CORONAVIRUS UPDATES
Last Updated May 25, 2020
Dear Norman Campus Community,
We are very much looking forward to returning in person this fall. The University has spent the past several weeks actively planning for our return, and I write to share some of the progress and planning. The details are contained in our Safe and Resilient Instructional Plan.
The plan is designed with flexibility in mind and is based on the latest understanding of COVID-19. Of course, as our understanding of the virus develops, the plan will be refined as needed. Components of the plan include:
Sections with 40 students or fewer can be held in person as usual. This amounts to 86% of all course sections.
We are moving sections with enrollments over 40 online. This equates to 14% of all sections.
We are adding new, smaller, in-person sections to many of our first-year classes to ensure the undergraduate experience remains a highly personal, face-to-face OU learning experience.
In an effort to facilitate effective social distancing, the class schedule will be extended throughout the day and spread out to accommodate 30-minute windows between classes, rather than the traditional 10-minute break, to limit the number of people in buildings at one time.
We will also utilize larger classrooms, aiming for 50-75% maximum capacity wherever practical for increased social distancing.
These modifications, in addition to our Clean and Green initiative, will be cornerstones of our plan to come back together, safely. Our Safe and Resilient Instructional Plan will be refined over the summer, creating as much flexibility as practical for students and faculty. As we work to implement the plan, students will be contacted with further details about any changes to their schedules or classroom locations. We will, of course, continue to review opportunities to enhance the student experience and will keep our entire community apprised of additional related planning.
Sincerely,
Joseph Harroz, Jr.
President
NEW ARMORY UPDATE
Last Updated July 19, 2020
The graciousness of the Mulva Family Foundation allowed for a full renovation of the Armory and a portion of the CATE 4 in support of AFROTC HQ – this renovation resulted in a 100% overhaul of the entire inner portion of the facility, boasting new state of the art amenities, spacious classrooms, showers, cadet study lounge, weight room, and Cadre and staff offices. The outside remains the same but with some amazing enhancements; all new period style windows, doors, fresh mortar, and refreshed brick. We are highly anticipating our move back to the Armory which represents a long, rich history of our program.
As of June, we are scheduled to start he move-in process during the first week in August. This process will be long and arduous but I ask everyone to bear with us as we get settled in. I will propose a date for an “Army Ribbon Cutting Ceremony” outside of the University Ceremony. As of now, I do not have any dates from the University but we can do something on our own and then participate with the University as well. More to follow as we push forward through the move-in and get the school year on track.
SOONER STRONG 5K
Last Updated May 25, 2020
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: RACE POSTPONED
Dear Registered Runners, Teams and Sponsors:
As a precautionary and protective measure, the University is monitoring the status of COVID-19’s spread. The University is transitioning all in-person classes on the Norman campus to an online learning environment for the two-week period following Spring Break, beginning Monday, March 23 through Friday, April 3. To be clear, there are currently no cases of COVID-19 at OU. Thus, all University-related events scheduled to occur between March 14-April 5 are suspended, this includes the Sooner Strong 5k that was scheduled for 28 March. This event is postponed until a later date. We are awaiting guidance from the University for a future date for this event. Again this event is not CANCELED just postponed for a future date. Once we receive additional information and guidance we will provide it.
The Sooner Strong 5K is one of OUr annual premier events. This community outreach fundraiser raises donations for various non profit organizations and for the general Cadet fund. Organized and hosted by Cadet Leadership, this is one of the fastest growing 5Ks in OUr community.
Check out the latest photos and videos at www.facebook.com/soonerstrong5k
Race categories include winners by overall male and female, individual age groups, overall team competition, the OU Army ROTC alumni category, a JROTC team category for high school students; with the competitors facing off against one another in their respective categories.
Frequent participants for this event include the OU Army ROTC Color Guard, Boomer the OU Mascot, the OU RUFNEKS, OU Cheer Squad, and members of the US Army Band.
Registration can be found at: https://www.signmeup.com/SoonerStrong5K