Beginning in Spring 2026, the University of Oklahoma will launch a comprehensive campus master planning project in partnership with a nationally recognized leader in higher education architecture, planning, and design.
This collaborative planning effort will establish a long-term framework to inform the physical evolution of OU's Norman campus. Guided by the priorities laid out in the “Lead On, University” Strategic Plan, the Campus Master Plan will establish a cohesive vision that positions the university for responsible, sustainable growth while stewarding the history and character that define the OU experience.
Throughout the process, our planning team will engage a wide range of constituent groups, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners through surveys, workshops, open forums, and in-depth conversations. These voices will play a critical role in shaping a shared vision for OU’s future.
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. Future phases may extend to include the OU Health Campus in Oklahoma City and OU-Tulsa.
This site will be updated regularly as information becomes available. Please check out our section at the bottom of this page for answers to common questions regarding campus master planning.
Read Letter from the President
The Campus Master Plan will be developed through a three-phase process designed to ensure thoughtful analysis, broad engagement, and meaningful input from the OU community.
This phase focuses on listening and learning. The planning team will assess existing campus conditions, space utilization, infrastructure systems, and mobility patterns while engaging students, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders. Surveys, workshops, open forums, and data analysis will help identify strengths, challenges, and opportunities that will shape the foundation of the plan.
During this phase, the planning team will translate findings from Phase 1 into preliminary concepts and strategic scenarios. These concepts will explore options for campus growth, development priorities, mobility improvements, place-making enhancements, and infrastructure needs. Feedback from campus stakeholders will continue to inform refinement and alignment with university priorities and the Strategic Plan.
In the final phase, a comprehensive draft Campus Master Plan will be presented. The plan will outline long-term strategies, priorities, and guiding principles for campus development. After incorporating feedback, the final plan will be prepared for presentation to university leadership and the Board of Regents.
The Campus Master Plan is guided by university leadership and informed by broad campus and community engagement. Executive leaders and the Board of Regents provide strategic direction and oversight, while students, faculty, staff, and community members contribute valuable input throughout the process. Together, these groups help ensure the plan aligns with OU’s mission, values, and long-term priorities.
Engaged at key decision points, the Executive Committee ensures that OU’s campus master plan aligns with the Lead On, University Strategic Plan mission, values, and strategic priorities. This committee provides high-level direction and accountability throughout the planning process. The Executive Committee will present Campus Master Plan recommendations to President Joe Harroz, Jr. for feedback and approvals.
Representing a broad range of stakeholders and key campus perspectives and expertise, the Advisory Committee provides strategic guidance and helps shape a comprehensive vision rooted in institutional priorities and OU’s broader mission, purpose, values, and priorities.
Team Leads: Jim Morrison
Brian Holderread
A wide range of voices and perspectives from across the broader University community will contribute to the planning process through focus groups, survey input, interviews, and other engagement events.
Visit our “Ways to Get Involved” for more information (Coming Soon!)
The Campus Master Plan is a key component of the University of Oklahoma’s overarching strategic plan. Guided by the university’s mission and core values, the strategic plan is organized around five strategic pillars and shaped through extensive engagement with students, faculty, staff, and other members of the OU community.
The Campus Master Plan is a long-term strategic framework that will guide how OU's physical environment developments over the next decade and beyond. It will outline a vision for future growth, focusing on enhancing academic excellence, sustainability, student life, and community connections while preserving OU's historic character and traditions.
The plan will help ensure that OU’s campus evolves in ways that support the university’s mission and long-term priorities. It will provide a framework for making informed decisions about land use, facilities, infrastructure, and sustainability while coordinating future investments and enhancing the overall campus experience for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
The planning process will be highly collaborative, involving input from students, faculty, staff, and our broader community of friends and partners. We also will work with architects, planners, and sustainability experts to develop the plan.
The Campus Master Plan project is scheduled to start March 2026 and will last 17 months. The final report will be presented to the University in Summer 2027 and look to support campus planning for the next 15-20 years with long term capital projects with short term priority projects. .
The master plan includes a parking and transportation component with long-term recommendations and management strategies.
