The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) is Oklahoma's only public liberal arts university. The university is known for its vibrant interdisciplinary education, small class sizes, and focus on the arts.  But now, the very things that make USAO special are at risk of being changed, or otherwise eliminated. 

In the last several years, administration, including President Kayla Hale, Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) Makenna Garrison, and the USAO board of regents have slowly introduced policy changes that threaten the very values and mission that make our university so unique. These changes include, but are not limited to, eliminating classes with less than 10 students, changes to the faculty handbook that would dilute or even eliminate tenure, changing the academic calendar to the same as OU's, decreased faculty pay in the summer semesters, a proposed workforce that is 2/3 adjuncts and 1/3 full time, elimination of the faculty curriculum committee, and much more. These changes threaten the existence of small programs, and even the survival of the university. 

At the September 10th Board of Regents meeting, despite hundreds of students, faculty, and alumni expressing their genuine concern regarding these policies, the regents and President Hale completely disregarded their concerns, and voted unanimously to approve all policies. We were silenced and censored. 

USAO will not survive under leadership that prioritizes profit over professors and students. Please sign this petition to urge President Hale, VPAA Garrison, and the board of regents to reconsider these decisions, reverse dangerous policy changes, and mend relationships with faculty and students.