reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
70 OK Stat § 70-4704 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-4704. Consolidation of financial assistance program - Increasing assistance - Priority system for eligibility for assistance - National Merit scholars.

|A. The State Regents for Higher Education are hereby authorized to consolidate the administration of all scholarship, forgiveable loan and teacher institute monies within one student financial assistance program. |B. The Oklahoma Legislature believes that its citizens should receive the benefits of higher education and it further believes that the state benefits by having an educated populace. It is the intent of the Legislature to increase funding to grant, scholarship, teacher institute and forgivable loan programs, as funds are made available. The State Regents for Higher Education are hereby authorized to establish a priority system for eligibility for assistance based on any one or more of the following criteria:1. need;2. minority or underprivileged status;3. potential for academic excellence;4. potential for excellence in targeted career areas, such as teaching; or5. potential as a research or teaching assistant at the post-graduate level.C. As funds are made available, it is the intent of the Legislature to provide full scholarships to allow National Merit scholars to attend any public institution of higher education in this state. It is the intent of the Legislature to provide seventy-five percent (75%) scholarships to allow National Merit Semi-finalists to attend any public institution of higher education in this state.Added by Laws 1987, c. 227, § 7, operative July 1, 1987.
70 OK Stat § 70-4705 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-4705. Educational trust fund - Study.

|The State Regents for Higher Education are hereby authorized to study developing a program to create at least one trust fund whereby Oklahoma residents will be able to pre-pay all or part of enrollment fees or tuition to any Oklahoma institution of higher education recognized by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. This program shall require that monies paid in shall be held in trust and used to pay all or part of the enrollment fees for the beneficiaries designated by the contributor to the trust. The program shall allow payments to be made either in a lump sum or in installments, with the amounts of money due being determined based on the age of the beneficiary. The program shall require the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to file a report with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate prior to January 31 of each year, detailing the activity of the trust in the previous year. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are authorized to model the planon the Michigan education trust act. The Regents shall, prior to January 31, 1988, file a report with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, outlining the program. |Added by Laws 1987, c. 227, § 8, operative July 1, 1987.
70 OK Stat § 70-4706 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-4706. Defining roles, goals and missions of like institutions - Admission standard - Commendation of two-year colleges for providing universal access and State Regents for updating and enforcing viability standard.

|A. Recognizing the increasing demand for college and university education, the rapid changes facing our society, and the worldwide competition facing our citizens, the Legislature acknowledges the need to reexamine the state's higher education system to ensure that the system created half a century ago will meet the changing needs. It is the intent of the Legislature that the State Regents for Higher Education fully exercise their constitutional authority to reexamine and more clearly define the roles, goals and missions of like institutions within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. It is further the intent of the Legislature that the State Regents examine the current system of governance of Oklahoma institutions of higher education and submit a report and recommendations to the Oklahoma Legislature by January 1, 1993. Such recommendations shall also examine qualifications for board service and shall be consistent with the functions assigned each institution. |B. The Legislature encourages the State Regents to set admissions standards reflecting the differences between the various institutions. The implementation of such standards shall not have a negative impact on current funding.C. The Legislature commends the two-year colleges for providing universal access. In the interest of economy and of value for each dollar invested in the system, unnecessary duplication should be avoided.D. The Legislature commends the State Regents for Higher Education for updating and enforcing the viability standards for institutions of higher education.Added by Laws 1987, c. 227, § 9, operative July 1, 1987; Laws 1992, c. 308, § 14, eff. June 1, 1992.
70 OK Stat § 70-4707 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-4707. Comprehensive examination for graduates.

|The Oklahoma Legislature believes that any student who graduates from any institution of higher education in The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education should have a demonstrable knowledge of basic courses: English composition and comprehension and mathematics. It is therefore the intent of the Legislature that, prior to enrollment in upper division classes, each student shall demonstrate satisfactory achievement by passing a comprehensive examination. The Legislature commends the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for initiating the study of how best to accomplish this purpose. |Added by Laws 1987, c. 227, § 10, operative July 1, 1987.
70 OK Stat § 70-4708 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-4708. Cooperation with private sector in establishing centers of excellence.

|Recognizing that true excellence can be achieved only through cooperation within institutions of higher education, among the institutions, and between the institutions and the private sector, it is the intent of the Legislature that institutions of higher education seek the establishment of centers of excellence on their campuses, as authorized by the Economic Development Act of 1987. |Added by Laws 1987, c. 227, § 11, operative July 1, 1987.
70 OK Stat § 70-4709 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-4709. Minority faculty representation - Faculty award and fellowship opportunities - Faculty salaries.

|A. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education continue to increase the proportional representation of ethnic minorities among the academic faculties at the individual institutions of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. Funds shall continue to be made available to the institutions for the first year payment of salary following employment of a newly hired tenured or tenure-track minority faculty member. It is the intent of the Legislature that these funds be provided only for those persons who are hired with the intention of permanently filling a faculty position which either has become open or has been created at an institution. Funding for personal benefits shall be provided by the employing institution. It is the further intent of the Legislature that special effort continue to be given to recruitment of minorities in those academic fields in which they are particularly underrepresented. The State Regents shall encourage the institutions to continue aggressive recruitment of minority academic faculty. |B. It is the intent of the Legislature to initiate award and fellowship opportunities to commend faculty, serving at institutions of higher education within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, who have the potential for nationally or internationally recognized research or scholarship.C. It is the intent of the Legislature to raise faculty salaries to a nationally competitive level. Institutions which are currently farthest from the national average shall be the first to participate in such increases in salary.Added by Laws 1987, c. 227, § 12, operative July 1, 1987.
70 OK Stat § 70-4710 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-4710. Technology transfer systems.

|The Oklahoma Legislature believes that one key to excellence in higher education is having an exceptional technology transfer system in place. This encourages an influx of excellent researchers who see the potential for marketing the products of their research. This benefits the state in several ways: |1. It allows the students the opportunity to work and study with the most brilliant minds in the research field;2. It allows industries in this state a chance to utilize the discoveries made; and3. It encourages the growth of new industries.It is therefore the intent of the Legislature that the State Regents for Higher Education encourage individual institutions within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education to devise and implement a plan to improve the technology transfer system within this state. It is further the intention of the Legislature that individual researchers be given a significant percentage of all monies generated by the successful marketing of their inventions.Added by Laws 1987, c. 227, § 13, operative July 1, 1987.
70 OK Stat § 70-4711 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-4711. Business assistance liaison officer.

|It is the intent of the Legislature that the State Regents for Higher Education designate an individual, within their office, who shall serve as a business assistance liaison to the Department of Commerce and individual institutions of higher education within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. This individual shall provide up-to-date information on higher education opportunities and developments to the Department of Commerce, serve as a referral resource for current information on technology transfer projects and research developments which may impact on economic development, and serve in any other related capacities which the State Regents for Higher Education deem necessary. |Added by Laws 1987, c. 227, § 14, operative July 1, 1987.
70 OK Stat § 70-4712 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-4712. Funds for Excellence Program.

|There is hereby created, in the Office of the State Regents for Higher Education, a Funds for Excellence Program. The purpose of this program shall be to encourage the various institutions of Higher Education within The State System of Higher Education to compete for grants to be awarded to institutions with innovative programs aimed at improving the overall quality of higher education. |Added by Laws 1987, c. 227, § 16, operative July 1, 1987.
70 OK Stat § 70-4713 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-4713. Funds for Excellence Fund.

|There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving fund for the Office of the State Regents for Higher Education to be designated the "Funds for Excellence Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations and shall consist of all monies received by the Office of the State Regents for Higher Education from all funds appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature and allocated thereto by the State Regents and all private contributions, grants, and donations of monies made for the purposes of Sections 4712 through 4715 of this title. All monies accruing to the credit of said fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Office of the State Regents for Higher Education for the purposes specified in Sections 4712 through 4715 of this title and for administering the provisions of Sections 4712 through 4715 of this title; however, such monies expended for such administrative costs shall not exceed five percent (5%) of the total amount of monies in said fund. Expenditures from said fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for approval and payment. |Added by Laws 1987, c. 227, § 17, operative July 1, 1987. Amended by Laws 2012, c. 304, § 642.
70 OK Stat § 70-4714 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-4714. Grant competitions - Rules and procedures - Funding.

|A. If funds are available in the Funds for Excellence Fund, created pursuant to Section 4713 of this title, the State Regents for Higher Education shall develop and conduct a series of grant competitions for the various institutions of higher education within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. |B. The State Regents for Higher Education shall devise the rules and procedures to be used in the grant competition within the following broad outlines set forth by the Legislature:1. The State Regents for Higher Education shall set forth the theme of the competition. The general theme shall always relate to improving some aspect of higher education, however the specific theme could include, but not be limited to, any one or combination of the following:a.improving general or core curricular studies for undergraduates. Projects, for example, could involve a revision by the College Arts and Sciences of course requirements with special emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches, or those integrating geography with core requirements,b.strengthening core arts and sciences curricular requirements for preprofessional students,c.effectively applying assessment in student admission, placement, retention, advancement and graduation,d.strengthening the economic development outreach activities of higher education institutions,e.strengthening academic alliances between high schools and higher education institutions, andf.improving academic cooperation between two-year colleges and technology center schools;2. Each institution of higher education interested in participating in the competition shall conduct an internal competition, with internal peer review, to select three proposals. These three proposals shall be submitted to the State Regents for Higher Education and shall compete against the top three proposals from all other participating institutions of higher education. All projects offered must be collaborative efforts by departments or colleges. Projects offered by individuals shall not be considered; and3. The State Regents for Higher Education shall conduct an external peer review of the top three proposals submitted by each institution and may select one or more for funding.C. Funding shall be from the Funds for Excellence Fund, created pursuant to Section 4713 of this title.Added by Laws 1987, c. 227, § 18, operative July 1, 1987. Amended by Laws 2001, c. 33, § 160, eff. July 1, 2001.
70 OK Stat § 70-4715 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-4715. Disbursement from Funds for Excellence Fund.

|Disbursements may be made from the Funds for Excellence Fund beginning July 1, 1989, if monies are available in said fund. Disbursements shall be made to the appropriate institutions of higher education for the purposes specified in the winning grant proposals. |Added by Laws 1987, c. 227, § 19, operative July 1, 1987.
70 OK Stat § 70-6000 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-6000. Short title.

|Sections 1 through 15 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma Tuition Trust Act". |Added by Laws 1988, c. 261, § 1, emerg. eff. June 29, 1988.
70 OK Stat § 70-6001 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-6001. Legislative intent.

|A. The Legislature finds and declares the following: |1. It is an essential function of state government to forever encourage schools and the means of education;2. It is a responsibility of state government to maintain state institutions of higher education;3. It is an essential function of state government to encourage attendance at state institutions of higher education;4. Tuition costs at public institutions of higher education are difficult for many to afford and are difficult to predict in order to enable individuals and families to plan;5. It is in the best interest of the people of this state to foster public higher education in order to provide well-educated citizens;6. It is in the best interest of the people of this state to encourage state residents desiring higher education to enroll in state institutions of higher learning;7. Students in elementary and secondary schools tend to achieve a higher standard of performance when the payment of tuition for their higher education is secured; and8. Providing assistance to assure the higher education of the citizens of this state is necessary and desirable for the public health, safety and welfare.B. It is therefore the intention of the Legislature that the purposes of the Oklahoma Tuition Trust Act and of the Oklahoma Tuition Trust Fund created by the Oklahoma Tuition Trust Act shall be to:1. encourage education and the means of education;2. maintain state institutions of higher education by helping to provide a stable financial base to these institutions;3. provide wide and affordable access to state institutions of higher education for the residents of this state;4. encourage attendance at state institutions of higher education;5. provide students and their parents economic protection against rising tuition costs;6. provide students and their parents assistance in financing postsecondary education;7. help provide the benefits of higher education to the people of this state; and8. encourage elementary and secondary students in this state to achieve high standards of performance.Added by Laws 1988, c. 261, § 2, emerg. eff. June 29, 1988.
70 OK Stat § 70-6002 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-6002. Definitions.

|As used in the Oklahoma Tuition Trust Act: |1. "Advance tuition payment contract" means a contract entered into by the Trust and a purchaser to provide for the higher education of a qualified beneficiary;2. "Regents" means the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education;3. "Purchaser" means a person who makes or is obligated to make advance tuition payments pursuant to an advance tuition payment contract;4. "Qualified beneficiary" means any resident of this state, eligible and entitled to attend a state institution of higher education without further in-state tuition payment pursuant to an advance tuition payment contract;5. "Institution of higher education" means a state-supported institution of higher education within this state, which is designated by the Regents as an institution of higher education for purposes of the Oklahoma Tuition Trust Act;6. "Trust" means the Oklahoma Tuition Trust;7. "Tuition" means the general enrollment fees imposed each semester upon residents of this state to attend a state institution of higher education including all mandatory special fees required as a condition of enrollment as determined by the State Regents for Higher Education;8. "Nonresident tuition" means the semester charges imposed upon nonresidents of this state to attend a state institution of higher education including all general enrollment fees, nonresident tuition payments and mandatory special fees as determined by the State Regents for Higher Education; and9. "Eligibility period" means the period of time in which a qualified beneficiary may exercise the rights granted in an advance payment contract.Added by Laws 1988, c. 261, § 3, emerg. eff. June 29, 1988.
70 OK Stat § 70-6003 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-6003. Creation of Oklahoma Tuition Trust - Investment advisory committee.

|A. There is hereby created the "Oklahoma Tuition Trust". The purposes, powers, and duties of the Oklahoma Tuition Trust are vested in and shall be exercised by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. |B. The Regents may delegate to its chairperson or any other person such functions and authority as the Regents consider necessary or appropriate. These functions may include, but are not limited to, the oversight and supervision of employees of the Regents which implement the Oklahoma Tuition Trust Act.C. The Regents may create an investment advisory committee. The committee shall be composed of five (5) members appointed by the Regents. The members shall have skill and experience in the business and financial fields. The members shall serve at the pleasure of the Regents. The committee shall make recommendations to the Regents concerning the investment of the monies of the Trust.Added by Laws 1988, c. 261, § 4, emerg. eff. June 29, 1988.
70 OK Stat § 70-6007 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-6007. Payments on behalf of beneficiaries - Scholarship refunds.

|A. Within thirty (30) days of written notice to the Regents that a qualified beneficiary is enrolled in and attending classes for a given semester, quarter, term, or session, the Regents shall pay to the appropriate institution of higher education the then actual in-state fees on behalf of the qualified beneficiary. |B. If a qualified beneficiary or a nonresident beneficiary receives a scholarship which reduces the cost of tuition at the institution of higher education which such beneficiary attends, then the institution of higher education shall notify the Regents of the scholarship and its amount. The Regents shall refund the amount of the scholarship to the person designated in the contract as the appropriate person to receive a refund. The Regents shall pay to the institution of higher education the tuition amount less the scholarship amount. The refund amount shall be treated by the recipient of the refund as ordinary income for the year in which it is received.Added by Laws 1988, c. 261, § 8, emerg. eff. June 29, 1988.
70 OK Stat § 70-6010 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-6010. Ruling requests - United States Internal Revenue Service and Securities and Exchange Commission.

|A. The Regents shall solicit answers to appropriate ruling requests from the United States Internal Revenue Service regarding the tax status of the value received under the contract to the purchaser or qualified beneficiary. The Regents shall attempt to ensure that purchasers and qualified beneficiaries receive the maximum federal and state tax benefits under this program. No contracts shall be entered into with any purchaser prior to June 1, 1990 or until receipt of an Internal Revenue Service private letter ruling determining that: |1. the income of the Trust is excludable from gross income as income earned by an integral part of the state or as income derived from the exercise of an essential governmental function that accrues to the state under Section 115 of the Internal Revenue Code; and2. the purchase price of such a contract either is excludable from the application of the federal gift tax or qualifies as a gift of a present interest in property eligible for the ten-thousand-dollar annual exclusion,whichever occurs later.B. The Regents may solicit answers to appropriate ruling requests from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the application of federal security laws to the fund.Added by Laws 1988, c. 261, § 11, emerg. eff. June 29, 1988.
70 OK Stat § 70-6011 (2021)
2021 Oklahoma Statutes|Title 70. Schools|§70-6011. Enforcement of act and contracts pursuant thereto.

|State institutions of higher education, purchasers and qualified beneficiaries may enforce the Oklahoma Tuition Trust Act and any contract entered into pursuant to the Oklahoma Tuition Trust Act in the district court for Oklahoma County. |Added by Laws 1988, c. 261, § 12, emerg. eff. June 29, 1988.