2025-2026 IMPORTANT DATES
July 15
Purchase parking permit (if bringing car)
August 1
First Fall eBill is available
August 7 - 8
Panhellenic Recruitment and Pride of Oklahoma Move-in
August 18 - 19 Move-in
August 20 - 24
Camp Crimson and Interfraternity Council Recruitment
August 25
First day of Fall semester
August 30
First home football game vs. Illinois State
September 25
Last day to pay Fall semester w/o service charge
October 1 CASH opens
October 3 - 5
Fall Family Weekend
October 6 - 21
Fall midterms
Send Postcard #1!
October 20 - 25
Homecoming Week
November 25
Last day to pay Fall semester w/o late fee
November 26 - 30
Thanksgiving vacation
December 15 - 19
Fall final exams
December 20 - January 19
Winter vacation
January 20
First day of Spring semester
February 1 CASH closes
February 25
Last day to pay Spring semester w/o service charge
March 2 - 17
Spring midterms
Send Postcard #2!
March 16 - 20
Spring vacation
April 25
Last day to pay Spring semester w/o late fee
May 3 - 10
Spring final exams and move-out
June 25
Last day to pay Summer semester w/o service charge
To review the Fall Academic Calendar, scan this QR code.
"Encourage your student to talk to professors and seek guidance from those in positions set up to help them thrive. Direct your student to those offices and contacts they can use to seek help, ask questions, and more. The resources and support are there, all you have to do is ask!"
Shawn Eckard, OU Parent
WELCOME TO THE OU FAMILY
“Today, your student is embarking on a journey of a lifetime as a member of the OU Family. You’re included in that as well — your student didn’t get here alone. We hope that today’s orientation paints a picture of what’s to come for you and your student through their tenure at OU, answers any lingering questions, clarifies next steps, and makes you feel the truest sense of belonging. You and your student only get ONE New Sooner Orientation — there’s no do over. Our team of staff, faculty, and orientation interns are here to make sure you feel welcomed and get what you need to reaffirm that OU is where it all begins. Because at OU, we change lives.”
Morgan Brammer, M.Ed.
Assistant Vice President, Division of Enrollment Management and Executive Director, Office of Admissions and Recruitment
“As part of your student’s support system, you play a critical role in helping your student succeed from orientation through graduation. We want to help you in that role. I work within Parent & Family Programs, where our purpose is to partner with families to help students thrive at OU and beyond. Our goals are to provide a bridge between your family and OU’s community; offer helpful resources and information that assist you as the ‘consultant’ to your student; and present special events that welcome families back to campus throughout the year.”
Tracy Carlson Assistant Director, Parent & Family Programs Division of Student Affairs ou.edu/parents
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KEY MEMBERS OF YOUR STUDENT'S TEAM
Resident Advisor
While living on campus, each student is provided with a resident advisor (RA). This is a student leader who lives in the residence halls and is trained to support their assigned residents. An RA's work includes being a resource and mentor for residents, completing intentional interactions, and hosting events. These leaders play a crucial role in building community and ensuring the safety and well-being of students.
Academic Advisor
An Academic Advisor guides students in efficiently completing their education journey within their degree-granting college. They consider dual enrollment, AP/IB/CLEP credits, and more to tailor personalized schedules. Students meet with their advisor each semester before enrolling in courses and review their degree checksheet, a form that outlines the courses needed to achieve a degree from OU.
To become a member of Sooner Parents, scan this QR code.
ou.edu/housingandfood (405) 325-2511 housinginfo@ou.edu
ou.edu/checksheets (405) 325-1596 advising@ou.edu
MidFirst Bank MoneyCoach
Housed in our Student Financial Center, Midfirst Bank MoneyCoaches provide individualized support to help students create a realistic financial plan for college, build strong money management skills, and develop lasting habits for lifelong financial well-being. Your student can scan this QR code to schedule an appointment with a MoneyCoach.
ou.edu/moneycoach (405) 325-4692 moneycoach@ou.edu
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What is FERPA? Can I see my student’s grades? The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law protecting the privacy of student educational records. Under FERPA, students who are either (a) 18 or older or (b) who attend a school beyond the high school level have certain rights over information in their educational record. Parents do not automatically have FERPA rights to access information on students who meet either requirement; however, they may provide documentation that the student is their dependent in order to access their student's records. FERPA applies to students who are accepted and attend an institution, and it permits the institution to disclose directory information. You can access your student’s unofficial transcript, midterm, and final grades by term, profile, and weekly schedule if your student chooses to add you as a proxy in the FERPA Proxy Management System. For details, scan this QR code.
How do we pay the bursar bill? All payments for your student's OU bill are made on one.ou.edu. Payments made online with an eCheck from your checking account are easy and convenient. There's no charge and your payment is posted to your student's account the same day. Unpaid billed balances, including those participating in the payment plan, are subject to a 1.5% service charge assessed on the 26th of each month. Service charges and late penalties will not be removed due to late or nonpayment.
How can I see my student’s active bill? You must be listed as an authorized user in your student’s One account. To authorize a user, your student will log into one.ou.edu, navigate to the “Financial” section, and select “Add authorized users.” Your student will enter your email address and choose permissions, such as view billing statements, 1098-T tax statements, and payment history. The authorized user will receive two emails with follow-up instructions.
What is flat-rate tuition and how does bank hours work over the summer? Students who enroll in 12 to 21 hours per semester will pay a flat rate for tuition and mandatory fees. Students enrolled in fewer than 12 hours pay per credit hour. Full-time undergraduate students who have paid the flat rate and take fewer than 15 OU hours per semester may be able to bank hours to use in the summer.
How can my student receive additional scholarships while at OU? The Centralized Academic Scholarship Hub (CASH) is the premier place for current and continuing students to apply for university-based scholarships and opens every October 1. Open to all students enrolled in the current academic year, applications are submitted in the current academic year for consideration with award disbursement in the next academic year.
Where can my student turn in final transcripts, dual/concurrent transcripts, and/or AP/IB/CLEP information?
Email transcripts: oardocuments@ou.edu
Mail transcripts:
• Office of Admissions & Recruitment 550 Parrington Oval Norman, OK 73019
Is there a way to stay up to date with safety and weather on campus? In emergency situations, OU utilizes its emergency communication system, known as RAVE, to provide regular updates. You can opt-in to receive emergency alerts for any of OU’s three campuses by following the directions below.
• Norman: Text “OUALERTS” to 67283
• OU - Tulsa: Text “outulsa” to 67283
• HSC: Text “HSCAFFILIATE” to 226787
What resources are available for transfer students? OU offers several resources for transfer students, including our Virtual Transfer Student Success Center. This campus-wide initiative is coordinated by the Office of the Provost to support all transfer students and their respective institutions in quickly finding information and answers throughout their transfer journey. Learn more by visiting ou.edu/transfersuccess
How does my student purchase athletics tickets? Current students receive free admission to all sporting events — outside of football! Curious about student football season tickets? Scan this QR code for the details.
FIVE TIPS FROM PARENTS/SUPPORTERS OF CURRENT SOONERS
Here are some tips from experienced parents/supporters to help you and your student navigate the transition to college:
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Regularly check in with your student while allowing space for growth and individuality.
Suggest joining clubs or activities to make new friends and build a support network.
Remind your student that homesickness is a normal part of going to college and finding community can take time.
Offer advice and support, but let your student make decisions independently.
Familiarize yourself with the campus and surrounding area to better understand your student’s new environment.
OU TERMS TO KNOW
Canvas: OU’s learning management system where instructors upload course materials such as syllabi, lecture notes, and presentations, and host grades, quizzes, and discussions.
Centralized Academic Scholarship Hub (CASH): Home for current and continuing students to apply for university scholarships. It opens annually on October 1
Course Reference Number: Every class has a specific assigned CRN. Students can type in the CRNs for their classes at the time of enrollment to expedite the enrollment process.
Degree-Granting College (DGC): The academic college from which your student will receive an undergraduate degree.
To find your way around OU’s campus, scan this QR code.
Enrollment Holds: A hold can keep a student from being able to enroll when their Enrollment Window opens. Holds can be placed on an account for various reasons. Students can check for holds by logging on to one.ou.edu.
Enrollment Window: Based on a student's classification or number of hours earned, students are assigned a specific window to begin enrolling classes for the upcoming term.
Meal Plan: Meal plans are designed to allow students the freedom to eat anywhere on campus without having to worry about carrying cash or credit cards.
One.ou.edu: OU’s one-stop spot providing single sign-on, 24/7, web-based access to resources and student information.
OUNet ID (4x4): Your student’s OUNet ID (4x4), when paired with a password, provides access to your student’s OU account and essential resources like enrollment, grades, course materials, and more.
RAVE: OU’s Emergency Communication System that enables OU to send students upto-date information in emergency situations, such as campus closures, severe weather threats, and emergency incidents.
SafeRide and SafeWalk: Housing and Residence Life provides no cost transportation to OU students within designated Norman areas. (405) 325-WALK or (405) 325-RIDE
Sooner ID: A 9-digit ID was assigned to your student at the point of admission. They will use this ID to get into systems across OU, events, and more.
KEY RESOURCE OFFICES
Academic Success Center (ASC):
The ASC (Wagner Hall) offers undergraduate support through personal coaching, tutoring services, college transition courses, and more. ou.edu/academicsuccess (405) 325-3521 ascquestions@ou.edu
Accessibility & Disability Resource Center (ADRC): The ADRC (Boomer Outreach Building) strives to ensure equal access for all students with disabilities, determined by an interactive process with the student. ou.edu/adrc (405) 325-3852
adrc@ou.edu
Bursar:
The Bursar office (Buchanan Hall) collects tuition/fees payments and provides operational support to our Student Financial Center, academic, and administrative offices. ou.edu/bursar (405) 325-9000
sfc@ou.edu
Career Center: Career Center (OMU) is a one-stop shop dedicated to helping current students and alumni with career preparation. From job/ internship fairs to personalized advising, we prepare students for life after OU. ou.edu/career (405) 325-1974
oucs@ou.edu
Education Abroad:
The Education Abroad office (Farzaneh Hall) provides OU students with safe, academically relevant, and personally transformative study abroad opportunities across the world. go2.ou.edu/study-abroad (405) 325-1693 ea@ou.edu
Fit + Rec:
OU Fitness + Recreation (Sarkeys Fitness Center) offers various programs and services to promote lifelong health and wellness. Fit + Rec includes the Murray Case Sells Swim Complex, Recreation Fields, and Timberdell tennis courts. ou.edu/far (405) 325-3053 fitrec@ou.edu
Goddard Health Services:
Goddard Health Center offers the convenience of an on-campus location and commitment of a high-quality primary care staff to students, faculty, and staff. We provide checkups, mental health counseling, flu shots, and have a pharmacy where students can transfer prescriptions. ou.edu/healthservices (405) 325-4611 healthservices@ou.edu
Graduation & Persistence Support (GPS):
GPS (Cate Center) collaborates with campus resources to help students overcome obstacles and achieve degree completion. ou.edu/gps (405) 325-0841 gps@ou.edu
Human Resources (HR): HR (NEL Building) is a great place to find an on-campus student job with flexible hours plus real-world experience! We also assist with resume and interview prep alongside our Career Center. jobs.ou.edu (405) 325-1826 ohr@ou.edu
OU Information Technology (OU IT):
OU IT (Engineering Lab) manages information and technology across OU’s campus. ou.edu/ouit (405) 325-4357 ouit@ou.edu
OU Police Department (OUPD): The OUPD is a full-service police agency dedicated to ensuring campus safety and supporting the university's educational and research mission. ou.edu/police (405) 325-1911 oupd@ou.edu
Parking Services: Parking Services (Jenkins Parking Garage) supports students, faculty, and staff on the ins and outs of parking on campus. We provide passes for purchase to park across the Norman campus. ou.edu/parking (405) 325-3311 parking@ou.edu
Registrar: The Registrar (Buchanan Hall) oversees academic records and transcripts, diploma productions, course and room scheduling, athletic certification, and Veteran Student Services. ou.edu/registrar (405) 325-4147 enroll@ou.edu
Sooner Card: Sooner Card (OMU) is OU's official ID for Norman Campus students, granting access to housing, events, dining, fitness centers, discounts, and more. ou.edu/soonercard (405) 325-3113 soonercard@ou.edu
Student Financial Center (SFC):
The SFC (Buchanan Hall) supports students by assisting in the FAFSA/verification process, walking through the OU payment plan, setting up authorized users, navigating charges on your student's Bursar account, and assisting with obtaining additional funding sources. ou.edu/sfc (405) 325-9000
sfc@ou.edu
Student Learning Center (SLC):
The SLC (Wagner Hall) offers free tutoring for over 100 courses campus-wide via Peer Learning Assistants. go2.ou.edu/slc (405) 325-7621 studentlearning@ou.edu
Student Life:
Student Life (OMU) helps students get involved and connect on campus through the various groups advised by the office. ou.edu/studentlife (405) 325-3163
studentlife@ou.edu
University Counseling Services:
The University Counseling Center (Goddard Health Center) offers comprehensive mental health services, including counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, outreach, and training for future clinicians. ou.edu/ucc (405) 325-2911 ucc@ou.edu
Veteran Student Services (VSS):
The VSS (Buchanan Hall) assists those who have served/serving or students who are dependents of those who served/serving with using VA benefits, military scholarships, and finding veteran community. ou.edu/veterans (405) 325-4308 veterans@ou.edu
Writing Center:
The OU Writing Center (Wagner Hall) provides broad writing support for OU students through a range of services including one-on-one and small-group appointments, workshops, camps, and writing groups. ou.edu/writingcenter (405) 325-2936
writingcenter@ou.edu