Correction: This story was updated at 10:48 p.m. June 12 to reflect the correct salary amount of OU President Joseph Harroz Jr.
ARDMORE — The OU Board of Regents approved tuition and fee rates, dean salaries and a policy regarding trespass warnings at its Thursday meeting.
OU leadership post-meeting comments
What OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. said: Harroz told OU Daily that the 3% tuition increase would help the university’s pursuit of excellence and affordability. He said the increased tuition allows higher financial aid for students.
“What best lifts the individual and lifts the state and the entire region is to have two things, both excellence and affordability,” Harroz said. “When you look at the increase, the 3% increase in tuition, you really can't look at that without saying, then have you put in place at least enough offsetting dollars to lower that cost for the average student that needs the help.”
Harroz said though there’s been a rise in sticker price, the increase in tuition brings more room for need-based scholarships and helps decrease the price of attendance.
“When people talk about increasing tuition, I think what they’re really saying is, has the cost gone up or down over the last six years? And our answer is down,” Harroz said. “It’s not just the headline of tuition, is it? Yes, sticker price tuition is going up. When we look at the need-based aid in the scholarships that are being provided for the average student, it’s gone down.”
What OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said: Castiglione told OU Daily that OU Athletics Department’s recent decision to lay off 5% of its full-time staff was a difficult decision to make.
“It’s more of a reflection of how we’re restructuring, streamlining and developing an organization that is strong, nimble and focused on how to be successful in the new college athletics landscape,” Castiglione said.
Castiglione said many of the funds reserved through recent layoffs and other cuts are being reallocated to support strategic initiatives.
“Finding a number of ways to increase the resources for our student-athlete experience,” Castiglione said. “By far and away, our student-athletes are the number one priority.”
Castiglione said there is no plan or discussion about future layoffs, but believes the department must continue to grow and ensure allocations are done in line with the department’s strategic priorities.
“We don’t have a large athletic department by comparison to some of our competitors,” Castiglione said. “We value our employees and they’re all part of the ability for us to be successful.”
Castiglione said that some coaches and support staff were laid off but their names and positions are confidential. He said they would be revealed “at some point.”
According to the athletic department's budget, ticket revenue will likely see a 3% growth. Castiglione said the demand for tickets is slated to exceed the new revenue rate.
“We have to be mindful of our key sources of revenue streams,” Castiglione said. “We’re also understanding of the importance of fan engagement and how our stakeholders can access our events and keep them as affordable as possible.”
Castiglione said the new sources of revenue developed over the past year will allow tickets to remain a flat rate.
“Our intention is always to keep our tickets accessible and affordable,” Castiglione said. “When you look at demands for tickets, growth of the tickets, a wide variety of sports and the ongoing sellout streak for football, you can see how our strategy worked.”
Tuition, student fees
The news: The board discussed a 3% increase in tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate and graduate students at the OU-Norman campus and College of Law.
According to the agenda, the cost for a full-time undergraduate resident would be $5,093.25 per semester, $150 more than last year’s $4,943.25. The cost for a full-time undergraduate nonresident would be $14,150.25 per semester, $417 more than last year’s $13,733.25.
A graduate resident student would see a $11.50 increase, totaling $393.75 per credit hour. A graduate nonresident would see a $32.50 increase, totaling $1,112.75 per credit hour.
OU College of Law would see a 5% increase in tuition and mandatory fees for all students. A resident student would see a $29.15 increase, totaling $612.65 per credit hour. A nonresident student would see a $52.90 increase, totaling $1,111.90 per credit hour.
Over the past five years, OU has raised tuition and mandatory fees for resident undergraduates by an average 1.8% per year and for nonresident undergraduates by an average 2.3% per year. According to the agenda, OU has significantly increased tuition waivers, scholarships and grants that have lowered costs for students.
The agenda also shows a $30 semesterly fee for members of OU fraternities and sororities. Funds raised from the fee would be used to hire additional Greek Life staff to provide support for students, including risk management and leadership development, implement hazing prevention, alcohol education and training for student leaders.
If approved, the increase will be effective fall 2025.
Last week, Gov. Kevin Stitt said in a press briefing he believed universities did not need a tuition increase and instead should focus on incentives for tenured professors.
“I don’t think we’ve gotten all the efficiency out of our universities,” Stitt said. “I would encourage the boards to look for efficiencies, look for the tenured professors that maybe aren’t teaching as many classes as they should. Those are the things that I would continue to push before they do a tuition increase.”
The vote: The board unanimously approved the tuition increase.
OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. report
Harroz said the university finished the first phase of its “Lead On, University” strategic plan, and is currently launching its second phase.
“There's no greater opportunity for an individual's life to be changed in their communities,” Harroz said. “There's no better opportunity to enhance a state as a whole economically. There's no better way to lift the health of a state than through a thriving, comprehensive research university.”
Harroz said there is a lot of change that will come to the university, including artificial intelligence and payment opportunities for student-athletes, noting last week’s NCAA settlement which allows OU to contribute $20.5 million to athletes.
The settlement comes just a few weeks after 5% of OU athletics staff were laid off to reserve funds for student-athletes.
“In these times of dramatic change, you have to know what you're tied to,” Harroz said. “You have to know what your purpose is. You have to know what your plan is, and you have to have people that are committed and willing to do something about it when it's not easy.”
Harroz said the biggest component in funding a research university is by raising its tuition, stating he believes a public university thrives on excellence and affordability, and many institutions will discuss affordability in the coming years.
“We want excellence and affordability, and we're going to pay attention to the individuals that otherwise could not afford to go (to college),” Harroz said.
Harroz presented to the board a graph showing annual tuition and fees for resident undergraduate students in the last six years. He said there has been a 12% increase in sticker price, or advertised price, bringing the average net cost down by 27%.
For nonresident undergraduate students, the sticker price rose by 13% in the last six years, making the average net cost go up by about 4%, meaning nonresidents pay 4% more than residents.
According to Harroz, since fiscal year 2019:
• There was a 41% increase in annual scholarships received by resident undergraduates to $3,200 annually in 2025.
• A 48% increase in need-based financial aid over the past five years.
• A $160 million reduction in expenses.
• A 27% reduction in average net tuition and fee costs for resident undergraduates.
Harroz’s presentation showed a 75% graduation rate, which falls above both Southeastern Conference and Big 12 averages, and an average of 56% students graduating with no debt.
Board remarks
Regent Anita Holloway opened the meeting by welcoming Regent Rainey Williams, who was appointed to the board on April 23 following the retirement of former Regent Natalie Shirley.
Nagel said the university is pushing to get as many degree programs back to 120 hours as possible while maintaining required accreditation standards.
“We had roughly 75 over 120 hours today with the work that's been done by our provost office and our deans and, changes pending, some of our votes today will be down to 29,” Nagel said.
Nagel said the first-year student enrollment, graduation rates and retention rates continue to rise. He said the university is expecting another increase in freshman enrollment in the fall 2025 semester, fifth-consecutive record breaking first-year class.
Nagel said the number of Oklahomans coming to OU has grown, stating 53.3% of students come from out of state with 46.7% in-state students.
Nagel said OU is in the top eight Greek communities in the country and, as the board prepares to vote on a $30 mandatory fee for Greek Life students each semester, he said OU ranks the lowest in costs compared to other universities.
Nagel said the university is working to evaluate hiring practices at OU to ensure the university is consistent, fair, unbiased and accountable.
“We have a duty to hire the most qualified people we can for the jobs that are open and that process needs to be free of ideological or political bias to that end,” Nagel said. “We'll be working with the administration to homogenize our hiring practices (to) empower all of our department chairs and deans with the proper authority levels to maintain accountability in these areas.”
Regent Kenneth Watts said in spring 2025, student-athletes had a school record cumulative GPA of 3.31, the 27th straight semester athletes earned a cumulative GPA above 3.0.
Athletic revenue
The news: The board discussed the budget for the 2026 fiscal year, which shows the projected net revenue for athletics.
According to the agenda, the athletics department shows a proposed budget of $165 million, which includes a projected $46 million increase on conference distributions, a $3 million increase in ticket sales and an additional $12.7 million in media and miscellaneous revenue.
On May 24, OU Daily confirmed OU athletics would lay off 5% of its staff as it begins revenue sharing with student-athletes. In the email sent to all OU athletics staff, Castiglione wrote he would decrease his own compensation.
The vote: The board unanimously approved the budget.
Peaceful environment policy
The news: The board approved revisions to a policy regarding administrative trespass warnings on all campuses.
The Preservation of the Peaceful Environment Policy will reflect current procedures, which are silent on the issuing authority for a “notice to vacate.”
According to the agenda, the board will remove the “notice to vacate” form from board approval level, allowing each campus to modify the form to reflect their campus operations.
The vote: The board unanimously approved the policy changes.
Life Sciences Laboratories building
The news: The board approved the project budget and construction of a new Life Sciences Laboratories Building to replace the recently demolished Sutton Hall on OU’s Norman campus
The project was first approved by the board in March 2024 as part of the Campus Master Plan of Capital Improvement projects.
According to the agenda, the plans call for the construction of an about 105,000 square-foot science building located next to the Physical Science Center and will hold 25 teaching labs, preparation space, a 250-person auditorium classroom and additional support spaces as needed.
The estimated partial total cost for the project is $20 million and OU is requesting $12 million for the construction of site improvements and infrastructure, installation of foundations and piers, and early access to materials needed for construction. The amount includes cost of work, construction manager compensation, fees, bonds, insurance and owner contingency.
The $12 million has been identified as available and budgeted from state and university funds, according to the agenda. Harroz said $160 million will come from the state.
The vote: The board unanimously approved the item.
Weather and Advanced Technology Center
The news: The board authorized the university to hire and pay a construction company to build a Weather and Advanced Technology Center.
The center, which was approved as part of the Campus Master Plan at the board’s March 2024 meeting, will provide research space for radar development and fabrication, house research projects and space for advanced manufacturing.
The agenda shows the project will have a budget of $40 million. The board approved the budget and authorizes the university to hire and make payments in an amount not to exceed $33 million for construction.
According to the agenda, funding for the project is budgeted from state sources.
The vote: The board unanimously approved the center.
Student health plan premiums
The news: OU approved an 11.4% increase in premium costs for student health plans due to claims experience.
For the annual coverage, which will be effective Aug. 15-Aug. 14, 2026:
• Students only: $2,714.
• Spouses only: $2,442.
• Children only: $2,173.
For the fall coverage, which will be effective Aug. 15-Jan. 11, 2026:
• Students only: $1,132.
• Spouses only: $1,019
• Children only: $906.
For the spring and summer coverage, which will be effective Jan. 12-Aug. 14, 2026:
• Students only: $1,623.
• Spouse only: $1,460.
• Children only: $1,299.
For summer coverage, which will be effective May 11, 2026-Aug. 14, 2026:
• Students only: $725.
• Spouse only: $652.
• Children only: $580.
According to the agenda, the student health plan rates are reviewed and adjusted each academic year. No changes will be made to the plan design and Blue Cross Blue Shield will continue as the plan carrier for the 2025-26 academic year.
The vote: The board unanimously approved the student health plan rates.
Dean salaries, Harroz compensation
The news: The board discussed the salaries of several newly-appointed deans.
Michael Markham, who was appointed dean of Dodge Family College of Arts and Science on April 10, will see a $380,000 salary.
Paul Gilmore, who was appointed dean of Honors College on April 16, will see a $225,000 salary.
Robert Palmer, who was appointed dean of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences on April 30, will have a $420,000 salary.
Laku Chidambaram, who was appointed dean of Price College on May 20, would see a $505,000 salary, which was increased from $442,089.
Harroz will also receive a salary increase of $75,000, which will bring his salary to $575,000, and a one-time lump sum payment of $200,000.
The vote: The board unanimously approved the salaries.
Strategic plan update
Carol Silva, interim vice president of research and partnerships, presented progress updates on the “Lead On, University” strategic plan.
Silva said the first pillar of the strategic plan calls for academic excellence and standards measured by the Association of American Universities, an invitation-only organization comprised of leading public and private research universities. According to Silva, OU ranks among the 38 public AAU institutions.
Silva said OU is actively working to anchor strategic priorities to AAU metrics and ensure the university is heading towards a membership invitation.
“Of this continuous monitoring and iteration to make sure we're headed in the appropriate direction,” Silva said.
First-year 2025 class projections
Vice President of enrollment management Jeff Blahnik presented projections for the first-year 2025 class ahead of the fall semester.
Blahnik projects 6,175 first-year students arriving in the fall 2025 semester. According to the presentation, 46.5% are residents and 53.5% are non-resident, with a vast majority coming from Texas.
Blahnik said compared to the 2024 academic year, 600 additional students in the 2025 first-year class have submitted Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, applications. He said there was a two-month national delay in the financial aid process, but believes OU’s financial aid office succeeded in connecting with incoming students.
This year would be the first year that degree granting college advisers are working with freshmen students following the restructuring of University College approved by the board in 2024, according to Blahnik. He also said this was the first time OU is offering orientation partners for transfer students, which he believes has been very successful.
Regent Bob Ross asked how many freshman students applied to the School of Aviation. Blahnik said the program received 1,200 applicants. Regent Rick Nagel said if all students were accepted, it would require the university to purchase 100 additional planes for students.
Ross said with OU being the top aviation program in the country, he hopes additional students would assist in mitigating the pilot shortage. Blahnik said the university has been able to admit three times the number of aviation students over the past three years.
