A new director of housing is getting acclimated to campus this month.
Michael Burns will replace Liz Donnelly, former director of housing who retired in October, taking charge of OCU residence life.
Burns grew up in Oklahoma City and earned his master’s in higher education from the University of Oklahoma in Norman and is working toward his doctorate in higher education from Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma City.
“I love the college life,” Burns said. “Just being around this type of atmosphere is something I hope I can continue for a while.”
Burns said he enjoys the outdoors, anything athletic and spending time with his wife and three children.
Burns worked as director of residential life and student development at OBU where he oversaw campus housing, including assignment and community buildings. Before that, he was the director of men’s housing.
“I am excited for OCU,” Burns said. “I think it will be a great fit. Coming from a small university to another small university, I am familiar with the culture of everyone knows everyone and all that.”
Burns officially started his role Monday and said he will spend his first semester listening and asking questions.
“I don’t have any big plans right now, but I think just getting the hang of everything is the best strategy for right now,” Burns said.
One students said she hopes there will be changes to the way housing operates soon.
“I hope he gets settled in and enjoys working here, but I also think there are some things that need to be addressed quickly,” said Sarah Cason, psychology junior. “Things like the state of the dorms and the way they assign rooms.”
Burns said he wanted to come to OCU for a while but there was never an appropriate time.
“I am so excited to be here now,” he said.
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