spaceport at Burns Flat into a driver of aerospace jobs and research. The hearing,
SWOSU Accepting 2026 Distinguished Alumni Nominations
Weatherford, OK – Nominations to the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) are now being accepted. Recognized as “SWOSU’s highest honor,” the Hall of Fame was established in 1976 by the
WTC Sayre adds advanced police training simulator, open to area agencies
Sayre, OK — Western Technology Center in Sayre has purchased a high-tech training simulator that local law enforcement can use for both driving and scenario-based response, according to Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning. Manning said reserve deputy
Motorcyclist injured in Caddo County Crash
October 13, 2025 Caddo County, OK — A Cordell man was injured in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at 1:42 p.m. at County Road 1260 and State Highway 58, 7 miles north of Carnegie,
Moonlight Madness returns to Downtown Elk City Oct. 23
Elk City, OK — Costumes, candy, and downtown storefronts will set the scene for Moonlight Madness on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Downtown District. Families can trick or treat with downtown
SWOSU responds after death of student, urges care
Weatherford, OK — Southwestern Oklahoma State University has issued a campus message following the confirmation of student Logan Nathaniel Musil’s death and an arrest in the case. President Janet Cunningham, Ed.D., called the loss “devastating,” offered condolences
Missing SWOSU student found deceased, one arrested
Weatherford, OK — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation says an 18-year-old Southwestern Oklahoma State University student reported missing last week has been found deceased, and another 18-year-old has been arrested. SWOSU Police asked the OSBI on
