U.C. OREGONA CURIOUS TAKE ON WHY CALIFORNIA STUDENTS WANT TO BE DUCKS

KATIE BARRERMARYN BEUTLER

MEGHAN MCELDOWNEY

TABLE OF CONTENTS.................U.C. OREGON: WHY ARE WE CURIOUS?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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1994

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

2007

2006

2005

2004

2012

2011

2010

2009

2,7271,552

1,950

1,803

1,616

1,592

1,737

2,061

2,411

2,660

1,539

1,504

2,279

2,0494,529

3,975

3,2492,837

4,261

CALIFORNIA STUDENT

ENROLLMENT STATISTICS

-20121994*TOTAL NUMBER OF CALIFORNIA STUDENTS ENROLLED AT THE UofO PER YEAR 2

2008

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 environ-mental-- 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.”

YEAR: SOPHOMORE MAJOR: BUSINESS HOMETOWN: DANVILLESTUDENT: KATIE ROSENBERG

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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STUDENT: SHANNON PRICE

YEAR: 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

66CALIFORNIA STUDENTS

SURVEYED 65.15% 60.61% 27.27%36.36%SURVEY MONKEY ANALYSIS

ATHLETIC FAN BASE GET OUT OF CA GREEK LIFE THE OUTDOORS

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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, peo-

ple 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

YEAR: SOPHOMORE MAJOR: FHS HOMETOWN: MARINSTUDENT: IZZY KAY

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. ”

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STUDENT: NICK CLARK

YEAR: SOPHOMORE 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.”

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.”7

66CALIFORNIA STUDENTS SURVEYED

ABOUT OREGON’S ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

CALIFORNIA STUDENTS CHOOSE OREGON

SCHOLARSHIP SCHOLARSHIPPRESTEGIOUSPROGRAMS

STUDY ABROAD

30.30% 19.70%56.06%24.24%

SURVEY MONKEY ANALYSIS8

STUDENT: COLE IRVIN

YEAR: SOPHOMORE 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.”

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.”

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STUDENT: JILLIAN ALLEYNE

YEAR: 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.”

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.”10

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 rea-son, 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

PROFESSOR DEB MORRISONTHE HATFIELD-DOWNLIN COMPLEX

U of O REGISTRAR

SHANNON PRICE

KATIE

ROSENBERGIZZY KAY

NICK CLARK

COLE IRVIN

JILLIAN ALLEYNE

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