Higher Education

SB 701 is a step in the right direction, expanding options to help students get to work

May 19, 2025

Jonathan Small

It’s no secret that rising costs have made higher education out of reach for many students. 

Many higher ed reforms need to be enacted in the years ahead. One step in the right direction is SB 701 by state Sen. John Haste (R-Broken Arrow) and state Rep. Toni Hasenbeck (R-Elgin). The bill allows the State Regents for Higher Education to approve “functional exceptions.”

“Functional exception” means an expansion or exception to assigned institutional function or mission to permit an institution of higher education within the State System of Higher Education to offer courses or degree programs outside the institution's assigned function or mission to meet unmet workforce needs. 

Getting rid of artificial barriers will provide greater access for students, enabling them to join the workforce more quickly. OCPA supports SB 701 and is adding it to our Legislative Scorecard.