By JAXYN CLOUD
Senior Reporter
NWOSU hosted the RUSO Board of Regents at their first meeting of the school year Thursday.
The Regional University System of Oklahoma Board of Regents govern six different public universities in Oklahoma, including NWOSU. They are responsible for universities that enroll over 40,000 students each year. Their first meeting of the school year was held at the Ranger Room on NWOSU’s campus.
Jane McDermott, a NWOSU alumna and Alva resident, serves as chair of the Board of Regents. “I always like to welcome us for our first meeting of the year here to our home town” McDermott said. “I don’t know what Northwestern would be without Alva and I don’t know what Alva would be without Northwestern.”
Along with NWOSU, the Board of Regents govern East Central University, Northeastern State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University and the University of Central Oklahoma. RUSO was created in 1948 and all of the universities it governs are over one hundred years old.
The Regents are responsible for voting on policy changes, funding management and more. Eight of the Regents are appointed by the governor and the other is the elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters.
NWOSU had a facility renovation request for the Regents at the meeting. NWOSU requested a budget not exceeding $250,000 to renovate the bathrooms in Shockley Hall, which were originally built in 1939. This request was approved by the board. These renovations will help the restrooms to match up to ADA Compliance.
The next RUSO meeting is Oct. 2 at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma, and is open to the public.