A. On January 1, 1999, there shall be created in Claremore, Oklahoma, and its other regionally accredited sites, as a successor to the Claremore campus of Rogers University, an institution of higher education to be known as Rogers State University. Rogers State University shall programmatically and budgetarily function as a regional institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, yet with a community college component. It shall be authorized to offer no less than the average number of programs and courses of study at other regional institutions of similar size and enrollment.
B. Rogers State University shall operate as an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and shall be governed by the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma. The president of Rogers State University shall report directly to the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma.
C. It is the intent of the Legislature that Rogers State University be funded initially at a level consistent with the average allocation and allotment of the institutions in the regional funding tier as established by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
D. The Legislature recognizes the decision of the State Regents, pursuant to the powers vested in the State Regents by Section 2 of Article XIII-A of the Oklahoma Constitution, to change the function of Rogers State University, formerly known as the Claremore campus of Rogers University, to include a four-year baccalaureate and graduate degree granting function, as quickly as that can be done, giving due consideration to the protection of the institution's regional accreditation status. The State Regents will provide an annual report on the transition in Rogers State University function to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, beginning on January 1, 2000, and continuing until Rogers State University is regionally accredited as a four-year baccalaureate and graduate degree granting institution.
E. Rogers State University shall maintain a community college component within the university and shall maintain admission standards, academic policies and practices for the community college component consistent with those approved for associate degree granting institutions by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
F. Rogers State University is hereby authorized to contract with other regionally accredited institutions of higher education, specifically including Northeastern State University, for the delivery of courses and programs at any location where Rogers State University is authorized to deliver courses or programs. This authorization shall still remain in force after Rogers State University gains regional accreditation for upper division programs.
Added by Laws 1998, c. 325, § 9, eff. July 1, 1998. Amended by Laws 1999, c. 274, § 5, eff. June 1, 1999.