“Giants are not what we think they are. The same qualities that appear to give them strength are often the sources of great weakness.”
-Malcolm Gladwell, David and Goliath: Understudies, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
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Supporting Students Holistically |
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Fall is a beautiful time to be on campus. The weather is cooler, the leaves are changing colors, football season is here, students are back, and our universities are bustling with activity, excitement, and possibility. It’s also the time of year that enrollment is at the forefront of regents’ thoughts. Overall, enrollment trends in the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) system are recovering from the difficult pandemic years. But compared to the Oklahoma flagships, with enrollments exceeding 25,000, RUSO institutions can seem like underdogs. Should students choose to attend big universities or smaller universities? What do RUSO universities offer that make them a great choice for many students? |
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In my fifteen years as a RUSO regent, I have heard from students, faculty, and staff about how our universities are especially adept at meeting students where they are. Students feel welcomed and comfortable at our universities because they have the support that comes from a caring community and close friendships with teaching faculty, staff, and fellow students. Check out the stories of our graduates who consistently report that they were willing to take on new challenges and experiment with new ideas because our professors encourage innovation and individuality. RUSO universities enrich the lives of our students, preparing them to be hardworking, well-trained, and ambitious members of the workforce. We support and encourage students, while providing a high-quality education at an affordable price.
A recent UCLA study found that nearly 60% of university students across the country who start out in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs drop out after their first or second year. The loss of these students has created a drastic shortage of American-educated scientists and engineers. In his book David and Goliath, Malcolm Gladwell theorizes that it may not be the difficult coursework as much as the difficult environment that leads to students dropping out of STEM majors. In education, it’s referred to as the “Big Fish Little Pond Effect.” The more that an institution exhibits an aggressive, comparison-based, and elitist atmosphere, the worse students feel about their academic abilities. Students in this environment can feel demoralized and inferior. In reality, academic achievement is like a muscle that can be flexed and developed over time if you persevere. The support that a university provides to students shapes their willingness and their ability to tackle challenges and finish difficult tasks. According to Gladwell, it’s a crucial element in their motivation and confidence.
Potentially compounding the drop out problem is the increasing use of Holistic Admissions Standards. Some universities’ admissions departments forgo reviewing GPAs or standardized test scores before admitting some first-time freshmen. Holistic standards have been in place for years, but some institutions are increasing their use of this method to accept many students who would not qualify through traditional academic standards. RUSO institutions have academic admission standards in place to ensure that our students are prepared to succeed. A future increase in holistic admissions by RUSO may be warranted, but it will need to be accompanied by processes that prepare students for college-level academic success.
Ultimately, widespread use of holistic admissions standards without holistic support harms students. Changing standards to accept more students without putting in place methods to ensure those students’ successful transition to university life leads to an even higher risk of students falling short of their goals.
RUSO institutions have taken the opposite approach to changing their admission standards. We have created holistic and proactive support systems which set our universities apart and makes them great places for students to succeed. For those who need extra family support or the convenience of living close to home, RUSO universities, branches and satellite campuses are located across the state. For students who are returning to higher education after a break, flexible schedules and class times make it easier to complete a degree. Our degree offerings complement the careers of working students and provide a leg up for those entering the workforce for the first time.
I am proud of the programming and new initiatives at our universities that have been designed to support our students holistically, understanding that all students come to the university with a history and a life outside of their education. At Northeastern State University’s Broken Arrow campus, a new drop-in, after-hours childcare center assists caregivers pursuing a degree in the evenings. A housing incentive program from East Central University lowers commuting costs for students. University of Central Oklahoma recently announced a partnership with a metro community college to make transferring for a bachelor’s degree simpler. Southwestern Oklahoma State University has partnerships with technology centers to accelerate student progress on degrees such as nursing and allied health. Southeastern Oklahoma State University has adopted a “Student Ready University” initiative to ensure that the university is ready to facilitate the success of students with differing needs based on their background and preparedness for college. Northwestern Oklahoma State University hosts special events where students and families can “shop for tuition” involving scholarship opportunities.
And the payoff for our state is great. Nearly 84% of RUSO graduates stay and are employed in Oklahoma five years after graduation. We care about enrollment, but we also care that the students we enroll are given the support they need. Today’s RUSO students are tomorrow’s Oklahoma workforce. They deserve to have the tools they need for the best opportunities to persevere and succeed.
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from Mark Scott, RUSO/OKHEEI Benefits Coordinator |
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Open enrollment period for RUSO institutions, other than the University of Central Oklahoma, will be October 17th – October 31st.
RUSO Open Enrollment Information
Enrollment will be managed online through www.myokheeibenefits.com. 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 2023 benefit year:
- Medical, Vision, Life & Disability – there will not be any benefit plan changes for the 2023 plan year!
- New FSA contribution limits: 2023 ($2,850) 2022 ($2,750)
- New HSA employee contribution limits:
- Single Emp: 2023 ($3,850) 2022 ($3,650)
- Family Emp: 2023 ($7,750) 2022 ($7,300)
- Individuals aged 55 or older ($1,000) will stay the same.
2023 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) - Voya
- FSA and HSA – Flexible Benefit Administrators
There are multiple resources for more benefits information:
UCO Open Enrollment Information
UCO's open enrollment is held October 17th through October 28th. To enroll, employees should log in to employee.uco.edu and select "2023 Benefits Enrollment."
Changes for the 2023 benefit year:
- Medical is moving from Aetna to Healthcare Highways. Four plans will be available through Healthcare Highways:
- Two plans within the broad network.
- Two plans specifically with Integris and OU Health.
- Dental will be moving from Aetna to Delta Dental
- CVS Caremark will continue to administer the university’s pharmacy plans.
- The UCO Benefits App will be available until December 31, 2022. Effective January 1, 2023, the Healthcare Highways app and concierge line will replace it.
2023 provider information is as follows:
- Medical – Healthcare Highways
- Dental – Delta Dental
- Pharmacy- CVS Caremark
- Vision - VSP
- Voluntary Benefits (LTD, Life Insurance, Dependent Life) - The Hartford
- FSA and HSA - Voya Financial
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Earlier this month the RUSO regents gathered at Southeastern Oklahoma State University for our regular board meeting. Senator Roger Thompson provided remarks about Oklahoma’s state budget, taxes, ARPA funding and the legislature’s emphasis on return on investment. Dr. Bryan Duke, College of Education and Professional Studies, University of Central Oklahoma and Dr. Stewart Mayers, Director of Teacher Education, Southeastern Oklahoma State University provided information regarding partnerships for teacher education. They also discussed teacher preparation, certification processes, strengths and challenges, and opportunities for improvement and support.
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Regent Amy Anne Ford, left, and Regent Gary Parker tour the cockpit of a 737 MAX FTD simulator. |
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From left, Regent Eric Fisher, Regent Amy Anne Ford, Cassie Woodward, Flight Administrator at Southeastern's Aviation Sciences Institute and Regent Gary Parker with a Cessna 310. |
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While in Durant, we were given a tour of Southeastern's impressive aviation facility and heard more about what makes the university a leader in training pilots and other professionals for Oklahoma's aerospace industry. |
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RUSO powers Oklahoma's workforce |
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Southwestern and Integris Health begin Nursing Degree Partnership |
Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Integris Health are partnering to increase Oklahoma’s number of degreed nurses. First-semester enrollees in a SWOSU nursing program can now apply for tuition support from Integris, the state’s largest not-for-profit health system. Read more
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Northwestern education majors enter classrooms |
Northwestern Oklahoma State University education majors are getting their first hands-on classroom experience this fall in public school classrooms throughout Western Oklahoma. This experience prepares future teachers to make an impact in their own classrooms. We are proud that RUSO universities graduate highly qualified, degreed teachers to address the state’s teacher shortage. Learn more
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RUSO alumni go to work in Oklahoma |
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Northeastern graduate finds passion in connecting communities with career resources |
Dominique Clarke is Director of Member and Alumni Experience at Tulsa Remote where she helps bring those who are new to Tulsa a sense of community, and the resources to succeed in their new environment. Learn more
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Rodeo coach and Southeastern alumna gives back to the program that trained her |
At 12 years old, Christi Braudrick knew that her dream was to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University to compete in rodeo, the same team that she now coaches. She began her career in K-12 public schools and gained 15 years of experience coaching young people in various sports across Oklahoma and Texas.
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RUSO students impact their communities |
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Teach to Reach grant recipients, East Central University
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Seven East Central University education majors received a grant from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The grant is awarded by the Office of Indian Education. The funding is considered a loan, repaid by service at a school with a high proportion of Native American Students. ECU students Hali Bray, Bailey Giles, Mackenzie Hernandez, Lexus Morgan, Kristie Rodgers, Deyton Ashby, and Victoria Barbour received the grant which assists with a portion of education costs and a monthly stipend for eligible participants. Learn more
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Gareth Morton, University of Central Oklahoma
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University of Central Oklahoma student Gareth Morton, a junior political science major from Tishomingo, Oklahoma, was recently named a 2022 Sumners Scholar for his academic excellence and civic engagement. Read more
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Great Happenings at Your Regional University |
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The seventh annual Oka' (Water) Sustainability Conference at the ECU campus is slated for November 8-9. The conference will feature expert speakers, water resource-oriented fieldtrips and is expected to attract hundreds of attendees and experts in water conservation. Learn more
Southeastern's new on-campus supercomputer will help prepare the next generation of Oklahoma’s technical and STEM workforce, serving as a resource for students studying computer science, business, mathematics and more. Learn more
The Broken Arrow campus of Northeastern is offering drop-in childcare services to students, including during evening classes. The initiative will make it easier for parents and caregivers to complete a postsecondary degree. Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education. Learn more
Southwestern recently announced a transfer partnership with Rose State College. The partnership encourages degree completion in several of Oklahoma's high-demand fields. Through the partnership students pursuing associate degrees in pre-education and allied health at Rose State will be able to smoothly transition to pursue a bachelor's degree at SWOSU.
Northwestern recently held their annual fall Family Day. Families visited for tours of campus, to shop for Ranger gear, attend sporting events and "shop for tuition." Visiting families were able to register for tuition giveaways for the spring semester by visiting participating Alva merchants. Learn more
For the seventh year in a row, UCO has been recognized for the services and support they provide to students who are veterans or military connected by their inclusion on the "Best for Vets: Colleges" list. Central was also named a gold-level Military Friendly School by Viqtory Media this year. Learn more
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