OSU-Tulsa

[SXSW]

Discuss what you would like to see happen with OSU-Tulsa.  I personally think it is critical for Tulsa's future to have a strong private university in TU, a strong community college system in TCC, and a strong public 4 year research university which currently is NOT OSU or OU-Tulsa..

My wish list:

1.  Become independent from OSU.  Still be governed by the OSU Board of Regents but operate as an independent 4 year research university with close ties to both OSU and TCC.

2.  Close down Rogers State in Claremore and move those programs, students, and faculty to Tulsa.  Rename the newly independent college "Tulsa State University".  Consolidating Oklahoma's universities is key for our future; quality over quantity.  http://www.okgazette.com/p/12738/a/4865/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=LwBEAGUAZgBhAHUAbAB0AC4AYQBzAHAAeAAslashAHAAPQAxADIANwAzADgA

3.  During the gradual move from Claremore keep building up the Brady campus and revitalizing surrounding neighborhoods.  Restoring the Greenwood area to its condition as a walkable neighborhood, pre-Urban Renewal, should be the ultimate goal.  This includes purchasing the Section 8 housing on the hill and rebuilding that area as part of the campus or neighborhood.  There are AMAZING views from that hill.

4.  Finish the Gilcrease Loop which would allow the north leg of the IDL to be demolished helping revitalize the neighborhood and connecting the growing university to the Brady District.

Radical I know, bit I'm sick of seeing OSU drag its feet in Tulsa..

[tshane250]

I have said this many times, but I would like OSU-Tulsa to become something like IUPUI in Indianapolis.  IUPUI is located similarly adjacent to downtown and has over 30,000 students.  They also have over 1,100 residences.  IUPUI is traditionally a commuter college with a lot of students living in apartments throughout Indianapolis or they commute from their parent's houses.  I would like OSU-Tulsa to have a lot more student housing on campus plus affordable rentals downtown would be great.   

[cannon_fodder]

+1 on wanting a "real" public college in/around Tulsa.   I believe we have a great junior college in TCC.  Tulsa Tech, Spartan, Tulsa Welding, and a few others provide excellent vocational training (FYI:  Tulsa Welding has national respect).  With TU and ORU we have solid private choices for  college, with both drawing people in from around the nation (and world).  We also have a ton of "light" colleges:

OSU-Tulsa
OU-Tulsa
Rogers State
NSU
Langston

Nothing against those institutions, but for people seeking a "college experience", you are not likely to get it at those schools.   Why we have 5 half colleges instead of one full scale State University isn't entirely clear to me - the full scale college with athletics, dorms, etc. where you can get a 4 year and even a graduate degree is what I'm calling a "full" college.  I know you can do a ton of course work at OU/OSU Tulsa, I know Rogers and NSU have full and quality degree programs.  And I understand Langston gets special treatment because of the color of skin of most of its students (I heard that's why OSU can't become Eastern State University [or whatever]).

But at the end of the day, I still don't really get it.   If it is because it isn't needed or economical, so be it.  If it isn't a product that people desire, OK.  If they think an OU/OSU degree is more valuable, alright then.  But if it is because a of fiefdoms, because it would suck mojo from Langston,  or some other stupid reason:  it should change.  I don't want it just to be selfish to Tulsa, if it doesn't make sense - let's not do it.

But in short, I'd love to see OSU-Tulsa become a focal campus community offering full 4 year programs and post graduate opportunities.

[Wrinkle]

Elimination of the north leg of the IDL is pipedream, especially while ODOT spends "the most ever by ODOT on a State project" for its current reconstruction.

Maybe in 30-50 years when the work now being done is needed again.

[SXSW]

Elimination of the north leg of the IDL is pipedream, especially while ODOT spends "the most ever by ODOT on a State project" for its current reconstruction.

Maybe in 30-50 years when the work now being done is needed again.

I realize that, unfortunately.  Too bad this huge stimulus project didn't involve dismantling the highway and burying it like the south leg of the IDL, or doing away with it alltogether.  In that case the other 4 points are still feasible, yet I'm sure there are politics involved.  If I were running for mayor I would make this my top priority, I really think it is that important for the future growth of both downtown and the city.

[Hoss]

I realize that, unfortunately.  Too bad this huge stimulus project didn't involve dismantling the highway and burying it like the south leg of the IDL, or doing away with it alltogether.  In that case the other 4 points are still feasible, yet I'm sure there are politics involved.  If I were running for mayor I would make this my top priority, I really think it is that important for the future growth of both downtown and the city.

As I've said in the past though, the problem is that the IDL is considered part of the Interstate Highway System, and as such, it has DOD implications and is federally managed.  Municipalities can't dismantle it without federal authority. You'd have to declassify it as an interstate.

Good luck with that.

[USRufnex]

First, there's no need to dismantle Rogers State.
Rogers County has been the fastest growing county in Oklahoma.
Rogers State should have the same kinds of comprehensive programs offered by Univ of Central Okla in Edmond.

OSU-Tulsa should have options in the arts that compliment the professional arts organizations already downtown-- the opera, ballet, theater, symphony.

Nothing earthshattering.  Just stuff that makes sense.
I mean, why is there a need for a Performing Arts Center at TCC?
I like Epperly and company down there.... but geez, it's a community college, folks... hmmm... on second thought..... South Tulsa State University?