OBU Trustees Approve Budget and Costs In Spring Meeting

Oklahoma Baptist University's board of trustees approved the 2000-2001 budget for the university, including student costs for the 2000-2001 academic year, during the board's spring meeting on the campus Friday. The overall increase is the smallest rise in costs since 1991.

After reviewing the university's proposed $28.03 million budget for the upcoming year, board members approved a 4.63 percent total increase in tuition, fees, room and board for 2000-2001. The total average cost for a full-time on-campus student will be $13,096, rising from $12,516 for the 1999-2000 year.

"OBU's costs are well below the national average for private four-year colleges," said John W. Parrish, OBU executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Parrish presented national cost information for the 1999-2000 year, which showed that the average cost for tuition, fees, room and board at a private four-year college is $21,399. Average total cost for a public four-year college is $8,086.

Parrish also reported to the board that 85 percent of OBU's students for the current year received some form of financial aid. The average financial aid package -- including scholarships, loans and grants -- for an OBU student during the 1999-2000 year is $7,641.

OBU has consistently been recognized as a "best value" institution in U.S. News and World Report's annual "America's Best Colleges" rankings. The university is rated seventh in the 2000 U.S. News "best value" listing for colleges in the western United States.

During his state-of-the-university address, OBU President Mark Brister announced to the board that Dr. Dan Reeder has been named dean of the university's Paul Dickinson School of Business. Reeder, who had been serving as interim dean since August 1999, has served on the OBU faculty since 1991.

"Dr. Reeder is an outstanding faculty member, and is one of our most popular teachers," said Dr. Brister. "His leadership skills emerged very quickly as he became interim dean."

Brister also discussed the academic quality of OBU students, and on-going spiritual life activities on the campus.

"It is in that exciting balance of academic greatness and Christian commitment ... that we do business at OBU," he said.

In other business, the board approved faculty contracts for the 2000-2001 year, and ratified promotions for 12 faculty members. Those promoted from associate professor to professor rank include Dr. Albert Chen, physics; Dr. Carolyn Cole, English; and Steve Hicks, art. Faculty promoted from assistant professor to associate professor rank are Dr. Chris Bade, music; Roger Flint, accounting; Dr. Ann Gipson, piano; Dr. Kevin Hall, religion; Dr. Mark Hemric, chemistry; Dr. Todd Jackson, accounting; and Dr. Michael Keas, natural science. Those promoted from instructor to assistant professor rank are Laura Byland, theatre; and Jasmin Johnson, nursing.

Trustee Chairman Jim Dawson, a staff member from the First Baptist Church of Broken Arrow, moderated the meeting. Dr. Jeff Moore, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, Shawnee, is secretary of the board.