Anyways, I’m starting to really think about what college I’m going to attend. I need to take certain classes to transfer, so I’m starting early. One I’ve been seriously considering is the University of Oregon, located in Eugene. I’m most likely going to major in English.
I live near Salem, so I can easily visit parents, etc., or live there if absolutely necessary. I’ve been doing some research, and it seems like a nice place. I’m going to visit and check it out, of course, but I wonder if any graduates/attendees have any comments on their stay. I’m not real familar with Eugene as a town, either.
I’ve always liked Eugene–it is a University town. Lots of activity, culture, clubs, a couple of great bakeries, and a general feel of hippy-ness remains even at this late date (must be the children, or maybe grandchildren of the original hippies). I have heard good things about the University as well, but haven’t talked to anyone about specific areas of study.
Oh, and the area is beautiful–love those mountains!
Really! That’s so cool. To tell you the truth, I’m not sure exactly what information I’m looking for. I can find out a lot of stuff through the handy website and all–I’m more looking for personal opinions and feelings about the college. Anything to help me get a better feeling for the place. I know that’s not a real big help.
And I understand if you don’t want to share, but I’m curious–what subject do you teach?
I personally hated Eugene with its hippies, bums, “anarchists” and the many assorted combinations of the above, but I do think I got a pretty good education at U of O. Naturally in the beginning when you’re doing your GE stuff you get some blah classes with stupid people, but once you figure out what you’re doing there the wheat is generally pretty quickly seperated from the chaff. While I was glad to be graduating by the time I was done, I definitely had some great classes and professors. 'Course, I didn’t take any English classes except one required composition class… But if you go to U of O and like to read, you MUST take at least one class from Ken Debevoise in the poli sci department. Heavy reading load, but the guy knows his books and puts on some great classes… while not really actually teaching anything himself. The only professor I’ve ever seen who really developed a devoted following of people coming back for more punishment.
See, that’s part of what I like. And pretty good bicycle trails and lanes that are actually used. And a variety of restaurants, at many of which I can explain my dietary needs and actually have them met rather than getting a sullen, blank stare.
Eugene is smaller than Salem, and feels smaller. There is some ethnic diversity but less overt Mexican influence than in Salem. Eugene has a number of independent bookstores, as well as some chain bookstores. Most of the city is pretty enough that you want to walk through it; it feels more like a little Portland than a little Salem. Eugene has a weekly Saturday Market and Farmer’s Market as well as an annual Eugene Celebration at which the Slug Queen is crowned.
I believe UO student can ride public transit free. There are a lot of student activities on campus, generally with organizations centrally housed in the student union. The university bookstore actually has books.
I’m in the College of Education. Some of my undergraduate classes have 70 students in them, though as students progress through their programs the classes tend to be smaller. You may want to look into the Honors College if you want more intimate classes earlier.
Well, I can give you some observations in a couple weeks–Mr. Armadillo begins his career as a grad student there next month ;). From what I’ve seen so far, I think I’m going to be a happy 'dilla, the trees, the rain, the hippies, my natural habitat :).
One thing that sucks, most of the leases in the area (if you’re looking to rent) are month-to-month, and rent within days of being listed in the paper, so you can’t really start looking for a place to live until about a week before you plan to move. Any earlier and the houses will have long since been rented. I’m used to a town where every single effing lease begins on September first, and ends on August 31st. So every college age person is homeless for about 24 hours.
ahem, as I was saying…
… Therefore, you have to start calling places in about mid-April in order to have a place to live at the end of August. In Eugene and Springfield, you can’t find a place any earlier than a week or two before you plan to move in.
Also, there seems to be a preponderance of futon stores and ice cream shops. I’m a fan of both
