In March, OU honored five Native American ballerinas from Oklahoma with the opening of the Five Moons Lounge in Copeland Hall, which was intended to serve as a source of representation and inspiration for all. OU Native American students, however, said they still feel underrepresented at OU and by education surrounding Native American studies.Â
OU Press Editor Joseph Brandt and OU President William Bizzell sought to construct an American Indian institute at OU, according to the Native American Studies website. Three courses were inaugurated in the 1930s, making OU one of the first universities to make Native American and Indigenous studies a curricular focus.