NORMAN – An Innovation Hub, an agreement by the American Organ Institute to provide material and services to the Friends of the Oklahoma History Center and the Oklahoma Historical Society, and the addition of a strength training and performance center at Lloyd Noble Center are among topics to be discussed by the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents at its regular meeting Thursday, May 7, in Norman.

The meeting will begin at 3 p.m. in the Scholars Room of Oklahoma Memorial Union with items submitted by Rogers State University, followed by Cameron University and then OU.

The board will consider a recommendation for construction of an Innovation Hub, which, if approved, will be located in Three Partners Place on the OU Research Campus. The project will require renovation of approximately 20,000 square feet of space on the first floor of the building to create a hub where interdisciplinary resources can be co-located. Resources at the facility will include a cutting-edge fabrication lab, library, information processing support and technology spaces, collaboration areas, a healthy foods snack bar and a fitness center.

In addition, the Regents will discuss a proposal of the American Organ Institute at the OU School of Music to provide material and services over a two-year period to the Friends of the Oklahoma History Center and the Oklahoma Historical Society. The organizations have requested assistance because of the institute’s unique skills, knowledge and abilities. The institute believes this agreement will provide students with valuable experience refurbishing and rebuilding a historic pipe organ.

The board also will consider a proposal related to the design development phase plans for the Lloyd Noble Center Strength Training and Performance Center Addition project. If approved, the facility will be an 18,400-gross-square-foot addition at Lloyd Noble Center to be constructed south of the existing two practice court gymnasiums used by the men’s and women’s basketball programs. This addition will provide significantly improved strength training facilities for both basketball programs as well as for student athletes competing in other OU athletics programs.

The next meeting of the OU Board of Regents is currently scheduled for June 23 and 24 in Norman.