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Operations

Evans Hall at sunset with clouds on OU's campus in Norman, Oklahoma.

The Division of Campus Operations

Stewardship. Service. Safety.

The Division of Campus Operations ensures the efficient operation of essential university functions and services including stewardship and maintenance of university facilities, operation of campus utilities, public safety, campus dining, parking and public transportation, and on-campus housing. The division is comprised of 12 departments and almost 2,000 employees. While many Operations staff are working behind the scenes, their impact is felt daily by students, faculty and staff.

Summer '24 Campus Improvements

Sidewalk, Streets and Parking Lot Repairs
  • Repairs to the Elm Street parking garage will begin May 15 and last through August 12. During this time, the parking garage will be closed.
  • Repairs to Asp Avenue between 4th Street and Timberdell Road will begin June 15 and last through August. During this time, this section of road and parking on the west side of the Murray Case Sells Swim Complex will be blocked off.
  • Expansion of Hal Nieman Field parking will begin in May and last through August 15. During this time, some parking south of Sarkeys Fitness Center may be blocked off.
  • Repairs to the sidewalk running north to south from Kuhlman Court to Brooks Mall, on the west side of McCasland Field House, are underway and will last through the first week in August. This sidewalk will be blocked off during this time.
  • Repairs to the sidewalk running East to West between Buchanan Hall and Evans Hall will begin in May and last through August 1. This portion of sidewalk will be blocked off during this time as well as the West end of the parking lot behind Buchanan Hall.
  • Expansion of the Duck Pond parking lot will begin May 13 and last through June. During this time, the entrance to the west end of the parking lot off Brooks Street will be closed.
  • Repairs to the Lloyd Noble Center bus turn-around will begin May 20 and last through August 1. During this time, bus service will continue from the Lloyd Noble Center parking lot but will temporarily relocate until repairs are complete.
  • Repairs to the Sarkeys Energy Center exterior stairs on the north side of the building will begin May 20 and last through July 1. These stairs will be blocked off during this time and another entrance must be used.
  • Repairs to the sidewalk between the southwest entrance of the NEL building and Asp Avenue will begin June 10 and last through the rest of June. This portion of the sidewalk will be blocked off during this time.
Building Improvements
  • Upgrading access control of Dale Hall exterior entrances for use with Sooner Card will begin in May and last through June. During this time, classes will not be held in Dale Hall.
  • Repainting of the window frames on Carpenter Hall will begin May  and last through mid-June. During this time, the sidewalks around the building will be periodically blocked off.
  • Renovations to the restrooms on the first and second floors of Sarkeys Energy Center will begin in May and last through mid-August. During this time, these restrooms will be closed.
  • Renovations to the restrooms in the Engineering Laboratory building will begin in May and last through the first week of August. During this time, these restrooms will be closed.
  • Replacement of the Oklahoma Memorial Union roof will begin in June and last through early fall. During this time, some sidewalks around the building may be periodically blocked off.
  • Renovations to and expansion of Jacobson Hall and the Jones Family Welcome center will continue through May of 2025.
Utilities/Infrastructure Improvements
  • Extension of chilled water utility to the Law Center is underway and will last through the first week of July. During this time access off and onto Maple Street at West 1st Street will be impacted with no through traffic from J. Willis Stovall Drive.
  • Maintenance of various utility hatches around campus will begin in July and last through August. During this time, the areas around the hatches will be fenced off and the areas should be avoided.
Other Improvements
  • Regrading of the Boyd Street Lawn that is north of Jacobson and Carpenter Halls will begin June 15 and last through August. The project will address drainage issues and enhance the usability of the space.
  • Seasonal landscape work on the North Oval will begin July 1 and last through the first week in August. Areas around the northern end of the oval will be impacted while the work is performed.
New First-Year Housing
An architect's rendering of new on campus residence halls that will be constructed.
Plan Your Event on Campus
Bride and groom exiting the east entrance of the Oklahoma Memorial Union
Dining on Campus
Buffet in Couch restaurants on the OU Norman Campus.

CAPITAL PROJECTS


Project Programming, Planning and Design

Stylized crimson line.

The staff of Architectural and Engineering Services coordinates and manages new construction and renovation projects at The University of Oklahoma. Department staff normally coordinate preliminary feasibility studies and the development of space programs and budgets, and make site selection recommendations. 

A&E Services coordinates the process of selecting outside design consultants for large projects and directs the work of the consultants to help insure that the University design, program, budget and schedule objectives are achieved.

First-Year Housing Phase 1
Rendering of exterior of new first-year housing


Phase 1 of the OU First-Year Housing Master Plan includes the construction of two new residence halls, the North building and the South building, on the site of the old Adams Center residence hall. 

  • Phase 1 will provide 1,150 beds for first-year students
  • Demolition of Adams Center will begin in May following the end of the spring 2023 semester
  • Construction of the North building will begin summer 2023 with a planned opening in fall 2025
  • Construction of the South building will begin in 2024 with a planned opening in fall 2026
  • The new residence halls have been designed with a small community atmosphere in mind

View a time lapse of the Adams Center demolition using the links below

 

East View of Construction

North View of Construction

Jacobson Hall and Jones Family Welcome Center

Rendering of exterior of the expanded Jacobson Hall and Jones Family Welcome Center

 

First occupied in 1919 as the University’s second library building, this historic structure currently houses the OU Visitor Center and occupies a prominent position as the “Front Door of the University”. The project will provide:

  • Complete renovation and modernization of the existing building.
  • Approximately 10,000 square feet of additional space for large meeting and presentation rooms and associated functions.  
Sam Viersen Gymnastics Center

Rendering of exterior of the Sam Viersen Gymnastics facility

 

Originally opened in 1982, the Sam Viersen Center has been the home to seventeen national championship teams. Over time, more dedicated team space has become an undeniable need for both the men’s and women’s gymnastics programs. Plans for expansion include: 

  • Construction of an approximately 15,734-square-feet addition to the existing Sam Viersen Gymnastics Center building. 
  • Renovation of approximately 2,146-square-feet of the existing Sam Viersen Gymnastics Center building. 
  • Updates and improvements to team facilities, training facilities
  • Other site improvements necessary to support the facility’s function.

Strategic Programs

Deferred Maintenance Program

Deferred maintenance projects are strategically planned to minimally impact campus operations and use university resources in the most efficient way possible.

The Division of Campus Operations manages the university’s deferred maintenance and capital renewal program that identifies, prioritizes, and addresses various facility needs across the Norman campus and associated properties so that members of the university community have clean, safe and modern facilities in which to learn, live and work.

Whether it's a 200,000 square foot student union or a single-family home, regular building maintenance is required to ensure the proper functioning of utilities, building systems like air conditioning, and building components like roofs and windows. And just like a private home, it's difficult to accomplish all planned maintenance throughout the year. With over 300 buildings and 13 million square feet on the Norman Campus, the university must prioritize more immediate facility needs and defer others to following years.

 

Space Management

Understanding how space is utilized on campus and determing its highest and best use is critical to the achievement of the univeristy's strategic plan. To that end, the Norman Campus Space Committee was established to help address space needs and constraints as the university continues to meet our core mission objectives. While all space and property belongs to the university as a whole, stewardship of the space is distributed among the vice presidents and deans, who oversee the space occupied by activities under their administration and ensure that use of that space is consistent with its assigned purpose.

The Space Committee is working with each college and department to find the best solutions for all our space needs. Please contact the Space Committee member identified in your organizational chart to guide you in your space needs.

Campus Space Committee Members:

  • Vice President for Campus Operations
  • Associate Vice President of Architectural & Engineering Services
  • Campus Space Manager, Architectural & Engineering Services
  • Facilities Planning Analyst, Architectural & Engineering Services
  • Assistant Vice President for Operations Administration
  • Associate Vice President for Campus Operations
  • Associate Vice President for Facilities Management
  • Director, Project Management & Engineering, Facilities Management
  • Director of the Oklahoma Memorial Union and Campus Scheduling
  • Director of Real Estate
  • Senior Vice Provost for Instruction and Student Success
  • Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Associate Dean of Students
  • Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President for Research and Partnerships
  • Director of Planning & Research Facilities, Research and Partnerships
  • Director, Administration and Finance
  • IT Administration Assistant Director

Space Management Policy

Master Planning/Long-Range Planning

Campus Operations, through the department of Architectural and Engineering Services, can work with colleges and departments to develop a masterplan for the facilities under their stewardship. This document will provide a long-term vision for the college or department's physical space. The plan considers current and future needs as well as practical, functional, and economic realities. A masterplan can be a valuable tool to inform strategic planning at the college and department level and how that fits into the university’s larger strategic vision. 

Departments

Architectural & Engineering Services

The Department of Architectural and Engineering Services (A&E Services) provides professional and administrative services required to direct the planning, design, and construction of new and renovated physical facilities at the University of Oklahoma. Services are performed by in-house professional staff or are provided through the management of architectural and engineering consultants. 

Department Head: Jeffrey Schmitt, Associate Vice President

Core Business Purpose

  • Management of capital projects for the university
  • Long-range facilities planning
  • Facilities inventory and space planning

Quick Facts

  • A&E Services manages the on-call professional services program (currently 103 unique firms) for the University of Oklahoma
  • Currently, A&E Services is managing over 48 unique capital projects, located across the three main campuses, that are actively in the planning, programming, design, or construction phase
  • A&E Services maintains the Norman Campus Facilities Inventory for over 13 million gross square feet of university-owned property on and off the Norman Campus.
  • A&E Services provides reporting data regarding space square footages to and for all OU academic programs and business units
  • A&E Services maintains and updates over 3,000 digital floor plans

Website: ou.edu/aes

Campus Safety

The Department of Campus Safety provides a safe environment for the university's students, faculty, staff, and visitors through education, planning, enforcement codes, regulations, and standards. Services include maintenance of campus life safety systems, processes and policies for building and activity safety including the use of drones on campus, emergency planning including training and drills, weather safety, permitting services, and the fire marshal’s office. Management of the Max Westheimer Airport also falls under Campus Safety.

Department Head: Kevin Leach, Director

Core Business Purpose

  • Management of fire and life safety systems
  • Management of the emergency operation plan for the Norman campus
  • Severe weather monitoring and planning
  • Safety training and drills
  • Campus permitting services
  • Enforce codes and standards
  • Oversight of the Max Westheimer Airport

Quick Facts

  • 1,700 monthly fire extinguisher inspections
  • 134 annual fire drills
  • Over 300 event inspections annually
  • Meteorologist on staff for severe weather planning
  • Manage campus trespass appeals
  • Manage campus AEDs
  • Serve as the authority having jurisdiction and sole permitting authority for all campus projects
  • Approve drone flights for campus
  • Manage the campus’ Rave emergency messaging system
  • Manage storm shelter activation

Website: ou.edu/campussafety

 

Campus Scheduling & Oklahoma Memorial Union

The Oklahoma Memorial Union provides a healthy, safe, and welcoming environment for university members, guests, and customers. The union is the heart of campus and a central hub for university activities. The union strives to offer relevant dining options and the infrastructure to host successful events on campus. The Campus Scheduling office was created in recent years with a mission to streamline scheduling practices across the Norman campus. Our office focuses on consolidating different scheduling practices across campus to ensure efficient use of facilities and a consistent method for reserving parties to find and reserve needed spaces.

Department Head: Laura Tontz, Director

Core Business Purpose

  • Provide healthy, safe, and welcoming student union and activity center facilities for campus and local community use
  • Administer the central scheduling system for the Norman campus
  • Provide space usage data

Quick Facts

  • Campus Scheduling manages over 300 campus spaces, including all outdoor common areas
  • Over one million visitors come to the union each year
  • The union hosted over 9,000 events in 2022
  • 225,000 sf
  • Open to students and OU community members 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 362 days a year
  • Houses Meacham Auditorium, a 300+ seat movie theater and performance venue
  • One of only five venues within 100 miles to hold the Best of Weddings Hall of Fame award from the Knot, the premier wedding planning website.
  • The union opened in 1928 along with the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Both were originally dedicated as memorials to students who died in World War I and later rededicated to all students who have died in military service
  • North and South wings added in 1951, The Clarke Anderson room was added in 1998 and the Archie W. Dunham Student Leadership wing was added in 2000

Websites: ou.edu/scheduling  |  ou.edu/union

 

Facilities Management

Facilities Management (FM) is responsible for meeting the university's ever-changing needs for facility maintenance, utilities, grounds care, custodial services, roads and sidewalk maintenance and other support services. The FM internal operating groups include Engineering and Design, Accounting and Human Resources, Customer Service, Planning, and Business Operations. Facilities Management plays a key role in Emergency Management during severe weather events such as snow and ice storms and other disaster scenarios. Facilities Management is also responsible for the operation of the campus utility infrastructure, including OU’s eight utility systems: the OU electric distribution grid, two utility plants that include steam production and distribution, four chilled water plants and distribution, natural gas distribution, potable water distribution, wastewater (sewer) collection, the production and distribution of well water, and stormwater collection. Additionally, FM purchases all commodities to operate the utility system and all OU utility bills are managed by Facilities Management. Our department employs more than 400 continuous, full-time employees that include talented crafts people, skilled professionals, and highly qualified support personnel; our employees are here to make campus a comfortable place to study, work, live, play or just visit. 

Department Head: Matt Rom, Ph.D., Associate Vice President

Core Business Purpose

  • Maintenance and operation of campus facilities
  • Operation and distribution of campus utilities
  • Energy conservation and sustainability
  • Grounds management
  • Capital projects
  • Support services including custodial and trades

Quick Facts

  • 3,140 acres managed
  • 289 buildings
  • OU owns, operates, and distributes all campus utilities through what is known as District Energy

Website: ou.edu/facilities

 

Housing & Food Services

Housing and Food Services is responsible for providing clean and safe on-campus housing for students and providing a wide-range of dining options for the OU Community. H&F is also the university’s largest employer with over 300 full-time, continuous positions and over 750 student positions.

The H&F internal operating groups include Housing Operations, Food Services, Housekeeping, Talent and Organizational Development, Marketing and Communications, OU Passport, Sooner Suites and Residential Properties, and Operations Finance, a shared business services office that provides accounting and payroll services for the entire division of Campus Operations and several Student Affairs departments.

Department Head: Pam Ketner, Associate Vice President

Core Business Purpose

  • Maintenance and operation of housing facilities
  • Operation of campus dining and University Catering services
  • Payroll and accounting services

Quick Facts

  • 4,779 residence hall beds
  • 1,504 apartment beds
  • 29 campus restaurants
  • More than 7 million meals served annually
  • 2.3 million SF of living and dining space
  • The Norman Campus has the world’s only all-you-can-eat Chick-fil-A
  • Operates the only passport acceptance office open on weekends in Oklahoma and North Texas area
  • 24/7 on-site operations staff

Website: ou.edu/housingandfood

 

Jimmie Austin Golf Club

For nearly 60 years, the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club has provided faculty, staff, students, and the public a championship caliber facility. The par-72, Perry Maxwell design stretches to 7,387 yards from the championship tees, boasting 18 holes of scenic splendor and a challenging test for golfers of all skill levels.  Set on the eastern edge of the OU campus, we are ideally located just four miles east of I-35.

Whether you're seeking the perfect site for your wedding, an extraordinary business event or an unforgettable day of golf, you'll find that the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club lives up to its reputation as one of Oklahoma’s top venues.

Department Head: Tyler Woodward, Director of Club Operations/PGA General Manager

Core Business Purpose

  • Course operations and maintenance
  • Host annual Sooners in the Desert donor event

Quick Facts

  • Opened in 1951
  • 225 Acre Course
  • 77.9-course rating (Championship/Team tees)
  • Ranked sixth among Oklahoma Golf Courses by Golf Digest
  • Ranked sixth among U.S. campus courses by Golfweek
  • Five event spaces including the Everest Event Center overlooking the 9th fairway

Website: theougolfclub.com

 

Max Westheimer Airport

Max Westheimer Airport (MWA), owned and operated by the University of Oklahoma, is an integral component of the transportation infrastructure serving the City of Norman, the University, and the surrounding region. Westheimer is a public-use airport located within the city limits of Norman, Oklahoma. The airport consists of two runways: a 5,200-foot-long, grooved, asphalt primary runway; and a 4,750-foot-long, grooved, asphalt crosswind runway. Max Westheimer Airport has an instrument landing system (ILS), non-precision landing system, an Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) with thunderstorm and lightning detecting, a locally operated FBO (Cruise Aviation), an aircraft avionics shop (Avionic Services), Airframe & Powerplant Repairs (Sooner Aviation), a flight school (University of Oklahoma: School of Aviation), and an air traffic control tower staffed 365 days a year.

Department Head: Lance Lamkin, Airport Administrator

Core Business Purpose

  • Providing safe and efficient airport operations
  • Managing federal grants and reimbursements

Quick Facts

  • Located on 716 acres within the city limits
  • Classified by the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission as a Regional Business Airport servicing general aviation aircraft, including business jets
  • Designated by the FAA as a General Aviation Reliever airport for Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City
  • 52,000 airport operations (take offs and landings) in 2022
  • Oklahoma Airport Operators Association (OAOA) Airport of the year 2021
  • OAOA Airport Manager of the year 2021

Website: ou.edu/airport

 

OUPD-Norman

The mission of the University of Oklahoma Police Department is to enhance the quality of life in the university community by providing a safe campus environment in which students, faculty, staff, and visitors may work, learn, and conduct research.  We will provide services ethically, fairly and equally in partnership with the members of our community.

Department Head: Nate Tarver, Associate Vice President and Chief of Police

Core Business Purpose

  • Providing police services for the Norman Campus
  • Security planning and services for athletic and other campus special events
  • Provide security services for the National Weather Center
  • Incident command for campus emergencies

Quick Facts

  • CLEET certified officers
  • 1 K-9 unit
  • 16 vehicles
  • 191 Events worked in FY22

Website: ou.edu/police

Contact:

  • Emergency Phone: 911 or (405) 325-1911
  • Non-Emergency Phone: (405) 325-1717
  • E-mail: oupd@ou.edu

 

Parking & Transportation Services

OU Parking and Transportation operates as a standalone business enterprise that generates its own revenue - receiving no funding from the University central budget. The department internal operating groups include Parking Services, Campus Area Rapid Transit (CART), and Fleet Services. Parking owns and operates approximately 16,000 parking spaces on campus; CART is the campus shuttle bus system that transports more than 800,000 riders annually; Fleet Services coordinates all OU vehicle purchasing/leasing and short-term rental as well as maintenance, repair and fueling.

Department Head: Kris Glenn, Director

Core Business Purpose

  • Manage campus parking operations including selling passes and enforcement
  • Operate campus bus routes
  • Mange the Norman Campus fleet and all university vehicles

Quick Facts

  • 17 buses 
  • 795 miles of bus routes serving 2,500 passengers daily
  • 5 parking garages with 1.2 million SF of spaces
  • On-site auto shop and fueling station

Website: ou.edu/parking

 

Printing & Mailing Services

Printing, Mailing, and Document Services comprises the units of Printing, Copy Centers, Central Mail and Document Production. The mission of Printing, Mailing and Document Services is to establish, maintain, and provide high quality printing services to the University community and other State agencies. Printing is committed to providing the best quality product while meeting the scheduling and budget needs of our customers. 

Department Head: John Sarantakos, Director

Core Business Purpose

  • Provide cost effective products for the campus community and others for print
  • Mail and distribution
  • Operate campus copy centers
  • Operate the central mail facility and USPS locations on campus
  • Manage the campus copier program

Quick Facts

  • Established in 1908 making it one of the oldest continuously run operations
  • Main production facility located on Tecumseh Road with three on-campus units
  • Provide services to all three campuses
  • Process over six million pieces of mail annually
  • 66 quality print and mail awards since 1990
  • Ranked the largest print and mail operation in the country by In-Plant Impression magazine since 1995

Website: ou.edu/printing

 

Real Estate Operations

The Real Estate Operations Office at The University of Oklahoma provides real estate services to the university in an environment that achieves operational excellence. All university real estate (land, buildings, air rights, water rights, timber rights, and mineral rights) is owned by The University of Oklahoma, not by the administrative unit that is assigned, occupies, or otherwise uses the real estate. The management, acquisition, disposal, and leasing of all university real estate is coordinated by the Real Estate Operations Office.

Department Head: Beau Jennings, Director

Core Business Purpose

  • Manage University real estate assets in accordance with university mission statement including the acquisition and disposition of property

Quick Facts

  • Over 1 million SF managed between Max Westheimer Airport, University Research Campus, and single-family residential houses

Website: ou.edu/realestate

 

Sooner Card

The Sooner Card is the University of Oklahoma’s official identification card for students, faculty and staff. Whether you're taking classes in-person, or you decide to make a visit to campus at any point during your time in one of OU’s online programs, your Sooner Card connects you to campus by granting you access to buildings, athletic events, campus dining, printing, buying books and course materials, education discounts online and more. Members of the OU community can receive a physical ID card and/or utilize a digital version via Apple Wallet or Google Pay on smart phones and smart watches.

Department Head: VACANT, Director

Core Business Purpose

  • Management of campus ID system including facility access and campus financial transactions
  • Provide customer support and troubleshooting

Quick Facts

  • Approximately 36,000 active users

Website: ou.edu/soonercard

 

Office of the Vice President for Campus Operations

The Office of the Vice President for Campus Operations provides leadership, strategic planning and oversight for the Division of Campus Operations and its 12 departments.

Division Head: Brian Holderread, Vice President

Core Business Purpose

  • Provide leadership and long-range strategic planning for the Division of Campus Operations

Quick Facts

  • Coordinates Clery Act Compliance for the OU system

Website: ou.edu/operations

 

Campus Operations
160-C Felgar St
Norman, OK 73019
Phone: (405) 325-0727
Updated 6/21/2024 by Campus Operations: operations@ou.edu