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.
Local Schools Preparing to Save Lives
Sept. 6, 2024 SWODA Press Release Did you know… Drug-related deaths claimed 107,941 American lives in 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are responsible for approximately 70%
Mercy Clinic Oklahoma Provides Major Sponsorship to SWOSU
Sept. 6, 2024 SWOSU Press Release Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has announced a major sponsorship from Mercy Clinic Oklahoma Communities, the university’s Official Sports Medicine Provider.
Smithsonian Exhibit on American Democracy Debuts in Cheyenne This Weekend
Sept. 5, 2024 A new exhibit from the Smithsonian National Museum of American History will debut in Cheyenne this weekend. The traveling exhibit is part of the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street Program.
Medal of Honor Recipient and Merritt Graduate to Be Inducted into Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame
Sept. 5, 2024 Army Master Sergeant Earl D. Plumlee, a 2021 Medal of Honor recipient and Merritt graduate, will be inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame on October 26 at the Embassy Suites, located at
MA+ Architecture is Official 2024 SWOSU Homecoming Sponsor
Sept. 4, 2024 SWOSU Press Release The 2024 Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Homecoming festivities are slated for the week of October 26.
Weatherford Police Arrest Suspect in String of Burglaries
Sept. 4, 2024 A homeless man was arrested on charges of first-degree burglary following an investigation into a series of break-ins at a local trailer park in Weatherford. The incidents, which began on August 7th, led officers
UPDATE: Feed Provider Issues Statement
Sept. 3, 2024 The Beutler and Son Rodeo Co., a respected provider of rodeo livestock for over 90 years, recently faced a heartbreaking tragedy, losing nearly 70 bucking horses in the last two weeks. The cause has
Missing Altus Couple Located in South Texas
Sept. 3, 2024 Police have located an Altus woman and her husband, who went missing last month, in Texas.
Great Plains Regional Medical Center Welcomes Dr. Grant Detten to Orthopedic Clinic
Sept. 3, 2024 GPRMC Press Release Great Plains Regional Medical Center (GPRMC) is proud to announce the addition of Dr. Grant Detten, an accomplished Orthopedic Surgeon, to the Great Plains Orthopedics. Dr. Detten joins the team led
Rodeo Rush – Elk City Rodeo Results
Sept. 3, 2024 Provided Press Release For the 2024 bull riding champ at the Elk City Rodeo of Champions, it was payback time.
SWOSU Earns Top Rankings for Safety, Value, and Public Education
August 29, 2024 SWOSU Press Release Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) has achieved significant recognition from Niche’s 2025 rankings, earning top spots across multiple categories. SWOSU has been named the #3 safest college campus in Oklahoma, reflecting
Erick Couple Arrested After Alleged Drug Use in Vehicle with Infant; Child Tests Positive for Methamphetamine
August 28, 2024 An Erick couple has been arrested and booked into the Beckham County Detention Center on $5,000 bonds each after authorities say they consumed controlled dangerous substances while in a vehicle with an infant present.
More Than a One Trick Pony
August 29, 2024 Press Release Elk City, Okla. – August 19, 2024 – Five trick riding and roman riding cowgirls will gallop into the Rodeo of Champions in Elk City, entertaining fans with daring feats of dangerous
Investigation Underway After Dozens of Horses Die at Oklahoma Rodeo Stock Business; Faulty Feed Suspected
August 28, 2024 More information has been released regarding the investigation into the deaths of dozens of horses at a western Oklahoma rodeo stock contracting business.
Mike Brown Secures Resounding Victory in Weatherford Mayoral Election
August 28, 2024 In a decisive victory, Mike Brown has been re-elected as the mayor of Weatherford, securing 72% of the vote in Tuesday’s election. Brown garnered 1,057 votes, significantly outpacing his competitors, Dustin Hayes and Robby
Clinton Man Dies in Semi-Truck Collision Near Gruver, Texas
August 28, 2024 A tragic accident occurred on State Highway 136, four miles south of Gruver, Texas, resulting in the deaths of two truck drivers on Tuesday afternoon. One of the victims was from Clinton.
Elk City Cowgirl to Compete at Rodeo of Champions
August 28, 2024 Press Release Elk City, Okla. – August 26, 2024 – An Elk City woman will be a contestant in the Elk City Rodeo of Champions this weekend.
Arapaho Secures OWRB Loan
August 28, 2024 The Arapaho Public Works Authority has secured a $285,000 loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to upgrade its wastewater infrastructure. The loan comes with 100% principal forgiveness, meaning the authority won’t have to
Reydon Man Accused of Stabbing
August 27, 2024 On August 24, the Roger Mills County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) to investigate a stabbing incident. Around 3:00 a.m., deputies responded to reports of an injured
Health Dept. Gives Local County Jail a “Perfect” Grade
August 27, 2024 After a surprise inspection conducted by the Oklahoma Health Department, Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning says the county jail received a perfect grade. Manning credits the jail’s staff for maintaining a high-quality facility. Manning
GPRMC Partners with SWOSU to Launch Surgical Technology Program in Fall 2024
Provided Press Release Elk City, OK – August 19th, 2024– Great Plains Regional Medical Center (GPRMC) is proud to announce an exciting partnership with Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) to bring a new Surgical Technology program to
Childress County Court Delivers Consecutive Sentences to Wellington Man
August 26, 2024 On Thursday, August 15, the 100th Judicial District Court in Childress County, Texas, convened for a significant docket of pleas and sentencing. The session, overseen by the Honorable Judge Dale Rabe, featured District Attorney
Beckham County Woman Faces Drug Charges After Child Finds Methamphetamine
August 26, 2024 A Beckham County woman is facing drug-related charges following an incident in which a child discovered a jar of methamphetamine in her home.
Ridin’ For The Brand
August 26, 2024 Press Release Elk City, Okla. – August 26, 2024 – The Elk City Rodeo Association is proud to announce a new main sponsor.
Severe Heat Wave Hits Western Oklahoma This Weekend
August 23, 2024 A severe heat wave is expected to impact Western Oklahoma this weekend, with temperatures soaring well above the seasonal average and potentially reaching dangerous levels. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an Excessive
