OSRHE Chancellor Presents 2016 Legislative Agenda at NSU

Higher Education: Strengthening Oklahomas Workforce Pipeline

(Broken Arrow, Okla.)--Strengthening Oklahomas workforce pipeline through degree and certificate completion continues to be the state system of higher educations top priority. That was the message delivered by Chancellor Glen D. Johnson as he presented the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Educations FY 2016 legislative agenda to an audience of lawmakers, community leaders and educators at Northeastern State Universitys Broken Arrow campus on Jan. 19.

Our system of higher education remains committed to college degree and certificate attainment, said Johnson. We know that increasing college degrees and certificates is Oklahomas pathway to jobs and prosperity, increasing our states per capita income and advancing economic growth. No entity in state government can help Oklahoma reach its goals of educational excellence and workforce development faster or more comprehensively than public higher education.

OSRHE recently voted to request $963.4 million for FY 2017, which reflects no increase over the FY 2016 appropriation of $963.4 million. The State Regents also approved an addendum acknowledging the need for $22 million to meet campus operational fixed costs.

Another area of focus in the coming legislative session will be maintaining current law regarding weapons on higher education campuses. Oklahoma higher education does not oppose the second amendment or gun ownership.Under current law, campus presidents have the discretion to grant exceptions to the weapons ban when an exception is warranted. The State Regents and the presidents of all 25 state system institutions strongly believe that there is no scenario where expanding authorization to carry weapons on higher education campuses does anything other than create a more dangerous environment for our students, faculty, staff and visitors.

The State Regents will also continue efforts to preserve the Oklahomas Promise scholarship as an access program. Recognized by many as Americas best college access program, Oklahomas Promise is considered a model that combines emphases on academic preparation and financial support for college. More than 65,000 students have earned college tuition scholarships through Oklahomas Promise since the programs inception in 1992.

Published: 2016-01-19 13:10:14.520000