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The GREATNESS of an institution ALWAYS begins with PEOPLE
-Jim Collins
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Regent's Update
by Mark Stansberry, RUSO Chair
As we enter the halfway mark for the fall semester with cooler weather and the end of a calendar year ahead, this edition has us reflecting on our past and future.
Seventy years ago, RUSO was granted constitutional status through a statewide election in 1948. While our universities have transformed over these seven decades to meet the changing needs of our students, our mission to provide an affordable, high-quality education remains resolute.
A recent
RTI International study found that a large portion of undergraduate students no longer fit the stereotype of a full-time residential college student. I am proud to say that our regional universities have long recognized and supported the nontraditional student population through customized programs and support services.
To help us in this and our continued endeavor to give all students the opportunity to succeed, I am pleased to announce that
RUSO has created a dashboard
. As you read the results of the report I hope you will recognize how much regional universities positively impact the well-being of our students and our workforce. Thank you for being a part of making a lasting difference.
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RUSO Creates Dashboard to Benchmark Results
In an industry constantly measuring outcomes, data sets, comparisons, rankings and statistics, one would think it would be easy to compile a report on a university's performance. The real answer is quite the opposite.
It is challenging to arrive at common definitions and data sources that allow performance comparisons across universities.
To more accurately reflect the efficiency and effectiveness of RUSO's six institutions, the system decided to take on the Herculean task of creating its own dashboard.
Learn more.
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Open Enrollment Time
Open enrollment period for RUSO institutions, other than the University of Central Oklahoma, will be November 1 - 16. The open enrollment period for UCO will be November 5 - 25.
RUSO Open Enrollment Information
For the first time, enrollment will be managed online. This is the only time of the year that employees will be able to make changes to their benefits without a qualifying life event.
Changes for the 2019 benefit year:
- Three additional medical plans with Blue Cross Blue Shield, taking the total to five options.
- Added an enhanced option plan to vision offering with VSP.
- Chard Snyder has been selected to manage member FSA and HSA plans.
2019 provider information is as follows:
- Medical - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma (including a high-deductible plan with an HSA option)
- Dental - Delta Dental of Oklahoma
- Vision - VSP
- Ancillary Benefits (LTD, Life Insurance, Dependent Life) - MetLife
- FSA and HSA - Chard Snyder
UCO Open Enrollment Information
UCO's open enrollment will be November 5 - 25. All enrollment will happen online through BenefitFocus. This is the only time of the year that employees will be able to make changes to their benefits without a qualifying life event.
Changes for the 2019 benefit year:
- Six new medical plans with Blue Cross Blue Shield, improving the affordability of dependent care.
- Three new dental plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
- Added an enhanced option plan to vision offering with VSP.
- Prescriptions will no longer be covered by the Zero Card because UCO will now offer 1000+ prescriptions for a $0 co-pay at any in-network pharmacy.
- Telemedicine will also be available on all UCO plans beginning in 2019.
2019 provider information is as follows:
- Medical - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma (including two high-deductible plans with HSA options)
- Dental - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma
- Vision - VSP
- Voluntary Benefits (LTD, Life Insurance, Dependent Life) - The Hartford
- FSA and HSA - Chard Snyder
For additional information regarding benefits and upcoming changes, visit
benefits.uco.edu
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Student Success Spotlight
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Athlete Turned Award-Winning E
ntrepreneur
A native of Kolkata, India, Srijita Ghosh moved to Oklahoma in 2015 to attend East Central University on a tennis scholarship. But her time at ECU quickly took a challenging turn. During Ghosh's first year, she had to decide whether to leave ECU or change her college plans. Ghosh soon recognized that this crossroads offered an important opportunity for her.
Read more
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RUSO Conducts National Search for UCO President
The Regional University System of Oklahoma is conducting a national search for the 21st president of the University of Central Oklahoma located in Edmond, Oklahoma. UCO President Don Betz will retire June 30, 2019.
Learn more
RUSO Celebrates 70 Years of Serving Oklahoma Students
The Regional University System of Oklahoma is celebrating 70 years of serving of Oklahoma students. Formed as the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges, the organization was granted constitutional status through a statewide election in July 1948. The moniker, Regional University System of Oklahoma, was added in 2006 to better reflect the student population served within RUSO.
Read more
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Let's Get Social
RUSO is now on social media. Follow us on
Facebook and
Twitter for regular updates on what's happening in your Regional University System.
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Great Happenings at Your Regional University
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For inspiration and collaboration learn more about what is happening at regional universities.
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Honoring the long partnership between the college and the Chickasaw nation, ECU's newest residence facility is named Chokka-Chaffa' Hall. Taken from the Chickasaw word meaning "house-one" or "family," Chokka-Chaffa is comprised of three stories and features
60 double-occupancy rooms. The facility is at full capacity since opening in August 2018.
NSU students are leading the charge to restore and beautify Beta Pond and the adjoining Town Branch Creek. Partnering with the City of Tahlequah, Cherokee County and several other local entities, the goal of the collaborative effort has been clean up and restoration of the creek and pond to their original states.
Learn More
NWOSU was recently awarded the "Why Teach?" grant by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The grant supports Teach Oklahoma classes at high schools in Woodward and Enid encouraging students to explore a career in the teaching profession.
Fall enrollment at Southeastern has reached a 40-year high. 4,483 enrolled students represents an increase of 13.3 percent over last year.
Learn More
More than 125 juniors and seniors from 16 state high schools are enrolled concurrently this semester at SWOSU-Sayre. Most students attend class remotely from their high school campuses, while SWOSU faculty use an interactive video system to broadcast to students.
UCO will host "Teachers and the Legislature: Advocacy and Issues Forum" on October 19 at 9 a.m. During the free, non-partisan event, educators, experts and leaders from across the state will present on a range of K-12 topics.
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Follow RUSO on Social Media
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