Update:
We have confirmed that at least 85 emails were recieved by the Governor’s Office supporting the dorm funding. Your emails made a big difference and may well have saved the dorm.
Governor Brad Henry and the Legislative Leadership gave OSSM $2 million in Oklahoma Stimulus money to begin building the addition to the Dan Little Residence Hall. Dr. Manning has met with the architects to review existing design plans and prepare bid documents. The addition will allow OSSM to nearly double the number of students who reside in the dormitory.
Please contact Governor Henry and ask for his support .
Did you know that the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics can accommodate double the number of students currently enrolled? The Dan Little Residence Hall located on the school’s 32-acre campus in Oklahoma City is designed to increase living space for students by adding two wings. The legislature passed HB 1276 in 1991 and promised to provide up to $6 million in matching funds to complete “shovel ready” construction. This was increased to $8.5 million by SB 172 in 1999. The school raised its half of the matching funds from private donors many years ago. The legislature has provided all but $3 million in matching funds needed to complete construction.
$1.2 Million in Matching Funds May be Lost
Several donors have asked that their donations be returned unless the state’s match is secured by the end of the current legislative session on May 22. Other donors may make the same request soon after.
OSSM’s Mission is Critical to the Economic Future of Oklahoma and the United States
Innovation is the fuel that drives the American economy. It creates jobs. Without it, our standard of living in this state will decline and our future will be less secure. We cannot innovate without an adequate supply of well-educated mathematicians, scientists, engineers, researchers and other business professionals. A report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation; a non-partisan research and educational institute think tank stated:
“If America is to succeed in the innovation-powered global economy, boosting math and science skills will be critical. …. And evidence shows that these (science and math) schools are a powerful tool for producing high school graduates with a deep knowledge and strong passion for science and math that translates into much higher rates of college attendance and graduation in scientific fields.”
Microsoft Founder Bill Gates in his March 2007 testimony to the U.S. Senate said:
“America cannot maintain its innovation leadership if it does not educate world-class innovators and train its workforce to use innovations effectively. Unfortunately, available data suggest that we are failing to do so-in our math and science programs, in our job training programs, and especially in our high schools.”
Traditionally we have had to rely on other countries to fill our need for scientists and engineers. Since 9/11, it has become more difficult to attract foreign students and professionals to come here to study or work. Making matters worse, a global economy gives talented foreign scientists and engineers the opportunity to stay and work in their own countries. We can no longer depend on professionals from overseas to fill our technological needs.
In Oklahoma, employers often find it difficult to attract out-of-state talent. According to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s Project Boomerang Web site:
“Oklahoma employers have told us they have had the most success recruiting skilled management and workers from out-of-state when those individuals have some previous tie to Oklahoma.”
By building additional dorm space at OSSM, we will be able to educate many more of Oklahoma’s own talented students and give them the opportunity to receive a world-class education in math and science right here in our state. This will further develop a pool of skilled scientists and engineers to continue to ensure Oklahoma’s future.
OSSM is Successful
OSSM has graduated more than 1,000 students since 1992. More than one-half of these graduates are still involved in completing their educational and professional training. The following achievements are descriptive of those students who have been out of OSSM long enough to complete at least one degree:
- More than half who have completed a degree and have entered the work force are working in Oklahoma
- Ten have started their own businesses in Oklahoma
- Three who were working out-of-state have returned and are now faculty at OSSM
- Two have found jobs in Oklahoma through the Department of Commerce Project Boomerang
- 300 are practicing engineers
- 60 have earned an M.D.
- Five have earned a D.O.
- 40 have earned a Ph.D.
- Two have earned a D.V.M.
- Two have earned a D.D.S.
- 25 have earned a J.D.
- 85% have stayed in a technical field for their chosen profession
- Three are serving in the ministry
- 40 are serving in the armed forces of the United States
- More than half stayed in Oklahoma for undergraduate education
When a public high school is this successful and capable of producing world-class scientists and engineers, why wouldn’t we fund dorm space and produce more graduates to live and work in Oklahoma? Private donors have already put up half the money.
Spend Ten Minutes to Save OSSM $1.2 Million
The school has submitted a request to Governor Brad Henry to use federal Recovery Act money to fund the final $3 million. Send Governor Henry an email asking him to include the OSSM dormitory funding in his request for Stimulus money. Whether you agree with the Stimulus Plan or not, Oklahoma will request its share of the funds. Why not use them to fund the dorm expansion of a learning institution with a proven record of success that provides our state with well-educated scientists and engineers.
How to Contact Governor Henry
Tell the Governor what OSSM has done for you, your student or your business. Ask him to include funding for OSSM on his request for Stimulus money. He needs to receive your email as soon as possible but no later than noon on Friday, April 24. You can send him a message to the Governor by visiting www.governor.state.ok.us, and completing the Web form provided for comments.
If you can spend a few more minutes, please send an email to these legislators and tell your story. Let them know you support funding for the OSSM dorm either with Stimulus money or legislative appropriations.
1) Rep. Chris Benge, Speaker of the House chrisbenge@okhouse.gov
2) Rep. Ken Miller kenmiller@okhouse.gov
3) Sen. Glen Coffee, President Pro Tem of the Senate coffee@oksenate.gov
4) Sen. Mike Johnson johnsonm@oksenate.gov
5) Sen. Jim Halligan halligan@oksenate.gov
Act Now! Help Save The Dorm
If you contact the Governor or State Legislators to support this issue, please email us at: savethefunds@supportossm.org to help us gauge the amount of support we are getting.