View source for Oral Roberts University

{{Short description|Evangelical university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, US}}
{{Use American English|date = September 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox university
 | name                   = Oral Roberts University
 | image                  = Oral Roberts seal.png
|image_size = 150px
 | motto                  = "Educating the whole man"<br>"Mind, Spirit, Body"
 | established            = {{start date and age|1963}}
| founder = [[Oral Roberts]]
 | type                   = [[Private university]]
 | religious_affiliation  = [[Christian]] ([[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] - [[Charismatic Christian]])
|
 | president              = [[Billy Wilson (pastor)|William Wilson]]
 | students               = 5,051 (2022)<ref name=2022_enrollment>{{cite web|url=https://oru.edu/news/oru_news/2022/oru-fall-enrollment-growth.php|title=5,000 STUDENTS AND EXPANDING: ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY REACHES HISTORIC ENROLLMENT NUMBERS |date=2022 |accessdate=December 20, 2023}}</ref>
 | undergrad              = 2,782 (2014)<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=http://www.oru.edu/facts_about_oru/|title=Points of Pride|publisher=Oral Roberts University |location=Tulsa Oklahoma.|access-date=September 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711101247/http://www.oru.edu/facts_about_oru/|archive-date=July 11, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 | postgrad               = 553 (2014)<ref name="ReferenceB"/>
 | endowment              = $45 million (2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/oral-roberts-university-3985 |title=Oral Roberts University &#124; Best College &#124; US News |publisher=Colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com |access-date=March 24, 2011}}</ref>
 | administrative_staff   = 
 | address                = 
 | city                   = [[Tulsa, Oklahoma|Tulsa]]
| state = [[Oklahoma]]
 | country                = United States
 | campus                 = Large city<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=Oral&s=all&id=207582|title=IPEDS - Oral Roberts University}}</ref>
| campus_size = {{cvt|323|acre|ha}}
 | colors                 = Navy and gold<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oru.edu/faculty_and_staff/staff/marketing/guidelines.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119203725/http://www.oru.edu/faculty_and_staff/staff/marketing/guidelines.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 19, 2014|title=guidelines - Oral Roberts University - A Christian College, based in Tulsa Oklahoma.|access-date=January 30, 2016}}</ref><br>{{color box|#002f60}}&nbsp;{{color box|#CFB67C}}
 | sports_nickname        = [[Oral Roberts Golden Eagles|Golden Eagles]]
 | sporting_affiliations = [[NCAA Division I]] – [[The Summit League|The Summit]]
 | academic_affiliations  = {{hlist|[[Council for Christian Colleges and Universities|CCCU]]|[[Council of Independent Colleges|CIC]]}}
|accreditation = [[Higher Learning Commission|HLC]]
 | logo                   = Oral Roberts University logo.png
|logo_size = 180px
 | website                = {{URL|www.oru.edu}}
|free_label = Newspaper
|free = ''The Oracle''
}}

'''Oral Roberts University''' ('''ORU''') is a [[Private university|private]] [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] university in [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]]. Founded in 1963, the university is named after its founder, [[Charismatic Christianity|Charismatic Christian]] preacher [[Oral Roberts]].

Sitting on a {{convert|385|acre|ha|abbr=off|adj=on}} campus, ORU offers over 70 undergraduate degree programs along with 20 graduate programs across six colleges.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web |url=http://www.oru.edu/facts_about_oru/ |title=Facts about ORU - Oral Roberts University - A Christian College, based in Tulsa Oklahoma |publisher=Oru.edu |access-date=March 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711101247/http://www.oru.edu/facts_about_oru/ |archive-date=July 11, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/12/15/oral.roberts/index.html | work=CNN.com | title=Evangelist Oral Roberts dead at 91 | access-date=May 20, 2010 | date=December 16, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ncahlc.org/component/option,com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,192/instid,1634/lang,en/ |title=The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association |publisher=Ncahlc.org |access-date=March 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605194342/http://www.ncahlc.org/component/option,com_directory/Action,ShowBasic/Itemid,192/instid,1634/lang,en/ |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ORU is [[Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education|classified]] among "Master's Colleges & Universities: Medium Programs".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oral Roberts University |url=https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/institution/oral-roberts-university/ |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="forbes573">{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/colleges/oral-roberts-university/?sh=474e7f924096 |title=#573 Oral Roberts University|work=Forbes}}</ref> The university enrolls approximately 5,000 students.<ref name=2022_enrollment />

== History ==

===Foundation and early years===
[[File:Praying Hands at the main entrance to the campus of Oral Roberts University.jpg|thumb|Main entrance to campus and The Billy Joe Daugherty Circle]]
Ground was officially broken for Oral Roberts University in 1962 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The university received its charter the following year from the State of Oklahoma and Oral Roberts University officially opened in 1965 with an enrollment of 300 students and seven major completed buildings.<ref name="dingman.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.dingman.com/oru_history.pdf|title=History of Oral Roberts University (Tulsa, OK)|date=August 21, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100821223800/http://www.dingman.com/oru_history.pdf |archive-date=August 21, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The university was founded by Oral Roberts "as a result of the evangelist Oral Roberts' obeying [[God in Christianity|God's]] mandate to build a university on God's authority and the [[Holy Spirit]]. God's commission to Oral Roberts was to 'Raise up your students to hear My voice, to go where My light is dim, where My voice is heard small, and My healing power is not known, even to the uttermost bounds of the earth. Their work will exceed yours, and in this I am well pleased'."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orugoldeneagles.com/downloads2/391722.pdf?ATCLID=1335882&SPSID=87170&SPID=10340&DB_OEM_ID=17000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722161436/http://www.orugoldeneagles.com/downloads2/391722.pdf?ATCLID=1335882&SPSID=87170&SPID=10340&DB_OEM_ID=17000|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 22, 2011|title=ORU Table of Contents (PDF)|access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> Roberts placed special importance on the [[Prayer Tower]], even though the concept of a building specifically dedicated to prayer at the center of the campus caused considerable tension, as some academic leaders were afraid the school would be unable to receive accreditation with such a building. But the tower, designed by architect Frank Wallace, was completed in 1967 at a cost of $2 million, a further source of contention. After its completion, Roberts called for a three-day period of prayer and fasting.<ref name="dingman.com"/> At the university's dedication ceremony in 1967, the evangelist [[Billy Graham]] was the keynote speaker.<ref name="dingman.com"/>

The first partial graduation took place in 1968 and the first full graduation in 1969.<ref name="dingman.com"/> In 1971, Oral Roberts University was [[accreditation|accredited]] by the North Central Association.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://oklahoman.com/article/3174463/oru-timeline/|title=ORU timeline|date=2007-11-28|website=Oklahoman.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-04}}</ref>

ORU was accredited in 1971 by the [[Higher Learning Commission]] of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.<ref>[http://admissions.oru.edu/accreditationfacts.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061004184134/http://admissions.oru.edu/accreditationfacts.html|date=October 4, 2006}}</ref> It is also accredited by the [[Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada]].<ref>[http://www.ats.edu/member_schools/oralrobt.asp Member Schools<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070407101739/http://www.ats.edu/member_schools/oralrobt.asp |date=April 7, 2007 }}</ref>

During the first decade of the school's existence many of the campus's iconic structures were completed, such as the Howard Auditorium, the Graduate Center, the Mabee Center, and Christ's Chapel.<ref name="dingman.com"/>

The [[O. W. Coburn School of Law]] opened in 1979. In 1986 the university "shut down its ailing law school and sent its library to [[Pat Robertson]]'s Bible-based college in Virginia", which subsequently founded the [[Regent University School of Law]].<ref name="Scandalspotlight">{{cite news | url=http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2007/04/08/scandal_puts_spotlight_on_christian_law_school/?page=full | title=Scandal puts spotlight on Christian law school| publisher=Boston Globe | date= April 8, 2007| first=Charlie | last=Savage  | access-date = April 8, 2007}}</ref>

===Campus expansion and later years===
[[File:CityPlex Towers Tulsa.jpg|thumb|[[CityPlex Towers]], originally known as City of Faith Medical and Research in Tulsa, Oklahoma]]
The university built the [[CityPlex Towers|City of Faith Medical and Research Center]] hospital in 1981 and started the Oral Roberts University School of Medicine in 1978. Severe financial difficulties with both of these institutions led to their closure in 1989. Oral Roberts's son [[Richard Roberts (evangelist)|Richard]] was named president in 1993.

In January 1996, [[Golden Eagle Broadcasting]], a small digital satellite Christian and family programming television network owned and operated by Oral Roberts University, was founded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oru.edu/news/oru_news/20100623_geb_signs_distribution_deal_with_directv.php|title=ORU's Golden Eagle Broadcasting Signs Distribution Deal with DIRECTV|access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>

On February 5, 1997, several ORU students reportedly disrupted services at a mosque near the [[University of Tulsa]]. The students mistakenly thought it was the 27th night of [[Ramadan]] when it was actually the 28th day of Ramadan. A university spokesman indicated that the students would not be disciplined and that university officials were discussing with the students their accounts of the events, which differed from what those attending services at the mosque reported. On February 7, 1997, the Islamic Society of Tulsa received a formal apology from Reverend Bill Shuler, who led religious services on campus.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/12/us/oral-roberts-students-anger-muslims.html|title=Oral Roberts Students Anger Muslims|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 12, 1997|access-date=September 20, 2014|last1=Hoover|first1=Tim}}</ref>

Due to alleged discrimination against [[LGBT]] students at ORU, [[Soulforce (organization)|Soulforce]] placed the university on its 2006 [[Equality Ride]] route, with a rally taking place on March 20, 2006.<ref>[http://www.redorbit.com/news/education/422259/activists_plan_to_visit_2_private_colleges/index.html "Activists Plan to Visit 2 Private Colleges"] redOrbit, September 18, 2009</ref> Soulforce members objected to the university's honor code pledge's ban on homosexual activity. All students are required to sign and abide by the honor code which places the same restriction on all sexual activity outside "traditional marriage of one man and one woman."<ref name="Oral Roberts University 2009" />
 
In February 2007, ORU announced that it would offer new art degrees.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marciszewski |first1=April |title=ORU to offer new Art Degrees |url=https://www.tulsaworld.com/archives/oru-to-offer-new-arts-degrees/article_25d92a86-708f-5703-92ac-b346e673e619.html |work=[[Tulsa World]] |date=February 25, 2007}}</ref>
 [[File:Oral Roberts University large hands entrance from the air summer 2017.jpg|thumb|Oral Roberts University large praying hands entrance from the air summer 2017]]
In 2010, ORU teamed up with the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference to open a bilingual Hispanic Center on campus. The goals of this partnership include targeting a 25% Hispanic population within the student body and to reduce the approximately 50% high school dropout rate among Hispanic students.<ref name="hispaniccenter">{{cite news |url=https://tulsaworld.com/lifestyles/oru-expands-its-outreach-with-hispanic-center/article_f6257a44-7b30-5abb-81f2-0b1cc0f0abc8.html |title=ORU expands its outreach with Hispanic Center|last=Sherman|first=Bill|date=9 April 2010 |work=Tulsa World}}</ref>

ORU was granted an exception to [[Title IX]] in 2017 which allows it to legally discriminate against LGBT students for religious reasons. It is ranked among the "Absolute Worst Campuses for LGBTQ Youth" by [[Campus Pride]].<ref name="CampusPride">{{cite web |url=https://www.campuspride.org/worstlist/ |title=Worst List: The Absolute Worst Campuses for LGBTQ Youth |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=Campus Pride |date=May 17, 2019 |access-date=August 23, 2021}}</ref>

ORU and [[G12 Vision]] announced in 2019 they had reached an agreement over a partnership. It was hoped that the agreement would make ORU's theological education more accessible worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |title=ORU partners with controversial G12 ministry to bring Bible education to Christians worldwide |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/oru-partners-with-controversial-g12-ministry-to-bring-bible-education-to-christians-worldwide.html |work=[[The Christian Post]] |date=January 21, 2019}}</ref>

ORU moved to virtual classes for the remainder of the 2020 spring semester after the outbreak of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2020/03/30/covid-19-on-tulsa-time/ |title=Coronavirus On Tulsa Time |last=Nietzel |first=Michael T. |website=Forbes |language=en |access-date=2020-04-22}}</ref> In fall 2020, students were required to get tested for COVID-19 before moving into the dorms. All students and staff were required to wear masks on campus at all times.<ref name="maskrequired">{{cite news |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/oru-requiring-masks-anyone-living-on-campus-to-get-tested-for-covid-19 |title=ORU requiring masks, anyone living on campus to get tested for COVID-19|last=Hughey|first=Haley|date=30 July 2020 |work=Tulsa News Channel 8}}</ref> The university also rearranged class schedules in order for the semester to end early.<ref name="endearly">{{cite news |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/oru-will-end-fall-semester-early-to-limit-possible-exposure-to-covid-19/article_6d9e6091-d878-5603-821d-d4f29164b782.html |title=ORU will end fall semester early to limit 'possible exposure' to COVID-19|last=Overall|first=Michael|date=28 May 2020 |work=Tulsa World}}</ref>

In 2021, the university expanded its campus through the addition of 3 new buildings: a welcome center (which broke ground in April), Media Arts Center, and library. The expansion was part of ORU's $75 million campaign, which allocated $60 million to these new structures with the remainder going towards student scholarships.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/oru-expands-adds-3-new-buildings-on-campus |title=ORU expands, adds 3 new buildings on campus |last=Quezada |first=Jeannette|website=Tulsa World |date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> ORU also announced in April 2021 the development of the Mike Carter Athletic Center, which is expected to be over 40,000 square feet, and renovation of the Mabee Center.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tulsaworld.com/sports/college/oru/bill-haisten-oru-s-grand-slam-mike-carter-[…]-renovation/article_cf8fae9c-a086-11eb-ba22-03264a1582af.html |title=ORU's 'grand slam' – Mike Carter Athletic Center and Mabee Center renovation |last=Haisten|first=Bill|website=Tulsa World |date=April 19, 2021}}</ref>

=== Resignation of Richard Roberts ===
In October 2007, three former professors filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against ORU in Tulsa County. The professors also alleged university president [[Richard Roberts (evangelist)|Richard Roberts]] misused university assets and illegally ordered the university to participate in Republican candidate Randi Miller's political campaign for Tulsa mayor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://chronicle.com/subscribe/login?url=/daily/2007/10/2007100303n.htm |title=3 Former Professors Sue Oral Roberts U. |access-date=September 24, 2007 |date=October 4, 2007 |publisher=[[The Chronicle of Higher Education]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2007/pdfs/Swails_vs_ORU.pdf |title=Swails, Brooker, Brooker v. Oral Roberts University, et al. |access-date=September 24, 2007 |author=[[Tulsa World]] |date=October 2007 |publisher=[[United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma]]}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna21156263 |title=Oral Roberts president faces corruption lawsuit |access-date=September 24, 2007 |date=October 5, 2007 |publisher=[[NBC News]]}}</ref><ref>CNN, ''[http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/10/oru.suit/?iref=mpstoryview Oral Roberts' son denies he misspent school funds]'', October 10, 2007, retrieved October 10, 2007</ref>

{{wikisource|Swails, Brooker, Brooker v. Oral Roberts University|Swails, Brooker, Brooker v. Oral Roberts University}}
Lindsay Roberts, the wife of Richard Roberts, was accused of spending university funds on clothes, awarding nonacademic scholarships to the children of family friends and sending text messages on university-issued cell phones to "underage males."<ref name=autogenerated3 /> The lawsuit also alleged a longtime maintenance employee was fired for the purpose of giving the job to an underage male friend of Lindsay Roberts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2007/pdfs/Swails_vs_ORU.pdf |title=Swails, Brooker, Brooker v. Oral Roberts University, et al. |access-date=September 24, 2007 |author=[[Tulsa World]]  |date=October 2007 |publisher =[[United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma]]}}</ref><ref>Associated Press, ''[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/05/AR2007100501436.html Scandal Brewing at Oral Roberts]'', October 6, 2007, retrieved February 8, 2008</ref>

<!-- Charles Watson is called "Charlie Watson, owner of Charlie -->
<!-- Watson Enterprises" at ORU website. -->
<!-- He does not seem to be any of the Charles Watsons on -->
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The plaintiffs filed an amended lawsuit adding the university's Board of Regents (Oral and Richard Roberts, along with George Pearsons, [[Kenneth Copeland]], [[Creflo Dollar]], [[Michael Armand Hammer|Michael A. Hammer]], [[John Hagee]], [[Marilyn Hickey]], [[Jerry Savelle]] and Charles Watson) to the suit and alleged that Roberts fired the university's financial comptroller and "voluminous materials and documents were shredded and destroyed, constituting spoliation of evidence." The filing also alleged Lindsay Roberts had spent nights in the ORU guest house with a 16-year-old male who also was allowed to live in the Roberts family residence on campus.<ref>[http://www.tulsaworld.com/webextra/content/2007/pdfs/orusuit.pdf Online copy of revised Swails lawsuit against ORU, October 12th, 2007]</ref><ref>Tulsa World, ''[http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071013_1__OralR22105 Lindsay Roberts, ORU deny latest claims]'', October 13, 2007, retrieved October 14, 2007</ref>

On October 17, 2007, Richard Roberts announced a "temporary leave of absence" as president of the university, citing the "toll" the lawsuit and attendant allegations had taken on him and his family. Billy Joe Daugherty became Executive Regent of the Board of Regents and Interim President. Chairman of the Board George Pearsons noted the temporary resignation was not an admission of guilt.<ref>Tulsa World, ''[http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071018_1_A1_hTheO62814 Roberts takes ORU leave]'', October 17, 2007, retrieved October 18, 2007</ref>

In November 2007, the tenured faculty of Oral Roberts University approved by a simple majority a non-binding vote of no confidence in Richard Roberts.<ref>AP, ''[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/14/education/14oral.html Faculty Opposes Oral Roberts President]'' November 13, 2007, retrieved November 15, 2007</ref> Roberts tendered his letter of resignation to the board of regents on November 23.<ref>[http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=071124_1_A1_hMove11578 Roberts resigns]</ref><ref>[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/11/23/national/a165630S41.DTL Embattled Oral Roberts President Resigns]</ref> Pearsons said the university planned to separate its finances and leadership from the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association, to the apparent relief of many students and faculty members.<ref>AP, Justin Juozapavicius, ''[http://apnews.myway.com/article/20071129/D8T75O201.html Roberts Says God Forced His Resignation]'', November 29, 2007, retrieved November 29, 2007</ref> On January 10, 2008, ORU settled with plaintiff John Swails, who was reinstated to his previous teaching position.<ref>Marciszewski, April, ''[http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080111_1_A1_hThel03342 ORU reinstates one professor]'', tulsworld.com, January 11, 2008, retrieved January 13, 2008</ref><ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080502/ap_on_re_us/oral_roberts_scandal] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503141315/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080502/ap_on_re_us/oral_roberts_scandal|date=May 3, 2008}}</ref> The school also announced a formal search committee for a new president, to be headed by board of regents member and Tulsa resident Glenda Payas.<ref>Marciszewski, April, ''[http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080110_1_A9_spanc51273 ORU regent to lead committee structuring presidential search]'', tulsworld.com, January 10, 2008, retrieved January 13, 2008</ref>

Tulsa evangelist [[Billy Joe Daugherty]] was named interim President and executive regent. The same month, the school was reportedly "struggling financially" with over $50 million in debt.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/24/AR2007102402111.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103172655/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/24/AR2007102402111.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=November 3, 2012 | title=Chairman Says ORU Over $50M in Debt | newspaper=The Washington Post | date= October 24, 2007| access-date = November 8, 2007}}</ref>

=== Finances ===
ORU's operating budget for 2007–08 was over $82 million. On January 14, 2008, ORU's board of regents voted unanimously to accept $62 million from the [[Mart Green]] family, the owners of [[Oklahoma City]]-based [[Hobby Lobby]], Mardel educational, and various Christian supply stores, an offer which included changes to the university's governing board. In October of that year, an ORU spokesman said the university was still $52.5 million in debt. The school accepted an additional $8 million from the Greens in November.<ref>{{cite web |website=Tulsa World |title=$62 million for ORU |last=Marciszewski |first=April |date=January 15, 2008 |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080115_1__hThea88026|url-status=dead |archive-date=February 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212231352/https://tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080115_1__hThea88026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oru.edu/news/news_stories.php?site=oru&id=1058 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613203531/http://www.oru.edu/news/news_stories.php?site=oru&id=1058 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 13, 2011 |title=News Stories – Oral Roberts University – A Christian College, based in Tulsa Oklahoma |publisher=Oru.edu |access-date=March 24, 2011}}</ref> Of the $82 million given to Oral Roberts University, approximately half went toward eliminating its debt. The remaining half was allocated to "campus renovations, technology upgrades, academic enhancement, financial aid for new and returning students, marketing and operations", according to the university website.<ref name="Renewing the Vision" /> In February 2008, the Renewing the Vision campaign was initiated in an effort to erase this debt. To free the university from its burgeoning debt, the board of trustees announced plans for a $25 million matching campaign,<ref name="Renewing the Vision">{{cite web|url=http://www.oru.edu/news/news_stories.php?id=821|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613203233/http://www.oru.edu/news/news_stories.php?id=821|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2011|title=Renewing the Vision|access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> in which the board agreed to match dollar-for-dollar all donations.<ref name="Renewing the Vision" /> In addition to eliminating debt, funds from the Renewing the Vision campaign contributed to the 2008 summer campus renovations, as well as scholarships provided by the university.<ref name="Renewing the Vision" /> During the summer of 2008, $10 million went to campus upgrades and deferred maintenance. Many dormitories were extensively renovated and most other buildings received restoration and upgrades.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oru.edu/news/news_stories.php?intNav=news&id=916|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613203610/http://www.oru.edu/news/news_stories.php?intNav=news&id=916|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2011|title=Summer Renovations Recap 2008|access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> In January 2009, the university's presidential search committee recommended [[Mark Rutland]], President of [[Southeastern University of the Assemblies of God]] in Florida, to succeed Richard Roberts, which the trustees approved.<ref>Shannon Muchmore, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20090114_296_0_OralRo301798 "ORU has candidate for president,"] ''[[Tulsa World]]'', January 14, 2009.</ref><ref name="takesoffice">Shannon Muchmore, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090701_11_0_TULSAO908452 "Oral Roberts University president takes office"], ''[[Tulsa World]]'', July 1, 2009.</ref> On January 14, Rutland confirmed that he had been offered the position and intended to accept it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theledger.com/article/20090114/NEWS/901140413/1410?Title=Oral_Roberts_Courts_Southeastern_s_Rutland|title=Oral Robert Courts Southeastern's Rutland|work=TheLedger.com|access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> The university began to implement the employment reduction plans, laying off 53 employees and cutting about 40 unfilled positions.<ref>[http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=298&articleid=20090113_330_0_ORUemp571078 "ORU cuts positions, 53 laid off,"] ''[[Tulsa World]]'', January 13, 2009.</ref> On January 29, 2009, the Green family committed $10.4 million to additional campus renovations and upgrades to take place during summer 2009. Following Mart Green's contribution, the university's debt was reduced to $25 million.<ref name="oru.edu">{{cite web|url=http://www.oru.edu/news/news_stories.php?id=991&intNav=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613203248/http://www.oru.edu/news/news_stories.php?id=991&intNav=|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2011|title=Green Family Commits $10 million for Summer Renovations|access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Prayer Tower on the campus of Oral Roberts University.jpg|thumb|right|upright|The [[Prayer Tower]]]]
On April 15, 2009, Chairman of the Armand Hammer Foundation and university trustee [[Michael Armand Hammer]] made a $1 million donation to the school's Whole Person Scholarship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1999_Sept_1/ai_55623393/|title=Oklahoma: Trustee gives $1 million to ORU scholarship fund|access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> As of June 3, 2009, donations and pledges had reduced the university's debt to $720,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://webapps.oru.edu/secure/alumniweb/renewingthevision_bf.php |title=Renewing the Vision|access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> On September 23, 2009, it was announced at the end of the university's chapel service that the school was debt-free.<ref name="debt-free">Justin Juozapavicius, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20210510050402/https://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ORAL_ROBERTS_DEBT?SITE=OKTUL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT "Oral Roberts says it's debt-free after scandal"]}}, [[Associated Press]], September 23, 2009.</ref> The announcement was made two days before Rutland's September 25, 2009 [[inauguration]] ceremony, held at the [[Mabee Center]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newson6.com/global/story.asp?s=11197038|title=Dr. Mark Rutland Becomes ORU's Third President|date=September 25, 2009|access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090926_11_A1_MarkRu117184 "ORU inaugurates leader"] ''[[Tulsa World]]'', September 26, 2009.</ref>

In December 2010, ORU announced that the Green family would make another $10 million gift in 2011, to be used for renovations and technology improvements. The gift raised the Greens' total donations to $110 million.<ref>Bill Sherman, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=19&articleid=20101217_11_0_TheGre168553 "ORU receives another $10 million donation"], ''[[Tulsa World]]'', December 17, 2010.</ref>

=== Allegations of LGBTQ discrimination on campus ===
On August 25, 2015, ORU Administration learned of student Sabrina Bradford's recent marriage to a woman, and two days later she was informed she was not welcome back on campus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vicent |first=Samantha |title=Former ORU student says school is blocking her re-admission over her marriage to a woman |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/education/former-oru-student-says-school-is-blocking-her-re-admission-over-her-marriage-to-a/article_eee74693-22aa-5dec-b690-82dfa4631ab4.html |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=Tulsa World |date=April 21, 2016 |language=en}}</ref> In March 2006 eight peaceful protesters were arrested while rallying across the street from ORU's main entrance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simpson |first=Susan |title=ORU policy protest ends in eight arrests The demonstrators face trespassing complaints. |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2006/03/21/oru-policy-protest-ends-in-eight-arrestsbrthe-demonstrators-face-trespassing-complaints/61895207007/ |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=The Oklahoman |language=en-US}}</ref> Ronnie Roberts, the son of Oral Roberts, came out as gay to the Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the Metropolitan Community Church, in the early 1980s. Six months later, Ronnie Roberts committed suicide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leo |date=2010-07-09 |title=Oral Roberts' gay grandson speaks out |url=https://dallasvoice.com/oral-roberts-gay-grandson-speaks-out/ |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=Dallas Voice |language=en-US}}</ref> As of December 7, 2021, an [[online petition]] to "Tell Oral Roberts University: Change your anti-LGBTQ honor code" had gained over 10,000 signatures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cummings |first=Lily |date=2021-12-07 |title=Petition calls on ORU to make honor code more inclusive |url=https://ktul.com/news/local/petition-calling-on-oru-to-make-its-honor-code-more-inclusive-grows |access-date=2022-10-06 |publisher=KTUL |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Network |first=Action |title=Tell Oral Roberts University: Change your anti-LGBTQ honor code |url=https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-oral-roberts-university-change-your-anti-lgbtq-honor-code |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=actionnetwork.org |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2021, the Religious Exemption Accountability Project, or REAP, filed a class action lawsuit, ''Hunter v. the U.S. Department of Education'', on March 26, 2021, against this campus and other named campuses citing the abuses that thousands of LGBTQ+ students endured at these colleges and universities over the years. LGBTQ+ students document their own direct discrimination, harassment and negative harms in the filing. Those abuses include "conversion therapy, expulsion, denial of housing and health care, sexual and physical abuse and harassment." The abuses also include the "less visible, but no less damaging, consequences of institutionalized shame, fear, anxiety, and loneliness."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Andrew Hartzler Wasn't Allowed To Be Gay on Campus. So He's Suing. |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/05/20/religious-universities-lgbtq-students-title-ix-lawsuit-00033373 |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=Politico |date=May 20, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> On November 1, 2017, president Billy Wilson preached a chapel service entitled, "Holy Sex" and quoted Leviticus 20:13: "If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable, they are put to death."<ref>{{Citation |last=University |first=Oral Roberts |title=ORU Chapel 11/01/17 &quot;Holy Sex&quot; by Dr. William M. Wilson |date=2017-11-07 |url=https://vimeo.com/241784660 |access-date=2022-10-06}}</ref> Within three months of graduation, Andrew Hartzler joined a class-action lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, seeking to strike down a religious exemption provision in U.S. civil rights law that allows ORU and other schools to receive federal funds despite such discriminatory policies. The lawsuit contends it is a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and of the students' equal protection rights.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-26 |title=A Gay Oral Roberts University Graduate's Painful Story |url=https://www.advocate.com/commentary/2022/5/26/gay-oral-roberts-university-graduates-painful-story |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=The Advocate |language=en}}</ref>

=== Presidential inauguration of William Wilson and recent history ===
On January 31, 2013, ORU announced that [[Billy Wilson (pastor)|William "Billy" Wilson]], executive director of the International Center for Spiritual Renewal and vice-chair of the ORU board of trustees, had been selected to succeed Rutland as president, effective July 1, 2013.<ref>Jennifer Leclaire, [http://www.charismanews.com/us/38055-oru-names-billy-wilson-as-fourth-president " ORU Names Billy Wilson as Fourth President"], ''[[Charisma (magazine)|Charisma News]]'', January 31, 2013.</ref> A day earlier, the ORU student newspaper had briefly posted an erroneous report on its website, mistakenly identifying someone else as the new president. Rutland criticized the report at a student assembly and the newspaper's longtime faculty adviser left the school the next day.<ref>Adam Paluka, {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130216021409/http://www.fox23.com/mostpopular/story/ORU-professors-exit-causing-stir-on-campus/ChbU85RFZEyMoHxPa_vtsg.cspx "ORU professor's exit causing stir on campus"]}}, [[KOKI-TV]], January 31, 2013.</ref>

In 2018, the university announced that it would retain Wilson as president for 10 years or at least until 2028.<ref name="10yearspresident">{{cite news |url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/education/oru-announces-agreement-to-retain-william-m-wilson-as-president-for-10-years/article_2827de12-1221-5b55-bdb4-e2508577026d.html |title=ORU announces agreement to retain William M. Wilson as president for 10 years|date=31 May 2018 |work=Tulsa World}}</ref> Under Wilson's presidency, ORU completed a $50 million developmental campaign, which helped construct its Global Learning Center and ONEOK Sports Complex.<ref name="10yearspresident" /> Student enrollment rose from approximately 3,000 in 2008 to over 4,100 in 2019.<ref name="impact2030">{{cite news |url=https://tulsaworld.com/lifestyles/magazine/featured-content-oru-launches-whole-leaders-for-the-whole-world-campaign/article_9c317f08-6376-59c1-80ee-39a081401223.html |title=Featured content: ORU launches Whole Leaders for the Whole World Campaign|date=1 February 2020 |work=Tulsa World}}</ref>

In 2020, the university began its $75 million Impact 2030 campaign, a program focusing on making ORU a "maximum global impact" by 2030. A component of achieving this global impact will be ORU's goal of educating students from 195 nations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-07-18 |title=Oral Roberts University is reaching 185 out of the 195 known nations! |url=https://usdla.org/blog/2019/07/18/oral-roberts-university-is-reaching-185-out-of-the-195-known-nations/ |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=USDLA |language=en-US}}</ref> Fundraising this campaign is due to span over three years and be divided as such: $60 million for buildings, $10 million for international scholarships in order to enroll at least one student from every country around the world, and $5 million for reconverting the university's current library into the Center for Global Leadership. The [[David Green (entrepreneur)|David Green]] family has promised to match every campaign gift up to $45 million with a 3-to-1 match.<ref name="impact2030" />

== Campus ==
[[File:Learning Resource Center - Graduate Center on the campus of Oral Roberts University.jpg|thumb|right|Main campus building, the Learning Resource and Graduate centers]]
The campus began construction in 1963 with a [[Futurist architecture|futuristic]] look and architecture, which historian Margaret Grubiak noted as being inspired by the [[Century of Progress|1933 Chicago World's Fair]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Daniel D. Isgrigg |date=October 14, 2020 |url=https://danieldisgrigg.com/2020/10/14/oruarchitecture/%7C |title=The Architectural Inspiration for Oral Roberts University}}</ref> Architects Stanfield, Imel & Walton of Tulsa designed the 1963 master plan, but most of the buildings were designed by Tulsa architect Frank Wallace.<ref>[http://www.tulsahistory.org/events/deco_tours.htm Tulsa Historical Society Art Deco Tours 2001] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704182647/http://www.tulsahistory.org/events/deco_tours.htm |date=July 4, 2008 }}</ref> In 1981, the [[City of Faith Medical and Research Center]] opened. The buildings were south of the ORU campus, and were originally built as a 60-story clinic, a 30-story hospital, and a 20-story research center. The original tenants left in 1989 because of [[Finance|financial]] problems and a lack of demand for medical services. As of 2007, some floors (in the 20-story building) have never been leased. The facility is now mostly leased out as [[commerce|commercial]] [[office]] space under the name [[CityPlex Towers]]. A 60&nbsp;ft (18.2 m), 30 [[ton]] bronze sculpture ''[[Healing Hands (statue)| Healing Hands]]'', by sculptor Leonard McMurray (cast in [[Ciudad Juárez|Ciudad Juárez, Mexico]] in 1980) and originally in front of the towers, was moved to the ORU campus entrance in the summer of 1991.<ref>Tulsa World ''[http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?no=subj&articleid=240903&archive=yes Moving hands]'' retrieved October 9, 2009</ref> By 2007, the campus was described as "a perfect representation of the popular modernistic architecture of the time... the set of ''[[The Jetsons]]''" but also "shabby" and "dated, like [[Walt Disney|Disney's]] [[Tomorrowland (Disney Parks)|Tomorrowland]]."<ref name=autogenerated1>Justin Juozapavicius, Associated Press, ''[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j9XJtq8scoszIFZLWUjrR8mPuBFQD8S38PR80 Scandal Brewing at Oral Roberts U.]'', October 5, 2007, retrieved October 7, 2007. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011040106/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j9XJtq8scoszIFZLWUjrR8mPuBFQD8S38PR80 |date=October 11, 2007 }}</ref><ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hts11eOY7H11NnIWiVKcH4wZJt2QD8SPM0OO0 |title=Oral Roberts' Son Accused of Misspending |agency=Associated Press |date=November 8, 2007 |access-date=December 5, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111161744/http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hts11eOY7H11NnIWiVKcH4wZJt2QD8SPM0OO0 |archive-date=November 11, 2007 }}</ref><ref>Carlisle's Case Studies, ''[http://www.carlisle-syntec.com/index.cfm?act=case_study_detail&Press_ID=523 Oral Roberts University Fights Back with Help from Carlisle SynTec] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012195328/http://carlisle-syntec.com/index.cfm?act=case_study_detail&Press_ID=523 |date=October 12, 2007 }}'' March 19, 2007, retrieved October 7, 2007</ref> Interviewed in 2010, Wallace characterized his ORU buildings as "sculptures", noting that an inspiration for his artistic sensibility was "whittling since I was a kid".<ref>Robert Evatt, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=32&articleid=20100929_32_E1_CUTLIN175896 "ORU architect's home to be auctioned"], ''[[Tulsa World]]'', September 29, 2010.</ref> It has also been suggested that the buildings may have been inspired by Tulsa's [[art deco]] architectural heritage,<ref>For more detail regarding Tulsa's art deco heritage, see [[List of Art Deco buildings in Tulsa, Oklahoma]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.moderntulsa.net/index.php/archive/oru-tulsa-oral-roberts-university-oral-roberts-architecture-modern-university-modern-architecture|title=''Modern Tulsa'' blog archive for ORU|access-date=September 20, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201164639/http://www.moderntulsa.net/index.php/archive/oru-tulsa-oral-roberts-university-oral-roberts-architecture-modern-university-modern-architecture|archive-date=December 1, 2008}}</ref> along with [[Bruce Goff]]'s individualistic style and creative use of new materials.<ref>[http://www.okmag.com/index.cfm?id=44&homepageid=36 "A Century of Structures,"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010060353/http://www.okmag.com/index.cfm?id=44&homepageid=36 |date=October 10, 2007 }} from ''Oklahoma Magazine'' (retrieved July 18, 2008).</ref>

Maintenance of the many unique but aging buildings, structures, and architectural details on campus was cited as a growing problem for the university.<ref>Lost Tulsa, ''[http://www.losttulsa.com/2006/02/oral-roberts-university-in-decay-as.html Oral Roberts University in Decay]'' {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012184010/http://losttulsa.com/2006/02/oral-roberts-university-in-decay-as.html |date=October 12, 2007 }}', February 10, 2006, retrieved October 7, 2007</ref> In 2008, $10 million was set aside from Green family donations for long-deferred maintenance on many campus buildings, along with the Prayer Tower. The Green family donated another $10 million for work during the summer of 2009.<ref>ORU press release, ''{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110613203248/http://www.oru.edu/news/news_stories.php?id=991&intNav= Green Family Commits $10 million for Summer Renovations]}}'', January 29, 2009, retrieved February 19, 2008</ref>

In 2011, the Prayer Tower was renovated and returned to its original function as a place for prayer.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sherman |first=Bill |date=April 16, 2011 |title=ORU's heavenly view |url=https://tulsaworld.com/lifestyles/orus-heavenly-view/article_60b98a64-da96-56ca-ae84-9b5ee61a3b81.html |website=[[Tulsa World]]}}</ref>

ORU opened its Global Learning Center and the ONEOK Sports Complex, a track stadium with tennis courts in 2017.<ref>[https://www.tulsaworld.com/lifestyles/oru-celebrates-grand-opening-of-global-learning-center/article_33938ad0-eb05-5076-8683-7782c5e1be71.html ORU celebrates grand opening of Global Learning Center]</ref><ref>[https://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/college/oru/oru-dedicates-track-stadium-and-tennis-courts-at-oneok-sports-complex/article_e91b865e-5d2e-5241-8d9b-5c2cd131e1b5.html ORU dedicates track stadium and tennis courts at ONEOK Sports Complex]</ref> The campus added its first student housing since 1976, the Niko Njotorahardjo Residence Hall, in 2019. It also started a $75 million fund for scholarships and campus expansion.<ref>[https://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/oru-celebrates-new-housing-with-ribbon-cutting ORU celebrates new housing with ribbon cutting]</ref><ref>[https://ktul.com/news/local/oral-roberts-university-launches-75m-campaign-for-scholarships-campus-expansion Oral Roberts University launches $75M campaign for scholarships, campus expansion]</ref>

[[File:Howard Prayer Tower.jpg|thumb|Howard Auditorium and the Prayer Tower (the gas flame at the top of the tower is barely visible in this photograph)]]
The front entrance onto campus is a divided, landscaped roadway, originally called The Avenue of Flags and now renamed Billy Joe Daugherty circle, lined with lighted flags representing the more than 60 nations from which ORU students have come.

The main academic building is the [[John Decatur Messick|John D. Messick]] Learning Resource Center / Marajen Chinigo Graduate Center, an immense 900,000 square foot (80,000 m<sup>2</sup>) facility with many pylon-like columns, gold-tinted windows and a [[Lozenge (shape)|lozenge]]-shaped [[Surface area|footprint]] that university publicity says was styled after [[Solomon's Temple|King Solomon's Temple]]. The Howard Auditorium is a gold, [[Buckminster Fuller]]-style geodesic dome used for movies, theatre productions, classes and seminars. Biweekly university chapel services are held in Christ's Chapel, a 3,500-seat building constructed in drape-like fashion as an echo of Oral Roberts's early tent [[Christian revival|revivals]]. The [[Googie]] style [[Prayer Tower]] at the center of campus was intended to resemble "an abstract [[Christian cross|cross]] and [[Crown of Thorns]]" and also houses a [[visitor center]]. The [[Mabee Center]] is an 11,000-seat arena on the southwestern edge of campus and is used for basketball games, concerts, church services and satellite television productions. Timko-Barton Hall houses musical and theatrical performance halls as well as classrooms devoted to the university's programs in the performing arts. The building's performance halls are often the scene of concerts and recitals by performing arts students.

The [[Kenneth H. Cooper]] Aerobics Center houses basketball courts, an elevated running track, a free-weights and exercise room, a swimming pool and classrooms for students who are enrolled in [[Health Fitness|health fitness]] courses (a requirement for all students). J.L. Johnson Stadium is a 2,200 seat baseball stadium located on the north of the campus.

The [[Armand Hammer]] Alumni-Student Center was designed by KSQ Architects, PC, and constructed and completed in 2013. It is the first building to be built on the ORU campus in decades. It totes the largest TV in Oklahoma, a "living room" for students, a gaming center equipped with [[Wii]]s and [[Xbox]]<nowiki/>es, pool tables, ping pong, and more. The building is a modern design fitting for the campus. Students also enjoy addition restaurants and a coffee shop. The Armand Hammer Student-Alumni Center also houses student government offices as well as board rooms for special meetings. No classes meet in this building; it is strictly for the use and enjoyment of the student body.

The Hamill Student Center is between Ellis Melvin Roberts and Claudius Priscilla Roberts Halls and houses restaurants on its lower level. Zoppelt Auditorium is on the ground level and is often used as a lecture hall for classes, forums and special events. Campus Security and the "Fireside Room" are also on ground level with the university cafeteria (called "Saga" by students) on the upper level.<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008">Student Handbook ''[http://www.oru.edu/catalog/ORU_hb0203.pdf Student Handbook Fall 2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517165525/http://www.oru.edu/catalog/ORU_hb0203.pdf |date=May 17, 2008 }}'' retrieved March 3, 2008</ref>

=== Housing ===
There are eight residence halls on campus. The university has strict guidelines concerning student access to the upper floors of residence halls by members of the opposite sex, which is limited to designated occasions called "Open Dorms."

* '''Claudius Priscilla Roberts Hall''' is a seven-story building built in 1965 that can house up to 600 women.<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008"/> Called "Claudius" by students, the building is named after Oral Roberts's mother.
* '''Ellis Melvin Roberts Hall''' is a seven-story building also built in 1967 that can house up to 600 men.<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008"/> Called "EMR" by campus residents, this dormitory is similar to Claudius Priscilla Roberts Hall but has some differences, notably walls made of concrete blocks rather than sheet rock, two elevators instead of one and laundry facilities in the basement instead of on every floor. According to the university, these two tri-winged buildings are meant to reflect the [[Trinity]].<ref>About ORU: [http://www.oru.edu/aboutoru/emr.php Ellis Melvin Roberts Hall & Claudius and Priscilla Roberts Hall] retrieved March 3, 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203113618/http://www.oru.edu/aboutoru/emr.php |date=February 3, 2009 }}</ref>
[[File:Towers Dormitories.jpg|thumb|right|The four "Towers" residence halls, Michael Cardone, Wesley Leuhring, Susie Vinson and Frances Cardone]]
* '''Frances Cardone Hall''' (originally Ethel Hughes Hall) is a 12-story building for up to 372 women.<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008"/> This is one of the four "Towers" dormitories, meant to represent the [[Star of David]].<ref>About ORU: [http://www.oru.edu/aboutoru/towers.php Towers] retrieved March 3, 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516084514/http://www.oru.edu/aboutoru/towers.php |date=May 16, 2008 }}</ref> The building is called "Frances" by university students.
* '''Michael Cardone, Sr. Hall''' (originally Edward Hughes Hall) is the twin dormitory to Frances and houses up to 372 men.<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008"/> It is linked to the three other Towers dormitories by a central hallway and the main lobby area, called the "Fishbowl" for its glass exterior walls.
* '''Susie Vinson Hall''' is one of two shorter "Towers" housing 244 women on eight stories and known as "Susie."<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008"/>
* '''Wesley Leuhring Hall''', called "Wesley" by students, is the twin dormitory of "Susie" and is alike in both capacity and design.<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008"/> In the summer of 2017, Wesley was converted into a women's dorm and was to be called "Susie North."
* '''Gabrielle Christian Salem Hall''' is a three-story split-level dormitory west of Timko-Barton Hall and called "Gabby" by the students. It can house up to 240 women and has secured doors that open using university-issued cards. There are in-room bathroom facilities on the first and second floors.<ref name="Student Handbook Fall 2008"/>
* '''Niko Njotorahardjo Hall''', named after the founder and senior pastor of an Indonesian church and ministry, opened for the fall 2019 semester. It was ORU's first new student housing project since 1976 and contains 240 beds in apartment and dorm style rooms.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tulsaworld.com/news/orus-first-new-residence-hall-in-more-than-40-years-highlights-28-million-in-recent/article_4fbf27bd-34a4-512a-a7a7-a1cc251f20ae.html|title=ORU's first new residence hall in more than 40 years highlights $28 million in recent improvements|publisher=Tusla World|last=Stanley|first=Tim|date=13 September 2019}}</ref>

===Chapel===
The university has weekly chapel services in Christ's Chapel, which are recorded and broadcast live through the university's television station and also via satellite.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090904051115/http://www.golden-eagle-tv.com/shows/chapel.html "Enter In (formerly ORU Chapel)"]}} ''Golden Eagles Broadcasting'', September 24, 2009.</ref>

A typical chapel service features [[contemporary worship]], a missions offering, special music, and a [[sermon]], typically from President [[Billy Wilson (academic)|William Wilson]], as well as special guests, including some of the world's biggest and most well-known pastors, evangelists, and spiritual leaders. Attendance at Chapel is mandatory and attendance is taken by student leadership.<ref name="Oral Roberts University 2009"/>

== Academics ==
[[File:Christ's Chapel.jpg|thumb|right|Christ's Chapel as seen from the gardens surrounding the Prayer Tower]]

ORU is [[Higher education accreditation in the United States|accredited]] by the [[The Higher Learning Commission|Higher Learning Commission]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Higher Learning Commission |url=https://www.hlcommission.org/component/directory/?Itemid=&Action=ShowBasic&instid=1634 |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=www.hlcommission.org}}</ref> Some colleges and programs are accredited by specialized accreditors, including the [[Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs|Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Accredidation |url=https://oru.edu/academics/cob/graduate-program/accreditation.php |website=Oral Roberts University}}</ref> [[National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education]],<ref>{{Citation |title=COE Accredidations |url=https://oru.edu/academics/coe/accreditations.php |access-date=2024-02-18 |language=en}}</ref> [[ABET|Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology]],<ref>{{Citation |title=Engineering (Bachelor of Science -Engineering) |url=https://oru.edu/academics/cose/undergraduate/bs-in-engineering.php |access-date=2024-02-18 |language=en}}</ref> [[Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=CCNE-Accredited Programs |url=https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/rptAccreditedPrograms_New.asp?state=OK&sFullName=Oklahoma |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=directory.ccnecommunity.org}}</ref> and [[Council on Social Work Education]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Bachelor of Social Work |url=https://oru.edu/academics/cose/undergraduate/social-work.php |access-date=2024-02-18 |language=en}}</ref>

In addition to its undergraduate programs, the university also has a graduate [[seminary]] and graduate programs in business, education, computer science,<ref name="MSCS">{{cite web|url=https://oru.edu/academics/cose/graduate/master-of-computer-science.php|title=Masters in Computer Science - Oral Roberts University|access-date=Oct 7, 2023}}</ref> and data science.<ref name="MSCS-DS">{{cite web|url=https://oru.edu/academics/cose/graduate/master-of-comp-sci-con-data-sci.php|title=Masters in Computer Science with a Concentration in Data Science - Oral Roberts University|access-date=Oct 7, 2023}}</ref>

ORU has signed an early assurance program with the [[Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences]] in 2011, allowing high achieving students to receive conditional admission to OSU's [[Osteopathic medicine in the United States|osteopathic]] medical school program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oru.edu/news/oru_news/20110822_oru_osu_medical.php|title=ORU/OSU Center for Health Sciences help grads enter medical school - Oral Roberts University - A Christian College, based in Tulsa Oklahoma.|access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref>

From its founding, ORU has placed emphasis on Charismatic doctrines of [[Christianity]]; its initial presidential leadership, including Oral Roberts and his son Richard Roberts, also espoused the doctrine of [[Prosperity theology|seed faith]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vu |first1=Michelle |title=Oral Roberts Memorial a Stage for 'Seed Faith' Message |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/oral-roberts-memorial-a-stage-for-seed-faith-message.html |publisher=[[The Christian Post]] |date=December 22, 2009}}</ref> This belief was closely connected to fundraising efforts by both Oral and Richard.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mariness |first1=David |title=Reaping Faith's Rewards |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/02/15/reaping-faiths-rewards/7cae91fe-84b1-4137-afa8-f22e6a52e33c/?noredirect=on |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |date=February 15, 1987}}</ref>

While the majority of ORU staff were happy with including other doctrines of faith, some such as [[Charles Farah]] have disagreed publicly, indirectly leading to the publishing of a PhD thesis from a student a number of years later about his opinions on [[Prosperity theology|seed faith]].<ref>D.R. McConnell, ''A Different Gospel'', updated edition, (Hendrickson, 1995).</ref>

== Student life ==

The university's residential policy requires all unmarried undergraduate students younger than 23 to live on campus, although exceptions are made for students who live with their parents in the Tulsa area.<ref>[http://www.oru.edu/admissions/undergraduate/pdfdocs/intl_application.pdf "Undergraduate Application: Residential Policy"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527180451/http://www.oru.edu/admissions/undergraduate/pdfdocs/intl_application.pdf |date=May 27, 2010 }} ''Oral Roberts University'', September 18, 2009.</ref> Men and women are housed in separate dormitory facilities on campus with student access to housing of the opposite sex largely restricted. In addition to having a chaplain on every wing of each dormitory, there are also [[Resident assistant|residential advisers]] for each floor, who enforce curfew, take attendance at Chapel services, and serve as "go-to persons" for students on their floors. Every Monday night is a mandatory Hall Meeting at which announcements are made by dorm leadership.<ref>[http://webapps.oru.edu/new_php/alumni_and_friends/alumni/media/enewsletters/200901.php "Alumni Newsletter"] ''Oral Roberts University'', September 18, 2009.</ref>

All students are required to sign a pledge stating they will live according to the university's [[academic honor code|honor code]]. Prohibited activities include [[lie|lying]], [[Profanity|cursing]], [[Tobacco smoking|smoking]], [[Alcoholic beverage|drinking]], and a range of [[Human sexuality|sexual acts]], including [[Homosexuality|homosexual]] behavior and sex outside marriage.<ref name="Oral Roberts University 2009">[https://webapps.oru.edu/slle/code-of-honor-pledge.pdf "Honor Pledge"] ''Oral Roberts University'', September 18, 2009.</ref> In early 2003, the student [[Social aspects of clothing|dress code]] was relaxed for the first time in 40 years and described as [[business casual]]. For most of the school's history, men were required to wear collared shirts and ties and women were required to wear skirts (an exception for winter months was added in 2000). In 2006, campus-wide dress code rules were eased further, allowing students to wear jeans to class and dress more casually in non-academic settings. Since 2009, men are allowed to have neatly trimmed facial hair. Restrictions on men's hair length were relaxed in 2013.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://web.oru.edu/flash_flipbooks/student_handbook/| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140420152138/http://web.oru.edu/flash_flipbooks/student_handbook/| archive-date = 2014-04-20| title = Student Handbook}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://alumniweb.oru.edu/oru%20alumni/right74.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902221931/http://alumniweb.oru.edu/oru%20alumni/right74.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 2, 2006 |title=Ties and Skirts: Addressing the Issue |access-date=June 29, 2006 |publisher=ORU:Alumni Foundation }}</ref>

== Athletics ==
{{Main|Oral Roberts Golden Eagles}}
Oral Roberts University is a member of [[The Summit League]] after leaving its former conference home, [[Southland Conference]], in July 2014.<ref>{{cite web
|url =http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/article.aspx?subjectid=440&articleid=20111025_440_0_OralRo880305|title=Oral Roberts joins Southland Conference|author=Mike Brown|date=October 25, 2011 | access-date=March 1, 2012}}</ref> Its athletic programs include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer and tennis along with track and field for men and women. There is also a baseball program for men and volleyball for women.

ORU's early sports team nicknames were the [[Titan (mythology)|Titans]] for men and the Lady Titans for women, adopted in 1965 by a vote of the student body. On April 30, 1993, all teams for both men and women became known as the [[Oral Roberts Golden Eagles|Golden Eagle]]s. ORU's [[mascot]] is Eli the [[golden eagle]], who hatched out of his [[papier-mâché]] egg on November 17, 1993, before the start of an exhibition basketball game as the official symbol of a new era in ORU athletics. The mascot's name is an [[acronym]] for education, life skills and integrity.

Notable players include: [[Max Abmas]] (men's basketball), [[Jose Trevino (baseball)|Jose Trevino]] and [[Chi Chi Gonzalez|Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez]] (baseball), [[Kevi Luper]] (women's basketball), [[Jeffery Gibson]] (track and field), [[Jack Whitt]] (track and field), and Austin Hannah (golf).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/oru/oral-roberts-announces-former-athletes-in-its-hall-of-fame/article_ff225944-8be1-5c33-aa99-bf5f8669dee5.html|title=Oral Roberts announces 4 former athletes in its 2019 Hall of Fame class|publisher=Tulsa World|date=December 11, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.normantranscript.com/sports/golf-at-state-amateur-one-former-westwood-champ-out-another-into-round-of-16/article_1b02e9a8-e8fc-11eb-8cb5-eba27ea0c86b.html|title=Golf: At State Amateur, one former Westwood champ out, another into round of 16|publisher=Norman Transcript|date=July 19, 2021}}</ref>

===Basketball===
{{Main|Oral Roberts Golden Eagles men's basketball|Oral Roberts Golden Eagles women's basketball}}

The women's basketball team has appeared in six NCAA tournaments.  In 2018, former NBA player [[Lee Mayberry]] was appointed as assistant coach for the women's basketball team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ktul.com/sports/oral-roberts/oru-womens-basketball-hires-a-local-legend|title=ORU Women's Basketball Hires a Local Legend|author=TJ Eckert|publisher=KTUL|date=July 4, 2018}}</ref>

[[Paul Mills]] has been the head coach of the Golden Eagles men's basketball team since 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ktul.com/sports/oral-roberts/oru-hires-mills-as-new-head-mens-basketball-coach|title=ORU hires Mills as new head men's basketball coach|publisher=KTUL|date=April 28, 2017}}</ref> On March 19, 2021, the ORU men's basketball team defeated the #2 seed [[Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball|Ohio State]] in the [[2021 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2021 NCAA tournament]] as a #15 seed in the first round. This was the first time a #15 seed won an NCAA tournament game since [[Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders men's basketball|Middle Tennessee]] defeated [[Michigan State Spartans men's basketball|Michigan State]] in the first round of the [[2016 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2016 NCAA tournament]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Oral Roberts shocks Ohio State, becomes only ninth No. 15 seed to upset No. 2 seed in NCAA Tournament |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/oral-roberts-shocks-ohio-state-becomes-only-ninth-no-15-seed-to-upset-no-2-seed-in-ncaa-tournament/live/ |website=CBSSports.com |date=March 19, 2021 |access-date=19 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref> ORU then defeated #7 seed [[Florida Gators men's basketball|Florida]] in the Round of 32 to advance to the [[March Madness|Sweet Sixteen]]. It is only the second #15 seed to ever reach the Sweet Sixteen, after [[Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men's basketball|Florida Gulf Coast]] in 2013.<ref>[https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-basketball/news/15-seeds-sweet-16-oral-roberts-fgcu/1xb7svdzcqarg17vp15k33ads9 15 seeds in Sweet 16: How Oral Roberts' unlikely March Madness run compares to FGCU in 2013 {{!}} Sporting News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Player [[Max Abmas]] was named the [[Summit League Men's Basketball Player of the Year]] in March 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesummitleague.org/news/2021/3/3/awards-oral-roberts-abmas-collects-summitmbb-player-of-the-year-honors.aspx|title=Oral Roberts' Abmas collects #SummitMBB Player of the Year honors|publisher=Summit League|date=March 4, 2021}}</ref>

===Baseball===
{{Main|Oral Roberts Golden Eagles baseball}}

The ORU baseball team has played in 29 NCAA regional tournaments. ORU advanced to the College World Series in 1978 and 2023. In 2006, ORU advanced to the NCAA Super Regional against Clemson, and in 2023 the Golden Eagles beat Oregon in the Eugene Super Regional. ORU baseball once won 12 consecutive conference championships and played in 12 consecutive NCAA regional tournaments (1998 to 2009).<ref name="thesummitleague.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.thesummitleague.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3900&ATCLID=3742285 |title=ORU Captures Baseball Championship Title With 6-2 Win Over SDSU - theSummitLeague.org—Official Web Site of The Summit League |publisher=Thesummitleague.org |date=May 24, 2009 |access-date=March 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723023808/http://www.thesummitleague.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3900&ATCLID=3742285 |archive-date=July 23, 2011 }}</ref>

== Notable alumni ==
{{alumni|date=September 2021}}
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Alumni include  [[Michele Bachmann]] (U.S. Congress member),<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Congressional biography of Michele Bachmann |url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B001256 |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref> [[Daniel Amen]], [[Kari Jobe]], [[Don Moen]], [[Matt Pinnell]], [[Rachel Plakon]], [[Ned Flanders]], [[Lora Reinbold]], [[Ryan Tedder]], [[Teresa Knox]], [[Clifton Taulbert]], [[Ulf Ekman]],  [[Kelly Wright]], [[Jared Anderson (Christian musician)|Jared Anderson]] (musician), [[Scott Thompson Baker]] (actor), [[David Barton (author)|David Barton]] (author), [[Tom Freiling]] (author and publisher), [[John Allen Chau]] (missionary who illegally approached the [[Sentinelese]]), [[Kathie Lee Gifford]] (talk show host), [[Brian Graden]] (television executive), [[Michael Graham (radio personality)|Michael Graham]] (conservative media personality).<ref>{{cite web |title=Daniel Amen, MD |url=http://health.usnews.com/doctors/daniel-amen-434619 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310001130/http://health.usnews.com/doctors/daniel-amen-434619 |archive-date=March 10, 2014 |work=Doctor Finder |publisher=[[U.S. News & World Report]]}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0048913/bio Scott Thompson Baker – Biography – IMDb<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=David Barton Biography |url=http://www.wallbuilders.com/ABTbioDB.asp |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-date=October 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011061608/http://www.wallbuilders.com/ABTbioDB.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Conroy |first=J. Oliver |date=2019-02-03 |title=The life and death of John Chau, the man who tried to convert his killers |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/03/john-chau-christian-missionary-death-sentinelese |access-date=2020-03-04 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name="reinbold">{{Cite web |title=Lora Reinbold |url=https://akleg.gov/100years/bio.php?id=1580 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016194544/https://akleg.gov/100years/bio.php?id=1580 |archive-date=2020-10-16 |access-date=2021-04-26 |publisher=[[Alaska Legislature]]}}</ref>

Alumni in religion include [[Kenneth Copeland]], [[Billy Joe Daugherty]], [[Paul Osteen]], [[Ted Haggard]], [[Adam Hamilton (pastor)|Adam Hamilton]], [[Ron Luce]], [[Joel Osteen]] (attended one semester), [[Carlton Pearson]], [[Marcos Witt]], and [[Richard Roberts (evangelist)|Richard Roberts]].<ref>{{cite web |date=Fall 1990 |title=Alumni Feature: The Front Lines of Evangelism |url=http://alumni.oru.edu/oldexcellence/fall90/pages/focus1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012183742/http://alumni.oru.edu/oldexcellence/fall90/pages/focus1.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |access-date=August 19, 2008 |work=ORU Excellence |publisher=Oral Roberts University}}</ref><ref name="Spokesman">[http://www.spokesmanreview.com/ncaa/2007/stories/?ID=178767 Oral Roberts profile] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929102536/http://www.spokesmanreview.com/ncaa/2007/stories/?ID=178767|date=September 29, 2007}}, ''[[The Spokesman-Review]]'', March 12, 2007</ref><ref>
{{cite web |date=Spring 2005 |title=Two ORU Alumni Recognized in Time Piece |url=http://alumniweb.oru.edu/excell/spring05/pages/department/lifelonglinks9.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070829082338/http://alumniweb.oru.edu/excell/spring05/pages/department/lifelonglinks9.asp |archive-date=August 29, 2007 |access-date=August 19, 2008 |work=ORU Excellence Magazine |publisher=ORU Alumni Foundation}}
</ref><ref>[http://www.oru.edu/aboutoru/president.php] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014234512/http://www.oru.edu/aboutoru/president.php|date=October 14, 2007}}</ref>

Alumni in sports include [[Andretti Bain]], [[Doug Bernier]], [[Deondre Burns]], [[Steve Holm]], [[Todd Burns]], [[Ron Meridith]], [[Keith Miller (infielder)|Keith Miller]], [[Mike Moore (baseball)|Mike Moore]], [[Prince Mumba (athlete)|Prince Mumba]], [[Haywoode Workman]], [[Keith Lockhart (baseball)|Keith Lockhart]], [[Bob Zupcic]] and [[Paul Friedlander (golfer)|Paul Friedlander]].<ref>[http://www.kjrh.com/sports/olympics/2014-sochi-olympics/andretti-bain-oklahoma-olympian-oru-sprinter-won-silver-for-bahamas-in-2008-beijing-olympic-games "Andretti Bain, Oklahoma Olympian: ORU sprinter won silver for Bahamas in 2008 Beijing Olympic Games"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019061850/http://www.kjrh.com/sports/olympics/2014-sochi-olympics/andretti-bain-oklahoma-olympian-oru-sprinter-won-silver-for-bahamas-in-2008-beijing-olympic-games|date=October 19, 2015}}, [[KJRH-TV]], January 18, 2014.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bernier called to big club |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080617&content_id=2948060&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col |access-date=September 20, 2014 |work=Colorado Rockies}}</ref><ref name="Almanac">{{cite web |title=Oral Roberts University Baseball Players Who Made it to the Major Leagues |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/college/oral_roberts_university_baseball_players.shtml |access-date=September 20, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Spokesman" />

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links}}
*{{Official website|http://www.oru.edu/}}
*[http://www.orugoldeneagles.com/ Oral Roberts University athletics website]

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