Membership

What is the OU Retirees Association and why should I join?
In 1991, the OURA was established by the OU Regents “for the benefit of the University and for the retired faculty and staff comprising its membership. Activities shall include, but not be limited to, assistance in fulfilling University goals and objectives, assistance in fund raising and student recruiting activities, providing informational and social opportunities for retirees, participating in appropriate University organizations, and such other services as may be requested by the University or the Association membership. It shall not function as a lobbying organization within or without the University for the sole benefit of its members.”

So if I become a member, what is required of me? How much does it cost?

Annual dues are $10, very affordable.
The OURA typically has four general meetings each year--on the second Thursday of March, June, September, and December--and strives to provide interesting and entertaining programs for its members at every gathering. You may attend one, all, or none of the events. This is a good way to meet new friends, reconnect with former colleagues, and have a little fun. A newsletter is published quarterly, prior to each meeting. Download a sample OURA newsletter (PDF).

To join the OURA or to renew your membership, click the following link, fill out the OURA membership/renewal form, and mail the completed form to the OURA Treasurer along with your dues payment. Download a Membership/Renewal form (PDF).

Alternatively, membership/renewal payments may be made online by credit/debit card at the following link: https://giving.oufoundation.org/OnlineGivingWeb/Giving/OnlineGiving/OURetiree

Benefits Updates:  [May 2024]

At the Association's March 2024 general meeting, OURA Benefits Committee co-chair Don Clothier reported the following:  "OU medical plans in general finished the year 2023 15.2% above budget, driven by large claims (>$100K), high trends, and increased Rx costs. Rx claims in particular were up 24%, and gross medical claims were up 12%. It's certain there will be efforts to address these issues in the future. Another Request for Proposals (RFP) process will begin soon, but it has not yet been determined which programs will be affected."

At the OURA Executive Board's May 2024 meeting Don gave the following report:  "Health insurance claims and costs for the current calendar year are up once again and running above budget projections. It is uncertain but doubtful, however, that claims by retirees are a major contributing factor to these increases, and any midyear corrective actions taken by OU's providers will primarily affect active employees. The 2025 plan design for active employees and retirees under 65 (non-Medicare) will likely undergo changes to accommodate rising claims and drug costs. RFPs will be issued soon by the University and are expected to target coverage plans for life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and dental and vision care."

As further information comes available about these and other possible changes.adjustments/updates in benefits matters affecting retirees, OURA members will be notified directly via email (to members whose current e-addresses are on file with us), on page 2 of the next Banner issue, and on this Membership page of the OURA website.

For answers to questions regarding OU retirees'  health-insurance plans, for fee tables, and for the current Medicare Advantage plan's prescription-drug formulary, visit https://benefitsenrollment.ou.edu/Retirees or call OUHR at either 405-325-1826 (Norman campus) or 405-271-2180 (OKC and Tulsa campuses).

IN MEMORIAM

Alexander J. Kondonassis.  12 May 2023, Norman, age 95.  Retired David Ross Boyd and Regents Professor of Economics.

Genevieve Beverly Richey.  14 July 2023, Norman, age 81.  Retired 40-year staff member with OU's Botany-Microbiology Department.

Donald Maletz.  31 August 2023, Mountain Top PA, age 78.  Retired Professor of Political Science in OU's College of Arts & Sciences.

Robert Ellis Coalson.  5 September 2023, San Antonio TX, age 94.  Professor Emeritus of Anatomical Sciences at OU's Health Sciences Center.

Irvin Wagner.  15 September 2023, Norman, age 86.  David Ross Boyd and Regents Professor of Trombone in OU's School of Music.

Julie G. Ehrhart.  27 September 2023, Norman, age 58.   Retired financial services officer at OU's Health Sciences Center.

Daisy H. Martin.  14 September 2023, Norman, age 90.  Retired Conference Assistant with OU's Scholar Leadership Enrichment Program.

Edwin Earl Tucker.  9 October 2023, Palm Harbor FL, age 80.  Retired Professor of Chemistry in OU's College of Arts & Sciences.

Donald C. Graves.  19 October 2023, Oklahoma City, age 81.  Retired Professor of Microbiology at the OU Health Sciences Center.

Kelly Nix.  1 November 2023, Norman, age 62.  Retired Information Technology specialist with the OU Health Sciences Center.

David Reid Morgan.  13 November 2023, Norman, age 90.  Professor Emeritus of Political Science in OU's College of Arts & Sciences, and two-term former president of the OU Retirees Association (2006-7,  2013-14).

Sandra Dianne McPherson.  11 December 2023, Norman, age 69.  Former executive secretary with OU's Severe Storms Laboratory and Radar Operations Center.

Carmen Starr Eppler.  16 December 2023, Norman, age 74.  Retired scheduling officer at OU's Sam Noble Museum of Natural History.

Eric Leonard Dlugokinski.  20 December 2023, Oklahoma City, age 80.  Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at OU's Health Science Center.

Doris Ilene Whinery.  13 January 2024, Norman, age 92.  Retired program coordinator with OU's Oklahoma Center for Continuing Education.

Victor Jackson.  21 January 2024, Norman, age 88.  Retired Director of Leadership Training for the Oklahoma Southwest Human Relations Center at OU.

Robert W. Broyles.  1 February 2024, Norman, age 83.  Professor Emeritus of Health Administration at OU's Health Sciences Center.

Thomas Wesley Boyd.  13 February 2024, Norman, age 90.  David Ross Boyd Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religious Studies at OU.

Paul E. Wilson.  18 February 2024, Norman, age 77.  Retired Director of Intramural Sports at OU and adjunct instructor in the Department of Health & Exercise Science.

Kenneth Lee Hoving.  22 February 2024, Norman, age 89.  Retired OU Graduate College Dean, Vice President for Research Administration at all OU campuses, and Chair and Professor of Psychology at OU's Norman campus.

Gail R. Hall.  8 March 2024, Norman, age 76.  Retired Professor of Saxophone in OU's School of Music.

Carol Ludvigson.  18 April 2024, Norman, age 63.  Retired Deputy Athletic Director and former coach of OU Women's Golf.

Joanne Berg Hendrick.  26 April 2024, Arvada CO, age 95.  Retired Director of OU's Institute for Child Development and Associate Professor in OU's College of Education.

Beverly Ann Alspaugh Joyce.  28 April 2024, Norman, age 87.  Retired Reference Librarian with OU Libraries and former OURA President.

Roberta Lynne Pailes.  1 May 2024, Norman, age 80.  Retired Education Programs manager with OU's Museum of Natural History.

Jerlene Ann Bright.  7 May 2024, Norman, age 81.  Retired Director of OU's Petroleum Information Services.

Colleen Waggoner.  Washington OK, 29 May 2024, age 87.  Retired Administrative Secretary with the University of Oklahoma Press.