According to a new SoonerPoll survey, Oklahomans believe there is room for greater efficiency in the state’s higher education system. Consider the following questions and responses:

• In Oklahoma state government, the chancellor of higher education is paid more than $411,000 per year, which is more than the governor is paid. Do you think this amount is:
  • Too high … 80.1%
  • Too low … 2.5%
  • About right … 9.6%
  • Don’t know/refused … 7.8%
• Now, I’m going to read to you several statements. For each one, please tell me whether you agree or disagree. “Public colleges and universities in Oklahoma could be run more efficiently.”
  • Strongly agree … 49.2%
  • Somewhat agree … 33.1%
  • Neutral/don’t know/refused … 12.4%
  • Somewhat disagree … 3.0%
  • Strongly disagree … 2.4%
• “In public colleges and universities, professors should be paid based on how much they teach and not based on writing articles and other non-teaching activities.”
  • Strongly agree … 55.1%
  • Somewhat agree … 24.1%
  • Neutral/don’t know/refused … 11.0%
  • Somewhat disagree … 7.5%
  • Strongly disagree … 2.3%

Source: SoonerPoll.com scientific study conducted from February 9-12, 2016, with 410 likely Oklahoma voters selected at random statewide from a dual frame of both landline telephone and cell phones. The sample was weighted by age, congressional district, and gender in order to reflect the Oklahoma likely voter population for a general election. The study has a margin of error of ± 4.84 percent.