2014 Legislative Agenda

Higher Education: Oklahoma's Road to Jobs and Prosperity

Oklahoma's higher education system is recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as accountable, efficient and affordable, and one that greatly benefits our citizens. No entity in state government can help Oklahoma reach its stated goals of educational excellence and workforce development faster or more comprehensively than public higher education.

Complete College America
Since the September 2011 launch by Gov. Mary Fallin, progress continues to reach Oklahoma’s goal of increasing the number of degrees and certificates earned by 67 percent by 2023.

2011: 30,500 Degrees and Certificates
2012 Projected: 32,200 Degrees and Certificates
2012 Actual: 33,445* Degrees and Certificates
2023 Goal: 50,900 Degrees and Certificates

In the first year of the Complete College America initiative, the number of degrees and certificates earned in Oklahoma increased by 2,945, surpassing the state’s annual goal of 1,700.

*Does not include career technology center degrees and certificates.

Economic Impact of Public Higher Education

Expenditures of the Oklahoma public higher education system generate $9.2 billion in economic output impacts in the state and support more than 85,000 Oklahoma jobs.
The estimated return on investment for Oklahoma public higher education is $4.72 for every $1 of state funding.

Source: Battelle Technology Partnership Practice and State Chamber of Oklahoma, 2013

Enrollment at Record Levels
Academic Year 2008: 177,385
Academic Year 2013: 186,067

Lifetime Earnings
A student with a bachelor's degree will earn $1.1 million more in a lifetime than a high school graduate.

High School Graduate: $1,455,253
Some College: $1,725,822
Associate Degree: $1,801,373
Bachelor's Degree: $2,567,174
Master's Degree: $2,963,076
Doctorate: $3,982,577
Professional: $5,254,193

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, U.S. Census Bureau

Students Who Learn Here Earn Here
Eighty-seven percent of Oklahoma residents who graduate with a bachelor’s degree remain in the state and are employed in the state one year after graduation.

Source: 2013 Employment Outcomes Report

Technology Cost Savings
Technology Cost Savings: $239 million over five years

Source: FY 2015 Institutional Budget Needs Survey

National Model for Performance Funding
In April 2012, the State Regents adopted a performance-based funding formula that applies to new funding for higher education appropriated by the state Legislature. The performance factors are:

a campus degree completion plan that adheres to CCA goals
retention rates
Pell Grant retention rates
24-credit-hour completion rate
graduation rate
CCA degree target achievement
number of certificates/degrees conferred
program accreditation

“Oklahoma will lead the nation in developing and implementing a performance-funding model for higher education.” – Dane Linn, Vice President, Business Roundtable, and formerly of the National Governors Association and the College Board

2014 Legislative Priorities

Complete College America: Oklahoma has a projected need of 313,073 additional college-educated workers to keep our state competitive in a global economy. Investment is required to meet this critical need.

Oklahoma's Promise: The state system of higher education strongly supports keeping the Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship, which provides college funding for approximately 19,000 students, intact as an access program.

Concealed Weapons: There is no scenario in which allowing guns on campuses will do anything other than create a more dangerous environment for our students, faculty and visitors. In the past six legislative sessions, bills have either been introduced or discussed that would allow guns on campus. Each attempt has been successfully defeated to date, and ensuring similar legislation does not become law will continue to be a state system priority.

FY 2015 Budget Needs and the Oklahoma Plan for Complete College America
FY 2014 Appropriation: $988,549,007

Performance and Degree Completion Goals
1. Performance and Degree Completion Funding Formula: $55,100,000 (addresses CCA initiatives: Pathways to Degrees and Certificates, Reward Performance, Transform Remediation, Increase Adult Degrees)
  1. Fixed Cost Increases: $30,100,000
  2. College Completion Plans: $25,000,000
2. Online Education and Degree Completion Technology: $2,500,000 (addresses CCA initiatives: College Readiness, Pathways to Degrees and Certificates, Reward Performance, Transform Remediation, Increase Adult Degrees)
3. Campus Deferred Maintenance: $3,700,000
Intervention to Enhance Degree Completion and Student Success
1. Student Services – Competitive Grants for Advisement, Career Counseling, Veteran Services, Financial Education: $10,000,000 (addresses CCA initiatives: Pathways to Degrees and Certificates, Reward Performance, Transform Remediation, Increase Adult Degrees)
2. Concurrent Enrollment: $3,000,000 (addresses CCA initiatives: College Readiness, Pathways to Degrees and Certificates, Reward Performance, Transform Remediation)
3. OTAG/OTEG: $1,500,000 (addresses CCA initiatives: College Readiness, Pathways to Degrees and Certificates)
4. Adult Degree Completion Community Scholarship Match: $250,000 (addresses CCA initiatives: Pathways to Degrees and Certificates, Reward Performance, Increase Adult Degrees)
5. STEM Summer Academies: $250,000 (addresses CCA initiatives: College Readiness, Pathways to Degrees and Certificates, Transform Remediation)

Total Additional Funds: $76,300,000
Total FY 2015 State Appropriation: $1,064,849,007
Percent Difference From FY 2014 State Appropriation: 7.7 percent

Contacts
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
405.225.9100
www.okhighered.org

Glen D. Johnson, Chancellor
chancellorjohnson@osrhe.edu

Hollye Hunt, Associate Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations
hhunt@osrhe.edu