State Regents look ahead with new public agenda

Building a nationally competitive system of colleges and universities in Oklahoma is the goal behind the adoption of a new public agenda for higher education, state officials announced recently.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education say Oklahoma’s Public Agenda for Higher Education provides a strategic direction for the coming year and is driven by what is most needed in Oklahoma and what higher education can contribute to those needs. Read more.

OSU-Tulsa breaks ground on advanced technology research center

Oklahoma State University officials recently broke ground on the OSU-Tulsa Advanced Technology Research Center, a $30-million research facility that is expected to boost northeastern Oklahoma’s economy by creating jobs and attracting industries to the area. Read more.

Freshmen students chronicle new life at OU on Web site

Six freshmen at the University of Oklahoma joined the growing ranks of bloggers in 2004, chronicling their new experiences as students on the university’s Web site in a segment known as Boomer Bytes.

For the second year in a row, students were approached by the Center for Student Advancement during the University College Summer Enrollment Program and asked to participate in the activity based on recommendations from student guides. Read more.

Air traffic controllers learn 'plane' English at OSU

In 1996, a mid-air plane collision in New Delhi, India resulted in the death of 312 lives. The reason for the collision - inadequate English language skills on the part of aviation professionals.

In an effort to prevent similar disasters, Oklahoma State University's English Department and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are producing a curriculum to provide non-native English speaking air traffic controllers with English language skills. Read more.