The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department has cut $13.7 million from its budget – including a 10% salary cut for anyone earning more than $1 million a year.

The cuts are due to revenue shortfalls connected with the Chinese coronavirus pandemic. There are added expenses due to medical testing and added safety measures.

That includes head football coach Lincoln Riley.

No financial aid to athletes is being reduced.

“Our goal is to have all activities operate as safely and efficiently as possible,” said OU Athletic Director Joe Castiglione. “We are planning on a number of contingencies and protocols that will leave us prepared for any number of scenarios.

“All of us understand that a number of circumstances will unfold in the weeks ahead. Our staff continues to monitor our expense and income projections closely and we’ll take other actions, as necessary.”

OU’s Athletic Department balanced its budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

Oklahoma re-opened its facilities to members of the football team on July 1.

Athletics department staff members have been preparing for the return by developing several new protocols in response to the COVID-19 virus.

The protocols have been developed by members of OU’s medical staff and reviewed by Dr. Dale Bratzler, OU’s Chief COVID Officer and professor at OU’s colleges of medicine and public health. In addition, OU officials have consulted with industry leaders in facilities management and cleaning to ensure that best practices are being followed.

Prior to their arrival, each individual returning to campus is receiving a packet of information that outlines all protocols. These will include adherence to CDC recommendations such as wearing a mask in the facilities, maintaining social distancing, limiting social activity and frequent handwashing.

In addition, each individual will view a video that outlines pathways to be used throughout the facilities including single points of entry and exit. Signs have been posted throughout the facilities that feature the correct pathways and CDC recommendations.

Also:

• The athletics department will work with returning student-athletes individually. If at any time during the 2020-21 school year any student-athletes feel uncomfortable with any activity due to COVID-19 concerns, they can remove themselves with no impact to their team standing or athletics department financial aid..
• The athletics department is providing a mask for each student-athlete.
• Only medical testing happened for the first two days of the return. Staff members and student-athletes were tested for COVID-19.
• Any student-athlete who tests positive will be quarantined in an on-campus facility and supported by OU medical staff. Meals and academic services also will be provided. Staff members who test positive will isolate at their homes. Medical staff, in conjunction with the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), will determine the length of isolation.
• If a positive test is received, OU’s medical staff will work with the OSDH and the on-campus Goddard Health Center for tracking and tracing purposes to determine others who may be at risk.
• For stage one of workouts, group size will be limited to 10 student-athletes and a small group of staff members. In meetings, social distancing will be observed with special seating formations and speakers will be encouraged to stand at the back of the room.
• The athletics department has arranged for increased cleaning and sanitization that will include fogging and spraying applications.
• Restrictions are also in place for locker room, elevator and restroom occupancy. All student-athletes will shower at their residence, not in the sport facility.
• For student-athletes residing in Headington Hall, a number of the same protocols are in place, including pathways. Occupancy will be limited to two residents.
  
  Seventy-two percent of the facility includes single-occupancy rooms. Also, hospital-grade filters have been installed. Shields have been installed in some common areas.
• In Wagner Dining Hall at Headington, all self-serve stations have been eliminated, seating has been re-arranged for appropriate spacing and the facility will accept cards only, no cash.