2007 Legislative Agenda
2007 Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Legislative Agenda (PDF, 277k)
2007 Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Legislative Agenda
Building on an exceptional budget year
The students at Oklahoma’s higher education institutions have benefited greatly as a result of the FY 2007 appropriation. Record state higher education appropriations, a 14.6 percent increase from FY 2006, have had a noticeable impact on campuses across Oklahoma as the state system continues to produce results that build our economy:
- Over 238,000 students enrolled
- More than 28,000 degrees granted
- Over 4,000 students earning college credit through cooperative agreements between community colleges and career techs.
- 12 institutions received allocations to increase the number of Nursing and Allied Health graduates.
- Tuition increases were held to 5.2 percent system-wide
- 233 new faculty
- 900 new course sections
2007 Legislative Agenda – At a glance
- $171 Million in new funding
$80 million for student-based priorities
$42.9 million for college & university mandatory costs
$25.8 million for targeted needs
$22.2 million for student financial aid
- Additional Request:
$75 million for endowed chairs
However, higher education is about competitiveness. We need to continue closing the student funding gap. Last session’s appropriations have helped close that gap, but Oklahoma’s college students still receive about $587* less in state support per student than the national average. Last year was a good start, but it would take approximately $80 million to reach the national average in per student funding.
Because our per student funding is below the national average, it is difficult to consistently provide the quality educational experiences our students need to compete in the global marketplace. With limited funding, institutions often cannot offer the kind of salaries necessary to recruit and retain the faculty they want. Lab supplies, library resources, technology upgrades and other enhancements can be out of reach when institutions are faced with cost increases beyond their control.
Higher Education Competitiveness
Update on the Student Funding Gap
FY 2006................................-$1,212
FY 2007...................................-$587
Need....................................... $80 M
*This figure is based on SHEEO published data and is adjusted for cost of living differential and enrollment mix.
