NORMAN – The construction of storm shelters and new physics and astronomy facilities are among topics to be discussed by the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents at its regular meeting Wednesday, June 24, in Norman.

The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. in 618 Headington Hall with items submitted by Rogers State University, followed by Cameron University and then OU.

The board will consider a proposal related to the design development phase plans for two above-ground storm-hardened shelters to be located at Couch Center and Walker Center. The shelters have been designed as multi-purpose facilities to be used as storm shelters for residents of Couch and Walker Centers. The shelters will be constructed of the same exterior material as the adjacent buildings and will have breezeway connections to the building entries.

In addition, the Regents will consider a proposal for at-risk construction management services related to the Physics and Astronomy Facilities Project. In May 2014, the board approved the project as a part of the comprehensive Campus Master Plan of Capital Improvements Projects for the Norman Campus. The proposed project will provide new research facilities to replace obsolete laboratories and laboratory support spaces in Nielsen Hall. The project will be designed to National Institute of Standards and Technology research lab standards to support current and future research efforts. The facility also will provide supporting office space and may include spaces for science display and classrooms. In order to ensure that exacting requirements are met for construction of research facilities of this type, it was determined the project should be accomplished utilizing the construction management project delivery method. The selected firm will advise on constructability and plan and implement construction sequencing.

The next meeting of the OU Board of Regents is currently scheduled for Sept. 16 and 17 in Tulsa.