University of Oklahoma

The president of the University of Oklahoma released a statement voicing his opposition to House Bill 1775 that states that students are not required to have mandatory diversity training and education. The president stated that this legislation is “contrary to the goals we have laid out for ourselves as part of our Strategic Plan and the initiatives we have established” towards diversity training.

On January 27, 2022, the University of Oklahoma Athletics Department announced the Champions for Unity initiative that is “designed to be innovative in the realm of diversity, equity and inclusion in order to grow and develop its student-athletes, coaches, staff and sports programs.” The program will include “professional networking, educational and mandatory training programs, voter registration and election day activities and other efforts designed to take steps toward equality,” and supports athletes to “display social justice messages on their uniforms.”

The WGS Center for Social Justice held its 2023 "Teach OUt on Race" on February 10th.

OU's Early Childhood Education Institute (ECEI) participated in learning sessions on anti-racism.

As part of the Office of the President's "Guidance for the Implementation of Executive Order 2023-31," OU states, "The content contained within implicit bias trainings for hiring committees is being modified and will be incorporated into voluntary trainings for hiring committees."

As part of the Office of the President's "Guidance for the Implementation of Executive Order 2023-31" and in regards to diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings, OU states, "The Executive Order prohibits the university only from mandating such training unless there is a specific exemption, i.e., compliance with state or federal laws, rules, or regulations, or for retaining institutional, academic, or discipline-specific accreditation or licensure."

Senior Capstone Experience general education requirement will be replaced with a mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion course for all students beginning fall 2021.

On May 4, 2021, the Gibbs College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma released a new report where “students and staff in the architecture program could soon be evaluated for their support of ‘anti-racist’ beliefs.” The report discusses the school’s plans to be “equipping students from dominant identities,” the white students, “with cultural humility” as well as focusing racial material “within core curriculums and not sidelined as electives.”

In reaction to OU's DEI agenda and far-left biases, some University of Oklahoma donors have ceased their payments to the institution. One donor said the DEI agenda would be better named DIE because he thinks that's what's going to happen because of it.

As part of the Office of the President's "Guidance for the Implementation of Executive Order 2023-31," OU states the following regarding race-based scholarships: "[If] a scholarship considers race, color, ethnicity, nation of origin, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation, the university cannot support such a scholarship under federal law and the Executive Order. If an entity separate from the university offers a scholarship that considers one or more of these characteristics, the university may accept the scholarship funds awarded but may not participate in any manner in the award or implementation of the scholarship. Further, such scholarships offered by external groups cannot be specifically advertised on university websites and must be removed if identified."

The university offered a professional development workshop for instructors and graduate teaching assistants called "Anti-Racist Rhetoric & Pedagogies."

On June 22, 2021, the University of Oklahoma hosted a graduate training workshop on Anti-Racist Rhetoris & Pedagogies where they “urged English instructors to purge all problematic speech from their classrooms” and stated that “in the classroom, free speech does not apply.”

The Gallogly College of Engineering Diversity and Inclusion Program has two grant programs to help students achieve academic success: OK-LSAMP STEM and Bridge to Doctorate.

The Office of DEI has an Inclusion Council of DEI Liaisons, representing faculty and staff across the various campuses.

OU's I.D.E.A. Symposium aims to create an environment that highlights inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (I.D.E.A.) on campus and in the community through workshops and presentations.

On November 1, 2023, OU's NCORE (National Conference on Race and Ethnicity) held a virtual event titled "The Assault on Critical Race Theory (CRT) in Higher Education" which is described in part as follows: "[A]nti-CRT measures have impacted teaching and learning at institutions of higher learning as well as government agencies, private business and K-12 education...these are just a few examples of the wide-reaching, well-funded attack on access to truthful information about race, racism and CRT as a tool to dismantle systemic racism."

On February 20, 2024, OU News reported that the division of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) changed its name to the Division of Access and Opportunity. The article also reported that OU's President "reaffirmed that no one will lose their employment with the university due to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s December executive order calling for a formal review of diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education." However, the article states that, according to an email from OU's President, "DEI-related positions will come to an end and staff members will take on new roles due to these changes."

As part of the Office of the President's "Guidance for the Implementation of Executive Order 2023-31," OU states that professors may "discuss race, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, [and] other DEI-related topics in their course instruction."

On December 13, 2023, the university president Joseph Harroz, Jr. released a statement addressing the executive order that eliminated Offices of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Oklahoma. He stated, “This news evokes deep concern and uncertainty about the future, and in many ways feels like a step backward.”

President Harroz also stated, “Though we are obligated to comply with the governor’s executive order, we will remain committed to ensuring an education from the University of Oklahoma remains accessible and available to all.”