GENERAL INFORMATION
History
The evolution of Cameron University closely parallels the history of the area it serves in Southwest Oklahoma. It was founded by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1908 as the Cameron State School of Agriculture, one of six agricultural high schools in the state, and placed under the jurisdiction of the State Commission of Agriculture and Industrial Education. The institution was named for E. D. Cameron, the first State Superintendent of Schools.
Cameron added junior college work in 1927 when local needs demanded access to higher education. With the changed function came the name Cameron State Agricultural College. It became solely a college in 1941 when the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education was formed and Cameron joined a group of institutions governed by the Board of Regents for Oklahoma A&M Colleges.
Baccalaureate degrees were authorized in 1966 by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, following action by the Legislature. In May 1970, the first bachelor’s degrees were awarded. The institution's name was changed to Cameron College in 1971 and was further amended to Cameron University in 1974.
In 1988, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education expanded Cameron's functions to include offerings at the master’s degree level. This change in function was the first granted to an Oklahoma institution since Cameron was given authority to offer bachelor’s degrees more than 20 years earlier. The first master’s degrees were awarded in May 1990.
In recognition that Cameron’s mission had become significantly more complex and predominantly urban, in June 1992, governance of the university was transferred by the Oklahoma Legislature to The Board of Regents of The University of Oklahoma. With the transfer of governance came new affiliations between Cameron University and the University of Oklahoma, which have broadened and strengthened academic offerings by both institutions.
Who We Are
Cameron University is a regional, public university serving Southwest Oklahoma and a global learning community. The university is governed by The Board of Regents of The University of Oklahoma within a state system coordinated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Cameron University offers associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree programs.
Mission Statement
Cameron University provides a diverse and dynamic student body access to quality educational opportunities; fosters a student-centered academic environment that combines innovative classroom teaching with experiential learning; prepares students for professional success, responsible citizenship, life-long learning, and meaningful contributions to a rapidly changing world; and is a driving force in the cultural life and economic development of the region.
Core Values
Cameron University values:
- Student learning as our top priority;
- Excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and mentoring: Investment in people: the growth and development of our students, faculty and staff in a learning environment based on integrity, respect, and ethical behavior that encourages and provides opportunities for professional improvement;
- Leadership in our community and region that emphasizes: stimulating economic development, forming partnerships and collaborative relationships, providing cultural and social development, and serving the community and region by sharing our expertise;
- Shared governance that includes: emphasizing teamwork, facilitating open and effective communication, and providing opportunities for active participation by all constituencies;
- Diversity among our students, faculty, and staff as demonstrated by: providing access to educational and teaching opportunities for all constituents, and promoting tolerance through a free and open exchange of ideas;
- Responsible stewardship of public and private resources, the public trust, and Cameron’s future that includes: focusing resources to achieve optimal student learning, increasing student access to quality higher education, establishing a reliable stream of public and private revenue, holding administrative costs to a minimum, enhancing alumni involvement, and providing accountability in key areas such as student learning and management of resources.
University Functions
The functions assigned to Cameron University by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education include:
A. Both lower- and upper-division undergraduate study in several fields leading to the baccalaureate degree.
B. A limited number of programs leading toward the first professional degree when appropriate to the institution's strengths and the needs of the state.
C. Graduate study below the doctor's level, primarily in teacher education but moving toward limited comprehensiveness in fields related to Oklahoma's workforce needs.
D. Extension and public service responsibilities in the geographic regions in which the university is located.
E. Responsibility for institutional and applied research in those areas related closely to program assignments.
F. Responsibility for regional programs of economic development.
G. Perform other functional or programmatic responsibilities as authorized by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Criteria for consideration of programs outside of the function described herein are outlined in the OSRHE Academic Program Approval policy.
Program Philosophy
The master’s degree programs offered by Cameron University are intended to address the personal needs of individual students and the broader needs of society that are not satisfied by baccalaureate programs. These needs can be met by an advanced and specialized study in a particular academic field.
Graduate students are to demonstrate initiative and assume responsibility for the progress of their study and for personal integrity and inquiry. Class work and class assignments provide a foundation for broader reading and research. Beyond this foundation, students are expected to continue their studies to master specific knowledge and skills pursuant to the goals of their specific program.
Program Goals
Graduate programs at Cameron University are designed to
- Encourage academic inquiry;
- Stimulate intellectual creativity;
- Promote competence in research, oral communication, and writing;
- Confer knowledge and encourage scholarship in specific academic disciplines;
- Promote professional competence and achievement; and
- Provide opportunities to address additional objectives identified in specific programs.
Graduate Council
The Graduate Council is the primary recommending body for issues related to graduate studies. The Council, chaired by the Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, is composed of members of the graduate faculty and graduate students. Appointments to the graduate faculty as well as changes in graduate policies, programs, courses, and other issues pertaining to graduate study at Cameron University are reviewed by the Graduate Council. The Council also has the responsibility for acting upon graduate grade appeals; appeals of probation, suspension, or dismissal; incidences of academic misconduct involving graduate students; and grievances.
ACCREDITATION
Cameron University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
Many of Cameron’s academic programs are accredited through discipline-specific accrediting programs. A list of accredited programs and information regarding their respective accrediting bodies is maintained on the Accreditation webpage.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Cameron University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action and promotes an environment of awareness and understanding of culturally diverse groups in our society. The University strives to maintain a campus climate of mutual respect and tolerance that is free from discrimination. Discrimination is unlawful and undermines the freedom of students, faculty, and staff to productively learn and work at the University.
This institution, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, political beliefs, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, and education services.
To obtain information about applicable laws or to file an EEO- or Title IX-related complaint of discrimination, including harassment, contact the Title IX Coordinator/Equal Opportunity Officer Christi Williams, (580)581-6712 or eo-tix@cameron.edu.
