Boren ‘Guardedly Optimistic’ About Higher Ed Funding
University of Oklahoma president ‘guardedly optimistic’ about higher education funding
By Silas Allen | Published: May 1, 2013
NORMAN — Although he said he is “guardedly optimistic” about budget talks in the Legislature, University of Oklahoma President David Boren painted a dire picture Tuesday of the state’s long-term future if lawmakers don’t make higher education a funding priority.
Boren discussed the university’s funding outlook, including possible changes to tuition and fees, at a public hearing for students Tuesday.
Boren told students that Oklahoma is effectively dismantling its higher education system, withdrawing state support until public colleges and universities become quasi-private schools funded primarily through tuition, mandatory fees and private donations.
“Without any debate and without anyone in the country realizing it, we are slowly but surely doing away with public higher education in the United States,” Boren said.
Tuesday’s hearing provided no definite answers about whether students will see tuition increases in the fall. State colleges and universities will set their tuition rates for the 2013-14 academic year later this summer, after lawmakers and Gov. Mary Fallin reach a budget agreement.