University Of Oklahoma To Reopen Campus This Fall

University of Oklahoma Interim President Joseph Harroz, Jr. announced in a letter Friday that the school will reopen this fall.

Harroz said in-person educational operations and residential life will restart on OU's three campuses, including the main campus in Norman.

"We are doing everything we can to make that realistic and safe," Harroz said in the letter. "We are acutely aware of the certain challenges COVID-19 will present as we pursue this goal and are planning to address the issues proactively and creatively. We are prepared to adapt instructional and housing models as appropriate to protect our community and still offer the life-changing in-person OU experience."

OU will continue taking safety precautions such as social distancing, increasing on-campus testing and the mass use of masks and PPE as it reopens.

"We have an obligation to our students, our state, and society to continue our important work," Harroz said. "As we navigate the coming months, the real measure of our success is not that we just get through this pandemic, but that we emerge from it stronger. I am confident that our OU family is up to this task, and I join each of you in eager anticipation of being together again, safely, this fall."

Harroz did not comment on the return of NCAA or Big 12 Conference athletic events.