2014 Legislative Agenda
Higher Education: Oklahoma's Road to Jobs and Prosperity
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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
- Performance and Degree Completion Funding Formula: $55,100,000 (addresses CCA initiatives: Pathways to Degrees and Certificates, Reward Performance, Transform Remediation, Increase Adult Degrees)
- Fixed Cost Increases: $30,100,000
- College Completion Plans: $25,000,000
- 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)
- Campus Deferred Maintenance: $3,700,000
- Performance and Degree Completion Funding Formula: $55,100,000 (addresses CCA initiatives: Pathways to Degrees and Certificates, Reward Performance, Transform Remediation, Increase Adult Degrees)
- Intervention to Enhance Degree Completion and Student Success
- 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)
- Concurrent Enrollment: $3,000,000 (addresses CCA initiatives: College Readiness, Pathways to Degrees and Certificates, Reward Performance, Transform Remediation)
- OTAG/OTEG: $1,500,000 (addresses CCA initiatives: College Readiness, Pathways to Degrees and Certificates)
- Adult Degree Completion Community Scholarship Match: $250,000 (addresses CCA initiatives: Pathways to Degrees and Certificates, Reward Performance, Increase Adult Degrees)
- 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