The definitive list of things you know as an Oregon student
The walk to Autzen is sacred
School pride is tradition, especially in a college town. From mascots to a local’s favorite spots to eat on gameday, there’s a lot of things that make Oregon the way it is.
To celebrate that, here’s a list of everything UO students love and understand about their campus.
The Duck
The Duck isn’t only our mascot; it’s the inspiration for the screaming crowds at any Oregon sporting event ever. No one knows how to get a crowd going like The Duck!
Animal House
Oh the infamous “Animal House”. Not only is the movie famous for leading to the outbreak of Toga Parties across the U.S., it was also taped at the University of Oregon and around the Eugene area. You can’t go to Oregon without hearing references to this movie at some point or another.
Taylor’s
Taylor’s is a place you can find any Oregon student, especially on weekends. You never know who you can run into: a friend, a professor, a GTF. Anything is fair game on a Saturday night.
Walk to Autzen
This mile-long walk is one of many traditions Oregon students love.
There’s nothing like the feeling of walking to a football game, surrounded by friends and crazy (and occasionally very drunk) Oregon fans.
EMU madness
It is a very rare moment when the EMU is actually calm. Whether its the line at Chipotle or the tables scattered around the newly updated building, the EMU is always packed with U of O students studying, talking, eating, and doing whatever it is Ducks do.
Puddles are rivers
Even though we say “It never rains at Autzen Stadium” let’s be real, it’s Oregon. It ALWAYS rains, both in Oregon and at Autzen. When it decides to be rainy for several days in a row, there are no longer puddles every so often on the sidewalks and streets.
The “puddles” engulf the sidewalks and streets of Eugene. I hope you own rain boots!
Squirrels EVERYWHERE
You’d think it’s New York City by how close these squirrels get to people.
They run around campus doing their own thing, but as soon as they know you have food, they will climb all over you.
The beautiful campus
Even though it rains what feels like all the time, the campus is still one of a kind. Pictures are never able to capture the beauty within Oregon and its campus, but it will have to do until you come visit.
Pac-12 rivalries
Nothing says “friendly” competition like a good old rivalry, especially a good Civil War game. Yes, Ducks get very competitive to say the least, but there are good intentions.
After making it to the National Championships in 2014, Ducks fans always have high hopes for every game, but especially for games like the Civil War where beating Oregon State is a must.
And referees
It’s no secret Oregon students are by no means a fan of Pac-12 referees. Whenever a questionable call is made, the student erupts in anger, holding up signs saying the game is rigged because of the referees.
Yes, students understand not everything will go the way we want it to, but, in the heat of the moment, you are bound to join the riot.
Pit Crew
The secret behind all home games for any sport. These die hard Oregon fans show up to every home game, and always keep the crowds roaring. If you see someone wearing a clock, they are the Pit Crew leader, so keep your eyes pealed.
Hirons
The one place near campus where you can find just about anything…..except magazines. Hirons is known for its exotically random collection of stuff; anything from postage to costumes and masks to pharmacy, Hirons has it.
When you’re bored, Hirons is the place to go!
DoughCo.
What says college more than a restaurant with a menu of calzones and cookies that delivers until 3 a.m.?
There is a reason this small restaurant is packed at all hours of the day and night.
iClickers
Nothing says “Welcome to a huge lecture” like mandatory attendance thanks to the help of iClickers. If you have a Mac, good luck registering it. I hope you have a friend with an HP or Windows laptop. Otherwise, you’ll know your professor really fast!
Canvas malfunctions
Canvas is known at Oregon for two things: being extremely slow and not working at all.
If you have to take a quiz before class, do it on your laptop because the Canvas App will take a year to load (if it loads at all).
Shout
If you don’t go to Oregon, it’s just another song on a playlist you hear at every wedding and party you can imagine. Here at Oregon, “Shout,” famous for it’s appearance in “Animal House,”is played all over campus and during every sporting event.
And yes, it is played at parties here, too. It has become the song to hype up a crowd.
SAA “Beat” Tees
The Oregon Student Alumni Association (SAA) allows a one-time membership fee, and endless free shirts for home football games. Most students pay the fee and wear the “beat tees” during the game the following day, which features a logo that incorporates an aspect of an Oregon tradition or theme like The Duck, or Autzen Stadium.
Throw Your O
Yet another expression everyone hears on a daily basis; students even get emails with the saying written all over.
Oh, don’t forget about the geo-filter on snapchat with the infamous saying.
Jaywalking is a must
If you go to Oregon, walking to class can get hard, especially in the rain. It has gotten to the point cars know you will jaywalk, and they accept it. Embrace the freedom, since jaywalking is NOT illegal in Oregon!
The lack of Uber
Every college town and big city praises Uber for their convenience and accessibility. Considering a decent amount of students attending the University of Oregon are from California, there is a bit of a shock in store when they find out U of O is not Uber-friendly.
Thankfully, U of O does have Oregon Taxi services if you need a ride home from late night partying.
UC Oregon/Eugene
Speaking of the abundance of Californians at the U of O, Oregon has picked up the nickname of “UC Eugene”. It is mostly a recurring joke between Californians since it is difficult to get into a UC school if you live in California.
However, Oregon has taken the lost Californians under its wing, and given them a second home.
Coming Home (Oregon)
Every Oregon student has heard this song at some point while on this amazing campus. For most, it’s the anthem played immediately following the first quarter of home football games. For others, it’s just a reminder of the amazing place Oregon has become.
No matter what part of the world people come from, the students of Oregon will always have a piece of their hearts designated to the place we get to call home.