The Oklahoma Academy

By: J. David Chapman/November 3, 2023/

The Oklahoma Academy was founded in 1967 by Gov. Henry Bellman as a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, citizen-based organization for the purpose of identifying, discussing, and creating solutions on critical issues facing Oklahoma. Throughout the years, the Oklahoma Academy has maintained its relevance in raising awareness and shaping public policy in Oklahoma.

Utilizing a town hall format, this year the Oklahoma Academy was held in Tulsa at the River Spirit Resort. The format utilizes a deliberative discussion and consensus-building process. All participants must commit to stay through all three days of plenary sessions, discussions, caucus sessions, and the final findings and recommendations process.

I found it amazing the amount of talent, degree of diversity, and level of dedication this organization is able to convene.

The title for this year’s town hall was “Oklahoma Housing: Affordable, Accessible, Attainable.” The discussions were Housing Stock, Housing Financing, Local Zoning/Ordinances, and Housing Policy. A panel of four experts and a moderator were assembled on each of these areas and presented to the 92 town hall participants. The moderator gave a brief background and lecture on the topic and asked two questions of the expert panel, giving the town hall participants enough background and information to be able to discuss the issue and caucus the following day with their group. There were panel recorders who are trained to listen and capture the thoughts of all the panels and groups on each subject area. On the final day, findings and recommendations are debated, amended and finalized with a prioritization of recommendations.

I was honored to be asked to be the moderator for the panel on local zoning and ordinances and the effect of delivering affordable, accessible and attainable housing in our communities. My expert panel comprised Travis Hulse, AICP, CFM, who is the housing policy director for the city of Tulsa; Mike Means, who is the executive director for the Oklahoma Home Builders Association; Greg Collins, special projects manager for the city of Bartlesville; and Lance Windel who is CEO of LW Development.

The findings and recommendations of the town hall will be presented to the Oklahoma Legislature on Feb. 6, 2024, at a welcome reception at the Oklahoma History Center. Now that is moving ideas into action!

J. David Chapman is professor of finance and real estate at the University of Central Oklahoma (jchapman7@uco.edu).