Editor's Note: This story was updated at 9:58 a.m. on March 13 to reflect the proper spelling of Joseph Harroz Jr. and Darrin Akins' names.
The OU Board of Regents are meeting to discuss housing and food rate increases and the appointment of new leadership Tuesday afternoon.
The meeting has commenced.
Committee reports
Regent Rick Nagel gave updates about the changes to Latin honorifics offered to OU graduates.
Starting in the spring of 2024, student graduation labels with distinction or with special distinction will be discontinued.
For Norman campus-based academic programs, new GPA requirements for Latin honorifics will be cum laude for 3.60 to 3.74 averages; magna cum laude, 3.75 to 3.89; summa cum laude, 3.9 to 4.0; and 4.0 medallions.
Nagel also gave updates about OU Online, fully online undergraduate and graduate degrees OU offers. Nagel said 3,700 students have enrolled online.
Nagel said OU Online is a way students who have had to leave the university or weren't able to attend when they were younger to come back and graduate.
"We really want folks in Oklahoma who get started here to come back and finish (their degree)," Nagel said.
Nagel emphasized the benefits a college degree gives someone. He said a college degree makes people more attractive to potential employers.
Regent Eric Stevenson said OU athletic director Joe Castiglione gave updates about NIL to the regents. Stevenson did not provide details.
Stevenson also gave updates about IT. He said the university has instituted AI programs to combat phishing to protect members of the university from online attacks. Stevenson said this is in response to more successful phishing attacks.
Regent Rick Braught gave updates about renovations needed on campus, the Gallogly College of Engineering Master Plan and the Campus Master Plan.
Stevenson gave updates on behalf of Regent Anita Holloway. Stevenson gave updates about finances and said there are no significant concerns about the university budget.
Stevenson also said the regents were given a presentation about cybersecurity. He did not give more details.
Regent Bob Ross gave updates about OU Health. He said there is strong financial success at OU Hospital.
OU Board of Regents Chair Natalie Shirley recognized the work of Frank Keating on the board. Keating is retiring from the board and this is his last meeting.
"I know that I'm joined by my fellow regents in expressing my profound gratitude for your wise counsel, your good humor and your great judgment," Shirley said. "Thank you."
Cameron University
The OU Board of Regents has approved all items for Cameron University, which includes housing and food rates for fiscal year 2025 and various program changes.
Rogers State University
Board of Regents Chair Natalie Shirley recognized the work of Rogers State University President Larry Rice. Rice is retiring after the 2023-24 academic year.
"President Rice has been an example of outstanding servant leadership and vision," Shirley said. "Rogers State University has excelled in fulfilling its academic and service mission."
The OU Board of Regents has approved all items for Rogers State University, which includes housing and meal plan rates for fiscal year 2025, revisions to the university’s capital budget and academic promotions.
Harroz's remarks
OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. spoke about Dr. Ian F. Dunn, the newly appointed executive dean of the OU College of Medicine, pending approval from the board. Dunn began serving in his new position on Jan. 15.
"He understands what the role of a college of medicine is, and how it impacts not just those that are being educated, but the research that comes from that, that helps all patients not just directly but those that aren't here," Harroz said. "He understands what it takes to be in an (American Association of Universities) institution and how (those) campuses work together."
At previous Board of Regents meetings, Harroz has illustrated his desire for OU to join the American Association of Universities, an organization of top research universities that is invitation only.
Dunn said the OU College of Medicine is essential to serving the community. He says he wants the college to educate the next generation and lead the way on research initiatives.
Harroz and Dunn presented a video about Dr. Harold M. Burkhart, an OU Health physician and professor, who specializes in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at OU Health in Oklahoma City.
Harroz commended Burkhart's work.
Darrin Akins, associate vice president for research at OU Health Sciences Center, presented about OU Health Sciences strategic plan for research.
Akins said OU Health wishes to achieve ranking in top 100 at the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, recruit and retain outstanding faculty and enhance research.
Harroz presented a video highlighting the achievements of Rylan Texada, a senior in Price College of Business.
Awards, posthumous degrees
The OU Board of Regents have approved awards, contracts and grants as well as three posthumous degrees. The regents also approved various substantive program changes and the renaming of OU’s Department of Philosophy to the Shyam Dev Patwardhan Department of Philosophy in honor of Suhas Patwardhan’s $2.4 million gift to the department, according to the agenda.
University College restructure
The OU Board of Regents have approved the restructuring of University College to the Academic Success Center under the OU Office of the Vice President and Provost.
University College previously housed first-year academic advising, the Assessment Center, first-year learning and engagement programs, foundation courses, seminars and the Student Learning Center.
This restructuring comes over 80 years after the college was founded in 1942, which was one of the first in the nation to cater directly to first-year students.
With this change, first-year students starting in the fall will no longer enroll in University College and will instead now be enrolled directly in their major’s college. The Center for Major and Career Exploration, the Center for Student Advancement and the Student Learning Center will continue to exist under the provost’s office as part of the new Academic Success Center.
"For generations, students came into the University of Oklahoma in University College, not in their degree (program), and it was not until their second or third year that they could go into their degree," Harroz said. "Provost Wright looked at this realize that it wasn't the right answer, certainly our aspirational peer schools don't do this."
Landscape Architecture program
The OU Board of Regents approved the continuation of the Master of Landscape Architecture program if the program has at least 40 enrollments by Sept. 8, 2025. The program was reevaluated due to low enrollment, according to the agenda.
Harroz recommended the Board of Regents approve the continuation of the Master of Landscape Architecture program, provided it achieves the target of 40 enrollments by Sept. 8, 2025.
Program modifications and policy modifications
The OU Board of Regents approved several new and preexisting program modifications for its Health Sciences Center campus. It also approved several faculty policy revisions for all campuses, including those concerning appointment policies, grievance and discipline policies and health care provider misconduct. The board also approved health science center faculty handbook revisions.
Housing and food rates
The OU Board of Regents approved increases to its housing and food rates for the 2024-25 academic year. The agenda outlined a $230 increase to OU’s standard meal plan, raising it to $3,075.
Housing rates in Walker and Couch towers will be raised by between $110-$175, depending on the type of room. Headington Hall room rates will rise between $320-$467, Cross Village will see increases between $335-$480, residential colleges will see increases between $110-$440 and the David L. Boren Hall will see increases between $90-$130. Finally, Traditions Square East and Traditions Square West’s rates will increase by $510-$630.
The agenda included price comparisons between other schools in the Southeastern Conference, which OU joins this summer, and Oklahoma State University. OU is currently ranked 10th for the 2023-24 fiscal year. With these increases, OU will remain in that ranking spot.
Capital improvements
The OU Board of Regents approved a series of improvement projects as part of the university’s Campus Master Plan of Capital Improvement Projects.
Included in this is improvements to Max Westheimer Airport with estimated costs totaling $52 million. Max Westheimer Airport is a public-use airport owned and operated by OU. The improvements on the airport include continued maintenance and development, the construction of a new taxiway, rehabilitation and improvement of all runways, taxiways and ramp areas, construction of a new air traffic control tower, expansion of parking and several security measures.
Other improvement projects also include $10 million in renovations to the National Weather Center. The project includes interior renovations and modifications to allow for the growth and redistribution of OU and government programs.
Also included is the creation of a weather research radar advanced manufacturing facility that will cost $40 million, according to the agenda. The project will create a state-of-the-art radar and research center that would house offices, research space, radars and secure space to house a growing amount of defense-related research projects. The facility will be a multi-purpose weather and radar building in collaboration with the university and the U.S. government.
The Campus Master Plan projects included funding for continued renovations to the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Lloyd Noble Center, L. Dale Mitchell Park, Sam Viersen Gymnastics Center, OU’s softball facilities and the new Football Operations Facilities.
Patty Gasso statue
The OU Board of Regents approved donations for a sculpture of OU softball head coach Patty Gasso to be placed outside of Gate 1 of Love’s Field. The sculptor selected, Brian Hanlon, also worked on the Heisman Park statues of Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield.
Gallogly College of Engineering Master Plan
The OU Board of Regents approved the Gallogly College of Engineering Master Plan and its addition to the Campus Master Plan.
The Gallogly College Master Plan aims to review spaces the college occupies to optimize space, consolidate programs and enhance the educational experience for students, according to the agenda. The board also approved a list of possible architectural and engineering firms to assist with the project and offer suggestions and implementations. The college currently occupies space in eight buildings on OU’s Norman campus. The plan will specifically review Felgar Hall, which was constructed in 1910 and has undergone and still needs several renovations.
Renovations and updates
The OU Board of Regents approved building and lab improvements to the Biomedical Sciences Building Lab space and College of Nursing building on OU’s Health Sciences Center campus.
The OU Board of Regents also approved details about the National Weather Center renovations and the creation of a new weather research radar advanced manufacturing facility.
"This is a direct reflection of the report that you heard earlier. Our growth and research if you look at it is led by weather," Harroz said.
The regents also approved rehabilitation proposals for the Norman campus’ Elm Avenue Parking Facility and continued renovations to Jacobson Hall. The board also approved the student activity fee budget for the 2024-25 academic year.
The regents also approved various personnel actions, including a title change for Belinda Higgs Hyppolite from vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion to vice president for access and opportunity.
OU’s new defensive coordinator Zac Alley’s contract was approved, along with raises for defensive line coach Todd Bates and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh.
Chair appointment
The OU Board of Regents also appointed Eric Stevenson as its new chair and Anita Holloway as its new vice chair. Stevenson succeeds Regent Natalie Shirley.
