President Shrum issues statement regarding ARPA-funded projects

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Media Contact: Shannon Rigsby | Public Information Officer | 405-744-9081 | shannon.rigsby@okstate.edu

"We appreciate Governor Stitt and the Oklahoma State Legislature for selecting several strategic initiatives at Oklahoma State University to fund through the American Rescue Plan Act. As Oklahoma’s flagship land-grant university, these initiatives and projects align with our mission of addressing Oklahoma’s most pressing challenges. We commend the members of the House and Senate for prioritizing our projects and thank the governor for his approval.

“At Oklahoma State University, we are committed to using the funds to build a stronger and healthier Oklahoma. To that end, we will further our purpose at the National Center for Wellness and Recovery with a world-class facility aimed at providing care and treatment for individuals who battle opioid use disorder. A new OSU Human Performance and Nutrition Institute will focus on early prevention for better health outcomes. Additionally, the telehealth services project will advance rural health care by providing expanded access in underserved communities. We are also pleased to partner with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services on increasing beds at the Tulsa Behavioral Health facility, where more Oklahomans can receive care, and OSU students can train and further their education.

“As state officials disperse the funds in the coming months, we will focus on ensuring our projects and programs achieve their goals as invaluable assets for our state.”