Dear OU Community,
The University of Oklahoma is in a time of unmistakable momentum. From record-setting enrollment and research growth to the continued transformation of our academic health system, this is a defining chapter for our institution.
Through our “Lead On, University” Strategic Plan, we have set bold priorities for OU’s path forward: strengthening our academic enterprise, expanding opportunities, and deepening our impact across Oklahoma and beyond.
With that progress comes responsibility – to ensure our campus evolves in ways that further our mission, elevate the student experience, and position OU for the next generation. As we build OU’s future, we must also thoughtfully shape the physical space where that future will unfold.
This spring, we will launch a comprehensive Campus Master Planning process for our Norman campus – a long-range framework that will guide how our physical environment develops over the next decade and beyond. This effort is not about a single building or isolated project. Rather, it is about establishing a cohesive vision that aligns future investments with our academic priorities, fosters student success, and promotes responsible, sustainable growth. This planning process will set direction – not final blueprints – providing clarity so that future decisions are deliberate and coordinated.
Over the next 17 months, we will examine how our facilities, infrastructure, mobility systems, and open spaces support teaching, learning, research, and campus life. We will assess space utilization and facility conditions, explore opportunities to enhance placemaking and campus identity, evaluate transportation and energy strategies, and ensure that future development honors both OU’s heritage and our aspirations.
The initial focus of the master plan will consider the full footprint of OU’s Norman campus – including the University Research Campus, North Campus, and Max Westheimer Airport – while strengthening connections to Campus Corner and Downtown Norman. We hope to extend future phases to the OU Health Campus and OU-Tulsa.
This effort must be shaped by the people who call OU home. Our campus belongs to us all – students, faculty, staff, and our broader community of friends and partners – and your perspectives will play a vital role. The process will begin with a robust listening and learning phase that will include forums, surveys, and targeted conversations designed to gather meaningful input. I encourage you to watch for opportunities to participate and to lend your voice to this important work.
To support this effort, we have engaged Ayers Saint Gross, a nationally recognized campus planning firm with deep experience partnering with leading research universities. Their expertise will help translate our institutional priorities into thoughtful, data-informed strategies that position OU for enduring success.
The campus we shape today will serve generations of Sooners to come. I invite you to learn more about the Campus Master Plan process and how to get involved by visiting ou.edu/leadon/campusmasterplan.
Live On, University,
Joseph Harroz, Jr.
President
