Articles
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Higher Education
Report undermines claim of Oklahoma college affordability
A new WalletHub report shows that Oklahoma has the 13th-highest level of student debt in the country. Moreover, only four states have a higher share of student-loan balances that are past due or in default than Oklahoma.Ray Carter | September 23, 2025
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Higher Education
Despite state and federal law, OU student group says ‘Crimson & Queens’ drag show to proceed
The University of Oklahoma’s Queer Student Association says its annual Crimson & Queens drag show will proceed. Critics argue that drag performances demean women and could violate Oklahoma or federal law.Ray Carter | September 22, 2025
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Higher Education, Culture & the Family
OU president’s response to Charlie Kirk’s killing contrasts sharply with response to George Floyd’s death
University of Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz, Jr., who issued strong statements condemning racial violence after George Floyd’s 2020 death and called for “systemic change,” has been far less outspoken following the recent assassination of conservative Christian Charlie Kirk.Ray Carter | September 18, 2025
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Higher Education
In Oklahoma, DEI has yet to die
Despite growing national backlash against discriminatory “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) policies, several Oklahoma institutions remain under scrutiny for illegal and divisive practices.Jonathan Small | September 15, 2025
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Higher Education
Kirk’s death comes as more college students support violence over speech
The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist and outspoken Christian, comes as a record share of college students, including those in Oklahoma, now say violence is an acceptable response to speech with which they disagree.Ray Carter | September 11, 2025
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Higher Education
Students self-censor as OU and OSU fail to make the grade on free speech
Roughly half of surveyed OU and OSU students say they hold their tongues on campus at least monthly, according to a new free-speech report. Both universities received failing grades, with OU earning an “F” and OSU a “D-minus.”Ray Carter | September 10, 2025
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Higher Education
Fewer than half of OU freshmen are Oklahomans … again
The University of Oklahoma’s freshman class hit a record 6,251 students this fall, but fewer than half—just 47.6 percent—are from Oklahoma, continuing a trend of declining in-state representation.Ray Carter | September 8, 2025
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Higher Education
Oklahoma higher ed’s $17.48 ‘return’ claim doesn’t compute
A recent study claimed that every dollar in Oklahoma state appropriations to higher education generates $17.48 in economic output. Not only is that number inflated, but it also ignores the fact that money taken from taxpayers could be spent in other ways that might yield equal or greater economic benefits.Byron Schlomach, Ph.D. | September 5, 2025
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Higher Education
Federal judge strikes down Oklahoma's in-state tuition for illegal immigrants
A federal judge has struck down an Oklahoma law that allowed illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities. The decision follows an April executive order from President Trump warning colleges nationwide of federal sanctions if they continued such practices.Ray Carter | September 3, 2025
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Education, Higher Education
Lawmakers must confront higher ed, K-12 on reading crisis
In 2022, state lawmakers made it clear that hospitals don’t get the money unless they stop harmful “gender reassignment” procedures on children. Lawmakers must now tell higher ed that they don’t get the money unless they stop harmful pedagogic procedures on children.Jonathan Small | August 22, 2025