UO prepares for record enrollment, welcomes first PathwayOregon students

EUGENE, Ore. -- (Sept. 24, 2008) -- The University of Oregon will welcome more than 4,000 freshmen students this week as they aim to settle in before classes begin on Monday, Sept. 29. Total enrollment is expected at more than 20,000 students.

Students will be moving into residence halls and an off-campus living arrangement the university facilitated to meet the needs of the largest-ever freshman class. With a record number of freshmen enrolled, the university has taken many steps to ensure students have access to classes, housing and programs.

Official enrollment numbers will not be available until early November, but careful planning, based on preliminary admissions numbers, has resulted in additional resources for new students.

"Year after year, students and their families are choosing a world-class education at the University of Oregon," said UO President Dave Frohnmayer. "As enrollment increases, it is the university's priority to make sure every student has access to resources for an enriching and positive experience. Every department is working hard, behind-the-scenes, to make sure that the institution is ready as we start the new academic year."

Student increases are due to additions from within the state of Oregon, out-of-state and international students.  In addition, more than 415 of the new students will participate in the first year of PathwayOregon.

PathwayOregon -- the first of its kind in Oregon -- is a financial aid and academic support program for qualified Oregonians from low-income families. It helps cover tuition and fees and provides comprehensive academic and social support. The highest-achieving Pathway Oregon students also are eligible to have their housing costs covered. In the first year of the program, up to 30 students may receive the housing package.

"We're very excited to welcome the first class of PathwayOregon students to campus this fall," said Jim Bean, senior vice president and provost.  "Helping students realize the potential of a higher education experience and committing to support them with academic advising to keep them on the path to graduation are at the core of our mission."

In addition, course registration and orientation opportunities have been added to meet the needs of a larger student body. Academic departments have reserved spaces and added course sections in general education areas such as writing, mathematics and language, which are commonly enrolled in by incoming freshmen.

Student affairs and housing administrators worked with Stadium Park Apartments to facilitate off-campus housing to approximately 400 students who could not be accommodated in the on-campus residence halls. University staff, including two complex directors and six community assistants, will live at the apartments to create a community similar to on-campus housing. 

"Our goal is for the incoming students residing at Stadium Park to be tightly connected to campus with on-site staff assistance, convenient mass transportation, and many opportunities to foster the friendships and peer networks that are part of a community living experience," said Robin Holmes, vice president for student affairs.

Week of Welcome, which starts Wednesday, Sept. 24, will include social activities such as dances, barbecues and other similar events to familiarize students with campus and residence living. It will end with UO Convocation on Sunday, Sept. 28, at 3:30 p.m.  Convocation will include a keynote address by Steven Pinker, best-selling author and a leading cognitive scientist who is acknowledged for his groundbreaking research into how the mind works. The event is free and open to the public.

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: Julie Brown, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu; Heidi Hiaasen, 541-346-3606, heidih@uoregon.edu

Links: UO Admissions, http://admissions.uoregon.edu/; PathwayOregon, http://pathwayoregon.uoregon.edu/; Week of Welcome, http://orientation.uoregon.edu/SO_Pages/SO_WeekOfWelcome.html

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