OSU-Tulsa seeks approval to offer new degrees
Thursday, February 14, 2008
(February 14, 2008 TULSA, ok.) – Oklahoma State University-Tulsa officials have requested
approval from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to make available 15
additional undergraduate degrees for Tulsa-area students.
At today’s OSU-Tulsa Board of Trustees meeting, President Gary Trennepohl said OSU-Tulsa
needs to offer undergraduate degrees in areas that serve Tulsa students and employers.
“Expanded degree offerings will enable OSU-Tulsa to serve additional student and employer
interests, as well as provide opportunities for the increasing number of Tulsa Community
College students participating in the Tulsa Achieves program,” Trennepohl said. “With
the outstanding success of Tulsa Achieves, we have to be prepared for the influx of
students who want to earn a four-year degree in Tulsa.”
Trennepohl said that university officials have examined the number of TCC students
majoring in various degree tracks and determined which degrees OSU-Tulsa needs to
offer to serve those students.
The academic programs, which would be implemented as faculty and physical resources
become available, would include degrees in English, biological sciences with pre-med
and pre-vet options, sociology, civil engineering, history, psychology, mathematics,
accounting, chemistry, physics, secondary education and more.
OSU-Tulsa is also seeking changes in how the campus currently receives funding from
the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The OSU-Tulsa Trustees and the OSU/A&M
Board of Regents have requested that the campus be included in the OSRHE funding formula,
which is applied to all state institutions.
The Oklahoma legislature provides the State Regents with a lump sum to divide among
all Oklahoma public colleges and universities. Any increase in total funds allocated
is distributed using the OSRHE formula based on enrollment, the types and levels of
courses offered and several other factors.
Trennepohl said that OSU-Tulsa is currently not included in the funding formula and
thus does not receive funding in the same manner as other colleges and universities.
Two additional items presented at the Trustees board meeting today included a new
wellness initiative and the feasibility of becoming a charter school sponsor.
As part of an OSU System initiative, a wellness plan was announced that aims to create
a culture of wellness and health at OSU-Tulsa, while providing a long-term solution
to rising healthcare costs.
The “Cowboys Rewards” program will provide the tools necessary for OSU-Tulsa faculty
and staff to attain optimal health. The incentive-based program will include courses
in health risk assessment, heart health, physical activity, stress management and
many more.
“Employees spend most of their waking hours at work and it is important that they
have the opportunities to maintain or improve their health in a supportive environment,”
Trennepohl said. “Healthy employees are more productive and engaged in their work
life, as well as their family life and community.”
The new wellness initiative will also support OSU-Tulsa’s transition to a Tobacco-Free
campus this summer. Effective July 1, 2008, all tobacco use, including smokeless tobacco,
will be prohibited anywhere at OSU-Tulsa.
The OSU-Tulsa Trustees also discussed the concept of sponsoring a charter school in
the Tulsa area. A committee was formed to explore the advantages and responsibilities
associated with providing guidance, support and accountability to a charter school.
OSU-Tulsa is located just north of downtown at 700 N. Greenwood Avenue, near I-244
and Detroit Avenue. For more information, call 918-594-8000.