U.C. Oregon

U.C. OREGON

A CURIOUS TAKE ON WHY CALIFORNIA STUDENTS WANT TO BE DUCKS

KATIE BARRER MARYN BEUTLER MEGHAN MCELDOWNEY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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.................U.C. OREGON: WHY ARE WE CURIOUS?

BIOGRAPHY SPOTLIGHT: NICK CLARK....................

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2

...........THE CALIFORNIA STUDENT DEMOGRAPHIC

CALIFORNIA STUDENT SURVEY FINDINGS II...........

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3

..........BIOGRAPHY SPOTLIGHT: KATIE ROSENBERG

BIOGRAPHY SPOTLIGHT: COLE IRVIN.....................

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.............BIOGRAPHY SPOTLIGHT: SHANNON PRICE

BIOGRAPHY SPOTLIGHT: JILLIAN ALLEYNE.............

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5

.............CALIFORNIA STUDENT SURVEY FINDINGS

CONCLUDING OUR CURIOSITY...............................

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.......................BIOGRAPHY SPOTLIGHT: IZZY KAY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.........................................

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WHY WE ARE CURIOUS The University of Oregon has attracted thousands of California students over the years, and can commonly be heard around campus as the new “California” school,“U.C. Oregon”. As a team, we have decided to explore the reasons as to why so many California students choose to attend the University of Oregon. Why leave behind the authentic Mexican food, the constant sunshine, and the overall “California lifestyle” for a small campus town in Oregon that gets over 45.7 inches of rain a year? We believe our curiosity is relevant and also resides as a common curiosity with other students. We sat down one-on-one with six California-to-Oregon students, and along with the research we conducted both through the web and through student surveys, came up with what we believe is why the University of Oregon is so popular with kids down south.

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2,727 2000

1,504 2006

2,049

1998

1996

1994

1995

2,660 2001

1,539 2007

2,411

1997

2,061 2002

1,592 2008

2,837

2,279

2003

1,616 2009

3,249

1,737 2004

1,803 2010

3,975 2012

4,261 *TOTAL NUMBER OF CALIFORNIA STUDENTS ENROLLED AT THE UofO PER YEAR

1999

1,552 2005

1,950 2011

4,529 2

CALIFORNIA STUDENT ENROLLMENT STATISTICS 1994 -2012

STUDENT: YEAR:

KATIE ROSENBERG

SOPHOMORE

MAJOR:

BUSINESS

HOMETOWN:

DANVILLE

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO OREGON? “Oregon offers a lot of things: an education in four years, a major that I wanted, a difference of perspective. If I had stayed in California, I think I would have been a total brat. It really opened my eyes.

I love California to the point where I will probably always live there, but I didn’t want to always live in the same place or be surrounded by the same people. I don’t think that’s healthy.”

WHAT DO YOU BRING TO OREGON? “I bring a different perspective. I’ve only ever known California, a lot of people here have only ever known Oregon, so we kind of meet in the middle. That’s when you realize not everyone from Oregon is the stereotype you see, and not everyone from California is that image people have in their heads. Although sometimes we are, a lot of the times we are.”

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WHY DO YOU THINK CALIFORNIANS COME TO OREGON? “The school has a cool energy and great vibe. Having visited friends who go to school in California, they weren’t as happy. No one goes outside. They’re all in their dorms, even if it’s beautiful out. It felt very sterile. Here people are very inclusive, and very appreciative of the outdoors. I’ve always been very environmental-- my family has solar panels, we just built a well, and my dad really wants chickens, he wants to be off the grid-- but I’ve noticed that I’m even more environmentally aware now. That’s something I’ll take back with me.”

STUDENT: YEAR:

SHANNON PRICE

SOPHOMORE

MAJOR:

ART

HOMETOWN:

SAN DIEGO

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO OREGON? “It was one of my top universities. I applied to other Cal schools, but I did not want to be close to home. UO is a part of a strong campus town, a strong student body that’s not just commuters, a good athletic program, and money to actually spend on students. A lot of Cal schools just don’t really have that.”

WHAT DO YOU BRING TO OREGON? “I have my own clothing line called Crave Clothing. It’s something I have really developed while in Eugene.

I am also a surfer, which often blows people away when I tell them that. Believe it or not I’ve caught some of the best waves of my life up here. I guess I just offer a different flavor.”

WHY DO YOU THINK CALIFORNIANS COME TO OREGON? “I mostly hear about kids wanting to just get out of California and experience something new. It is getting super crowded. If anything, people come here for the sports. Definitely not the weather.”

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CALIFORNIA STUDENTS CHOOSE OREGON

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CALIFORNIA STUDENTS SURVEYED

ATHLETIC FAN BASE

GET OUT OF CA

GREEK LIFE

THE OUTDOORS

65.15%

60.61%

36.36%

27.27%

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SURVEY MONKEY ANALYSIS

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STUDENT: YEAR:

IZZY KAY

SOPHOMORE

MAJOR:

FHS

HOMETOWN:

MARIN

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO OREGON? “Rain. It rains at home, but in Oregon, there are distinct seasons. Other than that, they’re pretty similar. California, at least where I’m from, is really green.”

WHAT DO YOU BRING TO OREGON? “I feel like honestly, Oregon has given more to me. There’s a lot of people who do weird things, like slack line or hacky sack. I’m going to say though, that we bring better music to Oregon. Everything people listen to up here is originally from the Bay Area. ” WHY DO YOU THINK CALIFORNIANS COME TO OREGON? “People come to Oregon from Southern California to get a breath of fresh air. In all seriousness, people from Southern California don’t know what fresh air is. People also come for the sports. I think that’s the only reason people come here. Unless you’re really invested in the J school or the Business school, I think

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YEAR:

STUDENT:

SOPHOMORE

NICK CLARK

MAJOR:

PRODUCT DESIGN HOMETOWN: SANTA BARBARA

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO OREGON? “My dad and my sister went here, so I have grown up wanting to be a Duck my whole life. I wasn’t worried about the transition being hard, and I just wanted to get out of California for a little bit. I was attracted by the amount of pride Oregon has. The entire state rallies around UO, which you feel as soon as you get here. I also like how ecologically different Oregon is; it offers a lot of experiences to go outdoors and do things off campus.”

WHAT DO YOU BRING TO OREGON? “Freckles. Vans. SoCal upbringings. I’m a huge surfer and skater. I transformed a handicap van specifically for surfing road trips. We drive to Florence, Cannon Beach, and Seaside. I think I bring good California vibes.”

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WHY DO YOU THINK CALIFORNIANS COME TO OREGON? “No sales tax. Money in general. The U.C. system is so corrupt. When kids go there it is like spending money to go out of state anyways.”

CALIFORNIA STUDENTS CHOOSE

OREGON

30.30%

SCHOLARSHIP

24.24%

SCHOLARSHIP

56.06%

PRESTEGIOUS PROGRAMS

19.70%

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STUDY ABROAD

66

CALIFORNIA STUDENTS SURVEYED ABOUT OREGON’S ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES SURVEY MONKEY ANALYSIS

YEAR:

STUDENT:

SOPHOMORE

COLE IRVIN

MAJOR:

SOCIOLOGY

HOMETOWN:

YORBA LINDA

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO OREGON? “The family like environment, the nature, and the freedom to do what you want without being judged attracted me to U of O.” WHAT DO YOU BRING TO OREGON? “My personality definitely fits the free roaming lifestyle of Oregon, but I think I personally brought a different perspective and a spontaneous character. I like to do random, adventurous things, like take long drives, and go into the woods. I decorated my room, to make me feel like I was still home in California, with surfing swag and baseball accessories.”

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WHY DO YOU THINK CALIFORNIANS COME TO OREGON? “I think other students are attracted to the Business and Journalism School here, especially because of the connection we have with Nike and other opportunities the school gives students. A good football team helps promote the University, as well as all of the other sports.”

STUDENT: YEAR:

JILLIAN ALLEYNE

SOPHOMORE

MAJOR:

CDS HOMETOWN: FONTANA

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO OREGON? “What attracted me to the University of Oregon was all that it had to offer athletically, academically, and socially. A place like this is second to none. Since being here I have learned so much about myself. Being able to meet new people, live in a different kind of environment, and creating an experience California couldn’t offer me. I love the nature around here and the community is great!”

WHAT DO YOU BRING TO OREGON? “What I bring to Oregon is a new perspective. I believe that you get out of it what you put into it, and that’s what I strive to do here at Oregon. I am learning how to love life and make the best of it. I want to bring good vibes and a different outlook on life on and off the basketball court. I also take pride in and find enjoyment in my hobbies of skateboarding, scrapbooking, and dancing.”

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WHY DO YOU THINK CALIFORNIANS COME TO OREGON? “I think other students come to the University of Oregon because of all it has to offer. The classes are top notch, all sports are elite, and the cherry on top is the cool experience you get of a college town here in Eugene.”

CULMINATION OF OUR CURIOUSITY

There is no doubt that the University of Oregon is a diverse, unique, and special campus that many long to be a part of. The culture, the sports, the academic programs, and the idea of what it means to be a Duck are attracting more students than ever, especially from our neighbors just across our southern border. The influx of California students is growing by the second.

BUT WHY?

From the surveys, the research, and the one-on-one interviews we conducted with California students, we found that California students are yearning for a college town with a friendly campus feel, school spirit, and the opportunity to achieve their academic goals in due time. For some reason, out of everywhere else in the country, California students are choosing to spend their four years in Eugene. It is great to know that we are a part of a university that so many want to be a part of. Go Ducks.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SHANNON

PRICE

KATIE

ROSENBERG

IZZY

KAY

NICK

CLARK

THE HATFIELD-DOWNLIN COMPLEX

COLE

IRVIN

JILLIAN ALLEYNE

U of O

REGISTRAR

PROFESSOR DEB MORRISON 12