Dec. 14, 2021 - Jan. 17, 2022 by OU Daily

W E E K LY E D I T I O N | D E C . 14 - 2 0 , 2 0 2 1 | O U D A I LY. C O M

OU releases contract details for new head coach · pg. 3

OUDAILY

The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916

Sooners ‘hit back’ in upset win

RAY BAHNER/THE DAILY

Junior forward Jalen Hill holds the ball during the game against Butler University on Dec. 7.

OU coach Porter Moser credits defense with victory over Arkansas GRAYSON BLALOCK @grayson_blalock

TULSA — Senior forward Tanner Groves finished a dominant final 10-minute stretch with an emphatic dunk that gave Oklahoma an 84-60 lead and energized its fans, though noticeably outnumbered in the neutral-site crowd of 12,746, to their loudest volume of the afternoon. Just over 10 minutes prior, Arkansas guard Au’Diese Toney threw down a two-handed slam of his own that brought the Razorback faithful inside the BOK Center to their feet during the Dec. 11 game against the Sooners. Arkansas seemed poised to replicate Butler’s second-half comeback that helped fell OU in an overtime loss on Dec. 7. However, junior forward Jalen Hill hit two critical free throws shortly after Toney’s dunk to stop a 12-2 run that had drawn the Razorbacks within five points. Then, suffocating

defense, a Porter Moser trademark the Sooners’ coach has carried from his time at Loyola-Chicago, held the Razorbacks to two field goals over the following 11 minutes. The stingy containment led to a 17-0 sprint that cemented Oklahoma’s (8-2) 88-66 upset win over No. 12 Arkansas (9-1) in Tulsa. “They cut it to a couple points and we hit back,” Groves said. “We hit harder, and that’s what it’s all about.” Arkansas entered the game ranked No. 20 nationally in scoring offense, averaging 83.3 points per game. OU came into the game only allowing 60.9 points per game, ranked 46th nationally. On the back of their defense, the Sooners prevailed and upped their defensive efficiency to No. 26 in the KenPom 2022 basketball rankings. One game after Butler throttled OU on the glass 43-30, the Sooners outrebounded Arkansas 36-29 for their third-highest rebounding mark of the year. “I thought it started with our defense,” Moser said. “Obviously, making some shots, executing some things we wanted to do. I think a (big part) of that was rebounding.

“Jalen (Hill) and (Elijah Harkless) had some really good in-traffic rebounds. Those are the ones that are so valuable, and I thought Jalen did that. He had such a toughness to it.” It wasn’t just rebounding that propelled Oklahoma to its biggest win of the season. The Sooners’ lineup played a complete game. Each starter scored in the double digits, led by Harkless and Groves with 21 and 16, respectively. Harkless, a senior guard, had his first double-double of the season with 11 rebounds, and OU shot a blistering 59.1 percent from the 3-point line, blasting past its previous season-high 42.9 percent against Indiana State. The Sooners also set a new season high for 3-pointers made in a single game with 13. Perhaps the biggest shots of the game came amid Oklahoma’s 17-0 run that gave it a 78-57 lead. Hill, a junior forward, hit only his fifth 3-pointer of the season with six minutes and 38 seconds left. Thirty seconds later, Groves hit another 3-pointer, followed by him barely missing a heat-check 3-pointer and a turnover from redshirt senior guard Jordan Goldwire that caused Moser

to fall to the floor in apparent agony. Late-game shot selection plagued OU in its losses to Utah State and Butler, and after two quick shots, Moser took advantage of Arkansas’ timeout to ensure it wouldn’t happen again. “That’s what we talked about that whole (timeout),” Moser said. “We need good possessions. You don’t need daggers five seconds into (the shot clock). We talked about still being aggressive. If you have a layup, great. If not, circle it out — let’s get some long possessions. “The Tanner one is tough because he just hit one. The play after that is the one that I might’ve hit a wet spot on the floor.” Oklahoma forced two Arkansas misses after Goldwire’s turnover before Gibson hit a dagger 3-pointer that broke the Razorbacks. Down 11, Arkansas missed three shots in an 18-second span. After the third missed shot, players dove for the loose ball before it was ultimately ruled a jump ball, much to the frustration of Arkansas coach Eric Musselman. He was given two technicals immediately after the play, resulting in his ejection, and Goldwire

hit all four free throws, giving OU a 76-57 lead with three minutes and thirty seconds remaining in the second half. Groves’ rim-rattling jam delivered the finishing blow soon after. “That was the best college basketball atmosphere I’ve ever played in,” Groves said. “It was crazy. It was loud. Sooner fans were amazing. It was just so cool. It was so fun to experience an atmosphere that I’ve never played in, and it helped me bring way more energy. I was feeding off the crowd’s energy and it was amazing.” Even after OU passed its toughest test to date in nonconference play, Moser doesn’t feel his team has neared its ceiling as it looks ahead to UT Arlington and Alcorn State before Big 12 play. “It’s a continuation,” Moser said. “We’re not even close yet. We’ve got to continue to improve and get better., but I’m obsessed and intentional with the process of moving this team along.” graysonablalock@ou.edu

Employee vaccine mandate halted by court injuntion Requirement in flux after district judge blocks federal enforcement Kaly Phan @KPhsn

TREY YOUNG/THE DAILY

A medical worker draws a COVID-19 vaccination into a syringe before an OU vaccination clinic March 26.

OU Human Resources announced the university will no longer require employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19 by Jan. 4, 2022 in a Dec. 8 email. OU employees were previously required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine by Jan. 4, 2022, in compliance with the federal vaccine requirement for contractors. U.S. District Judge R. Stan Baker of Savannah, Georgia, temporarily blocked enforcement of the federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement for contractors Dec. 7 by

a nationwide preliminary injunction, effectively suspending the mandate. Vaccines are still required for limited groups of OU community members, according to the email, including any personnel who have volunteer obligations or responsibilities in a patient care setting, any person who wishes to participate in study abroad programs and OU Health Sciences Center employees. OU employees are also no longer required to request new exemptions or comply with exemption accommodations unless they are in one or more of the groups still required to get vaccinated, according to the email. Despite no formal requirement, OU still encourages its employees to fill out the online vaccine verification form as they get vaccinated. Starting Dec. 9, COVID-19

administrative leave, which was made available to assist compliance with the federal mandate, is also suspended and will be unavailable until further notice. Benefits-eligible employees will still be able to use administrative leave on Dec. 27 and 28 as authorized by OU President Joseph Harroz Jr., according to the email. Winter break administrative leave does not apply to College of Medicine physicians or credentialed providers to OU Health partners, according to the email. Employees who must sustain continuous patient care, teaching schedules and service-related functions may also find winter break administrative leave unavailable. kaly.n.phan@ou.edu

NEWS

• Dec. 14-20, 2021

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OU defines investigation terms National chapters confirm university review of allegations JONATHAN KYNCL @jdkyn

OU’s Delta Upsilon and Delta Gamma chapters are still under investigation, according to statements by their respective executive offices. The Delta Upsilon chapter was placed on “emergency suspension” on Dec. 1 due to reports the chapter “may be in violation of Fraternity policy,” according to a statement from Delta Upsilon International Fraternity Executive Director Justin Kirk. “ The emergency suspension temporarily pauses all chapter activities while policy violation allegations are investigated,” Kirk wrote in the statement. “Findings from the investigation will determine if the emergency suspension should be lifted or if disciplinary action is needed for the chapter or individual members.”

WILL BLESSING/THE DAILY

Elm Avenue closed for Delta Gamma’s Bid Day Aug. 22.

The Delta Gamma chapter was placed on “limited status” by its international executive office following the results of an assessment. KFOR reported the suspension was due to hazing allegations. “Delta Gamma is working closely with the university to investigate allegations of

disrespectful behaviors within our chapter at the University of Oklahoma,” Mallory Borino, the director of marketing and communication, wrote in a statement to The Daily. “During this time, the chapter has been placed on a limited status. We take all allegations seriously and are conducting a

thorough investigation to ensure all members of our local chapter are living the values of Delta Gamma.” Associate Director for Fraternity and Sorority Programs and Services Kylie Frisby said although the terminology used by the national chapters differ, the impact

stays the same. “Our terminology we use on campus is a cease and desist, it’s not necessarily a punitive measure,” Frisby said. “It’s just a pause so everyone can figure out what’s going on. We can make sure people are staying safe. We’re not putting anybody in weird spots.”

Neither chapter can hold meetings or events, but those who live in the house can stay as of now, Frisby said. Delta Upsilon’s OU chapter currently has 101 members, according to KFOR. This chapter was investigated in 2018 after being in violation of the university’s hazing and alcohol policy. Frisby said OU will be in contact with the sorority and fraternity’s national offices to make sure there are no complications for spring recruitment. The university will not publicly state the reason for the investigations until they conclude. “There’s still some pending investigations happening,” Frisby said. “We’ve got some partnerships with the national (organizations), and we want to make sure they’re able to do what they need to do first before all that stuff goes public.” jkyncl@ou.edu

OU announces graduation times, locations RACHEL WEATHERS @rrweathers

OU will hold 11 individual college convocation ceremonies Dec. 17-18 to honor fall 2021 graduates, according to a Dec. 7 university press release. Nearly 2,400 students will participate in the December convocation ceremonies, and each college has been assigned a specific time and location. All ceremonies will be livestreamed. “We congratulate all of our fall graduates on their remarkable accomplishments and we look forward to seeing the profound impact they will have on our world as members of the OU alumni family,” OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. said in the release. Rachel.R.Weathers-1@ou.edu

Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication Info: Convocation will be held at 10 a.m. Dec. 18. Graduation candidates are to arrive by 9 a.m. and must obtain and submit the registration form through the Gaylord Hall Student Where: Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall

College of Professional and Continuing Studies Info: Convocation is scheduled for 10 a.m., Dec. 18. This ceremony will also recognize the graduates from the Aviation Undergraduate Programs. Graduation candidates are asked to arrive by 8:45 a.m. for this ceremony. Where: T. Howard McCasland Field House

David L. Boren College of International Studies Info: Convocation will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 18 . Graduation candidates must register for the ceremony online and are asked to arrive by 1 p.m. Where: Reynolds Performing Arts Center DAILY ARCHIVE

A graduate looks around the 2019 OU graduation ceremony at the Lloyd Noble Center May 10.

Christopher C Gibbs College of Architecture

Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education Info: Convocation will be held at 2 p.m., Dec. 18. Graduation candidates are asked to arrive by 1 p.m. In this ceremony, doctoral and master’s degree candidates will be hooded.

Info: Graduation candidate recognition and reception will be held at 4:30 p.m., Dec. 17. A reception will follow the ceremony in the living room outside the Gould Hall Gallery.

Where: Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall

Where: Gould Hall Gallery

Michael F. Price College of Business

College of Arts and Sciences Info: Undergraduate and master’s convocation ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 17. Where: Lloyd Noble Center

College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences Info: Convocation is set for 7 p.m., Dec. 17

Info: Convocation will be at 2 p.m., Dec. 18. Graduation candidates are asked to arrive at 1 p.m. Doctoral candidates will not be hooded at this ceremony. However, they will walk across the stage. Where: T. Howard McCasland Field House

Gallogly College of Engineering Info: Convocation will be held at 6 p.m., Dec. 18. Graduation candidates are to meet in Wagner Hall by 5 p.m. Where: T. Howard McCasland Field House

Where: Sam Noble Museum of Natural History

Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts

Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy

Info: Convocation is set for 7 p.m., Dec. 17. Graduation candidates are to arrive at 6:30 p.m.

Info: Scheduled for 6 p.m., Dec. 18. Graduation candidates must register through the college’s student services center and are asked to arrive at the ceremony by 5:15 p.m.

Where: Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall

Where: Reynolds Performing Arts Center

SPORTS

Dec.14-20, 2021 •

COMING UP AT OU

‘We came out with fire’ Sooners topple BYU despite injured guard’s absence

Monday-Friday Final exams for students. Good luck!

NICK COPPOLA @NickCoppola84

Sunday, Dec .19 Men’s Basketball vs. UT Arlington, 2 p.m. The Sooners will take on the UT Arlington Mavericks at home. Tipoff is at 2 p.m. at the Lloyd Noble Center. For more information, visit soonersports.com. For game day coverage, visit oudaily.com and follow us on Twitter @OUDaily.

Tuesday, Dec. 21 Women’s Basketball vs. Utah, 6 p.m. Watch OU take on the Utah Utes at 6 p.m. in the Lloyd Noble Center. For more information, visit soonersports.com. For game day coverage, visit oudaily.com and follow us on Twitter @OUDaily.

Happy Holidays! – From staff reports

Down one point with a minute and 10 seconds left in overtime, senior forward Madi Williams held the ball with no one around her. Seeing an opportunity, the Fort Worth native fired from 3-point range. Her shot rainbowed in the air and went straight into the basket, giving OU its most crucial bucket of the night. Her vital 3-pointer continued what became an 11-0 run to end the game. After a backand-forth contest, Oklahoma (9-1) was dominant to close out a statement 99-91 victory over No. 16 BYU (8-1) in overtime. “I’m almost speechless,” said head coach Jennie Baranczyk after the game. “I couldn’t be more proud of our team. It was definitely a great performance.” The Sooners spent most of the first half playing catchup. Over the first half, OU shot just 29 percent from the field. A buzzer-beater from redshirt senior guard Ana Llanusa prevented OU from going into the second quarter down double digits. Struggling, the Sooners were down by 10 points three times throughout the first half. Oklahoma crept back into the game in the second quarter, but tragedy struck with just over three minutes remaining before halftime. Llanusa, one of OU’s best players, went down with a leg injury. After missing the entire 2020-21 season with a back injury and battling multiple injuries before then, Llanusa was subdued again and did not return to the game. It was a scary moment for a

RAY BAHNER/THE DAILY

Senior guard Taylor Robertson dribbles the ball during the game against ECU on Dec. 7.

player who has already dealt with much adversity in her college career. Baranczyk could only watch from the baseline as Llanusa was carried off the court with extensive help. “I don’t have an answer,” said Baranczyk when asked about the injury’s severity. “We’re gonna hope for the best. We’re gonna pray for the best. It’s really unfortunate.” Oklahoma went into halftime down four points but was motivated to continue battling. “With (Llanusa) going down, we just needed a little spark of energy,” Williams said. “I kept telling (the team), ‘We’re good. We’re built for this.’ We came out with fire.” Oklahoma returned from its locker room guns blazing. With seven minutes and 46 seconds left in the third quarter, junior guard Kennady Tucker, Llanusa’s replacement, made a layup to give OU a 44-43 lead and the tables turned. The Sooners gained a lead and fought to keep it, determined to win for Llanusa. Sophomore forward Skylar Vann drained a 3-pointer with 4 minutes and 54 seconds remaining in the third quarter, sending the Lloyd Noble

Center crowd to its feet as OU led 53-45. Freshman guard Kelbie Washington gave her an emphatic celebratory shove afterward as BYU called timeout. It was one of many moments the Sooners used to keep their energy and spirits high when they needed to. “We really played together in the second half,” Baranczyk said. “We haven’t had a lot of games where we’ve been down at the beginning. … We just continued to play and chip away.” The Cougars continued to fight in the fourth quarter as the Sooners desperately clung to their lead. With a minute and 9 seconds left in regulation, the Cougars’ Tegan Graham made a 3-pointer to put BYU on top 83-81, its first lead of the quarter. OU responded with a Vann layup to tie the game. BYU could not win in the final seconds and after a wild four quarters, there would be five more minutes of overtime to play. “We were ready for the game to be over,” Williams said. “We were ready to win at that point. We just had to finish it. We knew that’s what we had to do.” After a back-and-forth

overtime, sophomore guard Neveah Tot made a layup before Williams made the ever-important 3-pointer that gave OU the lead. The Sooners didn’t look back and held the Cougars scoreless over the final two minutes and 47 seconds of play to close out their biggest win of the season. The entire team rallied in Llanusa’s absence, but Williams stepped up the most. She finished with a double-double, leading all Sooners with 25 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. At game’s end, she made it absolutely clear who OU was playing for. “We were able to come together and finish out the game for (Llanusa),” Williams said. “It was a good win, and we feel good. We know that we still have work to be done, but we’re ready for the fight and we’re ready for the rest of the season.” The Sooners’ win streak now stands at six games, and OU will have 11 days off before facing Utah (6-2) at 6 p.m on Dec. 21 in Norman on Bally Sports Oklahoma. nicholas.w.coppola-1@ou.edu

Venables receives 6-year deal OU releases contract details for new football head coach MASON YOUNG @Mason_Young _0

Oklahoma released the terms it has reached with new football coach Brent Venables’ via an open records request Friday, revealing a 6-year deal worth $7 million annually in total compensation through

Jan. 31, 2028. Venables’ regular annual income of $6.4 million is scheduled to increase by $100,000 each February beginning in 2023, according to university records. He’ll also receive a supplementary retirement plan of $600,000 annually and a performance bonus of $400,000 if he wins the national championship. Venables was appointed as the Sooners’ 23rd head coach

HOROSCOPE By Eugenia Last

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2021 ASTROGRAPH by Eugenia Last

EDWARD REALI/THE DAILY

“OU football head coach Brent Venables during the celebration welcoming Venables inside Everest Training Center on Dec. 6.”

Previous Solution

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Keep your personal and professional lives separate. Indulgent behavior will make you look bad. Don’t share too much information with your peers, relatives or loved ones.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Be careful what you say and do. Someone in a position of power can make or break your plans. Choose your words carefully and execute your plans with precision.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Embrace change and make it work for you. Invest time and effort into improving your domestic situation. An open discussion will lead to positive change. Honesty is the best policy.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Set a goal and relay your message with precision. You stand to gain mentally, physically and financially if you are direct and take control. Romance is favored.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Be observant, but don’t interfere. Pushing your beliefs or thoughts on others will backfire. Do what you can without ultimatums. Put your energy into professional gains.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Emotions will stand between you and what you want. If you overreact, take on too much or let someone steal your thunder, you will lose ground. Put your feelings aside and be practical.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Don’t get angry; get moving. Take the initiative and make things happen. A change in how you approach your livelihood will affect the way others treat you. Be smart and use your skills wisely. ARIES (March 21-April 19) Don’t give in or give up. Anger will make you look bad. Pour your energy into something worthwhile. Focus on what you want to do and how you can turn it into a lucrative concern. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Inconsistency will rear its ugly head if you are gullible or lack initiative. Think matters through, budget wisely and don’t let outsiders interfere with your plans.

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) It’s up to you to make things happen. Don’t wait for someone to make the first move. Wasted time will lead to disappointment, regret and anger. There is nothing you can’t achieve! LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Pay attention to personal matters instead of getting involved in what’s happening to others. A steady pace will lead to the perks you want and the chance to meet people heading down a similar path. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) You can take control of any situation if you speak from the heart. An energetic approach will help you build a better life. Let go of the past and finish what you start.

on Dec. 5 following Lincoln Riley’s departure for USC. He was previously OU’s defensive coordinator from 1999-2011 before a 10-year stint in the same position at Clemson. Venables’ deal with OU would more than triple his previous Clemson salary of $1.2 million annually. It would also place his earnings near that of Ohio State’s Ryan Day, $6.614 million annually, and Penn State’s James Franklin,

$7 million annually, despite that he’s a first-time head coach. OU’s open records office notes Venables’ official contract is still being finalized and requires approval by the OU Board of Regents, whose next meeting is scheduled for March 8-9. masyoung@ou.edu

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg December 14, 2021 ACROSS 1 Underwater habitat 5 La Tomatina’s country 10 Word after “nanny” or “panda” 13 Simple racetrack’s shape 14 Big name in insurance 15 Bull’s gender 16 First, in Psychology, Joe Six-Pack learned that students who do best ___ 18 De-wrinkle 19 Former quarterback Manning 20 Angled accessibility aid 21 Recorded 22 A step up ... or down 24 They say it doesn’t pay 26 Then, in Civil Engineering, Joe and his workout buddies teamed up to ___ 31 Apple’s word processor 34 Bert’s roommate 35 Not feeling well 36 Trois + cinq 37 The Big Apple, for short 38 Close tightly 39 Blunder 40 Magazine edition 42 Letter before delta

12/14

43 Later, in Naval History, Joe heard about traitorous sailors who had to ___ 46 “___ Anatomy” 47 Soaks up warmth 50 “Get outta here!” 52 They’re steeped 54 Graceless person 56 Pound sound 57 Finally, in Statistics, Joe was taught several ways to ___ 60 Lie adjacent to 61 One celebrating Diwali 62 Landed 63 Sugar measure: Abbr. 64 Poker player’s “Check” 65 Cause of great annoyance DOWN 1 Stood up 2 Lesser of two ___ 3 Weird Al hit whose title is sung after “just” 4 Seasonal ailment 5 iPhone browser 6 Popular ’do in an ’80s yearbook

7 Sitting on 8 Place to stay 9 One running in D.C.? 10 The original YOLO? 11 Succulent described as a “wonder plant” 12 Darn, like a sock 15 Dolphins’ city 17 Toyota hybrid 21 Get sleepy 23 Aid’s partner 24 Take off the air 25 Ballplayer’s stat 27 Contact case contents 28 Run out of water 29 Glitz’s partner 30 Fitzgerald known for scat 31 “What a relief”

32 Spiritual glow 33 Band such as BLACKPINK or Bananarama 38 Fifth Avenue store 40 Hot couple 41 Bashful 42 Grind, as teeth 44 Cheez Whiz company 45 What you can count on 48 Australian animal that isn’t a bear 49 Glossy fabric 50 Try to hit 51 Corn holders 52 Fish in a joke about a piano 53 Finishes 55 Destiny 57 Chinese life force 58 Tear 59 Bit of cream

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

12/7

Core Curriculum by Jess Shulman and Brian Thomas

NEWS

• Dec. 14-20, 2021

SIANDHARA BONNET/THE DAILY

Norman’s Food and Shelter building on Jenkins Avenue.

City assesses homelessness Norman releases county service system report ALEXIA ASTON @alexiaaston

Norman released a gap analysis last week of Cleveland County’s homeless services system, the demographic of the county’s residents experiencing homelessness and provided recommendations to improve the current system. The report is in conjunction with the Norman/Cleveland County Continuum of Care and is contracted with Homebase, a national technical assistance provider that helps communities prevent and end homelessness. More than 500 community providers, local residents, people with lived experience of economic insecurity and/ or homelessness and business representatives answered surveys, according to the report. The community survey, conducted during March and April 2021, had more than 450 responses from Cleveland County residents. Many respondents were homeowners who did not work regularly with people experiencing homelessness, according to the report. According to the report, most respondents felt concerned either for themselves or for someone they knew about finding affordable housing. They also believed people in their community are one or two circumstances away from becoming homeless. Currently, adults over 18 comprise 93 percent of Cleveland County’s homeless population. Children under 18 years of age comprise 7 percent of the homeless population. Nearly a third of Cleveland County’s population experiences a cost burden for housing, making them vulnerable to homelessness, according to the report. White residents experience a cost burden for housing around a third of the time while Asian, American Indian or Alaskan Native residents experience it approximately 40 percent of the time. Black or African American residents experience it just over half of the time. According to the report, Cleveland County has a less diverse general population than Oklahoma, with 78 percent white residents in the county compared to 74 percent in Oklahoma. However, Black, African American, Native American and Alaskan Natives are two times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population, which is potential evidence of “ongoing racial inequities in the local homeless system,” according to the report. C l e v e l a n d C o u n t y ’s Homeless Population in 2020 The full point-in-time count in January 2020 identified 266 people experiencing homelessness in the county — a 100 percent increase from 133 in 2015. Of those in 2020, 55 percent were living unsheltered on the streets, in vehicles or in

encampments, according to the report. Women comprised 34 percent of the unsheltered homeless population in 2020 — an increase from 24 percent in 2019 — and 42 percent of Cleveland County’s sheltered population in 2020 compared to 39 percent in 2019. Men comprised 66 percent of the unsheltered homeless population in 2020 — a decrease from 76 percent in 2019 — and 58 percent of Cleveland County’s sheltered population compared to 61 percent in 2019. C l e v e l a n d C o u n t y ’s Unsheltered vs. Sheltered Homeless Population by Gender in 2020 The increase in the overall homeless population is partially due to a “more robust” pointin-time count, according to the report. In 2020, 50 percent of those experiencing homelessness were identified as having a serious mental illness, a substance use disorder or both. C l e v e l a n d C o u n t y ’s Homeless Population Between 2017 and 2019 Cleveland County had 1,861 residents who accessed local homeless services between 2017 and 2019. Of those, 22 percent, or 161 residents, were identified as chronically homeless — “individuals or heads of households experiencing homelessness for a year or longer who also experience at least one disabling condition,” according to the report. Of the 1,584 adults who accessed local homeless services, 61 percent were male, 39 percent were female and 1 percent were transgender or gender non-conforming. Cleveland County Homeless Population by Race 2017-2019 The report found that 67 percent were White, 18 percent were Black or African American, 7 percent were American Indian or Alaska Native, 1 percent were Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, less than 1 percent were Asian and 7 percent were persons of multiple races. Of the residents, 60 percent reported having no income, 46 percent reported having no source of non-cash benefits and 59 percent reported having no source of health insurance when presenting for services. Additionally, 27 percent were survivors of domestic violence or were actively fleeing it, 22 percent experienced chronic homelessness, 7 percent were veterans and 7 percent were under the age of 25. In terms of health conditions and disabilities, 30 percent of residents who received services reported having a mental health problem, 16 percent reported having a physical disability, 15 percent reported having a chronic health condition, 12 percent reported experiencing a substance use disorder, 5 percent reported a developmental disability and 1 percent reported experiencing HIV or AIDS. Additionally, 27 percent reported having at least one

disability, 23 percent reported having multiple disabilities and 15 percent reported experiencing three or more. Housing and Services Currently, Cleveland County does not have enough service spaces to meet the needs of its unhoused population, according to the report. Norman has two year-round overnight shelters, the Salvation Army and Food & Shelter; one seasonal shelter, Norman’s Emergency Shelter; and a few other agencies that offer a small number of emergency use apartments or rooms. Norman’s low barrier warming shelter was first opened in 2019. As of May 11, 2021, at least 219 individuals were using the shelter, according to the report. In 2020, the Housing Inventory Count identified 259 year-round beds available in the community for Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Rehousing, Transitional Housing and Emergency Shelter, with an additional 66 seasonal beds and four overflow beds. Of the year-round beds, 53 percent were dedicated to some type of permanent housing, and the remaining 47 percent were for temporary housing. Of those, the region had 116 permanent supportive housing beds and 22 rapid rehousing beds. As of June 2021, there was a 76-person wait list for permanent supportive housing.The area had 121 year-round temporary beds, 59 emergency shelter beds and 62 transitional housing beds. Of those, 16 of the 59 shelter beds are dedicated to women and their children who are survivors of domestic violence. Recommendations Stakeholders and focus group participants identified several key gaps and needs, including opportunities for safe and affordable housing; low-barrier housing and day services; supportive services; transportation to employment; services and shelter; coordinated prevention assistance; robust data collection and analysis; and coordination and communication to ensure effective use of limited resources. The report lists over 40 recommendations to address Cleveland County residents experiencing homelessness. A few include committing to additional permanent supportive housing units, widely advertising the eligibility criteria and necessary process for obtaining housing assistance, establishing a landlord risk mitigation fund that provides compensation if issues between landlords and tenants arise and designating a countywide housing navigator who can meet in person with individuals and families experiencing homelessness. alexiaaston@ou.edu

ALEXIA ASTON/THE DAILY

Data collected by the Norman/Cleveland County Continuum of Care, which contracted with Homebase, assessing gaps in Cleveland County’s homeless services system.