Daily stylebook

A21 entries  ↑ A–Z

academic degrees  ·  academic titles  ·  acronyms  ·  ACT, the  ·  Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher Garden  ·  Adams Center  ·  Adams Hall  ·  addresses  ·  adviser  ·  African American  ·  airports  ·  alum, alums  ·  Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work  ·  Anne and Henry Zarrow Hall  ·  apartments  ·  arches  ·  Arezzo, Italy  ·  Associate  ·  athletic director  ·  athletic facilities  ·  avenues

academic degrees

If mention of degrees is necessary to establish someone’s credentials, the preferred form is to avoid an abbreviation by using a phrase: John Smith, who has a doctorate in history.

Use an apostrophe in bachelor’s and master’s degree. Note: It is associate degree, not associate’s degree.

Use abbreviations such as B.A., M.A., LL.D. and Ph.D. only when the need to identify many individuals by degree on first reference would make the preferred form cumbersome. Use these abbreviations only after a full name and set them off by commas: Joseph J. Ferretti, Ph.D., spoke.

Only use doctor as Dr. when referring to a medical doctor.

See doctor; titles.

academic titles

Capitalize and spell out formal titles, such as chancellor, dean, etc., when they precede a name. Lowercase elsewhere. Lowercase modifiers such as department in department chair Robert Griswold.

See titles.

acronyms

Avoid using acronyms as the second and subsequent references for an organization, especially those longer than three or four letters, unless the acronym is so widely recognized that it would be used on first reference: the FBI. Refer to the AP Stylebook for determining acceptability of acronyms for federal and national organizations and to the Daily stylebook for acceptability of acronyms for local and campus organizations.

Use the full name of the organization on first reference, then use another noun such as association, group, department or program.

ACT, the

Use the initials on all references. Previously known as the American College Testing Assessment.

Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher Garden

The garden between the Jones Family Welcome Center at Jacobson Hall and Carpenter Hall immediately east of the North Oval. Dedicated to the former OU regent who was the first Black person accepted to OU’s College of Law. She died in October 1995.

See gardens.

Adams Center

Not Adams Tower; the former four-tower residence hall was demolished in the summer of 2023. It was composed of Tarman Tower, Johnson Tower, McCasland Tower and Muldrow Tower. It was connected on the first floor, and separate elevators serviced each tower.

See residence halls; university buildings.

Adams Hall

Adams Hall is the academic building that houses the Michael F. Price College of Business.

See colleges; Price Hall; university buildings.

addresses

Use the abbreviations Ave., Blvd. and St. only with a numbered address: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. versus Pennsylvania Avenue.

Spell streets out and capitalize when part of a formal street name without a number: Lindsey Street. Lowercase and spell out when used alone or with more than one street name: Lindsey and Boyd streets.

All similar words (alley, drive, road, terrace, etc.) always are spelled out. Capitalize them when part of a formal name without a number; lowercase when used alone or with two or more names. Always use figures for an address number: 2802 Cynthia Circle.

Spell out and capitalize First through Ninth when used as street names; use figures with two letters for 10th and above: 221 Fourth St., 100 24th Ave.

See interstates.

adviser

Not advisor.

African American

Note: not hyphenated. Acceptable for a Black American of African descent. Black is also acceptable, although the terms are not necessarily interchangeable; not all Black people are African Americans. Follow a person’s preference. When using the term Black to describe someone's race, make sure it is capitalized. If using the word black to talk about the color, make sure it’s lowercase.

See Black; race.

airports

The university-owned airport on the north campus is Max Westheimer Airport. OKC Will Rogers International Airport is in southwest Oklahoma City.

See Max Westheimer Airport; OKC Will Rogers International Airport.

alum, alums

Use alum (alums in the plural) when referring to a person who has attended a school.

Avoid use of the gendered terms alumnus, alumni, alumna or alumnae. A breakdown of the distinctions is listed below for reference:

The term alumnus (alumni in the plural) is used when referring to a man who has attended a school.

The term alumna (alumnae in the plural) is used for similar references to a woman.

The term alumni is used when referring to a group of men and women.

Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work

Became the official name for the School of Social Work in 2009 after a $5 million donation to the school.

Anne and Henry Zarrow Hall

In fall 2011, the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work moved out of Rhyne Hall and into Zarrow Hall. It is located on the old site of the Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center on Elm Avenue. Zarrow Hall is acceptable on subsequent references.

See university buildings.

apartments

OU owns and operates two apartment complexes in Norman:

• Kraettli Apartments, 405 Wadsack Drive
• OU Traditions Square
• Traditions East, 2500 Asp Ave.
• Traditions West, 2730 Chautauqua Ave.

In addition, the Health campus owns and operates an apartment complex for its students in Oklahoma City:

• University Village Apartments, 900 N. Stonewall Ave.

arches

OU’s campus is flanked by several sets of brick arches.

• Boyd Street (at the North Oval and Asp Avenue): gifts from the classes of 1915 and 1917.
• Jenkins Avenue (at Brooks Street): gifts from the classes of 1919 and 1920.
• Elm Avenue (at Brooks Street): gifts from the classes of 1932 and 1933.
• Lindsey Street (at the base of the South Oval): the Centennial Arches, a result of a student and alum fundraising drive in 1990.

See senior gifts.

Arezzo, Italy

The location of OU’s Italian study center and study abroad destination. OU in Arezzo started in 2007. The program offers spring break, summer and winter session, semester and year-long study abroad options. In 2019, OU President James Gallogly cut some student positions and the faculty-in-residence program to save money.

See Kathleen and Francis Rooney Family Residential Learning Center.

Associate

A position within the Student Government Association. Associates can be on committees, but cannot vote on those committees or any other SGA proceeding. Associates are also non-appointed.

Capitalize associate when preceding a name, lowercase when succeeding.

athletic director

Lowercase, use singular athletic unless otherwise in formal title.

athletic facilities

Spell out the names of facilities as shown on first references.

• Barry Switzer Center
• Everest Training Center
• Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, use on first reference
• Gregg Wadley Indoor Tennis Pavilion
• Griffin Family Performance Center
• Headington Family Tennis Center
• Jerry J. Ransom Golf Performance Center
• Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club
• John Crain Field
• John Jacobs Track and Field Complex
• Kimrey Family Stadium, formerly L. Dale Mitchell Park
• Lloyd Noble Center
• Love’s Field
• McCasland Field House
• McClendon Center for Intercollegiate Athletics
• Mosier Indoor Track Facility
• Murray Case Sells Swim Complex
• OU Rowing Training Center
• Prentice Gautt Academic Center
• Sam Viersen Gymnastics Center
• Sarkeys Fitness Center
• SoonerVision
• Owen Field

See university buildings

avenues

In Norman, numbered north-south streets are avenues and always carry this style: 24th Avenue Southwest; 1220 12th Ave. SE.

See addresses; streets.

B18 entries  ↑ A–Z

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science  ·  Barry Switzer Center  ·  Beaird Lounge  ·  Bedlam  ·  Big 12  ·  Big Event, The  ·  Bizzell Memorial Library  ·  Bizzell Statue, the  ·  Black  ·  Black Student Association, the  ·  Bookmark Cafe, the  ·  bookstore  ·  “Boomer Sooner”  ·  Controversy  ·  Boomer and Sooner  ·  Boren, David L.  ·  Boyd House  ·  bursar’s office

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science

A bachelor’s degree or bachelor’s is acceptable in any reference.

See academic degrees.

Barry Switzer Center

The athletic complex at the south end of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Includes football coaches’ offices, athletic weight room, training room, post-game interview room, team meeting room and football locker room. Named for Barry Switzer, the former OU football coach who led the Sooners to three national championships.

See athletic facilities; university buildings.

Beaird Lounge

A large, furnished lounge on the second floor of the union. Named after Ted Beaird, the first director of Oklahoma Memorial Union. When referring to Beaird Lounge, indicate that it is located in the union: Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Beaird Lounge.

See Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Bedlam

OU-Oklahoma State games are referred to as Bedlam or Bedlam games. Capitalize Bedlam.

Big 12

The NCAA conference OU was part of from 1996 until its exit to the SEC in July 2024.

Big Event, The

A campus-wide community service event modeled after a similar project at Texas A\&M University. OU has held The Big Event every spring since 1999.

Bizzell Memorial Library

Use on first reference to OU’s main library. Use the library or the Bizz on subsequent references. Do not use Bizzell Library.

See libraries; university buildings.

Bizzell Statue, the

The statue of William Bennett Bizzell, OU’s fifth president (1925-1941), was a gift from the class of 1943. The inscription on the statue’s plaque reads, “Knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.”

See class gifts.

Black

Acceptable for a Black person or the Black community. Capitalize when referring to Black people or culture. African American is acceptable for a Black American of African descent. However, these terms are not necessarily interchangeable. Follow a person's preference, and be specific when possible. Do not use colored as a synonym, and use Negro only in names of organizations or in quotations. Only use the N-word if the context demands it and a managing editor approves its publication.

See African American; race.

Black Student Association, the

Spell out on first reference. Use BSA or the association on subsequent references.

Bookmark Cafe, the

The small cafe in the basement of Bizzell Memorial Library that serves Starbucks coffee and pastries. Spell out as shown on first reference, and give its location as being in the Bizzell Memorial Library.

bookstore

The former university bookstore, which was operated by Follett College Stores, was located in Asp Avenue Parking Facility beneath Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. In spring 2019, the university ended its relationship with Follett, instead using the bookstore Akademos, which is fully online.

“Boomer Sooner”

In 1905, Arthur M. Alden, a student in history and physiology, wrote the lyrics to the university’s “Boomer Sooner,” borrowing the tune from Yale’s “Boola-Boola” but improvising on the words. A year later, an addition was made to it from North Carolina’s “I’m a Tarheel Born,” and the two combined to form the university’s fight song of today.

Controversy

Many student activist groups, such as Indigenize OU, have called for the phrases “Boomer Sooner” and “Sooners” to be eradicated from the university, citing racism and insensitivity. In spring 2016, OU’s Student Government Association Undergraduate Student Congress passed a resolution condemning the use of “Boomer Sooner,” and many student organizations have changed their names to remove the word Sooners. In response, then-OU President David Boren said that if every OU alumni voted to change the mascot, he would make the change. No such change has been made.

See mascots, OU; Student Congress; Student Government Association.

Boomer and Sooner

Refers both to the university’s costumed mascots and to the horses that pull the Sooner Schooner.

See Sooner Schooner mascots.

Boren, David L.

David Lyle Boren was appointed as OU’s 13th president April 24, 1994. He served as governor of Oklahoma from 1975-1979. As a U.S. senator, Boren served on the Senate Finance and Agriculture committees and also was the longest-serving chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Boren graduated from Yale University in 1963. He was a Rhodes Scholar and earned a master’s degree in politics, philosophy and economics from Oxford University in 1965. In 1968, he received a law degree from the OU College of Law.

His university experience also includes four years on the faculty of Oklahoma Baptist University, where he was chair of the political science department and chair of the division of social sciences.

Boren announced on Sept. 20, 2017, that he would retire at the end of the 2017-2018 academic year. His last day as president was June 30, 2018.

See presidents; OU.

Boyd House

The president’s home, which David Ross Boyd built and lived in.The house later acted as the university's visitor center before President David Boren refurbished the house and moved into it in 1996. Do not call the building University House.

See university buildings.

bursar’s office

Capitalize Office of the Bursar, but not bursar’s office. Use the latter, except when formal name is necessary. The bursar’s office is located in Buchanan Hall.

See university buildings.

C46 entries  ↑ A–Z

CAC Speakers Bureau  ·  Camp Crimson  ·  campus  ·  Campus Activities Council  ·  Campus Corner  ·  Campus Corner Merchants Association  ·  capital  ·  Capitol  ·  Carl Albert Center, the  ·  CART  ·  Catlett Music Center  ·  Centennial Arches, the  ·  Center for Social Justice  ·  Ronnie K. Irani Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth  ·  chair, chairperson  ·  chancellor  ·  Chautauqua Avenue  ·  Chemistry Annex  ·  Chemistry Building  ·  Chick-fil-A  ·  city council  ·  city hall  ·  Classic 50’s Drive-in  ·  Cleveland County Board of County Commissioners  ·  Cleveland County Detention Center, the  ·  Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office  ·  co-ed  ·  colleges  ·  Daily  ·  Department of Communication  ·  Comprehensive Alcohol & Other Drug Program  ·  Confucius Institute, the  ·  OU Writing Center, the  ·  Conoco Student Leadership Center, the  ·  Copeland Hall  ·  Couch Center  ·  Couch Express  ·  Couch Restaurants, the  ·  councilmember  ·  Counseling Psychology Clinic  ·  course titles  ·  Craddock Hall  ·  Cross Center  ·  Cross Village  ·  Crossroads Restaurant  ·  crimson and cream

CAC Speakers Bureau

No apostrophe, per OU's site and common usage on social media. This is a student activity fee-funded group that brings in notable individuals for speeches, lectures and seminars for the university community.

Camp Crimson

An OU-run welcome program that introduces incoming first-year and incoming transfer students to campus life and OU traditions. Participants get campus tours, complete required first-year trainings and attend information sessions and social events. The camp takes place after first-years move into residence halls.

campus

Lowercase on all references (i.e. Norman campus, Tulsa campus, Health Sciences Center campus). The Norman campus is sometimes divided into four sections: north campus, south campus, central campus and research campus.

OU’s north campus includes Max Westheimer Airport and Merrick Computer Center. OU’s south campus includes the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, Lloyd Noble Center, OU College of Law and multiple OU athletic facilities.

OU’s central campus houses most academic and administrative buildings in addition to university residence halls, stretching roughly from Catlett Music Center on the northwest edge to Sarkeys Energy Center on the northeast to the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on the southeast to Dale Hall Tower on the southwest. OU Brandt Park and the Duck Pond are considered one block east of central campus.

OU’s research campus includes the National Weather Center, Tom Love Innovation Hub, Stephenson Research and Technology Center and the Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center.

Campus Activities Council

Spell out as shown on first reference. CAC is acceptable on subsequent references. Founded in 1971, CAC serves as a branch of OU’s Student Government Association that designs and initiates campus-wide events for all students. CAC now programs 11 events:

• Welcome Week (fall)
• Homecoming Reunion Week (fall)
• OU Dance Marathon (spring)
• University Sing (fall)
• College Bowl (spring)
• High School Leadership Conference (spring)
• Scandals (spring)
• Film Series (year-round)
• Concert Series (year-round)
• Speakers Bureau (year-round)
• Union Programming Board (year-round)

Campus Corner

An area of shops and restaurants bounded roughly by Boyd Street, White Street, University Boulevard and Asp Avenue north of the central campus.

Campus Corner Merchants Association

Spell out as shown on first reference. Use the merchants association or the association on subsequent references.

capital

The city where the seat of government is located. Do not capitalize. The capital of Oklahoma is Oklahoma City. Not to be confused with Capitol, which is the physical building.

Can also mean money, equipment or property when used in a financial sense.

See Capitol.

Capitol

Capitalize Capitol when referring to the building in Washington, D.C., or Oklahoma City. Kevin Stitt signed the legislation in her office in the state Capitol.

Carl Albert Center, the

Located in Monnet Hall, established in 1979 by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the OU Board of Regents. The center offers fellowships for undergraduates and graduate students. It also maintains the Congressional Archives, a collection of 20th century congressional papers, and develops lecture series, exhibits and publications. Use the center on subsequent references.

CART

This is the metropolitan Oklahoma City bus service, which serves Norman and the campus area.

Use Cleveland Area Rapid Transit on first reference and CART on subsequent references.

The university bus service began as Campus Area Rapid Transit, changed its name to Cleveland Area Rapid Transit in 1985, when it became part of the federally funded Central Oklahoma Transit and Parking Authority, and fully merged with the Oklahoma City system to become Metro Transit in 1993.

Catlett Music Center

Located on Elm Avenue and Boyd Street. Houses the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall, the Morris R. Pitman Recital Hall, the Grayce B. Kerr Gothic Hall, the Hiawatha Estes Courtyard, and the Stephanie Bell Performance Courtyard, as well as classrooms and studios.

Use Catlett Music Center on first reference to the building. Catlett is accepted on subsequent references. When referring to a specific room inside the building, include its location as being in Catlett Music Center: The performance will be in Catlett Music Center’s Morris R. Pitman Recital Hall.

See university buildings.

Centennial Arches, the

Located at the south end of the South Oval in front of Dale and Gaylord halls. Built as a result of a student fundraising drive to celebrate the university’s 100th birthday.

See arches; senior gifts.

Center for Social Justice

Do not use CSJ. Spell out on first reference and use the center on subsequent references.

The center is an initiative of the women’s and gender studies program to promote gender justice, equality, tolerance and human rights through local and global engagement.

Ronnie K. Irani Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth

Spell out on first reference and use CCEW on subsequent references. Formed in 2006, CCEW provides students with hands-on entrepreneurial experience by marketing and commercializing technologies.

chair, chairperson

A presiding officer of a group, committee or organization. Chair is preferred but chairperson is also acceptable. Capitalize as a formal title before a name: company Chair Henry Khan, committee Chairperson Margaret Smith. Do not capitalize as a casual, temporary position: chair Dara Jackson Plural: chairs or chairpersons. Do not differentiate between sexes, as in chairwoman or chairman.

chancellor

The state system of higher education is headed on a day-to-day basis by a chancellor, who reports to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Capitalize and spell out when preceding a name, lowercase elsewhere.

Chautauqua Avenue

Street west of campus that many OU students live on or around. Note: there is no need to say South Chautauqua Avenue since there is no North Chautauqua Avenue.

Chemistry Annex

Building directly connected to the Physical Science Center and houses chemistry classes and labs. Note the difference from the Chemistry Building is that the Chemistry Annex is painted white and has many windows, while the Chemistry Building is taller and has a green roof.

See university buildings.

Chemistry Building

Building that faces the North Oval and houses chemistry classes and labs. Note the difference from the Chemistry Annex that this building has a green, traditionally shaped roof, while the Chemistry Annex has a flat roof and many windows.

See university buildings.

Chick-fil-A

A restaurant in Oklahoma Memorial Union and Couch Restaurants that is part of the national restaurant chain founded in Atlanta in 1967.

See restaurants.

city council

Norman City Council on first reference, the council on subsequent references. Lowercase without a city: Norman City Council but city council or the council.

See Norman City Council.

city hall

Lowercase on all references. In Norman, city hall is actually a group of buildings called the Norman Municipal Complex. It includes the Norman Public Library, the Norman Police Department and several city government buildings, including an administrative building that houses the mayor, city planners and a services building that houses the water department and street department, among other departments. The complex is located at 201 W. Gray St.

Classic 50’s Drive-in

Spell out as shown on all references. Note the unusual punctuation. It is an old-fashioned drive-in restaurant at 1521 W. Lindsey St.

Cleveland County Board of County Commissioners

the primary administration, legislative and policy-making body for Cleveland County. Use Cleveland County Board of County Commissioners on first reference. The board and Cleveland County commissioners are acceptable on subsequent references.

Cleveland County Detention Center, the

Use full name on first reference; use the detention center on subsequent references.

Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office

Use as shown on first reference; use the sheriff’s office on subsequent references. Refer to a deputy as a deputy sheriff.

co-ed

Use of the word is acceptable when it means men’s and women’s, as in co-ed softball and co-ed dorms.

colleges

The Norman campus is made up of the following 13 colleges:

• Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture
• Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences
• Michael F. Price College of Business
• College of Professional and Continuing Studies
• Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy
• Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education
• Gallogly College of Engineering
• Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts
• Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication
• Graduate College
• Honors College
• College of Law

The Health Sciences Center campus in Oklahoma City is made up of the following seven colleges:

• College of Allied Health
• College of Dentistry
• College of Medicine
• Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing
• College of Pharmacy
• Hudson College of Public Health
• Graduate College

The Tulsa campus is made up of the following nine colleges:

• College of Allied Health
• College of Architecture
• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Education
• College of Engineering
• College of Liberal Studies
• College of Medicine
• College of Nursing
• College of Public Health

Be careful when describing which college someone graduated from since some colleges have changed names in recent years. For instance, if someone graduated with a journalism degree in 1998, they graduated from the H.H. Herbert School of Journalism and Mass Communication in the College of Arts and Sciences, not the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Daily

When referring to the Daily, OU Daily is preferred on first reference. The Daily is acceptable on subsequent references. Do not use the Oklahoma Daily to avoid confusion with The Oklahoman. Always lowercase the t in the OU Daily.

Department of Communication

Singular, not plural, for the academic department in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences.

Comprehensive Alcohol & Other Drug Program

OU’s alcohol education program which espouses four ideals: education, environmental management, enforcement and counseling services. The program or the alcohol program acceptable on subsequent references.

Education: OU students aged 22 or younger, including transfer students, must complete both an online and in-person alcohol training session. Additionally, any student wishing to join a greek life organization must complete an alcohol training session. These sessions are designed to educate students about the effects of alcohol, the university’s alcohol policies, and what to do in specific scenarios involving alcohol.

Environmental management: OU is a dry campus, meaning that no alcohol may be kept or consumed in any campus building, including greek houses and dorms. Student organizations may only host events where alcohol is served on Friday and Saturday nights, and designated drivers and/or public transportation must be arranged prior to the event.

Enforcement: The Office of Judicial Services designed a three-strike enforcement system in spring 2005. Students found to be possessing, using, manufacturing, distributing, providing, or selling alcoholic beverages on campus may receive a strike. A student’s first strike results in parental notification and an educational program, and may also entail community service or fines. A student’s second strike may result in the same, plus the possibility of suspension from the university. Both first- and second-strike students may be referred to alcohol abuse counseling at the University Counseling Center. A student’s third strike results in an automatic expulsion, as well as parental notification.

Counseling: Faculty, staff, and students may schedule an appointment with the University Counseling Center to work through substance use disorders with a trained counselor.

Alcohol and Hazing Hotline: OU students can call this hotline 24/7 to anonymously report alcohol abuse, hazing or misconduct. The number is 405-325-5000.

OU SafeRide: A free taxi-based transportation option offered to students that runs from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Students can request a ride through the Norman On-Demand app.

SafeWalk: A free service utilizing screened and OUPD-approved resident advisers to walk with residential students on campus, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m Sunday through Thursday. This service can be utilized by calling 405-325-WALK (405-325-9255).

See University Counseling Center.

Confucius Institute, the

Established in 2006, the Confucius Institute worked to build strong relations between the people of the south-central U.S. and the people of China. The partnership between Beijing Normal University and OU worked to strengthen Chinese language classes at OU. The institute was closed in 2020 in response to government reports addressing Chinese government propaganda and espionage activities spread through such organizations.

OU Writing Center, the

Spell out as shown on first reference. Use the writing center on subsequent references. The writing center is located primarily in Lissa and Cy Wagner Hall on the second floor in room 280 and serves all OU students.

See Lissa and Cy Wagner Hall.

Conoco Student Leadership Center, the

Full name is the Archie W. Dunham Conoco Student Leadership Center and is located in the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Spell out as shown on first reference; the center is acceptable on subsequent references. This addition to the Oklahoma Memorial Union houses offices for the Student Government Association and other campus organizations.

See Student Government Association; university buildings.

Copeland Hall

Located north of Dale Hall and south of Collings Hall. Copeland Hall houses OU Student Media, the OU Daily, the Department of Native American Studies and OU’s NPR affiliate KGOU.

Copeland Hall used to be the home of the H.H. Hebert School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The school was upgraded and renamed to the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication in May 2000 after a $22 million gift from Edward L. Gaylord on behalf of the Gaylord family of Oklahoma City.

See university buildings.

Couch Center

A 12-story residence hall that was built in 1966 and reopened its doors in 1994. It now houses students and a faculty resident, as part of the Faculty-in-Residence Program.

It features suite-style living. The building is divided into an east and a west half, and each floor is numbered from one to 12. Identify the floor this way: Seth Prince lives in Couch Center 12-West.

See residence halls; university buildings.

Couch Express

A snack bar formerly located on the ground floor of Couch Center that was closed during the pandemic and never reopened.

Couch Restaurants, the

Not Couch Center Cafeteria or the caf.

See university buildings.

councilmember

Member of a council. Plural: councilmembers. Do not distinguish sexes, as in councilwoman or councilman.

Counseling Psychology Clinic

Student-run center that served as a practicum for OU’s counseling psychology doctoral students. Since 1966, the clinic offered affordable counseling services for the Norman community until its closure in May 2018 due to issues with adequate staffing. Not to be confused with the University Counseling Center housed in Goddard Health Center

See Goddard Health Center; mental health; University Counseling Center.

course titles

Capitalize full, official names of courses: Principles of Communication, General Chemistry for Non-Majors. Lowercase shorthand references to course titles: biology.

Craddock Hall

Formerly located at 171 Felgar St. Housed OU’s Air Force ROTC but was demolished in 2015 to build Gallogly Hall.

Cross Center

Former residence hall that formerly housed various campus and temporary projects. Cross Center was torn down to build Cross Neighborhood, an OU-owned and operated apartment complex, which is now the Cross Village residence hall.

Cross Village

An on-campus residence hall that consists of four buildings labeled from A, B, C and D. Cross Village includes dining options Acre Provisions, Sushi with Gusto, The Hive, Credo Kitchen, Glow Kitchen, Milkflower Gelateria and Basic Knead.

See residence halls.

Crossroads Restaurant

A former restaurant located on the south end of the Oklahoma Memorial Union. Crossroads closed at the end of the fall 2025 semester and was replaced by Panera Bread in the fall 2026 semester.

crimson and cream

OU’s official colors. Do not capitalize.

D16 entries  ↑ A–Z

Dale Hall  ·  Dale Hall Tower  ·  datelines  ·  Davenports  ·  David Burr Park  ·  David L. Boren Hall  ·  dead week  ·  dean  ·  Deans Row  ·  DeBarr Avenue  ·  departments  ·  Devon Energy Hall  ·  Disability Resource Center  ·  doctor  ·  Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center  ·  Duck Pond, the

Dale Hall

A classroom building with many large lecture halls and therefore is the location of many general education classes.

See university buildings.

Dale Hall Tower

Adjacent to Dale Hall, connected by a breezeway. Houses many departments, including political science and history.

See university buildings.

datelines

Use if the reporter was in the datelined community to gather the information reported, or if picking up a story from another outlet where the location is somewhere other than Norman. In datelines, the city is written in all caps, and the state is written normally followed by an em dash.

Examples:

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —

DALLAS —

Consult the AP Stylebook except in cases of Oklahoma or SEC cities.

OKLAHOMA DATELINES: A list of Oklahoma cities that stand alone in datelines follows. While many cities may be near to Norman in proximity, the large portion of out-of-state students and readers may not be familiar with smaller towns.

No Oklahoma with the following:

ARDMORE, NORMAN, OKLAHOMA CITY, EDMOND, STILLWATER, MOORE, TULSA.

SEC CITY DATELINES: A list of cities that are home to SEC schools that stand alone in datelines follows.

No state with the following:

ATHENS, AUBURN, AUSTIN, BATON ROUGE, COLLEGE STATION, FAYETTEVILLE, GAINESVILLE, KNOXVILLE, LEXINGTON, NASHVILLE, NORMAN, OXFORD, STARKVILLE, TUSCALOOSA

Note the state abbreviation with Mizzou and South Carolina as both towns are named Columbia.

COLUMBIA (MO.), COLUMBIA (SC.)

Davenports

The upper-living dining room within Couch Restaurants.

David Burr Park

Located on Asp Avenue and Fourth Street near Sarkeys Fitness Center.

Use Burr Park or the park on subsequent references. Use gazebo park only in quoted matter.

David L. Boren Hall

Located at 1300 Asp Ave. and is colloquially known as DLB. DLB serves as both a dormitory and the seat of the OU Honors College.

See residence halls; university buildings.

dead week

Colloquially refers to the week preceding final examinations. OU officially refers to this week as pre-finals week.

dean

The chief administrator of a college. Professors answer to the dean of their college. Deans answer to the provost.

An exception is the dean of students, who is the vice president for Student Affairs.

See academic titles.

Deans Row

Located north of OU on Campus Corner. Formerly known as DeBarr Avenue.

See DeBarr Avenue.

DeBarr Avenue

Not Debarr or De Barr. The street was named for Edwin DeBarr, a Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon and a professor. After months of protests, Norman City Council voted on Dec. 19, 2017, to change the name of the street to Deans Row Avenue. The street signs were changed on Jan. 4, 2018.

departments

Use lowercase except for words that are proper nouns or adjectives: the department of history, the history department, the department of English, the English department or when department is part of the official and formal name: OU Department of History.

Devon Energy Hall

Engineering building located at 110 W. Boyd St. Completed in 2009 and dedicated on OU’s campus in 2010.

See university buildings.

Disability Resource Center

Oversees services for all people with disabilities, such as testing or housing accommodations. Housed in the former Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house at 730 College Ave.

See Sigma Alpha Epsilon incident.

doctor

Use Dr. in first reference as a formal title before the name of an individual who holds a doctor of dental surgery, doctor of medicine, doctor of optometry, doctor of osteopathic medicine, doctor of podiatric medicine, or doctor of veterinary medicine.

Dr. Jonas Salk with Norman Regional Hospital said at a press conference there has been a drastic uptick in chickenpox cases this winter.

Do not use Dr. as a title for individuals who hold other types of doctoral degrees as the public frequently identifies Dr. only with physicians. Individuals who hold non-medical doctorates may be identified in other ways, such as clarifying their holding of a degree or their profession within the university.

Michael McPherson, who holds a Ph.D. in economics from Michigan State University, is a leading researcher in the study.

Michael McPherson, an OU economics professor, is a leading researcher in the study.

Do not continue the use of Dr. after first reference.

See academic degrees.

Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center

Completed in 2004 with a $12.2 million grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. It houses a renovated, 750-seat Holmberg Hall, two dance studios and offices for the School of Dance and the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts.

See colleges; university buildings.

Duck Pond, the

The preferred reference to Brandt Park, the large park between Brooks and Lindsey streets east of OU’s main campus. The Duck Pond is maintained by the university.

E11 entries  ↑ A–Z

editor-in-chief  ·  Ellison Hall  ·  email  ·  emeritus  ·  endowed chair, endowed professorship  ·  Engineering Lab  ·  Engineering quad  ·  E.T. Dunlap Clock Tower, the  ·  Evans Hall  ·  Everest Indoor Training Center  ·  ExxonMobil Lawrence G. Rawl Engineering Practice Facility

editor-in-chief

Do not capitalize, even when used as a formal title before a name: editor-in-chief Anusha Fathepure.

See titles.

Ellison Hall

Located at 633 Elm Ave. Completed in 1928, Ellison Hall houses the Dodge Family College of Arts and Science, OU’s first established and largest graduating college.

See university buildings.

email

No hyphen. Do not capitalize unless at the beginning of a sentence.

emeritus

This word often is added to formal titles to denote that individuals who have retired retain their rank or title. When used, place emeritus after the formal title, in keeping with general practice of academic institutions: Dean Emeritus Ronald Thompson or Ronald Thompson, dean emeritus.

endowed chair, endowed professorship

Many departments have funding for endowed chairs and professorships. An endowed chair requires $500,000. An endowed professorship requires $1 million.

Funds are raised above the regular departmental budget for the position, and the state matches the money. These positions are set up to attract prominent figures in the field.

Capitalize the name of the chair or professorship whenever you refer to it: Robert Nye, George Lynn Cross Professor of History.

Engineering Lab

See university buildings.

Engineering quad

The nickname for the “engineering quadrangle,” the five buildings located between Asp and Jenkins avenues and West Boyd and Felgar streets. Lowercase engineering quad.

E.T. Dunlap Clock Tower, the

Commonly referred to as the clock tower, the tower stands outside the Neustadt wing of Bizzell Memorial Library and is named for E.T. Dunlap, a chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. He died in 1997.

Evans Hall

Constructed 1912, the building is located at 660 Parrington Oval. Serves as OU’s main administrative building, housing the president, provost and several vice presidents. Evans Hall is named after Grant Evans, a former OU president.

See university buildings.

Everest Indoor Training Center

A 74,000-square-foot training facility for OU athletics. Located at 201 E. Lindsey St., the center was completed in 2002 and officially named on Jan. 30, 2003.

See university buildings.

ExxonMobil Lawrence G. Rawl Engineering Practice Facility

Located at 850 S. Jenkins Ave. Houses tutoring spaces for undergraduate engineers and the Information Technology Help Desk. The building is designed to hold enough space for students to build and test projects. The building also has an emphasis on K-12 engineering. Engineering Practice Facility acceptable on all references.

See university buildings.

F13 entries  ↑ A–Z

Facebook  ·  Facilities Management, OU  ·  Faculty-in-Residence Program  ·  Faculty Senate, the  ·  Farzaneh Hall  ·  Fears Structural Engineering Lab, the  ·  fees  ·  Felgar Hall  ·  Firehouse Art Center  ·  Food and Shelter  ·  fraternities  ·  Fraternity and sorority abbreviations  ·  Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art

Facebook

Do not use the URL when referring generally to the networking site. If referring specifically to the web address, use facebook.com.

The Daily’s Facebook page is facebook.com/OUDaily.

Facilities Management, OU

Capitalize when referring to the department charged with maintaining the university’s physical structure. Facilities Management is the name of the department, not a specific building where the department is housed.

Facilities Management has offices in a series of buildings known as the Facilities Management complex, at Jenkins Avenue and Felgar Street. Formerly named the Physical Plant.

Faculty-in-Residence Program

The program run by Housing and Food Services in which professors live in apartment suites inside the residence halls.

Faculty Senate, the

The representative body for faculty members. Spell out as shown on first reference.

Use Faculty Senate or the senate on subsequent references. Do not call it the OU Faculty Senate, since its members represent only Norman campus faculty.

Farzaneh Hall

Formerly Hester Hall. It was renamed after brothers and OU alumni Jalal and Mohammad Farzaneh donated $4 million to the David L. Boren College of International Studies, which became the David L. Boren School of International Studies within the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences in 2026.

See university buildings.

Fears Structural Engineering Lab, the

Located at 303 Chesapeake St. Made possible by a donation from Donald G. Fears. Constructed by Tom Murray, a former OU structural engineering professor.

See university buildings.

fees

Capitalize the full, official names of fees: Academic Excellence Fee, Academic Facility & Life Safety Fee, Assessment Fee, Education Network Connectivity Fee, Library Excellence Fee, Security Services Fee, Special Event Fee, Student Activity Fee, Student Facility Fee, Transit Fee and International Programs Fee. Lowercase shorthand references to fees: the library fee.

Felgar Hall

Located at 865 Asp Ave. Constructed in 1925. Houses the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Library.

See university buildings.

Firehouse Art Center

Spell out as shown on first reference. Use the center on subsequent references. The address is 444 S. Flood Ave.

Food and Shelter

Not Food & Shelter. Founded in 1983, this organization provides services and resources to people experiencing homelessness in Cleveland County, including daily meals and short-term, long-term and supportive housing.

fraternities

Do not refer to them as frats. Capitalize a fraternity’s name.

Interfraternity Council:

• Alpha Epsilon Pi, 900 Asp Ave. Suite 370
• Alpha Sigma Phi, 900 Asp Ave. Suite 370
• Alpha Tau Omega, 1310 College Ave.
• Beta Theta Pi, 800 Chautauqua Ave.
• Delta Tau Delta, 1320 College Ave.
• Delta Upsilon, 505 Emerald Way
• Kappa Alpha Order, 1501 Elm Ave.
• Kappa Sigma, 1100 College Ave.
• Lambda Chi Alpha, 904 College Ave.
• Phi Delta Theta, 1400 College Ave.
• Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), 1200 S. College Ave.
• Phi Kappa Psi, 720 Elm Ave.
• Pi Kappa Alpha, 500 Elmwood Dr.

<!-- end list -->

• Pi Kappa Phi, 736 Elm Ave.
• Sigma Chi, 1405 Elm Ave.
• Sigma Nu, 1300 College Ave.

Multicultural Greek Council:

• Delta Epsilon Psi, 900 Asp Ave. Suite 370
• Gamma Delta Pi, 900 Asp Ave. Suite 370
• Lambda Phi Epsilon, 900 Asp Ave. Suite 370
• Omega Delta Phi, 900 Asp Ave. Suite 370
• Tau Kappa Omega, 900 Asp Ave. Suite 370

Note: All addresses listed are mailing addresses, not physical addresses, as Multicultural Greek Council fraternities do not have their own houses.

National Pan-Hellenic Council:

• Alpha Phi Alpha Inc., 900 Asp Ave. Suite 370
• Iota Phi Theta Inc., 900 Asp Ave. Suite 370
• Kappa Alpha Psi Inc., 900 Asp Ave. Suite 370
• Omega Psi Phi Inc., 900 Asp Ave. Suite 370
• Phi Beta Sigma Inc., 900 Asp Ave. Suite 370

Note: All addresses listed are mailing addresses, not physical addresses, as National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities do not have their own houses.

See greek; Phi Gamma Delta; Sigma Alpha Epsilon incident.

Fraternity and sorority abbreviations

Most fraternities and sororities often go by a shortened, colloquial nickname in everyday conversation. Most nicknames are shortened versions of the organization’s full name, while some have lore-style history behind the nickname.

In general, do not refer to a fraternity or sorority by its nickname alone. Use the organization’s full name on first reference, with an inclusion of the organization’s nickname. Ex: “Sigma Phi Epsilon, commonly known as Sig Ep … Kappa Kappa Gamma, commonly known as Kappa.”

After this initial reference, avoid using the organization’s nickname again unless it is so widely recognized by its nickname that omitting it could confuse readers. Ex: “Phi Gamma Delta, commonly known as FIJI … Pi Kappa Alpha, commonly known as PIKE.”

Refer to members of greek organizations as such, rather than by their organization's full name or nickname. Ex: “Jane Doe, a member of Chi Omega,” rather than “Jane Doe, a Chi Omega,” or “Jane Doe, a Chi O … John Doe, a member of Beta Theta Pi,” rather than “John Doe, a Beta Theta Pi.” or “John Doe, a Beta.”

If an organization’s nickname is used in a quote, either by an organization member or a source, substitute the nickname for the organization’s full name with parentheses.

A full list of organization nicknames can be found on OU’s Fraternity and Sorority Programs and Services’ website.

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art

OU’s art museum, located in the Fred Jones Jr. Memorial Art Center on 555 Elm Ave. A 34,000-square-foot addition permanently houses the Weitzenhoffer Collection. It is named in honor of Mary and Howard Lester, who gave $2.5 million for the project. The wing also includes galleries, an orientation room, a classroom and a museum store.

See university buildings; Weitzenhoffer Collection.

G17 entries  ↑ A–Z

Gallogly, James  ·  Gallogly College of Engineering  ·  gardens  ·  Gateway  ·  Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication  ·  Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium  ·  Gaylord Hall  ·  gender  ·  general equivalency diploma  ·  George Lynn Cross Hall  ·  Goddard Health Center  ·  Gould Hall  ·  grade point average  ·  Graduate Student Senate, the  ·  graduate assistant  ·  greek  ·  greenhouse

Gallogly, James

OU’s 14th president; he succeeded former President David Boren in July 2018. Has donated millions of dollars to OU, mostly to engineering programs. Never refer to him as Jim, even though he sometimes goes by Jim socially.

See Gallogly College of Engineering; presidents, OU.

Gallogly College of Engineering

Named after OU President James Gallogly due to donations he made before he became president.

See colleges.

gardens

• Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher Garden
• Brandt Park
• David A. Burr Park
• Elaine Bizzell Thompson Garden
• Engineers Garden
• Harold G. Powell Garden
• The Oklahoma Canyon Garden
• Peggy B. Helmerich Garden
• Pitman Garden
• Reunion Park
• Rose Sharp Rose Garden
• The Unity Garden
• Wanda Winn Shi Memorial Garden

Gateway

A former course offered to first-year students designed to help transition between high school and college. The class was worth three credits and required for all first-year students. The course was eliminated in 2024.

Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication

The H.H. Herbert School of Journalism and Mass Communication was elevated to college status in 2000 with a $22 million gift from Edward L. Gaylord on behalf of the Gaylord family of Oklahoma City. The gift is one of the largest ever made to a journalism program at any American public university. It is housed in Gaylord Hall.

See colleges; Gaylord Hall.

Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

See Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Gaylord Hall

The $17-million, 61,000-square-foot building at 395 W. Lindsey St. Houses the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication. A second phase of the building was completed in 2009.

See university buildings.

gender

Not synonymous with sex. Gender refers to a person’s gender identity, while sex refers to biological characteristics. Not all people fall under one of two categories for sex or gender, so avoid references to both, either, or opposite sexes or genders as a way to encompass all people.

When discussing female or male individuals who are 18 or older, avoid using girls or boys. Instead use women or men.

It is important to note that many people whose gender identity does not match their biological sex may not be open about their identity to everyone. It is crucial to take extreme precaution not to endanger an individual by inadvertently outing them in a story — always ask the individual’s preference. Only identify a person’s gender identity unless it is pertinent to a story: Danica Roem is Virginia’s first openly transgender elected official.

• agender A person who identifies as genderless or lacking gender.
• bigender A person who identifies with a combination of two genders.
• cisgender A person whose gender identity matches their biological sex. Do not use without providing a definition. Generally, use of cisgender is only necessary when also writing about transgender people. Cisgender is not synonymous with heterosexual, as the former refers to gender identity and the latter refers to sexuality.
• gender fluid A person who fluctuates among gender identities or expresses multiple genders at the same time.
• gender nonconforming Hyphenate when used as an adjective. Acceptable as a term to refer to people who do not conform to the gender binary of male and female. Gender nonconforming, agender, bigender, gender fluid, genderqueer and nonbinary are not necessarily synonymous. Be specific with how an individual identifies, and ensure that correct pronouns are used.
• genderqueer An umbrella term for a person who does not identify with the traditional gender binary.
• intersex Term for people born with genitalia, chromosomes, or reproductive organs that don’t fit typical definitions for males or females at birth. Do not use hermaphrodite.
• nonbinary A person who does not identify with either male or female.
• transgender Not transgendered. An adjective that describes people whose gender identity is different from their sex at birth. Only identify people as transgender if it is pertinent to the story. Trans is acceptable in headlines and on subsequent references. Transgender and trans are adjectives, not nouns. Transgender is not synonymous with terms like cross-dresser, drag queen, or drag performer. Do not use the outdated term transsexual or the derogatory terms tranny or transvestite. Always use the names and pronouns preferred by transgender individuals.
• dead name The name given at birth to a transgender individual who no longer goes by that name. Never use anyone’s dead name unless it is pertinent to the story: Caitlyn Jenner won a 1976 Olympic gold medal in decathlon, at which time she went by Bruce Jenner.

See 2SLGBTQ+.

general equivalency diploma

Certifies that a person who did not graduate from high school now has an education equivalent required to graduate from high school. The acronym GED is acceptable on all references.

George Lynn Cross Hall

Formerly called the botany-microbiology building. Do not call it the George Lynn Cross Botany-Microbiology Building.

See university buildings.

Goddard Health Center

Spell out as shown on first reference. Goddard Health Center houses a pharmacy and the University Counseling Center. It provides various medical services, such as primary care appointments, counseling services and immunizations.

Use Goddard on subsequent references.

See sexually transmitted diseases; University Counseling Center.

Gould Hall

Houses the Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture.

See university buildings.

grade point average

GPA is acceptable for all references.

Graduate Student Senate, the

The representative body for graduate students. The office for the Graduate Student Senate, a branch of OU’s Student Government Association, is housed in Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Conoco Student Leadership Wing.

graduate assistant

Spell it out. Do not use GA on subsequent references.

greek

Do not capitalize when referring to fraternities and sororities. Do, however, capitalize North Greek and South Greek when referring to the two general areas of greek housing.

greenhouse

OU’s Collection and Teaching Greenhouse is home to an impressive botanical collection and is located behind George Lynn Cross Hall.

H22 entries  ↑ A–Z

OU  ·  Headington College  ·  Headington Hall  ·  Heisman Park  ·  Henderson-Tolson Cultural Center  ·  Hester Hall  ·  Holmberg Hall  ·  homeless  ·  Housing Center Student Association  ·  Housing and Food Services  ·  Howard McCasland Field House  ·  iAdvise  ·  Indigenous Peoples’ Day  ·  Information Technology  ·  First Fidelity Integrated Business Core  ·  OU Interfraternity Council  ·  International Advisory Committee  ·  international and area studies  ·  International Student Services  ·  intersession  ·  interstates  ·  intramurals (n.), intramural (adj.)

OU

Health Campus , the OU’s branch campus in Oklahoma City for healthcare students. The 15-block area near the Oklahoma Capitol houses seven colleges: allied health, dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health and graduate studies. It also has its own provost and student government.

Headington College

One of OU’s two residential colleges with its own dining hall, creative common space, game room, library, courtyard and classrooms. It features single rooms to three-bed with living and bath. Headington College opened in 2017.

See residence halls; residential colleges; university buildings.

Headington Hall

OU residence hall operated by the OU athletic department, housing student-athletes and non-athlete students. The hall opened in 2013 and houses 380 students. It features suite-style living with two and four bedroom options with single or double occupancy. The hall replaced the Sooner Housing Center, which formerly housed Bud Wilkinson Hall, Jefferson Hall and Jones Hall.

See residence halls; university buildings.

Heisman Park

A park east of Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium that features seven statues of OU’s past Heisman Trophy winners. The statues are of Billy Vessels, Steve Owens, Billy Sims, Jason White, Sam Bradford, Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.

Henderson-Tolson Cultural Center

Spell out as shown on first reference. Refer to it as the center on subsequent references. Formerly the Black People’s Union.

See university buildings.

Hester Hall

Now Farzaneh Hall.

See Farzaneh Hall; university buildings.

Holmberg Hall

This 677-seat auditorium is Oklahoma’s only European-style performance hall and is housed within the Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center. This hall is home to most OU opera and dance productions along with musical theatre and drama performances.

See Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center.

homeless

Avoid using homeless as an adjective to describe people without a fixed residence, instead use person-first language such as people experiencing homelessness. Homeless is acceptable as an adjective to describe non-human nouns such as homeless population and homeless shelter. Do not use unhoused except in quotes or if a person uses it for themself. Do not use dehumanizing collective nouns such as the homeless or the unhoused.

Housing Center Student Association

This organization oversees programming, advocacy and service for students living in residence halls and university apartments and also supervises the Community Councils within each hall and apartment.

HCSA is acceptable on subsequent/subsequent references.

Housing and Food Services

OU’s Housing and Food Services program manages on-campus residential life and dining for all students. Its main offices are located on the ground floor of Couch Center.

Housing and Food is acceptable on subsequent references.

Howard McCasland Field House

In 2001, the McCasland Foundation made a significant donation to name OU’s Howard McCasland Field House in honor of Thomas Howard McCasland, an OU alum, Letzeiser Medal recipient and two-sport athlete who captained the 1916 OU men’s basketball team and played football.

See McCasland Field House.

iAdvise

A web program that lets OU students quickly and easily schedule appointments with academic advisers and other student support centers. Accessed at iadvise.ou.edu.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

In 2015, under then-president David L. Boren, OU replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an official campus holiday. Note the apostrophe after the “s” in Peoples’.

Information Technology

Spell out as shown on first reference. IT is acceptable on subsequent references.

First Fidelity Integrated Business Core

Spell out as shown on first reference. IBC is acceptable in subsequent references.

A Price College of Business program that divides students into teams so they can create and run their own companies, where they develop, market and manage their products while gaining hands-on experience in key areas.

OU Interfraternity Council

Spell out as shown on first reference. IFC is acceptable on subsequent references.

International Advisory Committee

An umbrella organization for all international student groups. IAC is acceptable for subsequent references. The office is in Oklahoma Memorial Union.

international and area studies

Not international area studies. Do not use the abbreviation IAS.

A department within the OU College of International Studies. As of 2026, the College of International Studies transitioned from a stand-alone college to a school within the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences.

International Student Services

Spell out as shown on all references. Do not use the abbreviation ISS.

Offers guidance on student visa matters and U.S. immigration regulations, along with programs and events that encourage students to engage with the international, OU and local communities. The office is located in Farzaneh Hall Room 144.

intersession

The period between regular semesters during which courses are offered. Intersession is offered three times a year — December, May and August. Courses held during intersession are offered through the College of Continuing Education.

interstates

Norman (and the state) is bisected from north to south by Interstate 35. Spell out Interstate 35 on first reference; use I-35 on subsequent references. Use this format for all interstates (I-235, etc.).

intramurals (n.), intramural (adj.)

Intramurals are games played by teams composed of non-student-athletes within the university community. The office is located in Sarkeys Fitness Center Room 170.

J7 entries  ↑ A–Z

Jacobson Hall  ·  James Gallogly  ·  JCPenney Leadership Program  ·  Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club  ·  Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center  ·  John Jacobs Track and Field Complex  ·  Johnson Tower

Jacobson Hall

Houses the Jones Family Welcome Center and the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

See university buildings.

James Gallogly

OU’s 14th president; he succeeded former President David Boren in July 2018. Has donated millions of dollars to OU, mostly to engineering programs. Never refer to him as Jim, even though he sometimes goes by Jim socially.

See Gallogly, James; presidents, OU.

JCPenney Leadership Program

A leadership development program for undergraduates who have declared a major in the Price College of Business. Students must apply with at least two semesters remaining before graduation. A center for the program is located in Adams Hall. Spell out as shown on first reference. Use the leadership program or the program on subsequent references.

Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club

Use the full name on first reference. The golf club is located on the eastern edge of OU’s campus and sits about four miles east of I-35 and one mile north of Highway 9. Use the golf course on subsequent references.

Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center

Spell out as shown on first reference. Use the center on subsequent references. The office is located in Oklahoma Memorial Union, Room 347.

See university buildings.

John Jacobs Track and Field Complex

OU’s outdoor track facility that features an outdoor European Oval track, field event areas, and spectator seating for 2,000 fans. The John Jacobs Track and Field Complex connects to the Everest Training Center through the Mosier Indoor Practice Facility.

Johnson Tower

One of four towers that made up Adams Center residence hall.

See Adams Center.

K4 entries  ↑ A–Z

Kathleen and Francis Rooney Family Residential Learning Center  ·  KGOU  ·  Kraettli Apartments  ·  KXOU

Kathleen and Francis Rooney Family Residential Learning Center

The epicenter of the OU in Arezzo program. The building can house 48 students as well as a faculty-in-residence.

See Arezzo, Italy.

KGOU

A full service public radio station, licensed to the University of Oklahoma and operated by OU Outreach. The call letters for Norman are 106.3 FM. Call letters for additional towns the station services can be found at kgou.org/about-kgou.

Use National Public Radio on first reference; NPR is acceptable on subsequent references.

Kraettli Apartments

Apartments owned and operated by the University of Oklahoma. Offers single and family living for OU students, faculty and staff. Located at 405 Wadsack Drive.

See apartments; university buildings.

KXOU

Formerly called KXOU, now known as StudioU. A student-run radio station that functions out of Gaylord College.

See StudioU.

L13 entries  ↑ A–Z

law review  ·  Lead On, University  ·  legislature  ·  Little Event, the  ·  L. Dale Mitchell Park  ·  2SLGBTQ+  ·  libraries  ·  Lil’ Sis  ·  Lindsey Street  ·  Lin Hall  ·  Lissa and Cy Wagner Hall  ·  Little Red  ·  Lloyd Noble Center

law review

OU has three law publications — the Oklahoma Law Review, published quarterly since 1948; the American Indian Law Review (no hyphen), published twice a year since 1973; and ONE J: Oil and Gas, Natural Resources, and Energy Journal, published six times a year since 2015. The College of Law no longer produces the Oklahoma Journal of Law and Technology, which ran from 2003-2015 and was Oklahoma’s first online-only legal publication and the first journal devoted to the convergence of technology and the law.

Lead On, University

OU’s strategic plan serving as a roadmap to guide future growth. The plan, which was launched in 2020, focuses on five key pillars:

1. Lead as a Top-Tier Public Research University

2. Empower Students for a Life of Success, Meaning, and Impact

3. Ascend as ONE OU — Unified by Our Purpose, Values, and Strategic Plan

4. Lift the Health of Oklahoma

5. Shape the Future Through Discovery, Creativity and Innovation

The plan was refreshed in 2025 to incorporate OU Health and OU-Tulsa's strategic plan. The next phase of the plan is expected to be completed in 2030.

legislature

Capitalize when preceded by the name of a state: The Oklahoma Legislature. Retain the capitalization when the reference is specifically to that state’s legislature: The Legislature voted against the bill. For plural and non-specific references, do not capitalize: the Oklahoma and Texas legislatures; a legislature.

Little Event, the

is a scaled-down version of OU’s Big Event focused on community service that takes place in the fall. The Little Event was started in October 2020 as a response to COVID-19 precautions to allow students, faculty and staff to participate in socially distanced volunteer efforts at job sites in Norman and surrounding areas.

L. Dale Mitchell Park

The OU Board of Regents approved the recommendation to rename L. Dale Mitchell Park to Kimrey Family Stadium in November 2025. Located on Imhoff Road, across the street from Lloyd Noble Center.

2SLGBTQ+

Acceptable in all references for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other non-cisgendered, non-straight people or communities. Some organizations or sources may use LGBTQIA or LGBTQIA+ with the “I” for intersex, “A” for agender, asexual or aromantic and the plus sign to include any persons who may identify with an identity not included in the acronym. Only use variations of the acronym, including the shortened LGBT and LGBTQ, if they are in the name of an organization or used in quotes.

"2S" stands for two-spirit, a Native American term used to describe persons who identify as having both a masculine and feminine spirit.

Avoid using queer unless the word is in the name of an organization or used in a quote. Queer is still considered a slur in many contexts.

See gender

libraries

The main library is Bizzell Memorial Library on first reference. Library collections include the History of Science Collections and the Harry W. Bass Business History Collection on the fifth floor of the main library, the Western History Collections in Monnet Hall and the Government Documents Collection available to view by appointment. Capitalize as shown.

OU-Norman branch libraries include: the Donald E. Pray Law Library, the Fine Arts Library, the Library Service Center, the National Weather Center Library, and the Youngblood Energy Library. Refer to all of the libraries collectively as the OU library system.

See university buildings.

Lil’ Sis

Spell out as shown for the auxiliary organization of the RUF/NEKS.

Lindsey Street

A main street that runs east to west through campus.

Lin Hall

Houses research laboratories and is a part of the Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy. Located at 760 Van Vleet Oval.

See university buildings.

Lissa and Cy Wagner Hall

Houses the Academic Success Center including advising services, major and career exploration, tutoring services, transition courses, and leadership opportunities. Wagner Hall is acceptable on subsequent references.

See university buildings.

Little Red

OU’s mascot from 1940 to 1970. He was a Native American with a full headdress and performed stereotypical Native dances at football games. The mascot was discontinued after protests from the Native American community and activists including now-Professor Emeritus George Henderson.

See mascots, Native-American themed; mascots, OU.

Lloyd Noble Center

Spell out as shown on first reference. Lloyd Noble is acceptable on subsequent references. The Lloyd Noble Center hosts sporting events, mainly basketball, gymnastics and wrestling, as well as other events such as the Rah Rally. Students can park for free in the Lloyd Noble parking lot and then take a free shuttle to campus.

See university buildings.

M16 entries  ↑ A–Z

majors  ·  mascots, Native-American themed  ·  mascots, OU  ·  Master of Arts, Master of Science  ·  Max Westheimer Airport  ·  May Fair  ·  McCasland Field House  ·  McCasland Tower  ·  Meacham Auditorium  ·  media  ·  Medieval Fair  ·  CART  ·  Mex the Dog  ·  Molly Shi Boren Ballroom  ·  Muldrow Tower  ·  Murray Case Sells Swim Complex

majors

When naming a major, use the briefest, most specific term, usually the term the subject uses: Christina Leonard, journalism senior, has graduated. Capitalize a major only if it is a proper name (English, Russian, Native American studies).

mascots, Native-American themed

We do not publish sports team nicknames widely considered to dehumanize minority groups through stereotyping, appropriation and caricature. To that end, do not use Braves, Chiefs, Indians or Redskins for the teams in Atlanta (MLB), Kansas City (NFL), Cleveland (MLB) or Washington (NFL). Use the team locator instead.

Tribal-specific logos, mascots, and nicknames are accepted when the team has consent from the tribe. In the NCAA, five schools have that distinction: Catawba College (Indians), Central Michigan University (Chippewas), Florida State University (Seminoles), Mississippi College (Choctaws) and the University of Utah (Utes).

mascots, OU

Boomer and Sooner are the university's costumed mascots. The characters are an extension of the Sooner Schooner and its horses. They are played by students wearing pony costumes and appear at athletic events.

See Boomer Sooner.

Master of Arts, Master of Science

A master’s is acceptable in any reference.

See academic degrees.

Max Westheimer Airport

OU’s airfield is home to seven aviation businesses, about 68 hangar tenants and more than 110 based aircraft. OU’s School of Aviation utilizes the airport via the building's classrooms and study areas, with training aids, simulators, and other facilities to enhance the student’s learning environment. The airport at 1700 Lexington Ave. is about a 20-minute drive from the National Weather Center. Spell out as shown on first reference.

May Fair

This annual Norman arts festival began in 1974. It is sponsored by the Assistance League of Norman and Campus Corner Association and takes place on Campus Corner (since 2023).

McCasland Field House

Full name is Howard McCasland Field House, but McCasland Field House is acceptable on first reference. Houses OU’s volleyball, wrestling, and men’s gymnastics programs.

See university buildings.

McCasland Tower

One of four towers that made up Adams Center residence hall.

See Adams Center.

Meacham Auditorium

References to Meacham Auditorium as a location of an upcoming event also should indicate that the auditorium is in Oklahoma Memorial Union. Example: Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Meacham Auditorium.

See Oklahoma Memorial Union.

media

Takes a plural verb: President Donald Trump says the media are printing fake news. See AP Stylebook entry for continued guidance.

See press.

Medieval Fair

Held annually since 1977 and takes place every April at Reaves Park. The free fair is hosted by OU’s College of Continuing Education and University Outreach partnered with the city of Norman. Spell out as shown on first reference. Use the fair on subsequent references.

CART

This is the metropolitan Oklahoma City bus service, which serves Norman and the campus area.

Use Cleveland Area Rapid Transit on first reference and CART on subsequent references.

The university bus service began as Campus Area Rapid Transit, changed its name to Cleveland Area Rapid Transit in 1985, when it became part of the federally funded Central Oklahoma Transit and Parking Authority, and fully merged with the Oklahoma City system to become Metro Transit in 1993.

Mex the Dog

The university mascot for football and baseball games from 1915-1928. The university closed for his funeral May 2, 1928, and he is buried in a small casket underneath the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

See mascots, OU.

Molly Shi Boren Ballroom

Spell out as shown on first reference. Use the ballroom on subsequent references. Indicate that the ballroom is in Oklahoma Memorial Union. Example: Oklahoma Memorial Union’s Molly Shi Boren Ballroom.

See Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Muldrow Tower

One of four towers that made up Adams Center residence hall. Its first floor contained the Housing Learning Center, a tutoring and study center.

See Adams Center.

Murray Case Sells Swim Complex

Includes both an indoor and an outdoor pool, located at Asp Avenue and Timberdell Road. Formerly housed the OU men’s (1973-86) and women’s (1975-86) Division I swim teams; now the home of Norman High and Norman North High’s swim teams, as well as the Sooner Swim Club swim teams.

See university buildings.

N17 entries  ↑ A–Z

National Pan-Hellenic Council  ·  National Public Radio  ·  National Weather Center  ·  Neustadt International Prize for Literature  ·  Norman, city of  ·  Norman Art Walk  ·  Norman City Council  ·  Norman Music Festival  ·  Norman On-Demand  ·  Norman Police Department, the  ·  Norman Public Library, the  ·  Norman Public Schools/NPS  ·  Norman Regional Hospital  ·  North Greek  ·  North Oval, the  ·  numerals  ·  N-word

National Pan-Hellenic Council

Spell out on first reference. Established in 1930 at Howard University in Washington, D.C., as a national coordinating body for the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities that had evolved on American college and university campuses by that time.

At OU, the National Pan-Hellenic Council oversees the following organizations:

• Alpha Phi Alpha
• Alpha Kappa Alpha
• Delta Sigma Theta
• Kappa Alpha Psi
• Omega Psi Phi
• Phi Beta Sigma
• Sigma Gamma Rho
• Zeta Phi Beta

See fraternities; sororities.

National Public Radio

Spell out as shown on first reference. NPR is acceptable on subsequent references.

See KGOU/KROU.

National Weather Center

The $69 million center built on south campus is the largest weather-research center of its kind in the nation. It was completed in late 2005/early 2006. It houses:

• OU School of Meteorology
• Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms
• Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies
• Oklahoma Climatological Survey
• Natural Hazards and Disaster Research
• NOAA’s National Severe Storms Laboratory, Storm Prediction Center, National Weather Service Forecast Office, Radar Operations Center and Warning Decision Training Branch

See university buildings.

Neustadt International Prize for Literature

A biennial award sponsored by OU and World Literature Today. The prize consists of $50,000, a replica of an eagle feather cast in silver and a certificate. An endowment from the Neustadt family funds the award.

Established in 1969 as the Books Abroad International Prize for Literature and renamed the Books Abroad/Neustadt Prize before assuming its present name in 1976.

It is the first international literary award of this scope to originate in the U.S. and is one of the few international prizes for which poets, novelists and playwrights are equally eligible.

Spell out as shown on first reference; Neustadt Prize is acceptable on subsequent references.

Norman, city of

Do not capitalize city.

Norman Art Walk

Officially known as 2nd Friday Norman Art Walk. It is held monthly from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Walker Arts District of Downtown Norman.

Norman City Council

Use full name on first reference. Subsequent references should be city council or council. Note the lowercase.

Norman Music Festival

A free, independent music festival in downtown Norman. The festival spans two days and one night and is generally held in April. Spell out as shown on first reference. Norman Music Fest is acceptable in headlines and social posts to keep them short. Use festival rather than NMF on subsequent references.

Norman On-Demand

A city of Norman pilot microtransit service that offers free transportation every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in and around a designated area of Norman that includes the OU campus from 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Norman On-Demand was launched on August 21, 2023, and is run by the city of Norman in an effort to provide affordable transportation.

Spell out on all references; never abbreviate to NOD. Note the capitalization of and hyphen between “On-Demand.”

Norman Police Department, the

Spell out as shown on first reference. Use NPD on subsequent references. The offices are located in the Norman Municipal Court at 201-B W. Gray St.

Norman Public Library, the

Spell out as shown on first reference. Do not use Pioneer Library System unless referring collectively to all the libraries in central Oklahoma that are part of that system.

Norman Public Schools/NPS

Eighth-largest school district in Oklahoma, comprising 26 schools. Over 16,000 students, and middle and high schools offer 6A athletics.

Norman Regional Hospital

Spell out on first reference. The hospital is at 3300 Healthplex Pkwy.

North Greek

This refers to the cluster of greek houses north of Lindsey Street.

North Oval, the

The north half of campus off Boyd Street. The official street name — only used when listing a mailing address — is Parrington Oval, named for Vernon Louis Parrington, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Harvard graduate who organized the OU English department.

numerals

In general, spell out one through nine and use figures for 10 or above. Use figures when referring to a unit of measurement or the ages of people, animals, events or things.

USE FIGURES FOR: academic course numbers; addresses; ages; centuries; court decisions; court districts; dates, years and decades; decimals, percentages and fractions with numbers larger than 1 (3 ½ laps); measurements; distances; highway designations; mathematics; monetary units (with the exception of millions/billions/trillions: $1 million); rank (No. 1); school grades; political districts; speeds; sports scores; temperatures; times; votes.

SPELL OUT: numbers at the start of a sentence; in indefinite and casual uses (Thanks a million. He walked a quarter of a mile.); proper names (Fab Four); formal language (the twelve apostles); in fractions less than one that are not used as modifiers (reduced by one-third).

ORDINALS: Spell out first through ninth; use figures starting with 10th.

For more examples, see the full AP Stylebook.

N-word

Do not use the racial slur this refers to. If it is said in a quote and the quote is absolutely crucial to the story, censor it with hyphens: The SAE chant included the line “There will never be a n----- in SAE.” Always ask a managing editor before using the censored slur, as it is necessary in only extremely rare circumstances. Note that the N is capitalized.

See obscenities, profanities, vulgarities.

O29 entries  ↑ A–Z

obscenities, profanities, vulgarities  ·  O’Connell’s Irish Pub and Grille  ·  Office of Advocacy and Education  ·  Oklahoma  ·  OKC Will Rogers International Airport  ·  Oklahoma Center for Continuing Education, the  ·  Oklahoma City bombing  ·  Oklahoma Daily, the  ·  Oklahoma Memorial Stadium  ·  Oklahoma Memorial Union  ·  Oklahoma State Capitol  ·  Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the  ·  Oklahoma State University  ·  ONE  ·  Otis Sullivant Award, the  ·  OU  ·  OU Athletic Communications  ·  OU Board of Regents, the  ·  OU Chant  ·  OU Cousins  ·  OU Esports and Co-Curricular Innovation  ·  oudaily.com  ·  O.U. Improv\!  ·  OU Nightly  ·  OU Police Department  ·  OU Public Affairs  ·  OU-Texas  ·  OU Unheard  ·  Owen Field

obscenities, profanities, vulgarities

Do not use them in stories unless they are part of a direct quote and there is a compelling reason for them. If used in a quote, replace the letters after the initial letter with hyphens: f---, s---. Some obscenities, such as ass or damn are acceptable to use without censorship. When in doubt, ask an editor. When referring to a slur, try to find a way to give the reader a sense of what was said without using the specific word or phrase: an anti-gay or racist slur. Any use of slurs must be approved by an editor.

See N-word.

O’Connell’s Irish Pub and Grille

O’Connell’s is acceptable on all references. The original O’Connell’s, 120 E. Lindsey St., closed in 2011 after the university purchased the land to build residence halls. O’Connell’s moved to Campus Corner in 2008 and has been there since.

Office of Advocacy and Education

Created in 2024, a Division of Student Affairs that aims to promote a safe campus community through prevention, education and support services. Formerly known as the Gender + Equality Center, or GEC, after it was renamed from the Women’s Outreach Center in 2016.

Oklahoma

Not abbreviated within text of story.

OKC Will Rogers International Airport

Airport in Oklahoma City. Located at 7100 Terminal Dr, Oklahoma City, OK, 73159. Use OKC Will Rogers International Airport on first reference. Can use Will Rogers airport on second.

See airports.

Oklahoma Center for Continuing Education, the

Spell out as shown on first reference; use OCCE on subsequent references.

See university buildings.

Oklahoma City bombing

A timeline of events:

April 19, 1995 — An explosion at 9:02 a.m. destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. One hundred and sixty-eight people died. Ninety minutes later, Timothy McVeigh was stopped for driving without a license tag and jailed after he was found carrying a concealed weapon. Before he was to be released April 21, McVeigh was named a bombing suspect and later charged with the bombing.

May 23, 1995 — The wreckage of the building was brought down.

June 3, 1995 — The site of the Alfred P. Murrah Building no longer was a crime scene, according to the FBI.

Aug. 10, 1995 — McVeigh and Terry Nichols were indicted on 11 counts each for the bombing.

June 2, 1997 — McVeigh was found guilty. He was later sentenced to death by lethal injection.

May 25, 2001 — McVeigh’s execution date was thrown into doubt when the FBI revealed it failed to turn over more than 4,400 pages of documents to McVeigh’s defense.

June 11, 2001 — McVeigh was executed in Terre Haute, Ind. It was the first federal execution since 1963.

Oklahoma Daily, the

Do not italicize. This is the original name of what is now OU Daily. Note: The is not capitalized with OU Daily unless at the start of a sentence. To avoid confusion with The Oklahoman, use the Daily or OU Daily.

• Always lowercase the when referring to the OU Daily or the Daily. (Changed in summer 2022)
• The word The is not part of OU Daily’s name in its flag and broader branding. As such, do not use it, capitalized, as part of the organization’s name. When needed for conversational flow, the (lowercase) can be used before our name. I’m a reporter for the OU Daily. Or, As previously reported by the Daily.
• Photo captions should read photographer/OU Daily, rather than photographer/The Daily.

Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

The structure that surrounds Owen Field. The full name is Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Use the full name on first reference. Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and the stadium are acceptable on subsequent references.

Oklahoma Memorial Union

Spell out as shown on first reference; use the Union on subsequent references. Do not use the abbreviation OMU.

Union rooms:

• Alma Wilson Room
• Associates Room
• Beaird Lounge
• Bartlett Study Room
• Clarke-Anderson Room
• Conoco Student Leadership Wing
• Courtyard
• Crimson Room
• Crossroads Lounge
• David F. Schrage Traditions Room
• David L. Boren Lounge
• Frontier Room
• Governors Room
• Henry W. Sr. & Claudine Browne Game Room
• Heritage Room
• Jan Marie & Richard J. Crawford University Club
• John M. Houchin Room
• LGBTQ Lounge
• Louise Houchin Room
• Meacham Auditorium
• Molly Shi Boren Ballroom
• Pioneer Room
• Presidents Room
• Regents Room
• Scholars Room
• Sooner Room
• Stuart Landing
• Sutton Foyer
• Weitzenhoffer Room
• Will Rogers Room

See university buildings.

Oklahoma State Capitol

Capitalize as shown when referring to the building housing Oklahoma’s state government at 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. in Oklahoma City. However: state Capitol, Oklahoma Capitol and the Capitol are acceptable.

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the

Governing body for all state colleges and universities in Oklahoma. There are nine regents; each serves a nine-year term. They are nominated by the governor and approved by the Oklahoma Senate. The state regents act through the chancellor of higher education. The state regents’ office is located at 655 Research Parkway, Suite 200, in Oklahoma City. On subsequent references, use the state regents to avoid confusion with the OU regents.

Oklahoma State University

Spell out as shown on first reference; use Oklahoma State, not OSU, on subsequent references. Oklahoma State’s mascot is the Cowboys; use Cowgirls in all references to women’s sports. Oklahoma State is located in Stillwater and is a member of the Big 12 Conference.

ONE

The one portal where students can access their grades, schedules, unofficial transcripts, financial aid, bursar payments and other academic information. It replaced oZONE.

Otis Sullivant Award, the

The late Edith Kinney Gaylord of Oklahoma City established a $500,000 endowment before her death in January 2001. The award, last presented in 2018, honored the late Otis Sullivant, a longtime Oklahoma journalist. The award, which carried a $20,000 prize, was presented to a faculty or staff member at OU who exhibited “keen perceptivity.” The award is acceptable on subsequent references.

OU

This abbreviation (no periods) is acceptable in all references to the University of Oklahoma and its athletic programs. Avoid using OU to modify proper names that are probably in a context where it would be understood that the name is associated with OU: Health Sciences Center, not OU Health Sciences Center.

OU Athletic Communications

Use as shown on first reference; use athletic communications on subsequent references. This office handles all public relations, statistics, records, interviews and photographs for OU athletics. In titles, never capitalize: Mike Houck, assistant athletics director for strategic communications.

OU Board of Regents, the

Responsible for governing OU, Rogers State University and Cameron University. There are seven regents; each serves a seven-year term. The regents are nominated by the governor and approved by the Legislature. The regents act through their executive secretary, who maintains an office in Evans Hall. Use the regents on subsequent references.

OU Chant

Since 1938, the “OU Chant” has been part of OU football pregame activities. It was written by Jessie Lone Clarkson Gilkey, who directed the OU girls’ glee club from 1936 to 1938 and, in 1937, was voted Outstanding Faculty Woman. The lyrics:

O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A

Our chant rolls on and on\!

Thousands strong join heart and song

In alma mater’s praise

Of campus beautiful by day and night

Of colors proudly gleaming red and white

’Neath the western sky

OU’s chant will never die

Live on, University

OU Cousins

A program created in 1995 by then-President David Boren and his wife, Molly Shi Boren. OU Cousins matches international and exchange students with American students in an effort to foster social and academic interaction between the two. Students are paired annually at a matching party held in the fall. More than 50 countries are represented in the program.

OU Esports and Co-Curricular Innovation

The department that houses OU Esports and the OU Gaming Club. It was founded under the OU Division of Student Affairs in 2020. Located in Cross Village B.

oudaily.com

The official website domain of the OU Daily.

O.U. Improv\!

The periods are necessary, as the group’s official title is Obviously Unrehearsed Improv\!. Note the exclamation mark.

OU Nightly

Student-run daily news broadcast show. Airs on Cox 124, Campus Cable 76 and ATT UVerse 99 at 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday during the academic year.

OU Police Department

OUPD is acceptable on subsequent references. You may refer to OUPD generically as police or university police. The offices are at 2720 S. Monitor Ave., on the south campus.

OU Public Affairs

In charge of the university’s public relations. Public Affairs is the acceptable subsequent references. Public Affairs sends press releases to media throughout the state and the country. Public Affairs is run by the senior associate vice president for public affairs, who reports directly to the president.

OU-Texas

Not OU/Texas or Texas-OU. Refers to athletic competitions between OU and the University of Texas, most notably the Red River Rivalry, a football game held in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

See Red River Rivalry.

OU Unheard

Founded in 2015, OU Unheard was a “movement dedicated to enact change and address various grievances aimed towards Black students at the University of Oklahoma,” according to its Facebook page. The student organization led protests in response to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon incident.

See Sigma Alpha Epsilon incident.

Owen Field

The natural grass football field inside the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

See Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

P18 entries  ↑ A–Z

Panhellenic Association  ·  parking garages  ·  parks  ·  PE-ET Honor Society  ·  Peggy V. Helmerich Collaborative Center  ·  Pell Grant  ·  people of color  ·  Phi Gamma Delta  ·  Physical Plant, the  ·  Physical Sciences Center, the  ·  presidents, OU  ·  President’s Community Scholars  ·  President’s Leadership Class  ·  press  ·  Price Hall  ·  Pride of Oklahoma, the  ·  professor  ·  Puebla, Mexico

Panhellenic Association

Use the full name on first reference; Panhellenic is acceptable on subsequent references. Governs sororities on campus.

See greek; sororities.

parking garages

OU has four parking garages:

• Elm Avenue Parking Facility
• Asp Avenue Parking Facility
• Oklahoma Memorial Union Parking Garage
• Jenkins Avenue Parking Facility

parks

Norman maintains 67 neighborhood and community parks. Some of the major ones are listed here:

• Griffin Community Park
• Reaves Park
• Lions Park
• Andrews Park

For a full list, consult the city of Norman’s website.

PE-ET Honor Society

Spell out and capitalize as shown. Pronounced "pay-et."

Peggy V. Helmerich Collaborative Center

Located on LL1 of Bizzell Memorial Library. The center offers spaces with technology for students to work and study together, including study rooms and classrooms that can be reserved in advance.

See Bizzell Memorial Library.

Pell Grant

A federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Generally, Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. (A professional degree is usually earned after earning a bachelor’s degree in a field, such as medicine, law or dentistry.) In some cases, one might receive a Pell Grant for attending a post-baccalaureate teacher certificate program. One can receive only one Pell Grant in an award year.

people of color

Acceptable use as a synonym for minorities. Check with an editor to decide which term best suits the tone of a story. May also use to describe groups such as journalists of color or women of color. Do not use the abbreviation POC. Do not use people of color when a group is of all one race or ethnicity: Black people, Latinx people.

See race.

Phi Gamma Delta

Spell out as shown on first reference. FIJI is acceptable only on subsequent references to the fraternity or one of its members. A story using the term FIJI should explain that FIJI is what the fraternity prefers to call itself.

See fraternities.

Physical Plant, the

See Facilities Management.

Physical Sciences Center, the

Tall building on Elm Street that houses various College of Arts and Sciences department offices and many classrooms and auditoriums. Do not use PSC or the blender.

See university buildings.

presidents, OU

The list and tenure of OU presidents is as follows:

• David Ross Boyd, 1892-1908
• A. Grant Evans, 1908-1911
• Stratton D. Brooks, 1912-1923
• James S. Buchanan, 1923-1925
• William Bennett Bizzell, 1925-1941
• Joseph A. Brandt, 1941-1943
• George Lynn Cross, 1943-1968
• J. Herbert Hollomon, Jr., 1968-1970
• Paul F. Sharp, 1971-1978
• William S. Banowsky, 1978-1984
• Frank Horton, 1985-1988
• Richard Van Horn, 1989-1994
• David L. Boren, 1994-2018
• James Gallogly, 2018-2019
• Joseph Harroz Jr., 2019-present

President’s Community Scholars

The freshmen scholarship/community service group was designed to cultivate students’ proven leadership abilities. Spell out as shown on first reference; PCS is acceptable on subsequent references.

President’s Leadership Class

Established in 1961 by the late David Burr, former vice president of University Affairs. The freshmen scholarship/leadership group was designed to cultivate students’ proven leadership abilities. Spell out as shown on first reference; PLC is acceptable on subsequent references.

press

The university operates OU Press, which prints several textbooks and scholarly works by OU professors and researchers and others. The Daily used to print on the Journalism Press, which was sold in 1997. In spring 2007, printing switched from the Edmond Sun to the Norman Transcript.

Because the media today involves much more than printed publications, refer to news gathering and publication companies collectively as the media instead of the press. Media always requires a plural verb: President Donald Trump said the media are printing fake news.

See Student Media, OU.

Price Hall

The 55,000-square-foot, $19 million addition to Adams Hall opened in the summer of 2005. Use Michael F. Price Hall if space allows on first reference. Price Hall is always acceptable.

See university buildings.

Pride of Oklahoma, the

The OU marching band. Spell out as shown on first reference; on subsequent references, use the Pride or the band.

professor

Do not abbreviate or use prof. Do not capitalize, unless it is part of a formal title preceding a name; informal use, such as law professor Andrew Coats, should not be capitalized.

Although there is a hierarchy of professorships — full professors, associate professors, assistant professors, et al. — use the simplified professor in all references except in reference to visiting professors.

Avoid using OU professor unless necessary to avoid confusion with other schools.

Puebla, Mexico

OU's Mexican study center and study abroad destination. OU in Puebla offers semester and summer study abroad options. In 2019, OU President James Gallogly cut the faculty-in-residence program to save money.

R20 entries  ↑ A–Z

race  ·  racism, racist  ·  Red River  ·  redshirt  ·  Red-White spring game  ·  Reflection Room  ·  regents  ·  religion  ·  research campus  ·  residence halls  ·  resident adviser  ·  residential colleges  ·  restaurants  ·  Rhodes Scholar  ·  Rio de Janeiro  ·  Rock Creek Entertainment District, the  ·  room numbers  ·  Roy T. Oliver Walk and Gardens  ·  RUF/NEKS  ·  Rupel J. Jones Theatre

race

Do not use race as a descriptor unless it is relevant to the story. When referring to a group of people, none of whom are Caucasian/white, use people of color. Do not abbreviate as POC. Never use the offensive phrase colored people.

See African American; Black; people of color.

racism, racist

The terms racism and racist can be used in broad references or in quotations to describe the hatred of a race, or assertion of the superiority of one race over others. Do not use language such as racially charged to describe situations that are racist.

Identifying people by race and reporting on actions that have to do with race go beyond simple style questions. Think broadly about racial issues before making decisions on specific situations and stories. Race is often an irrelevant factor; it is imperative to be clear about the role of race before including racial identifiers. In some situations, using race as an identifier can reinforce stereotypes. When in doubt, ask your editor.

Red River

Rivalry Formerly Red River Shootout or Red River Showdown; references the football rivalry between OU and the University of Texas. Also acceptable in references to the rivalry in other sports. Avoid the use of shootout.

See OU-Texas.

redshirt

Used to denote the common practice of withholding a player for a season to save a year of eligibility, distinguishing players from true freshmen. Redshirt freshman running back Kennedy Brooks is averaging 11.2 yards per carry.

Red-White spring game

Refers to the football open scrimmage that takes place in the spring at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Not Red/White. Spring game acceptable on all references.

Reflection Room

Originally located in Oklahoma Memorial Union; now housed in Bizzell Memorial Library in room 214. The room is sponsored by the religious studies program to “provide a space for private contemplation by individuals of all faiths.”

regents

Do not capitalize, except in a formal name: The regents voted. The OU Board of Regents meets Tuesday.

See Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; OU Board of Regents.

religion

Do not identify someone by their religious affiliation unless it is specifically relevant to the story.

research campus

The term for the university buildings at State Highway 9 and Jenkins Avenue.

residence halls

Don’t call them dormitories or dorms.

OU has eight residence halls:

• Couch Center
• McCasland Hall
• South Hall
• Cross Village
• David L. Boren Hall
• Headington Hall
• Headington College
• Dunham College

The latter two are residential colleges.

See residential colleges.

resident adviser

RA acceptable on subsequent reference. Note: adviser, not advisor.

residential colleges

The residential colleges, Headington College (not to be confused with Headington Hall) and Dunham College, are housing options for first-year students. Formerly upperclassmen on-campus living. They are meant to foster community and traditions, similar to residential colleges at universities like Yale.

See residence halls.

restaurants

• Acre Provisions (Cross Village)

<!-- end list -->

• Amicus Cafe (OU College of Law)
• Baja Fresh Express (Oklahoma Memorial Union)
• Basic Knead (Cross Village)
• Bookmark Cafe, the (Bizzell Memorial Library)
• Cafe 201 (Tom Love Innovation Hub)
• Chick-fil-A (Oklahoma Memorial Union; Couch Restaurants)
• Credo Kitchen (Cross Village)
• Crimson Panda, the (Oklahoma Memorial Union)
• Couch Restaurants (Couch Center)
• Einstein Bros. Bagels (Headington Hall)
• Flying Cow Cafe (National Weather Center)
• Glow Kitchen (Cross Village)
• Grind, the (McCasland Hall)
• Hive, the (Cross Village)
• Jan Marie and Richard J. Crawford University Club (Oklahoma Memorial Union)
• Milkflower Gelateria (Cross Village)
• Pitchfork (Cross Village)
• Panera Bread (Oklahoma Memorial Union)
• Quiznos (Oklahoma Memorial Union) Note: No apostrophe
• Range, the (Oklahoma Memorial Union)
• Starbucks (Oklahoma Memorial Union)
• Union Market (Oklahoma Memorial Union)
• Wagner Dining Hall (Headington Hall)

Rhodes Scholar

The oldest international postgraduate scholarship began after the death of Cecil Rhodes in 1902. It funds students from many countries to attend Oxford University. The first American Scholars were elected in 1904.

American Rhodes Scholars are selected through a decentralized process by which regional selection committees choose 32 scholars each year from among those nominated by selection committees in each state. Rhodes Scholars are elected for two years of study at Oxford. All educational costs are paid on the scholar’s behalf by the Rhodes Trustees.

Rhodes Scholars are selected based on their home state or the university they spent two years at and received a bachelor’s degree from.

Rio de Janeiro

OU's Brazilian study center and study abroad destination. OU in Rio offered spring break, summer, and semester study abroad options before OU President James Gallogly closed the study campus in 2019 to save money.

Rock Creek Entertainment District, the

A planned $1 billion mixed-use development in the University North Park area located near I-35 and Rock Creek Road. The project, which is centered around a new arena for OU’s basketball and women’s gymnastic teams, would also feature restaurants, retail and residential units.

Use Rock Creek Entertainment District or University North Park entertainment district on first reference. Take note that “entertainment district” should be capitalized when accompanying “Rock Creek” to refer to the official title and lowercased when accompanying “University North Park” to refer to the entertainment district within University North Park. Entertainment district is acceptable on subsequent reference.

room numbers

Use figures and capitalize room when used with a figure and without a building name: Room 244.

See numerals.

Roy T. Oliver Walk and Gardens

This is the official name for the area north of the stadium. Do not use unless formal name is needed. Use the generic north of the stadium for clarity.

RUF/NEKS

Spell out, capitalize and punctuate as shown on all references.

Rupel J. Jones Theatre

Spell out as shown on first reference. Note the nonstandard spelling of the word theatre in the proper name. Go along with it in the proper name, but always use theater in the generic sense. Note: this is not a building but an area within the Fine Arts Center.

S47 entries  ↑ A–Z

SafeRide  ·  SafeWalk  ·  Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, the  ·  Sarkeys Energy Center  ·  Sarkeys Fitness Center  ·  seasons, semesters  ·  SEC  ·  SEC datelines  ·  senior gifts  ·  Sexpert  ·  sexually transmitted diseases, sexually transmitted infections  ·  school  ·  Sigma Alpha Epsilon incident  ·  Sooner yearbook  ·  Sooners, the (n.), Sooner (adj.)  ·  Sooner Ally (singular), Sooner Allies (plural)  ·  Sooner Card  ·  Sooner Schooner, the  ·  Sooner Sense  ·  SoonerSports.com  ·  Sooner Suites  ·  Sooner Theatre  ·  SoonerVision  ·  sororities  ·  south campus, the  ·  South Greek  ·  South Oval, the  ·  Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies  ·  spring break  ·  spring game  ·  staff  ·  Stafford Loan  ·  State Highway 9  ·  statute  ·  STEAM  ·  STEM  ·  Stephenson Research and Technology Center  ·  Stillwater  ·  streets  ·  Stuart Landing  ·  Student Congress  ·  Student Government Association  ·  Student Life  ·  Student Media, OU  ·  Student Organization Resource Office  ·  StudiOU  ·  Sutton Hall

SafeRide

Free program designed to provide OU students with a safe ride within its designated service areas in Norman Thursday through Saturday evenings from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. OU students can request rides using the Norman On-Demand app.

See Comprehensive Alcohol Program.

SafeWalk

Campus escort service for residential students anywhere on campus from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.

See Comprehensive Alcohol Program.

Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, the

The museum located on Stovall near the intersection of Chautauqua Avenue and Timberdell Road. Formerly the Stovall Museum. Do not use its full name, the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History. Use Sam Noble Museum on subsequent references..

See university buildings.

Sarkeys Energy Center

No apostrophe. It’s the tallest building between Oklahoma City and Dallas. It was built taller than Oklahoma Memorial Stadium to place an emphasis on academics.

See university buildings.

Sarkeys Fitness Center

No apostrophe. Formerly known as the Huston Huffman Fitness Center.

See university buildings.

seasons, semesters

Lowercase without commas: the fall 1989 semester, the spring 1992 semester. Use summer session, not summer semester.

In sports stories, use the following style: the 2000-01 season or the 1999-2000 season. Football seasons are referred to only as the year it started, even if the team competed in a postseason bowl game in the next calendar year. For example, OU football won the national championship at the end of the 2000 season, even though the title game actually was played Jan. 3, 2001.

SEC

The Southeastern Conference, which OU joined alongside the University of Texas in July 2024. There are 16 schools in the SEC. OU’s previous conference was the Big 12, see entry for reference. For headlines and cutlines, SEC is acceptable on all references. In the body of all stories including sports, spell out Southeastern Conference on first reference, SEC is acceptable on subsequent references. This does not include use in parentheticals when referencing teams’ records.

Only use standalone state names on subsequent references as long as it is clear it is the university, not the state being referred to. In quotes, shortened forms of school and team names can be kept as long as the reference is clear, however, always change Ole Miss and Rebels when used to refer to the University of Mississippi and never shorten the team name Gamecocks when used to refer to the University of South Carolina. For more details on acceptable references for schools and team names, see below.

• The University of Oklahoma: OU acceptable on first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Sooners. OU is located in Norman, Oklahoma.
• The University of Texas: Texas acceptable after first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Longhorns. Do not abbreviate to UT to avoid confusion with the University of Tennessee or the University of Tulsa, although the University of Tulsa is generally abbreviated as TU. The University of Texas is located in Austin, Texas.
• The University of Alabama: Alabama acceptable after first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Crimson Tide. Do not shorten to UA or Bama. Do not use U of A to avoid confusion with the University of Arkansas. The University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
• The University of Arkansas: Arkansas acceptable after first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Razorbacks. Do not abbreviate to U of A or UArk. Do not use UA to avoid confusion with the University of Alabama. The University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
• Auburn University: Auburn acceptable after first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Tigers. Do not abbreviate to AU. Auburn University is located in Auburn, Alabama.
• The University of Florida: Florida acceptable after first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Gators. Do not abbreviate to UF. The University of Florida is located in Gainesville, Florida.
• The University of Georgia: Georgia acceptable after first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Bulldogs. Do not abbreviate to UGA. The University of Georgia is located in Athens, Georgia.
• The University of Kentucky: Kentucky acceptable after first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Wildcats. Do not abbreviate to UK or U of K. The University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, Kentucky.
• Louisiana State University: LSU is acceptable after first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Tigers. Avoid use of Louisiana State to adhere to LSU licensing policy. Do not use Louisiana. Louisiana State University is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
• The University of Mississippi: Mississippi is acceptable after first reference. Do not use Ole Miss because of its racist origins. Do not refer to the team as the Rebels. Do not abbreviate to UM. The University of Mississippi is located in Oxford, Mississippi.
• Mississippi State University: Mississippi State is acceptable after first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Bulldogs. Do not abbreviate to MSU. Mississippi State University is located in Starkville, Mississippi.
• The University of Missouri: Missouri is acceptable after first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Tigers. Do not shorten to Mizzou or MU. The University of Missouri is located in Columbia, Missouri.
• The University of South Carolina: South Carolina is acceptable after first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Gamecocks, do not shorten. Do not abbreviate to USC to avoid confusion with the University of Southern California. The University of South Carolina is located in Columbia, South Carolina.
• The University of Tennessee: Tennessee is acceptable after first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Volunteers. Do not shorten to the Vols or UT to avoid confusion with the University of Texas. The University of Tennessee is located in Knoxville, Tennessee.
• Texas A\&M University: Texas A\&M is acceptable after first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Aggies. Do not abbreviate to A\&M. Texas A\&M University is located in College Station, Texas.
• Vanderbilt University: Vanderbilt is acceptable after first reference. The team can also be referred to as the Commodores. Do not shorten to VU or Vandy. Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee.

SEC datelines

In datelines, cities of SEC universities require state names, as per AP style.

See datelines.

senior gifts

A list of class gifts. Where there is no gift listed for a class, the gift was either not given or is unknown.

• 1906 — The ’06 Rock found after falling from a train between Norman and Oklahoma City. It was so heavy it buried wagon wheels during the first attempt to carry it. When it eventually arrived on campus, a stonemason chiseled “06” into it. It sits near the Old Science Hall.
• 1910 — Spoonholder. The original spoonholder lasted from 1910 until the 1980s. It was replaced by a gift from the classes of 1949 and 1999. It resembles a spoonholder, but its name also comes from an old-fashioned dating custom called “spooning.” It is said that if a couple kisses in the Spoonholder, they are destined to get married.
• 1915 — The arches at Boyd Street at the North Oval and Asp Avenue.
• 1917 — The arches at Boyd Street at the North Oval and Asp Avenue.
• 1919 — The arches on Jenkins Avenue at Brooks Street.
• 1920 — The arches on Jenkins Avenue at Brooks Street.
• 1924 — Stadium Memorial Tower, a clock tower located at the north end zone.
• 1932 — The arches on Elm Avenue at Brooks Street.
• 1933 — The arches on Elm Avenue at Brooks Street.
• 1934 — “A Sooner Covered Wagon,” a sculpture that depicts a scene from the Oklahoma land run. It features a Conestoga wagon with a frontier woman and child riding across the prairie. Native Americans on horses, a figure representing Will Rogers, and cattle are also part of the sculpture. It is nearly 40 square feet and weighs 3,000 pounds It was originally placed in the clock tower on the north end of the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, near the stadium’s original reflecting pool. In 2003, the sculpture was relocated.
• The reflecting pool was also a gift from the class of 1934. The original reflecting pool was lost with the expansion of the football stadium in 1949, when the north end zone was bowled. The classes of 1960 and 2000 both helped restore the pool.
• 1935 — Fountain and pool located between Oklahoma Memorial Union and Monnet Hall. The plaza is now dedicated to the members of the Class of 1950, who were among the first university graduates who returned from service at home and abroad during World War II.
• 1950 — The Union Plaza, an outdoor space in the Oklahoma Memorial Union with tables and chairs.
• 1990 — The centennial arches on the Van Vleet Oval, also known as the South Oval, at Lindsey Street.
• 1998 — The university seal located on the Stuart Landing of Oklahoma Memorial Union. The seal was completed by artist-in-residence Paul Moore and features a seedsower beneath the words “CIVI ET REPUBLICAE.”
• 1999 — Reunion Park, located on the west side of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. It was created on behalf of the classes of 1948 and 1949 as a symbol of their reunion.
• 2001 — Oklahoma Memorial Union Plaza Fountain. Constructed as part of the Archie W. Dunham Conoco Student Leadership Center.
• 2002 — Purchase and installation of “The Guardian,” a replica of the sculpture that sits atop the State Capitol building. Designed by Native American artist Enoch Kelly Haney, a state senator.
• 2003 — Chant Park, located west of Dale Hall Tower.
• 2004 — The American Flag Plaza, located on the northwest corner of the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, honors those who have served the United States of America.
• 2005 — Standing clock on the Walker-Adams Mall.
• 2006 — Replica of the 1906 rock, but this was instead placed at the south research campus.
• 2007 — The Disc Ruin, a commissioned sculpture by Jesus Moroles celebrating the 100th anniversary of Oklahoma’s statehood. It is located in front of Bizzell Memorial Library.
• 2008 — Stained glass windows at Oklahoma Memorial Union, in collaboration with the classes of 2010, 2011 and 2012.
• 2013 — The brick and stone entrance sign on the corner of Highway 9 and Chautauqua Avenue.
• 2015 — Headington Park, located on the south side of Headington Hall.
• 2016 — Pocket Park, located on the east side of Bizzell Memorial Library.
• 2017 — Green space and benches, located at the corner of Timberdell Road and Chautauqua Avenue.
• 2018 — Boren Green, near the west entrance between Dunham and Headington college

Sexpert

A peer educator who presents in residence halls, classrooms and sororities/fraternities through a program offered through the Office of Advocacy and Education. They have a one-hour presentation that covers the facts of STDs and pregnancy prevention.

sexually transmitted diseases, sexually transmitted infections

Spell out on first reference. STD or STDs and STI or STIs is acceptable for subsequent references.

school

Use the informal reference to an academic division known as a school, and do not capitalize it: the art school, the music school. In formal references, which are necessary in mailing addresses, and in long school names, capitalize: the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon incident

Spell out as shown on first reference; SAE incident is acceptable for subsequent references.

A timeline of events:

March 7, 2015 — A video was filmed on a bus showing SAE fraternity members participating in a racist chant, which used a racial slur to say Black students could not sign with the fraternity. The chant also alluded to lynchings.

March 8, 2015 — The Daily received an anonymous tip about the video. SAE’s national organization tweeted that they were investigating the details and would “sanction” those who were responsible. The national president of SAE tweeted that OU’s chapter of SAE had been placed on a cease and desist order. Then-President David Boren said in a statement that OU would conduct an investigation to see if the video involved OU students.

March 9, 2015 — OU Unheard was one of many student organizations that led a protest on the North Oval. SAE’s national organization disbanded OU’s chapter, suspended all fraternity members and said the members responsible could have their membership permanently revoked. The organization also said SAE could reestablish a chapter at OU in the future. Later, Boren updated his statement, calling the SAE members responsible “disgraceful.” He severed all ties and affiliations between OU and its SAE chapter and directed that the house be closed and members remove their belongings from the house by midnight the next day without university help.

March 10, 2015 — Boren identified two students, who subsequently left the university, as playing a leadership role in the chant. As a result, people began to debate the First Amendment rights of the members in the video, as Boren said the students had been expelled, though they were not. Parker Rice, one of the students identified as a leader, issued an apology. The parents of Levi Petitt, the other student identified as a leader, issued a statement.

March 11, 2015 — Then-Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt issued a statement saying the attorney general’s office would work with the university to see if any state laws were broken.

March 12, 2015 — OU’s SAE chapter announced they planned to sue OU and possibly Boren, hiring prominent attorney Stephen Jones, who was the attorney for convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.

March 13, 2015 — Investigations into racism at SAE chapters extended to campuses in Louisiana and Texas.

March 24, 2015 — The OU Staff Senate issued a statement commending the response of Boren and the university to the incident.

March 25, 2015 — Pettit apologized for his actions in a press conference. Boren held a mandatory “family meeting” with various fraternity councils to encourage members to stand against racism.

March 27, 2015 — An OU investigation found that the chant in the video was learned at a national leadership cruise for SAE in 2011. Boren announced that all 25 students involved in the video would face disciplinary action.

June 1, 2015 — Jabar Shumate started his position as OU vice president for university community in the newly created office of University Community.

July 2, 2015 — SAE’s national organization hired a director of diversity and inclusion.

July 8, 2015 — OU announced that the former SAE house would be converted into the University Community Center and would be used by the Southwest Center for Human Relations and the Disability Resource Center.

Feb. 11, 2016 — SAE’s national chapter found in an investigation the five chapters across the nation acknowledged hearing the chant, but they could not confirm that SAE originated the chant.

Feb. 17, 2016 — The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education named OU as one of the 10 worst colleges for free speech due to the alleged expulsions of Rice and Pettit.

Aug. 24, 2016 — The OU Student Veterans Association opened a lounge area in the former SAE house.

July 24, 2018 — Shumate resigned his position as OU’s associate vice president for university community.

July 25, 2018 — Shumate said he was a victim of “high-tech lynching” following his resignation and said the university planned to reinstate the SAE fraternity on campus. Erin Yarbrough, acting vice president for public affairs, refuted Shumate’s claim and said the fraternity would not be reopening a chapter at OU.

See fraternities; obscenities, profanities, vulgarities; Oklahoma City bombing; OU Unheard; University Community, Office of.

Sooner yearbook

The yearbook was discontinued in 1990 but later revived for the 1996-97 school year before being discontinued again in 2019. The office was located in Copeland Hall under Student Media. Use Sooner yearbook if its identity is unclear.

Sooners, the (n.), Sooner (adj.)

Acceptable for all uses in any references. Do not use OU or Oklahoma with Sooner as an adjective: the Sooner baseball team, not the OU Sooner baseball team. Never refer to a women’s athletic team as the Lady Sooners.

Sooner Ally (singular), Sooner Allies (plural)

See 2SLGBTQ+.

Sooner Card

Acceptable on all references for OU student IDs. Also serves as a library card, Sooner Sense card and meal card. Additionally functions as swipe-card access to certain buildings or rooms. The Sooner Card office has two locations: in the Oklahoma Memorial Union and in Cross Village Building D. Sooner Cards come in both a physical and electronic version, with the latter vastly more popular among students.

Sooner Schooner, the

The Sooner Schooner made its debut at a football game against Southern Cal in 1964, but it was not made the official mascot until Oct. 6, 1980. It is a wagon pulled by two ponies, Boomer and Sooner, and operated by the RUF/NEKS.

See RUF/NEKS.

Sooner Sense

A currency function of Sooner Cards. Students can use Sooner Sense at restaurants, laundry facilities and vending machines on campus. Students can deposit money into their accounts and withdraw funds by presenting or scanning their Sooner Cards at participating locations.

SoonerSports.com

Spell out as shown in all references.

Sooner Suites

Located on Maple Avenue east of the Thurman J. White Forum Building. Houses conference participants, students, parents, families, faculty, staff, alumni and the public. The suites come with two bedrooms, a full bathroom, wireless internet and a fully furnished kitchen, among other perks.

Sooner Theatre

Located on Main Street. OU, the Norman Ballet Company and various schools perform there. Note: Nonstandard spelling of theater.

SoonerVision

Refers to the athletic department’s in-house production studio that produces coaches’ TV shows, video displays in the football stadium and Lloyd Noble Center and live streaming webcasts on SoonerSports.com and ESPN+.

sororities

Panhellenic Association:

• Alpha Chi Omega, 1115 College Ave.
• Alpha Gamma Delta, 930 Chautauqua Ave.
• Alpha Omicron Pi, 1411 Elm Ave.
• Alpha Phi, 1401 College Ave.
• Chi Omega, 820 Chautauqua Ave.
• Delta Delta Delta, 1611 S. College Ave.
• Delta Gamma, 744 Elm Ave.
• Gamma Phi Beta, 1105 S. College Ave.
• Kappa Alpha Theta, 845 Chautauqua Ave.
• Kappa Kappa Gamma, 700 College Ave.
• Pi Beta Phi, 1701 Elm Ave.

Multicultural Greek Council:

• Alpha Kappa Delta Phi, Inc., 900 Asp Ave. Suite 428
• Delta Phi Omega, Inc., 900 Asp Ave. Suite 428
• Kappa Delta Chi, Inc., 900 Asp Ave. Suite 428
• Lambda Delta Psi, Inc., 900 Asp Ave. Suite 428
• Phi Delta Alpha, Inc., 900 Asp Ave. Suite 428
• Sigma Lambda Gamma, Inc., 900 Asp Ave. Suite 428
• Theta Nu Xi, Inc., 900 Asp Ave. Suite 428

Note: All addresses listed are mailing addresses, not physical addresses, as Multicultural Greek Council sororities don’t have their own houses.

National Pan-Hellenic Council:

• Alpha Kappa Alpha, P.O. Box 2563, Oklahoma City, OK 73070
• Delta Sigma Theta, 900 Asp Ave. Suite 428
• Sigma Gamma Rho, 900 Asp Ave. Suite 428
• Zeta Phi Beta, 900 Asp Ave. Suite 428

Note: All addresses listed are mailing addresses, not physical addresses, as National Pan-Hellenic Council sororities don’t have their own houses.

See greek.

south campus, the

Technically refers to the area south of Lindsey Street. However, use this term instead to refer to the area at State Highway 9 and Jenkins Avenue. This includes the Stephenson Research Center and the National Weather Center. This term is synonymous with research campus, but for purposes of clarity, use south campus.

South Greek

This refers to the cluster of greek houses south of Lindsey Street.

South Oval, the

The rectangular yard and walkway south south of Bizzell Library. Officially, it is the Van Vleet Oval.

Southwest Center for Human Relations Studies

Located at 3200 Marshall Avenue, Suite 280/290.

spring break

Not capitalized.

spring game

Not capitalized

See Red-White spring game.

staff

The OU staff comprises everyone working for the university who is not on the faculty. All staff members are represented by the Staff Senate, which in turn is made up of these groups: Hourly Employees Council, Informational Staff Association, Organizational Staff Council, Administrative Staff Council.

Stafford Loan

Direct and FFEL Stafford Loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized. One can receive a subsidized loan and an unsubsidized loan for the same enrollment period.

A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. The recipient will not be charged any interest before you begin repayment or during authorized periods of deferment. The federal government “subsidizes” the interest during these periods.

An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. Recipients will be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full. If one allows the interest to accumulate while in school or during other periods of nonpayment, it will be capitalized — that is, the interest will be added to the principal amount of one's loan and additional interest will be based upon the higher amount.

State Highway 9

Runs east-west across Oklahoma, intersecting I-35 in Norman. Highway 9 is accepted on all references.

statute

When citing a state statute, refer to its name if it has one: the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. If you must give a complete citation, use this style: Title 7, Oklahoma Statutes, Sections 16-119.

STEAM

is acceptable on first reference as an abbreviation for science, technology, engineering, arts and math but the full phrase should be spelled out soon after.

STEM

is acceptable on first reference as an abbreviation for science, technology, engineering and math but the full phrase should be spelled out soon after.

Stephenson Research and Technology Center

A $27 million facility located on the corner of Jenkins Avenue and David L. Boren Boulevard. The center opened in 2004.

See university buildings.

Stillwater

The city in Oklahoma where Oklahoma State University is located. It stands alone in datelines.

See datelines.

streets

Use complete street addresses. Only the words street, boulevard and avenue are abbreviated, and only then with a specific address. For numbered streets in Norman, use this style: 24th Avenue Northwest, 12th Avenue Southeast, 48th Avenue Northeast.

The dividing line for north and south is Main Street in the west, Alameda Street in the east. The dividing line between east and west is Jenkins Avenue north until it ends, Front Street north through downtown and the railroad tracks north for the rest of town.

See addresses.

Stuart Landing

Not Stewart Landing. Located on the second floor of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

See Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Student Congress

The Undergraduate Student Congress is the governing body of undergraduates and the Graduate Student Senate is the governing body of graduate students. Clarify which body of congress is being referred to. Both fall under the legislative branch of OU’s Student Government Association.

Spell out as shown on specific references; try to use Undergraduate Student Congress or Graduate Student Senate on every reference. If that becomes cumbersome, congress or senate is an acceptable subsequent reference. Note the lowercase of congress and senate.

Student Government Association

Spell out on first reference. SGA is acceptable for subsequent references.

Student Life

This office includes Campus Activities Council, McNair Scholars, Sooner Upward Bound, Camp Crimson, Sooner Orientation Weekend, Transfer Student Services, Fraternity and Sorority Programs and Services, student organizations, the Women’s Outreach Center and the four major ethnic minority groups on campus. The office reports to Student Affairs.

Student Media, OU

This department includes the OU Daily and oudaily.com, Crimson Quarterly magazine and an advertising department. (Sooner yearbook, previously published by Student Media, ceased operations in 2019.)

Student Organization Resource Office

The office is acceptable on subsequent references. Located at 900 Asp Ave., Ste. 181 in the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

StudiOU

A student-run radio station that functions out of Gaylord College. Formerly known as KXOU. The station is digital only and can be accessed at <https://studiou.ou.edu/Listen>.

Sutton Hall

Former home of the OU Department of Biology, along with faculty offices and research labs. The building is named after George Miksch Sutton, a former University of Oklahoma professor. The building was torn down in 2024 to make way for a new life sciences building. Construction began in 2025 and was supported by an $80 million grant from the state legislature, along with a $20 million private gift.

The construction gained state-wide notoriety when human remains, later identified by the state medical examiner as near century-old cadavers, were unearthed by construction crews in February 2026. The construction was paused for days while state officials oversaw the cadavers’ excavation.

T9 entries  ↑ A–Z

Tarman Tower  ·  time  ·  titles  ·  today, tonight, tomorrow, yesterday  ·  TOEFL, the  ·  Top Daug  ·  track fields  ·  Tulsa campus  ·  Tulsa Race Massacre

Tarman Tower

One of four towers that made up Adams Center residence hall.

See Adams Center.

time

Follow AP style.

When describing an event, use the “time-date-place” format: The meeting will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday in Copeland Hall, Room 160. Never use tomorrow.

See today, tonight, tomorrow, yesterday.

titles

Place the title before a person’s name if it is three words or fewer; when the titles preceding the name is formal, it is capitalized except for sports titles: Director of Bands Gene Thrailkill, but OU athletic director Joe Castiglione. If the title is informal, it isn’t capitalized: band director Gene Thrailkill. If the title is longer than three words, place it after the name as an appositive: Nick Jungman, director of OU Student Media.

Use the specific gender term when available. Do not use courtesy titles.

today, tonight, tomorrow, yesterday

Do not use today, tonight, tomorrow or yesterday. Using these terms is confusing in both online stories and in print stories. Always use the date.

TOEFL, the

The Test of English as a Foreign Language. The acronym is appropriate in passing reference. The test is used in certifying teaching and graduate assistants.

Top Daug

A former OU basketball mascot, a big brown dog. The mascot originated from a claim by former basketball coach Billy Tubbs, who vowed to make OU “top dog” in the Big Eight Conference. Top Daug was discontinued after the introduction of horse mascots Boomer and Sooner.

See mascots, OU.

track fields

OU has two track fields.

See Mosier Indoor Track Facility; John Jacobs Track and Field Complex.

Tulsa campus

Also referred to as OU-Tulsa. It is home to the OU School of Community Medicine.

Tulsa Race Massacre

The historical event in which white rioters destroyed the Greenwood District of Tulsa, known as Black Wall Street, in 1921. Over 800 people were injured and at least 36 — but as many as 300 — died as a result of the racially charged violence. Historically, it has been referred to as the Tulsa Race Riot, but was changed to reflect the killings of dozens of innocent people.

U9 entries  ↑ A–Z

Union Programming Board  ·  Unity Garden  ·  university buildings  ·  University Club  ·  University College  ·  University Community, Office of  ·  University Counseling Center, the  ·  University of Oklahoma Foundation, the  ·  University Theatre

Union Programming Board

UPB is acceptable on subsequent references. A programming board tasked with planning events in Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Unity Garden

An informal term for the sunken garden on the South Oval outside Copeland Hall. Do not use Passion Pit.

university buildings

Capitalize on all references, except for exceptions noted individually.

Use as shown in this list:

• Adams Hall — 307 W. Brooks St.
• Administration Building, the (that of the OCCE) — 1700 Asp Ave.
• Andrew M. Coats Hall — 300 W. Timberdell Road
• Anne and Henry Zarrow Hall — 700 Elm Ave. Zarrow Hall is accepted on subsequent references.
• Armory, the — 290 W. Brooks St.
• Beatrice Carr Wallace Old Science Hall — 640 Parrington Oval. Old Science Hall accepted on all references.
• Bizzell Memorial Library — 401 W. Brooks St. Bizzell accepted on subsequent references.
• Boyd House — 407 W. Boyd St.
• Buchanan Hall — 1000 Asp Ave.
• Burton Hall — 610 Elm Ave.
• Carnegie Building, the — 650 Parrington Oval
• Carpenter Hall — 840 Asp Ave.
• Carson Engineering Center — 202 W. Boyd St.
• Cate Center — Cate Center Drive
• Catlett Music Center — 500 W. Boyd St.
• Chemistry Annex, the — Parrington Oval
• Chemistry Building, the — 620 Parrington Oval
• Collings Hall — 820 Van Vleet Oval
• Copeland Hall — 860 Van Vleet Oval
• Couch Restaurants — 333 3rd St.
• Couch Center — 1524 Asp Ave.
• Cross Center — 100 Fourth St.
• Dale Hall — 441 W. Lindsey St.
• Dale Hall Tower — 455 W. Lindsey St.
• David L. Boren Hall — 347 Cate Center Dr.
• Devon Energy Hall — 110 W. Boyd St.
• Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center — 560 Parrington Oval. Reynolds Performing Arts Center acceptable on all references.
• Dunham College — 250 W. Lindsey St.
• Ellison Hall — 633 Elm Ave.
• Engineering Lab — 200 Felgar St.
• Evans Hall — 660 Parrington Oval
• Everest Training Facility — E. Lindsey St.
• ExxonMobil Lawrence G. Rawl Engineering Practice Facility — 850 S. Jenkins Ave. Engineering Practice Facility accepted on subsequent references.
• Farzaneh Hall — 729 Elm Ave. Formerly known as Hester Hall.
• Fears Structural Engineering Laboratory, the — 303 E. Chesapeake St.
• Felgar Hall — 865 Asp Ave.
• Fine Arts Center, the — 563 Elm Ave.
• Fred Jones Jr. Memorial Art Center & Museum — 555 Elm Ave.
• Gallogly Hall — 820 S. Jenkins Ave.
• Gaylord Hall — 395 W. Lindsey St.
• George Lynn Cross Hall — 770 Van Vleet Oval
• Goddard Health Center — 620 Elm Ave.
• Gould Hall — 830 Van Vleet Oval
• Headington College — 200 W. Lindsey St.
• Headington Hall — 100 E. Lindsey St.
• Henderson-Tolson Cultural Center — 1335 Asp Ave.
• Jacobson Faculty Hall — 550 Parrington Oval
• Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center — 1620 Asp Ave.
• Kaufman Hall — 780 Van Vleet Oval
• Kraettli Apartments — 405A Wadsack Ave.
• Lin Hall — 760 Van Vleet Oval
• Lissa and Cy Wagner Hall — 1005 Asp Ave. Wagner Hall acceptable on subsequent references.
• Lloyd Noble Center — 2900 S. Jenkins Ave.
• McCasland Field House — 151 W. Brooks St.
• Michael F. Price Hall — 1003 Asp Ave. Price Hall acceptable on subsequent references.
• Monnet Hall — 630 Parrington Oval
• Murray Case Sells Swim Complex — 1701 Asp Ave.
• National Weather Center — 120 David L. Boren Blvd.
• Nielsen Hall — 440 W. Brooks St.
• Nuclear Engineering Laboratory, the — 905 Asp Ave.
• Oklahoma Center for Continuing Education — 1700 Asp Ave. OCCE acceptable on subsequent references.
• Oklahoma Memorial Union — 900 Asp Ave.
• Oklahoma Memorial Stadium — 180 W. Brooks St.
• OU Foundation — 100 W. Timberdell Road
• OU Traditions Square East — 2500 Asp Ave.
• OU Traditions Square West — 2730 Chautauqua Ave.
• Physical Sciences Center, the — 601 Elm Ave.
• Richards Hall — 730 Van Vleet Oval
• Robertson Hall — 731 Elm Ave.
• Sam Noble Museum of Natural History — 2401 Chautauqua Ave.
• Sam Viersen Gymnastics Center — 325 W. Imhoff Road
• Sarkeys Energy Center — 100 E. Boyd St.
• Sarkeys Fitness Center — 1401 Asp Ave.
• Sooner Hotel (at OCCE) — 300 Kellogg Drive
• Stephenson Research and Technology Center — 101 David L. Boren Blvd.
• Thurman J. White Forum Building (at OCCE) — 1704 Asp Ave..
• Whitehand Hall — 339 W. Boyd St.

Note: Some buildings should be preceded with “the” while others should not. Also, several nameless and nondescript buildings have been omitted from the list. If the building you’re describing isn’t on this list, give a street address or describe the building’s location and function to identify it.

See athletic facilities.

University Club

A restaurant on the second floor of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

See restaurants.

University College

Previously the entry college for undergraduates and transfer students. Undergraduates were generally enrolled in this college until accepted by the individual college or school of their major. OU got rid of the college in July 2024, reorganizing to create the Academic Success Center. Use University College on all references.

See Academic Success Center

University Community, Office of

Renamed to Division of Access and Opportunity in February 2024. Initially renamed to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion in fall 2019 then later renamed to Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion February 2020.

University Counseling Center, the

Housed in the Goddard Health Center. The counseling center is acceptable on subsequent references. The center provides the following mental health care services: individual counseling, crisis services, group counseling, psychiatric services, and psychological assessments.

University of Oklahoma Foundation, the

The independent foundation was established in 1944, and became a nonprofit corporation in 1955 that encourages and supports charitable giving. The foundation ensures which college or department benefits from a donation, reinforcing donor intent. The foundation receives, administers, invests and expands donations to the university. OU Foundation is acceptable on all references.

University Theatre

The mainstage producing organization for the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts. It is responsible for producing two plays, two musicals, two operas and three dance productions in a given nine-month academic year. Note: Nonstandard spelling of theatre.

V2 entries  ↑ A–Z

VeoRide  ·  vice presidents

VeoRide

“Veo” The only micromobility company permitted on campus. Partnered with OU in January of 2020, revenue is shared with the university. Veo provides their Astro stand-up e-scooters, created in 2019 - the first e-scooters to have swappable batteries, removing the need for charging.

vice presidents

At the university, people are vice presidents for departments, not of departments: Dr. David Surratt, vice president for Student Affairs.

W5 entries  ↑ A–Z

Walker Center  ·  Weitzenhoffer Collection  ·  Woodrow Wilson Center  ·  women’s and gender studies  ·  World Literature Today

Walker Center

Former residence hall, scheduled for demolition in winter of 2026.

Weitzenhoffer Collection

In 2000, Clara Weitzenhoffer, an art collector and long-time OU supporter, left her collection of French Impressionist art to the university. The gift included 22 paintings and 11 works on paper by artists such as Degas, Gauguin, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Van Gogh, Vuillard and others. It also includes a collection of Weitzenhoffer’s 18th-century decorative arts, including furniture, porcelain and silver.

An 1886 Camille Pissarro painting, “Shepherdess Bringing in Sheep,” or “Bergère Rentrant des Moutons,” was included in the Weitzenhoffer Collection. In 2012, it came out that the painting was stolen by Nazis during the Holocaust, and after a lawsuit settlement with the original owners’ adopted daughter, Léone Meyer, in 2016, the painting now hangs in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. After 2021, the painting will be displayed in three-year intervals at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and an art museum of Meyer’s choice in France. In 2021, the agreement was altered and Meyer transferred the title, interests and all standing in connection of the painting to the university. In exchange, OU parties agreed to transfer ownership to a French public institution or the U.S. Art in Embassies programs. The painting will continue to be on permanent public display at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and rotate to a chosen museum institution in France.

See Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

Woodrow Wilson Center

A former men’s dormitory complex located near Jenkins Avenue. The dorm was built following World War II to accommodate postwar student growth. The building was destroyed in 1988.

women’s and gender studies

Department in the Dodge College of Arts and Sciences. Not capitalized when used as a major. Home of the WGS Center for Social Justice and the social justice minor.

World Literature Today

is a literary magazine published by the University of Oklahoma that features contemporary literature, essays, interviews and reviews from writers around the world. The publication was founded in 1927 as Books Abroad by OU professor Roy Temple House and in 1977 it was renamed to World Literature Today to reflect its expanded international scope. Today, the magazine is published quarterly and can be found around the world in libraries and bookstores as well as read online.

Do not abbreviate to WLT.

Sports16 entries  ↑ A–Z

baseball  ·  basketball  ·  cross country  ·  football  ·  football coaches, OU  ·  golf  ·  gymnastics  ·  mascots, Native-themed  ·  mascots, OU  ·  soccer  ·  softball  ·  Sooners  ·  tennis  ·  track and field  ·  volleyball  ·  wrestling

baseball

The Southeastern Conference contains 16 schools, and each one has a baseball team.

The College World Series is hosted each year in Omaha, Nebraska.

basketball

All 16 schools in the Southeastern Conference have men's and women's basketball programs.

cross country

OU has men's and women's cross country teams. Do not use the abbreviation "XC" for cross country. Note: Not hyphenated when referring to OU's programs, contrary to AP style.

football

All 16 teams in the Southeastern Conference have football programs.

football coaches, OU

The list of football coaches is as follows:

• John Harts, 1895
• Vernon Parrington, 1897-1900
• Fred Roberts, 1901
• Mark McMahon, 1902-03
• Fred Ewing, 1904
• Bennie Owen, 1905-26
• Adrian "Ad" Lindsey, 1927-31
• Lewie Hardage, 1932-34
• Lawrence "Biff" Jones, 1935-36
• Tom Stidham, 1937-40
• Dewey "Snorter" Luster, 1941-45
• Jim Tatum, 1946
• Bud Wilkinson, 1947-63
• Gomer Jones, 1964-65
• Jim Mackenzie, 1966
• Chuck Fairbanks, 1967-72
• Barry Switzer, 1973-88
• Garry Gibbs, 1989-94
• Howard Schnellenberger, 1995
• John Blake, 1996-98
• Bob Stoops, 1999-2017
• Lincoln Riley, 2017-2021
• Brent Venables, 2021-present

golf

OU has men's and women's golf teams that compete in the Southeastern Conference.

gymnastics

The Southeastern Conferences has 10 women's gymnastics teams: Texas, Missouri, Florida, Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, LSU and OU. The Southeastern Conference does not formally recognize its members' men's gymnastics teams, so the OU men's gymnastics program is a member of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

mascots, Native-themed

We do not publish sports team nicknames widely considered to dehumanize minority groups through stereotyping, appropriation and caricature. Do not use Braves, Chiefs, Indians or Redskins for the teams in Atlanta (MLB), Kansas City (NFL), Cleveland (MLB) or Washington (NFL).

Tribal-specific logos, mascots and nicknames are accepted when the team has consent from the tribe. In the NCAA, five schools have that distinction: Catawba College (Indians), Central Michigan University (Chippewas), Florida State University (Seminoles), Mississippi College (Choctaws) and the University of Utah (Utes).

mascots, OU

Boomer and Sooner are the university's costumed mascots. They are played by students wearing pony costumes and appear at athletic events.

soccer

The OU women's soccer program was created in 1996 under Title IX. All 16 schools in the Southeastern Conference have women's soccer teams.

softball

The Southeastern Conference has 15 softball teams. Vanderbilt does not field a team.

Sooners

Always takes a plural verb. The team and Oklahoma always take a singular verb.

tennis

The Southeastern Conference has 15 men's tennis teams, with Missouri being the only school without one.. All schools in the Southeastern Conference have women’s tennis teams. All 16 schools in the Big 12 Conference have women's tennis teams.

track and field

OU has men's and women's teams, both with an indoor and outdoor season each year.

volleyball

The Southeastern Conference has 16 volleyball teams. The Southeastern Conference does not sponsor any men’s volleyball teams.

wrestling

The Southeastern Conference does not sponsor wrestling. Oklahoma competes in the Big 12 Conference for wrestling.

Ethics and Policies26 entries  ↑ A–Z

Student Media mission statement  ·  Ethics and Policies  ·  Conflicts of interest  ·  Other publications  ·  Political involvement  ·  Other enterprises  ·  Accepting gifts  ·  Reviewing merchandise, events  ·  Gifts  ·  Travel  ·  Naming suspects  ·  Naming victims  ·  Identify yourself  ·  On/off the record  ·  Anonymous sources  ·  Advance review  ·  Cultural sensitivity  ·  Fairness  ·  Direct quotations  ·  Verification  ·  Obscenities  ·  Appearance  ·  Photography and video  ·  News photographs in advertisements  ·  Copies of photos and video  ·  Letters to the editor

Student Media mission statement

Our mission is two-fold: To administer publications, activities and services that strengthen the education experience for students interested in journalism and related fields.

And to enhance the sense of community and the overall quality of campus and city life by providing an unrestricted forum for the exchange of ideas.

Ethics and Policies

This ethics manual does not attempt to describe every circumstance that could pose a problem; it does not answer every question that might arise. Instead, it is designed to establish general rules that editors, reporters and photographers are to use in reporting news and producing the news report each day. Violations of these standards can be grounds for dismissal.

For all ethical questions, follow this rule: When in doubt, consult your editor.

Conflicts of interest

The first obligation of staff members is to perform their assigned duties. To do so, staff members, or anyone who writes for the Daily, must be free from any obligation or the appearance of any obligation to any interest other than the public's right to distribution of news and enlightened opinion.

Other publications

Staff members may not work as a staff member, editor or contributor for any other news service or publication without the consent of the editor. One of the primary goals of the OU Daily is to offer OU students experience in journalism, but our staff must remain free from conflicts of interest. Any staff member found hiding his or her affiliation with another publication will be dismissed.

Political involvement

Staff members should exercise great care before becoming involved in any political context beyond voting. Under no circumstances should a staff member work — for pay or as a volunteer — in political organizations or campaigns that overlap with any of the staffer's assigned duties at the Daily. Before becoming involved in any political context, think about the ramifications of the involvement. Even if the involvement does not appear immediately to cause a conflict of interest, consider what our readers might think of the connection between the campaign and the news organization. Staff members are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the news organization. The appearance of bias is as devastating to the news organization's credibility as is actual bias.

Because of the nature of the Daily and its readership, similar precautions should be taken in any involvement with student politics at OU. Student politics and campus political organizations are even more likely to create the appearance of partiality than traditional political organizations.

If a relative or close friend is involved in any political activity, a staff member should tell the editors and refrain from covering or making any news or editorial judgments about such a campaign or organization.

Other enterprises

Staff members should not conduct any form of private enterprise on newsroom equipment without the clearance of the director of Student Media.

Accepting gifts

Simple economics prohibit the Daily from adopting an ethic of paying its own way. The Daily receives music, tickets for shows and sporting events and media passes for various events. We do not have the budget to purchase tickets and items for critical review for our staff. However, to avoid the appearance of any impartiality, we must adhere to a few guidelines.

Reviewing merchandise, events

Staff members may accept music digitally or via mail for critical review as news releases; they then become property of the Daily. Editors should recycle the merchandise by donating it afterward.

Free tickets or access to events may be accepted, but only when special arrangements for the press have been made or are necessary. The press box at sporting events is an example. Editors are responsible for making certain that advantage is not being taken of certain situations.

Gifts

Staff members do not accept business-related gifts or favors, either at home or at the office. Staff members should not accept free rooms, sample equipment or free trips. Staffers should not accept free meals or drinks. This does not mean that staffers cannot accept a cup of coffee or something that can be repaid later. However, reporters should not be wined and dined while pursuing a story. The cost of meals incurred in the course of gathering stories may be paid by the Daily. Generally, however, it is difficult to take notes while eating.

Travel

Travel expenses must be approved by the editor, adviser and director IN ADVANCE of the trip. Expenses will be reimbursed upon return and presentation of accurate receipts.

Naming suspects

The Daily does not identify suspects in crime stories until they have been arrested or arrest is imminent. The word "alleged" should be used with care.

A person's race or ethnicity should not be mentioned in a story unless it is relevant to the story or it is part of a detailed description including other vital statistics.

The names of juvenile suspects should only be published with the editor's approval.

Naming victims

Here are some guidelines to use in determining whether a victim's name should be used:

• Rape/sex crimes. A rape victim's name should not be used unless the person consents.
• Suicide. If a story is written, the name should not be used unless the person is a notable figure. No story should be written about a suicide unless it happens in a public place or the person is a notable figure. Consult the editor.

Identify yourself

Staff members must identify themselves when covering any event for the Daily unless the editor has given approval for reporters or photographers not to disclose their identity.

On/off the record

Reporters are not to grant an interview off the record without the consent of the supervising editor or editor. There almost always is another way to obtain the information. In the course of an on-the-record interview, a source may preface one statement or set of statements to be off the record. If the source calls the statement off the record prior to issuing the statement, then it is off the record. If the source calls off the record after the fact, consult the supervising editor or editor.

Off-the-record information can be useful for backgrounding, but once you've committed to being off the record, you cannot publish the information. Sources often will say material is off the record, although they very much want to see the information published — without their names attached to it. They often mean that information is not for attribution. If the reporter can confirm the information on the record from another source, then the information can be used. Unless a specific agreement is made before the interview, the interview is on the record. In most cases, reporters will not say an interview is on the record. The assumption is that if someone is talking with a reporter, the information is for the record.

Anonymous sources

Consult with the editor before agreeing to conceal the identity of a source.

Advance review

Outside review of photographs or copy before publication is not permitted unless approved in advance by the editor. There is a difference, however, between advance review and double-checking detailed information. A good reporter always double checks specific facts and quotations whenever possible before putting them in a story.

Cultural sensitivity

Be sensitive to the concerns of members of minority groups. Realize that not everyone celebrates the same holidays or has the same values. The Daily will not tolerate prejudice from its staff. Racial slurs, sexual harassment and similar discriminatory conduct will be grounds for dismissal. Race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation and religion should not be mentioned in a story unless such information is relevant to the news or is part of a detailed description of a fugitive. For local crime stories, age, weight, height, race, attire and distinguishing characteristics will constitute a detailed description.

Fairness

The cardinal rule of reporting is to report all sides of a story. People or groups that have been criticized in a story must have a chance to respond in the space. A reporter should not dig up or create controversy in the quest for the opposition. If thousands march down the South Oval to protest an administrative decision, and only a handful of students in support of the administration show up, the story should not inflate the administrative support at the march to appear equal to the opposition. The reporter's obligation is to present a true reflection of the situation. Do not tarnish the reputation of the Daily by acquiring information through questionable means. If, in an extreme case, the editor approves an extraordinary way to get information, the story will explain how the information was obtained and why it was gathered in the unusual manner.

Direct quotations

Quotations are not to be altered. Either quote the person precisely or paraphrase the information.

Verification

Do not quote from press releases, other news organizations' stories or news broadcasts or the internet without verifying the information or attributing it. Reporters are expected to verify information and quotes in news releases and then rewrite the news releases. Reporters almost always will get better information and quotes directly from the source. When covering a speech, reporters should try to get a copy of the text to quote the speaker accurately and talk with the speaker afterward to elaborate on specific points. Reporters, however, should not rely completely on speech texts because speakers often will deviate from the text.

Obscenities

Obscenities and vulgarities should not be used simply to add color or humor to a story. Obscene words should not come from the reporter. If an obscene word is in a direct quotation and is not a frivolous usage, use the word with the permission of the editor.

Appearance

Dress appropriately for interviews or for covering events. For example, do not attend a meeting in a T-shirt and shorts or a state funeral in jeans. If unsure about the dress code for an event, consult an editor.

Photography and video

Editors should take great care in reproducing photography and videography to effectively communicate the news. The Daily does not alter photographs or video. Our images must tell the truth. Only established norms of standard visual editing techniques are acceptable. Images should not be inverted.

News photographs in advertisements

The editor and student ad manager will review each advertiser request to use a news photograph on a case-by-case basis following these general guidelines:

A. Use of the photograph must not imply the publication's endorsement of the product or service.

B. While editors will give greater consideration to the requests of on-campus groups and nonprofit organizations, they will also consider the requests of off-campus and for-profit organizations.

C. Editors will follow all relevant federal and state laws as well as the regulations of the university and university-related organizations in deciding whether to allow the use of a photograph in an advertisement.

D. The publication will give photo credit to the photographer if the photographer is currently on staff and wants credit.

Copies of photos and video

Student Media owns all rights to photographs and video that journalists for the department take using Student Media cameras on assignment. If a campus organization or other entity asks to use a Student Media-owned photograph in a university-related publication or for university-related reasons, Student Media will provide the file for one-time use. Either the adviser or the director of Student Media must approve all requests of this sort. Use requires appropriate photo credit in the document in which the Student Media-owned photograph appears. Groups and individuals not affiliated with the university may request permission to use Student Media-owned photographs. Depending on the nature and goal of the use, the director of Student Media will approve or disapprove that request. Student Media will not provide visuals to groups or individuals for personal use.

Letters to the editor

The Daily accepts letters to the editor for the expression of fact or opinion from those not on the newsroom staff. (Employees of Student Media may not submit letters to the editor.) The letters will be edited for the style and space and presented in a manner to encourage constructive contributions from students, faculty, staff and members of the university community.

Letters should concentrate on issues rather than personalities and should be signed by the author(s). The signator of the letter needs to be verified. Students must list their major and classification. OU staff and faculty must list their title. Guest columns are accepted at the editor's discretion.

If the author purports certain facts, the editor should check the accuracy of these facts.