Council backs resolution supporting Northeastern State University’s push to make Broken Arrow a four-year campus

Broken Arrow City Council voted to authorize Resolution No. 1633, a formal expression of support for Oklahoma Senate Bill 701, which would permit Northeastern State University’s Broken Arrow campus to add first- and second-year coursework and operate as a traditional four-year institution.

Rod Hanley, president of Northeastern State University, told the council that opening the Broken Arrow campus to lower-division students has been his top priority since becoming president and that passage of SB 701 would allow students to complete their full undergraduate experience in the city. "We are authorized to teach upper-division courses…what we are seeking is to offer first and second year courses," Hanley said.

City Manager Michael Spurgeon outlined the staff packet and the legislative history; he said the bill had cleared the Senate education committee earlier in the day on an 11–0 vote. Dan Mayberry, NSU vice president, and Greg Graham of the Economic Development Corporation also addressed the council, urging support and noting potential economic and workforce benefits for the Tulsa-Broken Arrow metropolitan area.

After brief comments from council members and a motion, the council approved the resolution. City staff said the signed resolution will be forwarded to the bill sponsor and cosponsor, to NSU leadership, to the Economic Development Corporation, and to legislative contacts. Staff also said they will issue a press release describing the council action.

Councilors framed the vote as a long-sought outcome; multiple speakers referenced a decades-long local effort to expand higher-education opportunities in Broken Arrow and to retain graduates locally.

The council did not appropriate city funds as part of this action; it approved only a resolution expressing municipal support for the state-level bill and instructing staff to transmit the signed resolution to the appropriate parties.