OU Regents Approve Budget, Advancing Momentum in Excellence and Unmatched Value

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ARDMORE, OKLA. – The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents met today in Ardmore to approve the university’s fiscal year 2026 budget, a bold step to sustain OU’s excellence and unmatched value through life-changing education, research, and service to the people of Oklahoma and beyond.

“OU was created to do what no other can: transform lives, uplift our state, and keep the American Dream within reach,” said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. “In a time of rapid change across higher education, our momentum has never been stronger. That progress isn’t by chance; it stems from the bold goals we set in our Strategic Plan and our unwavering commitment to deliver both excellence and affordability. More students are choosing OU than ever before, and we’ve taken real steps to make that vision a reality. As we enter the next phase of our Strategic Plan, guided by the same principles but with even greater ambition, we must continue to think strategically to ensure we invest in the very things that make OU exceptional.” 

Since the launch of its “Lead On, University” Strategic Plan in 2020, the University of Oklahoma has built remarkable momentum, delivering measurable progress across key areas. OU has welcomed four consecutive record-breaking freshman classes, driven the largest percentage enrollment increase in nearly 50 years, and transformed health care in the state through the creation of OU Health, Oklahoma’s only academic health system. Over the last four years, OU’s research enterprise has grown at one of the fastest rates in the nation.  

This spring, OU launched an ambitious, refreshed Strategic Plan, sharpening its focus through five updated pillars. These refined goals elevate the university’s drive to improve health outcomes, pursue Association of American Universities (AAU) membership, and continue creating opportunities for students to thrive. 

While tuition has surged at many institutions across the country, a degree from OU is more affordable today than it was six years ago.  The university has grown need-based aid by 48%, increased the annual amount of scholarships awarded to undergraduate students by 41%, and cut $150 million in annual operating costs since 2018. These efforts have resulted in a 27% decline over the last six years in the actual amount the average resident freshman must pay. Additionally, 56% of undergraduates now graduate debt-free, compared to just 45% nationwide. Students and families are taking notice, and now, more students than ever are choosing OU.  

To continue building on this momentum, the Regents approved the 2025-2026 academic year budget to further bolster OU’s standing as a leader in accessible, high-quality education. The budget includes a strategic 3% adjustment in tuition and mandatory fees for most undergraduate and graduate students on the Norman campus and in OU Online programs. The OU Health Sciences campus will see a 2% to 4% adjustment for most undergraduate and graduate programs, and ten professional programs. 

A key component of the adjustment is a merit-based raise program, helping OU recruit and retain outstanding faculty and staff in a competitive talent landscape, new strategic faculty positions to advance academic and research endeavors, expanding student opportunity through increased access to study abroad, undergraduate research, and high-impact learning experiences and addressing critical deferred maintenance projects. These investments are central to fulfilling OU’s pursuit of delivering an affordable and accessible education while driving innovation and discovery. 

During the meeting, the Regents also approved: 

• Four new degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Digital Manufacturing and a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Information Systems under the OU Polytechnic Institute, both of which will be offered on the Norman and OU-Tulsa campuses. The Regents also approved a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in World Languages and Cultures in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences. The proposed degree programs will now go before the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for final approval. 

• Two significant changes to reduce barriers for students pursuing degrees at OU Health Sciences, making programs more accessible and time efficient. Modifications to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, including reducing the total number of required credit hours, simplifying prerequisites and allowing greater flexibility in general education requirements, will enhance transferability and reduce time toward degree completion. Several Graduate College doctoral programs will reduce the number of required credit hours by adjusting dissertation research requirements, streamlining the path to advanced degrees and enabling students to graduate more efficiently. 

• A partial project budget and design development plans for a new Life Sciences Laboratories Building on the Norman campus, aimed at advancing science and technology education, research and workforce development in Oklahoma. The approximately 105,000 square-foot facility will provide much-needed space to meet the growing demand for chemistry and biosciences laboratory classes, as well as new research space. The building will contain 25 teaching labs, preparation space for the teaching labs and a 250-person auditorium classroom. The project is being funded in part through appropriations approved by the Oklahoma legislature in 2024.

• The next steps in the construction of a new Weather and Advanced Technology Center to enhance OU’s world-class weather research capabilities. The Regents authorized a total project budget and design development drawings of the building, which will provide research space for radar development and fabrication, secure space to house the university’s rapidly growing portfolio of defense-related sponsored research projects and space for advanced manufacturing. 

• A number of architectural firms to be considered to provide consulting services for the renovation of the Dermatology Building on the OU Health Sciences campus, which will expand dental services to more Oklahomans. The renovation will provide a new faculty practice clinic for the OU College of Dentistry, allowing faculty to see private patients. The clinic will include approximately 10 operatories and three dental surgical suites. 

• Moving forward with new medical and pharmacy carriers effective January 1, 2026. Following a competitive selection process with broad campus input, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma has been recommended as the medical carrier, and Rightway as the pharmacy benefits manager. Separating medical and pharmacy coverage will provide greater flexibility and opportunities for long-term savings. These steps reflect the University’s commitment to managing health care costs responsibly while supporting the health of its employees. 

• Amendments to the Faculty Senate Charter that include expanding the definition of faculty, ensuring that all full-time faculty are represented in shared governance. 

• New academic and administrative appointments, including Matthew Hulver as Vice President for Research and Partnerships, Michael Markham as dean of the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences, Robert Palmer as dean of the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences, Melissa Craft as dean of the OU College of Nursing and Laku Chidambaram as dean of the Michael F. Price College of Business.