Staff Handbook
General Information
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSITY
Northeastern State University had its beginning in 1846 when the Cherokee National Council authorized establishment of a National Male Seminary and National Female Seminary to fulfill the stipulation in the Treaty of 1835 between the United States and the Cherokee Nation that public and higher education be provided for the Cherokees. Erection of the buildings for the two seminaries began in 1847 and the Cherokee National Male Seminary opened on May 6, 1851. The Cherokee National Female Seminary opened the following day. With the exception of a period between the end of the fall semester 1856 and the beginning of the fall semester 1871, these institutions were in continuous operation until 1909.
On March 6, 1909, the State Legislature of Oklahoma passed an act providing 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. The educational program of the normal school consisted of four years of high school and two years of college level study.
As previously authorized by an act of the State Legislature, the State Board of Education, then the governing board of the college, took action in 1919 to change the normal school to Northeastern State Teachers College and provide for a four-year curriculum leading to the bachelor's degree. In 1939, the Oklahoma Legislature authorized that the name of the institution be changed to Northeastern State College.
A constitutional amendment adopted in 1941 created The Oklahoma State System of higher Education, of which Northeastern State University and all other state-supported institutions of higher learning are integral parts. The system is coordinated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
In the 1950’s, Northeastern emerged as a comprehensive state college, broadening its curriculum at the baccalaureate level to encompass liberal arts subjects and adding a fifth-year program designed to prepare master teachers for elementary and secondary schools. By the early 1970’s the functions of the institution had been broadened to include degree options in the field of teacher education at both the baccalaureate and master’s degree levels as well as new programs in liberal arts, business and selected service areas. The approval of several new certificate and degree programs in non-teaching areas added a significant dimension to the role of Northeastern. In 1974 the Oklahoma Legislature authorized that the name of the institution be changed to Northeastern Oklahoma State University. The Northeastern State University College of Optometry opened in 1979 and made history when its first doctoral graduates received their degrees in the spring of 1983.
The official name of the University was changed by an act of the Oklahoma State Legislature in 1985 to Northeastern State University.
MISSIONS AND GOALS
Northeastern State University is a comprehensive regional university governed by the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma within a state system coordinated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Its mission is to provide undergraduate and graduate education leading to bachelor's degrees, master's degrees in selected areas, and a doctoral degree in Optometry. In fulfilling this mission the University commits itself to excellence in instruction, to appropriate basic and applied research, to educational outreach and service, and to cultural activities that enhance the quality of life in the region and state. The University’s contemporary mission reflects the high aspirations and commitment to higher education made in 1846 by the founders of the original Cherokee seminaries.
To implement Northeastern State University’s mission of excellence in teaching, research and service, the following purposes provide direction for planning, administration and programming:
- provide flexible, comprehensive, and relevant undergraduate and graduate programs;
- promote and support comprehensive academic programs that stimulate students to seek knowledge, think analytically, and communicate their thoughts effectively;
- maintain and support a university community committed to providing educational programs that enhance the quality and vitality of student experiences through effective teaching, research, continuing education, and public service;
- provide multifaceted opportunities for personal and social development through effective student support services;
- provide cultural and extracurricular activities that foster informed judgment, aesthetic sensibility, and a sensitivity for ethnic and cultural diversity and a sense of historic continuity;
- offer programs which prepare students for leadership and decision making roles in a technologically and globally oriented society, and which enable students to develop awareness and appreciation for local, state, national and international perspectives.
BOARDS OF CONTROL
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 issues all degrees earned, determines the 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 Board of 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 member's term expiring each year. The duties and powers of the board are to make rules and regulations governing the university, to employ all persons in the service of the university, to construct all buildings, and to authorize the purchase of all equipment and supplies.
LOCAL CONTROL
Locally, the University is under the direction of the President who is subject to the supervision of the two boards of regents. As chief executive officer, it is the responsibility of the President to provide for the execution of all University policies and regulations. In the discharge of these duties the President is regularly assisted by the other University officers and by administrators and representatives of the faculty.
ACCREDITATION
Northeastern State University is accredited by the Higher Education Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, 800-621-7440), the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (2020 Massachusetts Ave. N.W., Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20036-1023, 202-466-7496), and the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation (4545 North Lincoln Blvd., Suite 275, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, 405-525-2612). All programs offered by the University are approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (State Capitol Complex, 500 Education Building, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4500, 405-524-9100) and by the Board of Regents of the Regional University System of Oklahoma (4900 Richmond Square, Suite 200, Oklahoma City, OK 73118, 405-848-3373).
Northeastern State University’s College of Optometry Professional Degree Program has full accreditation by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (243 North Lindberg Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, 314-991-4100).
The NSU baccalaureate nursing program is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) (61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, 212-363-5555, ext. 153).
The Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration programs offered through the College of Business and Technology are fully accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (7007 College Blvd., Suite 420, Overland Park, KS 66211, 913-339-9356).
The Dietetics program has been approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association (216 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-5400).
The Meetings and Destination Management program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (c/o the Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education, 1200 17th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036-3097, 800-424-5156, ext. 5990).
The Bachelor of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (1600 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-3421, 703-683-8080).
The Bachelor of Science in Speech/Language Pathology and Master of Education in Speech/Language Pathology programs are fully accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (10801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852-3297, 301-897-0039).
The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in Education degrees in Music are fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190, 703-437-0700).
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Northeastern State University | 600 N. Grand Ave. | Tahlequah, OK 74464
918-456-5511 | 1-800-722-9614