EDMOND, Okla. (AP) - The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education chancellor says the state must increase graduation rate of students who enroll in colleges and universities.

Chancellor Glen Johnson told lawmakers, community leaders and educators at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond Wednesday that employers are demanding that employees be college graduates.

Regents recently voted to request the Legislature appropriate $1.5 billion for higher education for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The amount is a $90.4 million increase over the current year's appropriation.

Johnson says $55 million of the proposed appropriation would provide more courses, full-time faculty, financial aid and other student support services. He says another $2.5 million would be used for programs such as online education and funding is being sought for a summer academies program.