Tuitions and fees to be increased by 8.6%

Special recognition was given to head baseball coach Kurt Russell at Tuesday’s regular Western Oklahoma State College Board of Regents meeting.

Russell led the 2007-8 team to the Division II College World Series for the first time in Western's history.

Regent Chair Mark Dodson administered the oath of office to Regent Steve Miller, who was reappointed for a third 7-year term by Governor Brad Henry.

Lisa Greenlee, dean of arts and sciences, made a short presentation to the Regents regarding the final report from the HLC-NCA reaccreditation team.

Bruce Wiese, vice president for business affairs, presented a blueprint for the new Student Center, which was approved by the Board. Bids for the project will go out shortly, and project completion is expected approximately Jan. 31.

Wiese also made a request for a connecting corridor between the existing south entry and the new Cooperative and Higher Education Training Center, for which the Board voted approval.

The Board approved the increase of tuition and mandatory fees by a combined 8.6% beginning in the fall 2008 semester. As Wiese and President Randy Cumby reminded the Board, the legislative session ended abruptly with a freeze on all state budgets, and the Oklahoma State Regents were unable to help meet the mandatory needs of colleges and universities. Western's increases will include a tuition increase of $5.10 per credit hour, and a $2 mandatory per credit hour fee for safety and security. Western's tuition and fees will remain very competitive in comparison to peer institutions within Oklahoma and the surrounding states.

In personnel matters, the Board accepted the retirement request of Dr. Larry Paxton, dean of academic and student support services. The Board accepted the personnel resignation of Kristy Miller, nursing instructor in Duncan; Scott Charlson, director of instructional support; and May Gipson, nursing secretary.

The Board voted to employ the following: Melissa Hurst, nursing secretary; Cindy Ross, English/speech instructor; Lisa Chaney, biology instructor; Melissa Smith, assistant director of admissions and registrar; Vanessa Parker, Upward Bound academic coordinator; and Kim Zachary, director of instructional support.

The Board voted to accept the recommendation for faculty tenure as presented for the following: Rachel Beckner, Suzie Braddock, and C. L. Carden.

The Board voted to approve the employee salary and benefits package and the budget as presented for fiscal year 2008-2009.

Western's Board elected officers for the upcoming year. They are as follows: Randy Sheets, chair; Dean Graumann, vice-chair; and Renee' Gunkel,

secretary.