Task Force on the Future of Higher Education

The State Regents Task Force on the Future of Higher Education was formed in the spring of 2017. Since that time, there have been several news stories and press releases relating to the Task Force’s recommendations as well as the Governor’s November 2017 Executive Order on the consolidation of higher education administrative services.

Discussing, evaluating and implementing the recommendations of the Task Force on the Future of Higher Education will be an on-going and lengthy process. The final report was presented to the Task Force for its approval on January 31, 2018, and it was unanimously accepted by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education on February 1, 2018.

To keep the public updated on the process, we have provided some helpful links to the proposed recommendations, statistical information and timeline. We will include additional information as it becomes available.

Individuals may also visit the Task Force on the Future of Higher Education’s website at www.okhigheredfuture.org. This website contains information regarding the formation and charge of the Task Force, membership and meeting materials.

 

Our Goal

Redlands Community College has enjoyed a strong relationship with our university partners for many years, working together to help students make a smooth transition from a two-year program to a four-year institution and into the workplace. We are committed to continuing to provide access to high-quality service and instruction to help all of our students earn a degree and be well prepared for a competitive job market.

If the recommendations are approved by the State Regents, we will then consider all of the options that will provide the best fit for Redlands and support our mission of providing open access and low tuition rates. For now, we will continue working with our four-year university partners to provide excellent education opportunities through our state system of higher education.

We would like to hear from the public, so please click here to submit your comments online.

 

Recommendations

The Task Force unanimously approved its Report on the Future of Higher Education, which outlines the Task Force’s assessment process and recommendations to strengthen Oklahoma public higher education. Following are summaries of the recommendations presented in December 2017:

The System Structure Subcommittee reviewed institutional governance models, missions and geographic service regions. Subcommittee chair Dan Little, Little Law Firm, presented the subcommittee’s recommendations, which focus on streamlining academics, student services and administration through consolidation of institutional governing boards. The proposed recommendation allows institutions to voluntarily enter into mergers/partnerships until June 30, 2019, after which the State Regents will recommend mergers for remaining institutions. The task force voted to approve the subcommittee recommendations. (Full Recommendations)

The College Degree Completion and Workforce Development Initiative Subcommittee reviewed current college degree completion initiatives and developed recommendations to increase college degree completion rates and align academic programs to meet current and future workforce needs. Subcommittee chair Dr. Thomas K. McKeon, President Emeritus of Tulsa Community College, presented the subcommittee’s recommendations, which focus on implementing predictive analytics to streamline administrative processes and strengthen student support services; expediting the approval process for workforce-oriented programs; accelerating and scaling proven degree completion strategies; fully funding the concurrent enrollment program; and developing a course equivalency matrix specifically designed for student veterans and active duty military. The task force voted to approve the subcommittee recommendations. (Full Recommendations)

The Academic Program Innovations and Online Education Subcommittee reviewed best practices in academic program delivery and web-based education and developed recommendations to promote innovative, collaborative academic programming and scale online education in Oklahoma. Subcommittee co-chairs President Don Betz, University of Central Oklahoma, and Ken Parker, President, and CEO of NextThought, presented the subcommittee’s recommendations, which focus on the design and implementation of micro-degrees/micro-credentials and competency-based education; expanding public-private partnerships to address academic and non-academic student needs; and development of a system wide delivery model for online education and best practices in online instruction. The task force voted to approve the subcommittee recommendations. (Full Recommendations)

The Fiscal Solutions, Efficiencies, Affordability and Technology Subcommittee reviewed system resource allocation, revenue trends and projections, alternative sources of revenue and capacity for improving operational efficiencies through institutional collaboration and technology. Subcommittee chair Bruce Benbrook, Chairman of Stock Exchange Bank, presented the subcommittee’s recommendations, which focus on administrative consolidation; establishing fiscal viability reviews for each institution, branch campus and campus site; and coordinated purchasing of technology products and services across the state system. The task force voted to approve the subcommittee recommendations. (Full Recommendations)

 

Statistical Information

Data will play an important role in the decision-making process. We are currently gathering different pieces of information to better understand the educational decisions our students are making. As we compile the data and present it to the Redlands Community College Board of Regents, we will update this information. Disclaimer: The data contained in the report was provided by the National Student Clearinghouse.

 

Timeline

February 2018

January 2018

December 2017

November 2017

  • Governor issues executive order directing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Chancellor to develop a plan for the administrative costs consolidation of universities, colleges, centers and branch campuses by December 2018.

May 2017

April 2017

March 2017