Three scholarship programs coalesced to bring together student leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Clara Luper, American Indian and OCULeads scholarship programs merged to form the President’s Leadership class.
Russ Tallchief, director of student engagement, inclusion and multicultural programs, said students involved with the programs were informed of the changes at the beginning of the fall semester.
“The programs were not cut,” he said. “The programs were merged to form a cohesive leadership class that includes students from diverse backgrounds.”
Some students still are unaware that the programs merged though, leading to rumors that they were cut completely.
Jessica Vasquez, political science/philosophy senior and Clara Luper scholar, said:
There have been too many changes to keep up with everything. At times, it felt like the program was falling apart altogether.”
The Clara Luper and American Indian scholarship programs already had partnered. These programs joined OCULeads to form the leadership class. Vasquez said there has been a need for revitalization of the Clara Luper program.
“It sucks because I really enjoyed my freshman and sophomore year under the program, but now I feel like the program is hardly present,” Vasquez said. “I hope the changes bring the entire program back to life.”
The three programs were formalized into a living/learning community in Walker Hall dormitory.
Through the living/learning community, students participate in co-curricular activities conducted outside the classroom, Tallchief said. The program includes a liberal arts seminar course focusing on leadership.
Only incoming freshman in the program will take the new LAS and live in the living/learning community.
The academic requirements to maintain the scholarships remain the same, but the program has removed the mandatory 150 hours of community service. Financial aid packages remain unchanged. Clara Luper and American Indian scholars receive full tuition, meals and housing. Students in OCULeads receive $1,000 a semester in tuition.
There are nearly 100 students in OCULeads and 98 Clara Luper and American Indian scholars on campus.
Despite the decision to synthesize the programs, the current Clara Luper and American Indian scholars have elected to continue some community service activities, including their annual Toyland Ball this past December, which is a toy drive to benefit the children of Positive Tomorrows, a private, tuition-free elementary school serving Oklahoma City’s homeless children.
The students are collaborating on Fire and Water, a ceremony to commemorate the end of the year for the freshman class, scheduled for April 20.
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