They've started on the new physics building on the south oval:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ouphysics.jpg

My first college class ever was in Gittenger. Excited to see the new laboratory going up. Went to the union today. Sewage was backed up. Not too pleasant.

Does anybody know what's going on with OU west of Jenkins and east of the freshman dorms? (OU Institute of Child Development & freshman dorm parking lot) There is a wood fence all around that entire area and they are demolishing all the buildings. Are they planning on building something else?

Does anybody know what's going on with OU west of Jenkins and east of the freshman dorms? (OU Institute of Child Development & freshman dorm parking lot) There is a wood fence all around that entire area and they are demolishing all the buildings. Are they planning on building something else?

They are taking out all the Cross Center buildings. Future home of more upperclassmen living I believe. Should be done by March.

They are taking out all the Cross Center buildings. Future home of more upperclassmen living I believe. Should be done by March.

You mean expanding the residential colleges?

I know that was a big priority for Boren. Love the way the two new res colleges are coming together directly south of the stadium.

You mean expanding the residential colleges?

I know that was a big priority for Boren. Love the way the two new res colleges are coming together directly south of the stadium.

No. They're demolishing the old Cross Center for new upper class apartments with a company out of Baton Rouge (I think).

Ah, I see.

Probably similar to what went up near the law center.

Ah, I see.

Probably similar to what went up near the law center.

Yep, that's what I'm expecting.

Tower crane is up for the new physics and astronomy building.
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Yeah, Baton Rogue. 1200 bed complex for upperclassmen. I guess Traditions East and West are staying full, or maybe lots of freshmen live in those?

I was just thinking last week when I saw parts of Cross coming down how rough it had become in the last couple years. Last time I went in there (maybe 2015) it was almost scary. Can't wait to see the new complex take shape, though I'm sad they fenced in the soccer practice field at the corner of Timberdell and Jenkins.

I bet they end up replacing the Cate Center complex along Lindsay with more residential colleges, as Boren is a big believer in that type of facility.

Also, the Jenkins Ave Parking Facility (just south of residential colleges and east of the Huff) is now open.

Also, the Jenkins Ave Parking Facility (just south of residential colleges and east of the Huff) is now open.
Yes that opened at the beginning of this semester back in January.

I bet they end up replacing the Cate Center complex along Lindsay with more residential colleges, as Boren is a big believer in that type of facility.

They've been doing a lot of renovations to those though; replacing windows and updating the interiors lately.

They've been doing a lot of renovations to those though; replacing windows and updating the interiors lately.

Right and have made more improvements relatively recently.

Would have to be a longer term plan.

They've been doing a lot of renovations to those though; replacing windows and updating the interiors lately.

They currently house quite a bit of classes and offices. Since the Gittinger tear down english department has been using it.

They current house quite a bit of classes and offices. Since Gittinger tear down english department has been using it.
Right, even Air Force ROTC has moved in there since tearing down their old building.

http://m.newsok.com/article/5539642

"OU is committed to building living-learning communities to provide needed student housing, especially for upper classmen. Each residential unit will include student lounge areas, a dining hall and dedicated study spaces."

This sounds more like the residential colleges than the apartments further south.

"OU is committed to building living-learning communities to provide needed student housing, especially for upper classmen. Each residential unit will include student lounge areas, a dining hall and dedicated study spaces."

This sounds more like the residential colleges than the apartments further south.

It does. I've yet to see any plans for this complex, but when I scoped out that company's website, it looked like their projects were very much like the Traditions apartments OU built.

"OU is committed to building living-learning communities to provide needed student housing, especially for upper classmen. Each residential unit will include student lounge areas, a dining hall and dedicated study spaces."

This sounds more like the residential colleges than the apartments further south.

I think it's PR-speak... the dining hall is a little different than Traditions but dedicated study spaces and student lounge areas are standard at modern university-built apartment complexes and private complexes alike. And even then the dining halls could be required since this complex will expand the on-campus student population enough to stress the facilities in the towers and at the Union and such. But I admit I am mostly speculating on that.

I really think this could be more along the residential colleges line because Boren has said those types of facilities are key in keepint upper class students on campus and directly involved with the school, which in turn increases in graduation rates, which then helps all the various ratings metrics.

The description is very similar to how the under construction residential colleges and does not sound like the outside contracted apartments such as Traditions.

I really hope it's residential colleges because I think they are much better for the campus atmosphere and will continue to distinguish OU as one of the few public universities that have similar facilities.

As an editorial note, I've always though keeping students on campus is vital to the health of a university.

For the life of me, I cannot understand people who choose to live in some crappy off-campus apartment as soon as their freshmen year is over (believe the university still requires freshmen to live on campus).

I was in a fraternity and lived in the house for 3 years after I left the dorms and it was awesome. Easy walking distance to all classes, activities and even Campus Corner. Mock the Greek system all you want but it keeps upper classmen close to campus and many are actively involved with the school outside of class. I know I sure was.

The Greek system brings it's own problems and I'm sure Boren is thinking these residential colleges will bring the same sort of options, just without the fraternity / sorority baggage.

And BTW, sororities and most fraternities have become so big at OU that after the sophomore year in the house, many of them are now living off campus as well, which I think totally sucks.

I tell every college kid I know: You have your whole life to live in a lousy apartment and having to drive everywhere in your car. You are only in college once and you should soak up as much of the university life as possible.

As an editorial note, I've always though keeping students on campus is vital to the health of a university.

For the life of me, I cannot understand people who choose to live in some crappy off-campus apartment as soon as their freshmen year is over (believe the university still requires freshmen to live on campus).

I was in a fraternity and lived in the house for 3 years after I left the dorms and it was awesome. Easy walking distance to all classes, activities and even Campus Corner. Mock the Greek system all you want but it keeps upper classmen close to campus and many are actively involved with the school outside of class. I know I sure was.

The Greek system brings it's own problems and I'm sure Boren is thinking these residential colleges will bring the same sort of options, just without the fraternity / sorority baggage.

And BTW, sororities and most fraternities have become so big at OU that after the sophomore year in the house, many of them are now living off campus as well, which I think totally sucks.

I tell every college kid I know: You have your whole life to live in a lousy apartment and having to drive everywhere in your car. You are only in college once and you should soak up as much of the university life as possible.

I think it is the cost. The off campus places are noticeably cheaper with no dining plan and all that. I would also think the dry campus thing has some weight to it. Also before the new living area the towers were the only places that people could live. No one wants to live in tiny room shared with a roommate and share a bathroom with four people. As OU upgrades their living situations more people will live on campus for sure.

Most apartments offer free shuttles so people don't have to park. Those are pretty packed daily.

^

All true but there are lots more good options on campus these days (Headington Hall, Traditions, and soon the residential colleges) and then there are people in Greek houses that move out ASAP as well.

I understand it's usually more space in an apartment but when you factor in the meal plans it's not any cheaper, or not by much.

And the whole point of college is not to be sitting in your room or apartment but to be on campus and doing things. Fraternity houses are generally about the same as dorms yet it never bothered me because I only slept in my room and was otherwise on campus, or playing intermurals or having fun on Campus Corner.

The people I know who live off campus typically go to class then go 'home'. What a waste of a college experience.

^

All true but there are lots more good options on campus these days (Headington Hall, Traditions, and soon the residential colleges) and then there are people in Greek houses that move out ASAP as well.

I understand it's usually more space in an apartment but when you factor in the meal plans it's not any cheaper, or not by much.

And the whole point of college is not to be sitting in your room or apartment but to be on campus and doing things. Fraternity houses are generally about the same as dorms yet it never bothered me because I only slept in my room and was otherwise on campus, or playing intermurals or having fun on Campus Corner.

The people I know who live off campus typically go to class then go 'home'. What a waste of a college experience.

I agree completely, but sadly the perception is there that living on campus as an upperclassman just isn't something you typically do. I would also say that the Traditions complexes have not aged well at all (we house a lot of our foreign students/visitors there and while the complexes are better than Kraettli, that's not saying much...). I hope that the residential colleges are better maintained and work towards changing these perceptions!

At Thursday's meeting of the regents, they'll vote to approve a new $43 MM academic building for the college of engineering.

Can't find any renderings but it will be built near the other engineering facilities.

By way of comparison, the Devon engineering building was $30 MM.

"In addition to serving the full College of Engineering community, the new academic building to be constructed will house the new School of Biomedical Engineering, which will integrate engineering and medicine and will further develop three areas of existing strength in the College of Engineering: biomedical imaging, nanomedicine and neuroengineering."

It will be where the old ROTC building used to be East of Felgar.

Here are some renderings:
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And here are the floorplans:
136651366613667

Thanks Nick.

That has turned into quite the engineering complex.

And the addition of biomedical engineering means good things for biotech in the area.

Thanks Nick.

That has turned into quite the engineering complex.

And the addition of biomedical engineering means good things for biotech in the area.

It really has. And hopefully they can really turn it into something great and start spinning off some companies to help Norman's economy.

I like the look of the new engineering building and how it fits into the engineering quad.

A big void at OU is an on-campus hotel and conference center.

I like the look of the new engineering building and how it fits into the engineering quad.

A big void at OU is an on-campus hotel and conference center.

They should use that old continuing education complex just south of the dorms.

Drove by there on Sunday and that is a very poor (and somewhat ugly) use of that property.

They should use that old continuing education complex just south of the dorms.

That whole area is quite ugly and could (should?) be easily razed and converted to an on-campus hotel. I also would like to see OU extend the campus to the east more.

That whole area is quite ugly and could (should?) be easily razed and converted to an on-campus hotel. I also would like to see OU extend the campus to the east more.

OCCE is a conference center currently; I've been to several meetings and such there. It is actively used and the Forum building is actually pretty cool inside. It's dated but well maintained and kinda cool in a mid century modern way. Of course that doesn't mean it couldn't be changed. At one point there was a plan to build an on campus hotel on the research campus somewhere between 5 Partners and Reaves Park. Haven't heard any updates about that in at least 2 years.

That whole area is quite ugly and could (should?) be easily razed and converted to an on-campus hotel. I also would like to see OU extend the campus to the east more.

Somewhere east of Jenkins or along Jenkins would be a good location. The OCCE is too outdated and not close to anything. East campus would be closer to the heart of campus and also walking distance to Campus Corner and the Boyd corridor.

OU to implement bike share program

http://www.oudaily.com/news/ou-to-implement-bike-share-program/article_990cfbe8-a7cc-11e6-96da-1b3efe00b6b9.html

Article is a little old, but I think they've just finished or are very close to finishing the bike share area just west of Sarkeys Energy Center. IIRC the City of Norman was pretty supportive of this pilot effort, so hopefully it's a success!

Edit: Just found out the official launch is today at 1:30 at OMU, so they really did *just* finish it

Does anybody have any renderings on the buildings replacing the Cross Center area? I saw a podium for a tower crane in place on the corner of Timberdell and Jenkins!

Does anybody have any renderings on the buildings replacing the Cross Center area? I saw a podium for a tower crane in place on the corner of Timberdell and Jenkins!

I haven't seen any renderings, but was told this new project will resemble the Traditions complexes, but with two extra floors.

I haven't seen any renderings, but was told this new project will resemble the Traditions complexes, but with two extra floors.

Hopefully less like Traditions and more like Huntington Hall. :)

I know this was one of the reasons the parking garage was built where it is to service these new housing projects as well as commuters and visitors.

Hopefully less like Traditions and more like Huntington Hall. :)

I know this was one of the reasons the parking garage was built where it is to service these new housing projects as well as commuters and visitors.

OU has to go with the model of individual rooms with just two people sharing a bathroom and 4 sharing a living space. Dorms need to have a swift exit. I liked dorm life but I was off campus as soon as I could to get my own room.

Looks like there are actually two tower crane podiums!

Hopefully less like Traditions and more like Huntington Hall. :)

I know this was one of the reasons the parking garage was built where it is to service these new housing projects as well as commuters and visitors.
If you mean Headington Hall, I wish! I was told by someone it's not going to look nearly that nice. Think cheap, big student housing.

Residential colleges are coming along... They're going to look great.

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http://i.imgur.com/pSDMpdC.jpg

Flipped it for ya. Beautiful building.

http://i.imgur.com/pSDMpdC.jpg

Flipped it for ya. Beautiful building.

This is an incredible project. I love it.

Stunning!

Recent photo showing some of the campus projects...

New apartments (privately owned) in upper right, residential colleges in lower right, stadium project wrapping up.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ou060717a.jpg

Hearing residential colleges are only at 28% capacity so far. Not a great start. They have really been targeting upperclassmen and I think those students would rather live off campus for cheaper and have relaxing drinking rules.

INHO, I think the colleges will fill from the bottom up, not top down. If you start early when you know your major there is great benefit to communing with others of the same disciplines. If you enter as a Senior it isn't nearly as effective as you have limited time together and wouldn't necessarily bond the same way with the younger classes as those you might be intimately engaged with over the course of your college experience. They may try to immediately need to target upperclassmen to try to fill asap, but the stability and efficacy will come from those who enter early and stay.

Hearing residential colleges are only at 28% capacity so far. Not a great start. They have really been targeting upperclassmen and I think those students would rather live off campus for cheaper and have relaxing drinking rules.

I had heard this as well, but then recently heard that it has improved to 39-40% in recent weeks. I know they only expected 50% capacity for planning purposes when they open so it appears they may be getting close.

I had heard this as well, but then recently heard that it has improved to 39-40% in recent weeks. I know they only expected 50% capacity for planning purposes when they open so it appears they may be getting close.

Don't the residential dorms add right at $10-12K to your annual student bill? Couldn't remember the number for OU..

Don't the residential dorms add right at $10-12K to your annual student bill? Couldn't remember the number for OU..

Yep - the last I'd heard, it was somewhere between $5,500 and $6,000 per semester.

Yep - the last I'd heard, it was somewhere between $5,500 and $6,000 per semester.

~$1200 a month for food and rent. I'm not sure how competitive that is.

They're rebuilding the faculty/staff parking lot just east of McCasland Field House. It's about time, it's been in terrible shape for years.

They're rebuilding the faculty/staff parking lot just east of McCasland Field House. It's about time, it's been in terrible shape for years.

I wondered what that was. Thanks for the info.

They seem to be really cranking on the new housing to the south of Huston Huffman.

I haven't looked at rates in about a year but I think it's pretty favorable relative to The Ave and Varsity House, and definitely favorable relative to Millennium. Don't know how expensive the Callaway House (replacement to Bishops Landing) units are.

Problem is, as you posted earlier, upperclassmen tend to want to live off campus, so in this case the closeness to campus may not actually be a selling point.

Students worry about the dry campus thing but I went to graduate school at Pepperdine and had friends who lived in student housing and even at that ultra-conservative school, there was plenty of drinking happening on campus.

It's pretty much a don't ask / don't tell thing. They know people are going to drink, they just don't want it to be obvious.

Students worry about the dry campus thing but I went to graduate school at Pepperdine and had friends who lived in student housing and even at that ultra-conservative school, there was plenty of drinking happening on campus.

It's pretty much a don't ask / don't tell thing. They know people are going to drink, they just don't want it to be obvious.

I completely agree. I also agree with Rover above - if you get people in as freshmen and show them living on campus can be "cool", the new colleges will be just fine in 3-4 years. But trying to convert current seniors to it (or even people that experienced a year or two in the towers) is probably a heavy lift. Still if they're already at 40% capacity that's not bad!