OSU Residence Hall Association violates Open Meeting Act

OSU'S Residence Hall Association violated the Open Meeting Act in November by not posting its agenda 24 continuous hours in advance and by voting to give money to three groups even though the votes were not listed on the agenda, the campus newspaper reported Tuesday.

The Daily O'Collegian said the student organization also failed to post its agenda online as required by state law. (OKLA. STAT. tit. 74, § 3106.2(A))

RHA has been subject to the Open Meeting Act since a 1979 attorney opinion reasoned that RHA is a sub-entity of the board of regents and has decision-making authority. (1979 OK AG 134)

A violation of the Open Meeting Act is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 and/or up to one year in the county jail for each count. (OKLA. STAT. tit. 25, § 314)

Joey Senat, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

OSU School of Journalism & Broadcasting

The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the commentators and do not necessarily represent the position of FOI Oklahoma Inc., its staff, or its board of directors. Differing interpretations of open government law and policy are welcome.