Three organizations have joined the Seminole Chamber of Commerce and the Seminole State College Board of Regents in passing resolutions supporting local governance of the College.
On Monday evening, the Seminole School Board passed a resolution stating that, “Whereas local board control was sanctioned by the Oklahoma Legislature and has been in place since the college’s separation from the high school (in 1969) … be it resolved that the Board of Education of Seminole Public Schools hereby collectively and unanimously endorse efforts to retain local control of Seminole State College through the existing structure of its Board of Regents.”
The declaration was signed by School Board members Claudia Willis, President; Marci Donaho, Vice President; Linda Hampton, Clerk; Shevlyn Foutz, Member; Lisa Cobb, Member; and Superintendent Alfred Gaches.
Seminole City Council also addressed the issue at their Tuesday evening meeting and passed a resolution supporting efforts to retain governance of SSC through a local Board of Regents.
The resolution cited the City’s long support of the College since its inception in 1931, and referred to community efforts to “save the college from extinction in 1969 by donating land for the campus and passing a sales tax to support the college.” The resolution continued, “…the City of Seminole and Seminole State College historically have a strong relationship and have established many partnerships for the betterment of our citizens and the community.”
City Council members present for the unanimous vote on Tuesday were: Vice Mayor Bill Wantland; D.D. Patterson, Tim Poplin, Cory Crabtree, John Cramer, Chris Anson and Larry Church.
Seminole State College President Lana Reynolds spoke to the Council and expressed appreciation to City Manager Steve Saxon for leading a community effort over the past year to defend against recommendations of the Oklahoma Task Force on Higher Education to dissolve governing boards and require several rural Oklahoma community colleges to merge with four-year institutions.
“We are appreciative of the strong support the College has received from the community. It is clear that the leaders of these organizations believe Seminole State College is their college and feel that local control and operating independently is critical to our mission of serving our students and the community.”
SSC President Lana Reynolds
An additional resolution was passed by the SSC Educational Foundation on Wednesday morning. According to the organization’s bylaws, the Foundation was established in 1972 with the purpose of stimulating and cultivating voluntary financial support to benefit the College.
“The Foundation has and will continue to support the growth and advancement of the College in order to provide quality academic, athletic and leadership opportunities to area students, and… the Foundation understands the importance of maintaining local governance of the College in order to better serve Seminole and surrounding communities,” the resolution stated.
The Foundation’s resolution was signed by Chair Lance Wortham. Trustees of the Foundation present for the unanimous vote of the resolution supporting continued local control of the College were: Wortham; Vice Chair Doug Humphreys; Vice Chair Jeramy Rich, Chairman Rocky Barrett; Brooke Case; Dr. Vickie Carter; Steve Degraffenreid; Jay Estes; Rick Geist; Keith Grissom; Jim Hardin; John Hargrave; Tim Mathews; Gordon Melson; Chris Moore; Carl Packwood; Kenny Pryor; Mark Schell; Jack Sherry; Roy Sisco; Sue Snodgrass; Bob Swearingen; Andy Tucker; and David Wilson. Copies of the three resolutions passed this week, as well as resolutions passed recently by the Seminole State College Board of Regents and the Seminole Chamber of Commerce can be found here: Resolutions Supporting Local Governance of SCC.