State legislators attend regents meeting to ‘gain greater insight’

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislators recently returning from the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents meetings said they want to change the tone of education in the state.

State Reps. Mark McBride (R-Moore) and Toni Hasenbeck (R-Elgin) attended the Sept. 10-11 University of Oklahoma Board of Regents meeting in Norman.

“I want to gain greater insight into the needs and funding of higher education,” said McBride, who chairs the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education.

The schools, colleges, and universities do an incredible job educating students for future jobs and for life, McBride said. For too long the state has underfunded education or let education funding lag behind other needs, he said.

“I want to make sure we adequately understand how funds are being used by higher education institutions and how we can help them enhance the quality of their offerings for our state students,” McBride said.

U.S. News and World Report listed the University of Oklahoma in the top 10% of universities in the nation, McBride said. The Price College of Business was also ranked 50th in business schools in the nation.

“This shows that this university is producing work-ready graduates and conducting quality research among other factors,” McBride said. “I know our other state universities are doing similar work.”

“I believe it’s important we remain engaged with the higher education community across Oklahoma throughout the year,” Hasenbeck said.

She vice-chairs the subcommittee. “This will allow us to better understand their needs when it comes time to discuss appropriations, especially considering the wide variety of post-secondary education options available in the state and the vital roles each play in our economy,” Hasenbeck said.

Both McBride and Hasenbeck said they look forward to having more conversations with the Regents, with the goal of advancing positive changes for common education.