Back to Faculty Handbook
Northeastern State University (NSU) has a long and colorful heritage dating back to what was one of the first nationally-planned systems of education, that of the Cherokee Nation. The Constitution of the Cherokee Nation states: "Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary for good environment, the preservation of liberty, and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged in this nation." To implement that provision, the Council, in 1846, passed the act: "Be it enacted by the National Council that all facilities and means for the promotion of education by the establishment of schools, and the diffusion of general intelligence among the people shall be afforded by legislation commensurate with the importance of such objects and the extent of public finances." Construction of the buildings for two seminaries began in 1847. The Cherokee National Male Seminary opened on May 6, 1851, and the Cherokee National Female Seminary opened the following day. Except for a period beginning just before and ending with the Civil War, these institutions were in operation until Oklahoma became a state. In 1909, the state of Oklahoma purchased the Cherokee Female Seminary and, on September 14, 1909, opened Northeastern State Normal School in Seminary Hall on the site of the present campus. Tracing its origins to 1851, Northeastern is the second-oldest public institution of higher education west of the Mississippi River.
The act of the State Legislature of Oklahoma that provided for the creation and location of Northeastern State Normal School at Tahlequah, and for the purchase from the Cherokee Tribal Government of the building, land, and equipment of the Cherokee Female Seminary, stated that the school was to be "for the exclusive purpose of the instruction of both male and female persons in the art of teaching and in all various branches that pertain to a good common school education,...to give instruction in the theory and practice of teaching, in the fundamental laws of the United States, and in what regards the rights and duties of citizens."
As previously authorized by an act of the State Legislature, the State Board of Education, the then governing board of the school, took action in 1919 to make a name change from "Normal School" to "Teacher's College." Northeastern State Teacher's College also was authorized to provide a four-year curriculum leading to the bachelor's degree. In 1939, the Oklahoma Legislature changed the designation to Northeastern State College in an act stating that it was "authorized to offer courses in the various educational branches and shall not be confined to the purpose of educational ...subjects and in addition thereto, may establish such other departments as may be necessary to offer a full and complete course for the higher education of students in all branches."
A constitutional amendment adopted in 1941 created in Oklahoma a unified system of higher education, the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, which embraces all state-supported institutions of higher learning. This system is coordinated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
On January 25, 1954, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education authorized the college to institute a program leading to the degree of Master of Education beginning on June 1, 1954. On May 4, 1974, Governor David Hall signed a bill changing the name of the institution to Northeastern Oklahoma State University effective August 16, 1974. In the fall semester of 1982, Northeastern joined with the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and Langston University to begin offering junior- and senior-level course work, and later graduate degrees, at the University Center at Tulsa. The first Doctor of Optometry degrees were awarded by Northeastern at the spring 1983 Commencement. In 1984 Northeastern began offering courses in Muskogee and, nine years later in March 1993, established a branch campus. On July 26, 1985, the Oklahoma Legislature approved a name change to Northeastern State University. In accordance with legislation passed by the State Legislature in 1998, Northeastern established a new campus in Broken Arrow, which began offering degree programs in the 2001/2002 academic year.
Back To Top
Northeastern State University is a comprehensive regional university governed by the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) within a state system coordinated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
Founded on the rich educational heritage of the Cherokee Nation, the campuses of Northeastern State University provide our diverse communities a broad array of lifelong learning, undergraduate, graduate, and professional doctoral degree programs. Through quality teaching, research and scholarly activities, service to local and professional communities, and high expectations, our dedicated faculty and staff provide a friendly learning environment where students are prepared to achieve socially responsible career and personal goals for success in a challenging global society.
We empower students to be socially responsible global citizens by creating and sustaining a culture of learning and discovery.
We will be the partner of choice in eastern Oklahoma, embracing the educational, cultural and economic challenges and opportunities of our global society.
To achieve the Mission and Vision Statements, Northeastern State University has established the following seven goals. Executive officers of the University, in collaboration with the Strategic Planning Committee, will implement and monitor the NSU Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan will be implemented in conjunction with the comprehensive Campus Master Plan.
Develop a culture of learning and discovery throughout the university.
Build a sustainable campus and sustainable communities.
Build and reinforce an environment that values full inclusion, collaboration, and shared leadership in the university and in all external relationships.
Encourage and nourish a commitment to civic engagement by our students, our faculty and our staff.
Develop an environment which encourages global knowledge and cultural sensitivity.
Improve quality of life by serving as a cultural and entertainment destination on our campuses and throughout the region we serve.
Develop and manage the resources of the university to support a vibrant and viable community
The Oklahoma State Regents For Higher Education is a constitutional board of nine members appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate, with one member's term expiring each year. This board confers all degrees, approves curricula and courses of study, prescribes academic standards, establishes student fees, and allocates funds to each institution for operation and maintenance from the legislative appropriations which are made to the board.
The Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma is a constitutional board of nine members, eight of whom are appointed by the Governor and approved by the Senate. The ninth member is the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Members of the Board serve a nine-year appointment with one term expiring each year. The duties and powers of this Board are to: make rules and regulations governing Northeastern and its sister schools, employ all persons in the service of these Universities, construct all buildings, and authorize the purchase of equipment and supplies.
Northeastern State University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation (OCTP). All programs offered by the University are approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and by the RUSO. A number of academic and professional programs also possess accreditation through professional agencies. These programs and their respective accrediting bodies follow:
All undergraduate and graduate education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation.
Doctor of Optometry -- Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association
The President reports directly to the governing boards and is responsible for the determination and administration of all University policies.
The Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs is the chief academic officer of the University and provides leadership for all areas relating to academic affairs. The Provost/Vice President is responsible for all academic degree programs, academic support services, and outreach (see Academic Organization chart, Appendix A). In the absence of the President, the Provost and Vice President is responsible for making presidential decisions concerning university matters.
The Associate Vice President coordinates various academic functions including: academic policies and reports, academic calendars, University undergraduate catalog, academic planning, program planning and organizational maintenance, student learning assessment, and student curricular issues. The Associate Vice President assists the Vice President with many other academic functions and correspondence.
The Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Graduate College is chair of the Graduate Council and assists the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs in directing and supervising programs leading to graduate degrees and certificates. The Assistant Vice President also supervises the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and serves as the Research Integrity Officer (RIO) for the university.
The Assistant Vice President for Teaching and Learning has primary responsibility for supporting the teaching and learning mission of the university and will play a critical role in enhancing the quality of academic programs through coordination of, and assistance with curriculum matters and campus program reviews, supporting faculty-led efforts to create an exceptional teaching and learning environment, review and oversight of system policies and regents reports, and promoting university efforts to foster a vibrant intellectual community that contributes to faculty success.
The Director supervises all activities of the University Libraries. Among other duties, these responsibilities include tailoring the libraries to meet the current and future needs of the University and serving as supervisor of the professional librarians.
The administrators of NSU branch campuses report to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, and work with the college deans to establish a schedule of courses that will meet the needs of students served. They also provide administrative support for the extended campuses.
The Deans of the Colleges of Business and Technology, Education, Liberal Arts, Science and Health Professions, and Optometry coordinate and supervise academic programs and personnel, and provide leadership in the development of programs and activities related to the operation of their colleges. They report to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The Registrar is responsible for the management of the registration process and services, maintenance of student records and information systems, certification of information to external agencies, implementation of class schedules and graduation audits, budget management, supervision of staff and is the official authorized keeper of the university's student records.
The Executive Director of Enrollment Management supervises the admission of students, career services, student financial services and the Veterans office.
The Vice President for Business and Finance is responsible for Planning and Budgeting, Payroll, Business Affairs, Information Technology, Grants and Contracts and Purchasing.
The Director of Business Affairs is responsible for the treasury and audit function of the University, fiscal oversight of receiving and disbursing funds, payroll and benefits administration, investments, travel, student accounts, and inventory
The Director of Budgets is responsible long range financial planning, capital budget planning and budget administration.
The Director of Information Technology supervises the University's informational technology infrastructure, instructional technology, client support and enterprise systems.
The Director of Grants and Contracts Administration is responsible for all post-award activities related to extramural funding.
The Vice President for University Relations is responsible for leading the University's efforts in Alumni Relations, Development, Communications and Marketing and Community/Government Relations.
The Director for Development is responsible for overseeing institutional fundraising, the fiduciary oversight of the Foundation endowment, and building and maintaining relationships with alumni.
The Director of Community Relations serves as the liaison between NSU and its many varied external partners to explore collaborations and opportunities to advance our regional service area.
The Director of Communications and Marketing is responsible for all printed and electronic communications to ensure NSU's unique qualities and attributes are consistently described to all internal and external audiences.
The Director of University Relations, Branch Campuses is responsible for supervising university relations functions on the Broken Arrow and Muskogee campuses.
The Director of Auxiliary Services oversees the areas of housing, bookstore, University Center operations, food service, conferences, printing services, vending operations, rental properties, motor pool, the Fitness Center, and intramurals.
The Director of Human Resources assists in developing and executing policies regarding employment, promotion, affirmative action, conduct, termination, and other employment matters. The Director maintains records concerning a faculty member's job classification and employee benefits, and conducts in-service training programs.
The Director of Facilities Management is responsible for University facilities, grounds, custodial services, utilities, energy conservation, renovation, and capital construction.
The Director of Public Safety is responsible for the University police department, campus safety and hazardous materials, parking and transportation and risk management.
The Dean of Student Affairs is concerned primarily with student conduct on University property. Services supervised by the dean include Health Center, Student Conduct, Student Development Center, and Student Activities & Organizations. The Dean is also responsible for Multi-Cultural Services and services for students with disabilities.
The Faculty Handbook Committee will be composed of faculty and appropriate administrators. The Committee shall have the responsibility of updating the Handbook a minimum of every other year, prior to July 1, and shall conduct major revisions at the request of the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. Current copies of the Faculty Handbook are available in each college office, in Academic Affairs, and on the NSU website.