Regents approve request for two OSU vice presidents

<br>MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma State University President David Schmidly will name two new vice presidents to enhance research and help attract quality faculty and students to the university. <br><br>``I

Saturday, February 1st 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) _ Oklahoma State University President David Schmidly will name two new vice presidents to enhance research and help attract quality faculty and students to the university.

``I intend to enhance the leadership team by including a vice president for information technology and distance learning, as well as a vice president for enrollment management and marketing to address these critical priorities,'' he said.

Schmidly said that his plan will help increase efficiency and save money.

``I am well aware of the severity of the current budget crisis in Oklahoma, but I am convinced that OSU cannot cut its way to national prominence,'' he said.

Schmidly presented his plan to regents during their meeting Friday in Muskogee.

Schmidly said that adding vice presidents during a budget crisis may raise questions, but he believes better coordination can make more efficient use of money now allotted to the two key areas.

``We will develop the best plan in Oklahoma and produce a report card on our progress to assure the citizens of the state that we're making the best possible use of the tax dollars given OSU,'' he said.

He also received board approval to hire a consultant to complete a strategic plan and an integrated marketing plan at OSU.

Schmidly said he intends to work with University of Oklahoma President David Boren and higher education Chancellor Paul Risser to ask the state Legislature to deregulate tuition and move tuition rates at OSU and OU closer to the Big 12 average.

Regents approved a series of fee increases for students that could be put in place. Those recommendations will go to the higher regents.

Schmidly estimates anticipated tuition and fee increases would cost OSU students about $700 more per year.