Oklahoma § 70-3309.1 - Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

§ 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;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools

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

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools

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.