Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 70-3218.8

mandatory fees.

A. Subject to the provisions of subsection D of this section,

the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are authorized to

establish undergraduate resident tuition, nonresident tuition and

mandatory fees, which students shall pay as a condition of

enrollment, except as otherwise provided by law. The process for

establishing tuition and mandatory fees shall incorporate the

provisions of Section 3218.14 of this title.

1. At the comprehensive universities the combined average of

the resident tuition and mandatory fees established for any school

year for the nonguaranteed rate, as determined by the State Regents,

shall remain less than the combined average of the resident tuition

and fees at the state-supported institutions of higher education

that are members of the Big Twelve Conference on the effective date

of this act. The combined average of the nonresident tuition and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1434

mandatory fees, as determined by the State Regents, shall remain

less than one hundred five percent (105%) of the combined average of

the nonresident tuition and fees at the state-supported institutions

of higher education that are members of the Big Twelve Conference on

the effective date of this act.

2. At the regional universities and two-year colleges the

combined average of the resident tuition and mandatory fees

established for any school year for the nonguaranteed rate, as

determined by the State Regents, shall remain less than the combined

average of the resident tuition and mandatory fees at like-type

state-supported institutions of higher education in states

determined by the State Regents that include, but are not limited

to, those adjacent to Oklahoma. The combined average of the

nonresident tuition and mandatory fees, as determined by the State

Regents, shall remain less than one hundred five percent (105%) of

the combined average of the nonresident tuition and fees at like-

type state-supported institutions of higher education in states

determined by the State Regents that include, but are not limited

to, those adjacent to Oklahoma.

B. In its deliberation on the establishment of resident tuition

rates for undergraduate and graduate education, the Oklahoma State

Regents for Higher Education shall balance the affordability of

public higher education with the provision of available, diverse and

high-quality learning opportunities. In this endeavor the State

Regents shall give consideration to the level of state

appropriations, the state economy, the per capita income and cost of

living, the college-going and college-retention rates, and the

availability of financial aid in Oklahoma. For any increase in the

tuition rates, the State Regents shall demonstrate a reasonable

effort to effect a proportionate increase in the availability of

need-based student financial aid. Need-based financial aid shall

include, but shall not be limited to, awards for the Oklahoma Higher

Learning Access Program, Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grants, federal need-

based financial aid and tuition waivers, and private donations. In

addition, when determining the guaranteed tuition rates as provided

for in subsection D of this section, the Regents shall consider the

anticipated revenue needs during the four-year period of the

guarantee.

C. Students permitted to audit courses shall pay the same

resident tuition and nonresident tuition as required of students who

enroll for course credit.

D. 1. Beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year, each

comprehensive and regional institution within The Oklahoma State

System of Higher Education shall offer to resident students

enrolling for the first time as a full-time undergraduate a tuition

rate that will be guaranteed for a period of not less than four (4)

consecutive academic years as provided for in this subsection.

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09 academic year, each

comprehensive and regional institution within The Oklahoma State

System of Higher Education shall offer to resident students

enrolling for the first time as a full-time undergraduate a tuition

rate that will be guaranteed for a period of not less than four (4)

consecutive academic years as provided for in this subsection.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools Page 1435

Students shall have the option to participate or not participate in

the guaranteed tuition rate program and shall indicate their

election at the time of enrollment. Each institution shall provide

students with the following information prior to enrollment:

a. the annual tuition rate charged and the percentage

increase for the previous four (4) academic years, and

b. the annual tuition and percentage increase that the

nonguaranteed tuition rate would have to increase to

equal or exceed the guaranteed tuition rate for the

succeeding four (4) academic years.

2. Except as otherwise provided for in this subsection, for a

student who elects to participate in the guaranteed tuition rate

program, who is a resident of the state, and who enrolls for the

first time as a full-time undergraduate student at an institution in

the state after the 2007-2008 academic year, the amount of

undergraduate resident tuition charged to the student for four (4)

consecutive academic years at a comprehensive and regional

institution shall not exceed the amount that the student was charged

at the time of first enrollment, nor shall it exceed one hundred

fifteen percent (115%) of the nonguaranteed undergraduate tuition

rate charged to resident students enrolling for the first time as

undergraduate students at the same institution for the same academic

year.

3. If the normal time of completion for an undergraduate

program is more than four (4) years, as determined by the

institution, the amount of resident tuition charged to students in

that program who have elected to participate in the guaranteed

tuition rate program shall not increase during the normal completion

period of the program.

4. If a student who has elected to participate in the

guaranteed tuition rate program is a member of the United States

Armed Forces including the Army and Air National Guard, the Army,

Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Reserves, or any

other component of the Armed Forces, and when ordered by the proper

authority to active or inactive duty or service is required to

withdraw from an institution for military or other national defense

emergencies, the amount of resident tuition the student is required

to pay upon reentering the institution shall not exceed the amount

the student was charged at the time of withdrawal.

5. If a student who has elected to participate in the

guaranteed tuition rate program transfers to another institution or

transfers from a constituent agency of an institution to another

constituent agency or the institution after initial enrollment, the

student shall be charged the amount of resident tuition charged to

other students enrolling for the first time at that institution or

constituent agency.

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6. If a student who has elected to participate in the

guaranteed tuition rate program changes majors or transfers to

another campus of the same institution after initial enrollment, the

tuition charged to the student shall equal the amount the student

would have been charged had the student been admitted to the changed

major or enrolled at the new campus when the student first enrolled.

This paragraph shall not apply if a student transfers from a

constituent agency of an institution to another constituent agency

of the institution.

7. A student who elects to participate in the guaranteed

tuition rate program shall maintain full-time enrollment during the

guaranteed four-year period. For purposes of this subsection, full-
ed at the new campus when the student first enrolled.

This paragraph shall not apply if a student transfers from a

constituent agency of an institution to another constituent agency

of the institution.

7. A student who elects to participate in the guaranteed

tuition rate program shall maintain full-time enrollment during the

guaranteed four-year period. For purposes of this subsection, full-

time enrollment shall be the number of credit hours as determined by

the State Regents for Higher Education to be full-time enrollment

for each institution.