Lornna Bates

Managing Editor

   House Bill 1227 (HB 1227), a pro­posal authored and introduced by Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Ardmore, has cre­ated quite the commotion throughout southern Oklahoma.

   “HB 1227 will convert the Ardmore Higher Education Center into a branch campus of Southeastern Oklahoma State University by 2014,” said co-au­thor Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-District 6, avid supporter of the measure.

   Rep. Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore, in a post on patownbey.com, said the bill would create and support the process of conversion “while protecting all the historic partnerships and programming which have existed at the center.” Own­bey is a co-author of the measure as well as the House sponsor.

   Four universities currently provide courses at AHEC: Southeastern, East Central University, Murray State Col­lege and Oklahoma State University.

   According to Ownbey, “HB 1227 is a joint effort to accomplish one of the most significant goals for south central Oklahoma,” referring to the institution becoming a branch campus of South­eastern. Ownbey said, the Ardmore campus was the first institution of its kind created years ago in Oklahoma and is the only remaining campus that has not consolidated as a branch to a larger university.

   Brecheen said HB 1227 would al­low “Southeastern the ability to de­termine in the future” the continuance of educational opportunities offered at the AHEC. The continuance would mean the center would continue to offer courses from all participating institu­tions at the discretion of Southeastern.

   Southeastern would have more buy­ing power, or the final word, over the center, said Brecheen. However, the state and/or private colleges would all continue to share resources, staff and administrative costs.

   Ownbey, who is from Ardmore, said that Southeastern was chosen for the consolidation due to its convenient lo­cation to the Ardmore area.

   “The bill was approved by the House and Senate, but vetoed by Gov. Mary Fallin,” said Southeastern President Larry Minks.

   The decision to veto HB 1227 by the governor came after deliberations con­cerning whether long-term, sustain­able funding would be available for the branch campus without state appropria­tions being necessary to maintain the institution.

   Brecheen said he will “amend the bill in the Senate” to address the concern regarding availability and origination of funds for possible consolidation and ex­pansion of the campus and its buildings which, Brecheen said, “will not be paid by tax payers.” According to Brecheen, “The Ardmore community is commit­ted to making the needs met by private donations.”

   A proposal for an interim study during the summer has been issued to Fallin to indicate the Ardmore branch campus consolidation with Southeastern would “not have a fiscal impact on state mon­ey,” said Brecheen.

   Minks said, “Southeastern stands ready and able in continuing to meet the needs of the students in Ardmore. Whether our role is as a branch campus or otherwise was a decision of our state government.”

   According to Ben Hardcastle, director of communications for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, “The State Regents for Higher Edu­cation took no position on HB 1227, which was subsequently vetoed by Fal­lin. No further action on the issue is ex­pected this session.”

   Creators of the bill, including Own­bey, argue that Southeastern would not have to contribute much money to con­vert the AHEC into a branch campus, over a period of several years.