University of Oklahoma. Tulsa. Graduate College
Organization
Dates
- Existence: 1996 - 2022
Tulsa Graduate College History
From the archived Tulsa Graduate College website:
"While OU-Tulsa houses both Norman-based and HSC programs, the OU Graduate College serves students specifically enrolled in Norman-based programs. OU Colleges that offer graduate programs in Tulsa include the Christopher J. Gibbs College of Architecture, Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences, Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, and Gallogly College of Engineering. Graduate degrees include Urban Design, Educational Administration, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Human Relations, Library and Information Studies, Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum, Organizational Dynamics, Public Administration, Social Work, and Organizational and Community Leadership.
OU’s presence in Tulsa began in 1957 through a partnership between OU and the Tulsa City County Library. OU later became part of a consortium of colleges and universities that offered programs in Tulsa at the Tulsa Graduate Center, which became UCT in 1982.
Although OU's presence in Tulsa has been longstanding, it changed dramatically in 1999 as a result of the generous gift from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation which allowed OU to purchase 60 acres at the corner of 41st and Yale, previously the Amoco Research Center. Historically, the OU programs in Tulsa were located in a wide variety of sites, including the OSU-Tulsa campus. By the fall of 2002, all OU academic programs in Tulsa were located at the Schusterman Center, providing OU with a much stronger identity in Tulsa and allowing OU-Tulsa to better serve the community.
While Norman-based graduate programs were offered in Tulsa since 1957, in 1996, the Tulsa Graduate Office was established so administrative issues regarding graduate education could be handled locally. At this time, Dr. William Ray was named as Interim Dean on a part-time basis. In the spring of 1998 the position of Dean was made full-time, and the operation was reorganized as the Tulsa Graduate College. In 2004, Dr. Ray was given the additional title of Vice Provost for Norman Programs in Tulsa in recognition of expanded budgetary and planning responsibilities.
The consolidation of the graduate program locations to the Schusterman Center in 1999 is likely responsible for some of the growth of the Tulsa Graduate College. In 1994 there were 390 graduate students enrolled in Tulsa and three resident faculty. In the intervening ten years, more than 1,000 students earned their degrees in the programs offered through the Tulsa Graduate College. By the fall semester of 2005 there were 461 students in post-baccalaureate study, 24 resident faculty, and three doctoral programs. A decade later, in 2015, the Tulsa Graduate College included 594 students in Norman-based programs and 31 full-time faculty.
Dr. William Ray founded the Tulsa Graduate Office in 1996 and the Tulsa Graduate College in 1998. At the end of August 2016, Dean William Ray stepped down from his position as Dean of the Tulsa Graduate College in order to take a sabbatical after 36 years of service with OU, more than two decades of which have been serving OU-Tulsa. His leadership and vision have helped shape the OU-Tulsa campus and the many programs offered by OU in Tulsa.
At the beginning of September 2016, Dr. James Sluss became the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Tulsa Graduate College. Prior to this, Dr. Sluss was the Senior Associate Dean in the OU Gallogly College of Engineering."
2022 Merger
Although Norman-based graduate programs have been offered in Tulsa since 1957, the Tulsa Graduate Office was established in 1996 so administrative issues regarding graduate education could be handled locally. What began as the Tulsa Graduate Office became the Tulsa Graduate College in 1998. This proposed new alignment seeks to consolidate the leadership of graduate education under the Dean of the Graduate College in Norman. The current Dean of the Graduate College in Tulsa will step out of the dean’s role and continue to serve as Interim President of OU-Tulsa. As a result of this transition, there will be no loss or reduction in staff in Tulsa and no impact on the graduate students or graduate faculty, as the Graduate College in Tulsa already follows the policies, procedures, and deadlines of the Norman campus. The Associate Dean of the Graduate College in Tulsa will remain in Tulsa to provide local leadership and support. Graduation ceremonies will continue to be held in Norman and Tulsa, in line with existing traditions. The Senior Vice President and Provost (Norman) discussed merging the two Graduate Colleges with both Graduate College Deans. Following their input and support, they held additional discussions with college and campus leadership teams to address the implications of this change in the academic structure. The group unanimously supported the realignment. The Chair of Faculty Senate has also endorsed the realignment. The Tulsa Graduate College leadership has served our students and the University with dedication and helped shape graduate education at OU to offer the highest levels of academic excellence and a meaningful graduate student experience. The realignment seeks to continue in this tradition. The “Lead On, University” Strategic Plan outlines several strategies related to graduate education at OU, and this merger supports these ambitious goals. Once approved by The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, the proposal will be forwarded to the State Regents for Higher Education for final approval.
September 15, 2022: President Harroz recommended the Board of Regents approve the proposed realignment of the two Graduate Colleges for Norman and Tulsa campuses into one Graduate College with the new entity to be called “OU Graduate College.” This change will have no impact on the OU Health Sciences Center Graduate College. Regent Nagel moved approval of the recommendation. The following voted yes on the motion: Regents Shirley, Braught, Stevenson, Holloway, Nagel, and Ross. The Chair declared the motion unanimously approved.
September 15, 2022: President Harroz recommended the Board of Regents approve the proposed realignment of the two Graduate Colleges for Norman and Tulsa campuses into one Graduate College with the new entity to be called “OU Graduate College.” This change will have no impact on the OU Health Sciences Center Graduate College. Regent Nagel moved approval of the recommendation. The following voted yes on the motion: Regents Shirley, Braught, Stevenson, Holloway, Nagel, and Ross. The Chair declared the motion unanimously approved.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Tulsa Graduate College Annual Reports, 2003 - 2006
Sub-Series — Box: 2, Folder: 2
Identifier: SCHU-SL-02-004
Description
This series consists of promotional materials including annual reports, brochures, registration forms, posters, fliers, and event programs regarding the history of OU-Tulsa.
William O. Ray Collection
Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: SCHU-WR
Scope and Contents
This collection contains materials collected by William O. Ray in his capacity as a longtime administrator, including correspondence, miscellaneous publications, and promotional materials for the University of Oklahoma while it was part of the University Center at Tulsa.