2015 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 70. Schools
§70-3309.1. Oklahoma Museum of Natural History.

A. The J. Willis Stovall Museum of the University of Oklahoma located in Norman, Oklahoma, shall be redesignated the "Oklahoma Museum of Natural History" and shall be under the direction and supervision of the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma.

B. The Oklahoma Museum of Natural History shall be administered by a Director who shall be appointed by the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma. The Director may also hold an appointment in an appropriate academic department of the University. The Director has the power and duty to:

1. employ, appoint and fix the qualifications and duties of such professional, technical and support personnel as shall be necessary to implement the provisions of this act; 2. participate in national and international research projects, professional activities, and programs to broaden the horizons of Oklahomans by documenting their cultural and natural heritage within its worldwide context;

3. encourage the preservation and development of natural resources and human cultural heritage;

4. act in cooperation with local, state and federal agencies or duly authorized agents thereof in implementing the purposes of this act; and

5. exercise all incidental powers which are necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of this act.

C. The purposes of the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History shall be to conduct scientific investigations to preserve and develop a greater understanding and appreciation of natural resources and human cultural heritage. This includes, but is not limited to, biological, ecological, paleontological and selected geological surveys, including indepth archaeological research, and ethnological analyses. The museum shall collect and maintain a depository of biological, archaeological, paleontological and selected geological specimens and materials in sufficient numbers and quantities to provide within the state and region a base for research on:

1. the variety, evolution, and conservation of wild species;

2. the composition, distribution, importance, and functioning of natural ecosystems; and

3. the distribution of prehistoric and historic archaeological sites.

D. Each institution, department, survey and agency in this state may preserve and maintain biological, archaeological, paleontological or selected geological specimens collected as part of the normal research and monitoring duties of such institution, department, survey and agency. Each institution may elect to transfer specimens and collections in its possession that it no longer wishes to maintain or preserve, thus providing an instate repository for state collections that are no longer wanted by a state institution.

E. The Oklahoma Museum of Natural History is empowered to accept, preserve, maintain, or dispose of these specimens and materials in a manner which makes each collection and its accompanying data available for research and use by the staff of the museum and by cooperating institutions, departments, surveys, agencies, and qualified independent researchers.

F. All such biological, archaeological, paleontological and selected geological collections shall belong to the state with title vested in the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma.

G. The collections of the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History shall not only reflect the biological, cultural, paleontological and selected geological history of the state but may also include artifacts and specimens from throughout the world.

H. In collecting or otherwise acquiring these collections, the museum shall comply with state laws and rules and except as otherwise provided by law, all federal laws and rules concerning wildlife, archaeology and agriculture. Any permits issued by other state institutions, departments, surveys, and agencies for collecting, and quarantine, of such wildlife and agriculture and collecting such archaeology shall be granted for said museum for research, study or collecting efforts on state lands or within state jurisdiction if such collecting or quarantine does not pose a significant threat to the survival of endangered wild species, habitats, or ecosystems.

I. The museum shall develop exhibitions and conduct educational programs which illustrate, interpret, and explain the natural history of the state and region and bring a greater understanding of our world to the people of Oklahoma. The museum shall disseminate information of such programs through technical and popular publications whose production shall be under the control and jurisdiction of the Director. The museum shall also maintain a library of publications pertaining to the work of the museum.

J. The Oklahoma Museum of Natural History shall be housed in buildings offering appropriate shelter to the artifacts and specimens comprising such collections, while also offering appropriate and adequate space for exhibition, collection, storage, research, preparation, education and teaching activities.

K. The Oklahoma Museum of Natural History shall maintain a full-time professional and support staff to ensure the continued maintenance and study of the collections preserved in trust for the people of Oklahoma.

Added by Laws 1987, c. 131, § 1, eff. July 1, 1987.