ECU to phase out programs in Ardmore

ARDMORE — East Central University in Ada is phasing out its instructional programs at the University Center of Southern Oklahoma in Ardmore to cut costs.

“By pulling out, we will be able to fully commit to our programs in Ada,” ECU President Katricia Pierson said.

In the past two years, the ECU programs at the University Center have operated in the red, losing about $200,000 each year, Pierson said.

During the same time, ECU’s state funding was cut $3.5 million.

The university will increase tuition 5 percent beginning with the fall semester, but projects $1.6 million less in tuition revenue during 2017-18 due to declining enrollment, Pierson said in June.

ECU’s enrollment was down 6.3 percent last fall — from 4,447 in 2015 to 4,169 in 2016, spokeswoman Amy Ford said.

As of spring 2017, ECU had fewer than 50 human resources majors and less than 30 nursing majors at University Center of Southern Oklahoma, Ford said.

ECU students currently in the programs — including those who have enrolled for the 2017 fall semester — will have the opportunity to complete their degrees at the Ardmore site, but no new students will be accepted after the fall 2017 semester, Ford said.

“We know that our students have invested their time, energy and money in attending ECU. We will work with students on a case-by-case basis to ensure we do everything possible to help them complete their degree at ECU,” Pierson said.

The teach-out plan includes classroom instruction, online courses and Web EX Classroom — a web conference tool for live interaction between the student and instructor. Pierson said the teachout is expected to be completed in two years.

ECU also offers programs in McAlester on the campus of Eastern Oklahoma State College and a nursing program in Durant on the campus of Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Pierson said she works closely with Southeastern President Sean Burrage and she is “confident he will do what he can do to help us continue to offer nursing in Durant.”

“As long as state appropriations are funding this program we will be there,” she said.

ECU offers four programs at the McAlester campus — master’s programs in human resources and education, and bachelor’s programs in general studies and human services counseling.

Those services are being evaluated, Pierson said.

University Centers

ECU was part of the pilot program when the Legislature created the Ardmore Higher Education Center in 1974. It was the state’s first consortium model University Center. Ten courses were offered, classes from freshman through graduate level, and 110 students enrolled.

In 1977, the pilot program was made permanent by state statute and was placed under the administration of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The name was changed to the Southeastern Oklahoma State University. In 1999, the University Center at Ponca City was opened.