President David Boren addressed student concerns in a question and answer session Monday evening in Cate Center.

Students asked a variety of questions, ranging from topics about gender-blind housing to using Sooner meal points for laundry service.

On gender-blind housing, Boren said it would be difficult to try to implement this style of student housing right now.

“To be honest with you we live in the state of Oklahoma,” Boren said. “Our values are not necessarily the same elsewhere.”

He assured students it didn’t mean the issue wouldn’t be addressed in the future; it just wasn’t possible to be addressed now. Boren said possible budget cuts for next year possibly wouldn’t allow for the change.

Boren spoke of OU’s budget for this year and about how students shouldn’t worry about tuition increases for the current school year.

“We don’t anticipate tuition adjustments in the middle of the year,” Boren said. “We’ll be able to get through June 30 with tuition fees. Next year, it depends on what legislation does.”

Boren said OU is really well-positioned and there is no reason to panic. He said the donations in private scholarships have gone up and that’s a good thing for students.

When another student asked about using meal plans instead of Sooner Sense for laundry and other services that require the use of Sooner Sense, David L. Annis, director of Housing and Food Services, said meal points are meant to stay on campus.

“We try to keep meal points on campus,” Annis said. “When we let it go to the bookstore and laundry service it leaves our budget.”

Boren wants students to feel like they can come to him with any questions no matter how simple or controversial.

“If there’s something you’re worried about, drop me a note. I’ll read it,” Boren said.

Visual communications sophomore Carli Lewis said Boren does a great job connecting with students and staying involved with the student body.

“He has personally helped me. We’re lucky to have him,” Lewis said.