Record college enrollment and the growing participation in the OHLAP scholarship program are among the items that are driving a total higher education budget request of more than $902.4 million for FY05. The request includes an increase of $134.6 million from this year’s current budget. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education approved the budget request at their regularly scheduled meeting recently.

“This is a challenging budget, to say the least,” said Chancellor Paul G. Risser. “But the health of our higher education institutions and ultimately the state’s economic future depend on adequate funding. Our request is understandable given the fact that our colleges and universities are serving a record number of students with less money.” Read more on budget requests.

RSU prof, students conduct bat research, preservation

Dr. Keith Martin might be the first to say that there’s little glamour in guano. However, the assistant professor with RSU’s Department of Mathematics and Science says there is much reward in studying bats.

“Bats perhaps aren’t as cuddly as deer or Shamu the whale or as well-known as the rain forests, but studying bat populations presents a unique opportunity to help preserve endangered species in Oklahoma,” Martin said. Read more on bat research.

SWOSU using REMI to provide data for Oklahoma businesses

Southwestern Oklahoma State University's Center for Economic and Business Development at Weatherford has an impressive economic modeling tool available that provides economic impact data for the state of Oklahoma and six substate regions.

SWOSU is using the Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI) software to measure the economic impact of a given situation in a region. SWOSU is the only entity in Oklahoma that has a statewide model and, as a result, university research analysts Jon Chiappe and Stephen Nelson have been working with organizations across the state of Oklahoma to analyze the economic impact data provided by the REMI model. Read more on REMI.

Alums gather to dedicate restored Greek theater

Built originally by the Class of 1923, then lost in the 1950s, and now fully restored by generous donors, a Greek Theater has become the latest restoration project completed on the campus of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in Chickasha.

Alumni from across America participated in its outdoor rededication ceremony Oct. 26, at the close of the 2003 Alumni Homecoming weekend. Then on Oct. 27, its first, official public event took place: a student wedding that "perfectly symbolizes its harmonizing purpose in the college community," said USAO President John Feaver. Read more on Greek Theater.

OSU grant boosts rural health care response to bioterrorism threats

Training slated to begin in January 2004 will give front line health care workers in rural Oklahoma continuing education in bioterrorism and disaster response. A $1.5 million training grant to Oklahoma Area Health Education Center (OKAHEC) at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences funds the new training in 22 community sites.

Training is aimed at physicians, nurses, allied health workers, mental health professionals, paramedical workers, emergency management technicians and pharmacists, along with veterinarians, morticians and administrators. It examines various bioterrorism scenarios such as diseases, anthrax, explosions, or radiation exposure, addressing both physical and mental health issues during the first few hours after the event, according to Richard Perry, M.A., the grant’s principal investigator. Read more on terrorism grant.