The Seminole State College Board of Regents granted tenure to two faculty members, approved an increase to room and board rates and approved a resolution to support the current law regarding firearm restrictions on college campuses at their meeting on Feb. 16.
During her report to the Board, President Lana Reynolds discussed campus events, personnel changes, campus maintenance projects and legislative activities.
With the first two item on the agenda, the Board granted tenure to Associate Professor of Mathematics Emily Carpenter and Associate Professor of English Dr. Andrew Davis. Faculty considered for tenure must show evidence of quality performance in teaching, scholarship and service. Applicants must be employed full time by the College for at least five years and submit a portfolio showing evidence of their performance, student feedback and assessment results. Both Carpenter and Dr. Davis were recommended for tenure by Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Amanda Estey.
Carpenter received both her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her master’s degree in Teaching, Learning and Leadership with an option in Special Education from Oklahoma State University. She is a National Board-certified teacher with 13 years of K-12 teaching experience. She has worked at SSC full-time for seven years and served the College as an adjunct for one year prior to that. She currently serves as Chair for the STEM division.
Dr. Davis received his bachelor’s degree in English from Connecticut College, his master’s degree in Gender and Cultural Studies from Simmons College and a doctorate in English from Oklahoma State University. He has worked at SSC for five years. In addition to teaching, he supervises the Writing House, a tutoring space for composition students. He is also the Phi Theta Kappa honor society advisor.
Next, the Board approved an increase in room and board rates for the 2023-2024 academic year. Moving forward, the $100 deposit for campus housing will be non-refundable. The rising cost of food and the need for continued maintenance and improvements in the residence halls drove the request. SSC has not increased the rates since 2015.
With the last action item on the agenda, the Board approved a resolution supporting current restrictions on firearms on campus. The resolution reads: “The members of the Seminole State College Board of Regents support maintaining the current law regarding weapons on campus, in which the President has the sole discretion to allow individuals to carry weapons on campus when the individual circumstances warrant it.”
Similar resolutions have been approved by the College’s Professional Staff Council and the Student Government Association, as well as local law enforcement. Other SSC employee organizations are considering their own resolutions of support. Copies of these resolutions will be provided to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and shared with legislators to combat any proposed changes in the current law.
On the consent agenda, the board ratified an emergency purchase to replace a boiler that controls the heat in the Seminole Nation residence hall. The boiler, installed in 2007, is obsolete and parts are unavailable. The Board also approved a program modification to an associate of arts degree.
Board members present at the meeting were: Chair Ryan Pitts, Bryan Cain, Marci Donaho, Kim Hyden, Curtis Morgan and Robyn Ready. The next meeting of the SSC Board of Regents is scheduled for Thursday, March 23, 2023.