University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Top Questions

I always had very positive experiences with other groups on campus. The university places a big emphasis on groups mingling with other groups that may not seem like a natural fit at first. They planned multi group events and encouraged big groups to partner with smaller groups on events like homecoming. Most students are very casual for class the first 2 years (pajamas and flip flops), but start to dress a little nicer as they get closer to graduation. All different types of students interact because of the emphasis the university puts on interacting with new groups. Not only do different types of students interact within classes, but also socially for football games and events like the University Sing. Most OU students are from Oklahoma and Texas, but there is a large foreign student population as well. The finances are very mixed at OU. It is a state school, so there are a lot of people there paying their own way through school. They are also a lot of very wealthy students there who have everything. Students do tend to be politically aware at OU, but rarely seem to be active. The university tries to bring in interesting political speakers, and politics are often discussed around campus. I was never involved in any conversations with students about earning potential.

I haven't had much interaction with any radicals on campus. I feel like everyone has a place on OU's campus. There are a variety of different people from all around the world. Though, for the most part I personally see it as being pretty divided. 4 tables... You have the sorority and the frat table. You have the jocks table. You have the table of people from Africa... which i feel like there are a lot of people from Africa... and then you have the mixed table. With your band geeks, your art people, and everything in between. Politics... It's all over the board.

I'm not really sure what kind of student would feel out of place...we're very diverse and inviting so I don't see why anyone wouldn't be able to find somewhere to fit in. Students wear clothes to class. Of course there are some trends going around that students may participate in, but that's normal on any campus. Yes, different types of students interact. Although, I am answering these questions based on my experiences in the visual communications department, where everyone knows everyone and we all hang out at the studio and talk most of the time when we should be working. Some students are very aware and very active, while many are not.

Diversity on campus: This is one area I feel OU could improve upon. We are in the Bible - belt and groups such as LGBT are looked down upon. I am straight, but one of my best friends is gay. We talked often about the problem with coming out on campus. We have those who are very uncomfortable with it and will say so. There is a lot of tolerance for everything here, and as a university we are becoming more progressive, but I think that at any university and here as well there is always an undercurrent of intolerance in any sector masked by a smile. Out of place student: I don't think any student could feel out of place, as long as they got hooked up with things they like and find people who are like them. Honestly, there is someone for everyone here. Apparel: Students here are as diverse in their dress as they are from their different backgrounds. I am going into fashion/pop culture magazine writing so how I dress is reflective of that. Sorority girls wear sweats, t-shirts and horrid Ugg boots to class. As in high school, everyone has their own sense of style. This doesn't change even after college. Adults wear what they want. Student interaction: I would say yes and no because of how I have interacted and who I am often associated with. I am friends with international students and so I see interaction between different people all the time. I also see groups of students who do not. OU students come from all over the U.S. but largely from Oklahoma. Finance: Sadly, the Greek life people are the most prevalent financially. They have Land Rovers and BMWs that their parents buy for them. They are easily identified. Politics: Yes, as in every university there are students who are active and those who are not. Part of the event with Bill Clinton was headed by the democrat student organization. Affiliation: You will find mostly conservative people here but increasingly centered. For example, many of the conservative students are looking at Obama as their possible choice. Post-grad: Of course we talk about how much we will make after college. Everyone does think about this at one time or another!

I think a minority student might feel out of place here at OU. There are of course many minorities here, but they all stick together. The majority is definately white. Most students wear sweats or jeans, something comfortable. It is rare that you see someone dressed up. Most OU students are from bigger cities here in Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa. The rest are from Dallas/Ft Worth metroplex area in Texas. Most students here seem well off, but that just might be because I only know greek students, and the majority of greek students are well off. Students here are predominantly right winged.

Students like me are discriminated against. We only get dog food to eat.

Most of us just wear nothing to class except a collar and nobody seems to mind. There is a lot of interaction depending upon whether you've been neutered or not. There are two kinds of fellow students at the tables: fast eaters and slow eaters. Politically most of us walk right down the center on all four legs...

Student body is greek dominated. There is a strong evangelical Christian group which seems to be getting larger and larger each year. Most students wear ordinary clothes to OU. Most students from OU are from Oklahoma and Texas. Tons of texas kids. Students are pretty politically active. There isn't very much apathy. Most are very Moderate.

I think OU's student body is very diverse. There are so many ways to get involved on campus and there is something for everyone. The student organizations are really there to help you and they make sure and get you involved and really try to do thinks that will help every student.

There are so many religious groups and Greek organizations on campus. It was frustrating at times, but it wasn't hard to ignore them. My freshman year at OU I was involved with the BSU and then later House Church until I realized that both of these clubs were very polarizing and exclusive. I was more interested in an organization that was inclusive and social. I started playing ultimate frisbee with the university's club team and found that it was the right fit for me. It was involved and fun. I made hundreds of friends with relative ease, but you have to be open to the possibility of making friends. Had I joined a fraternity my freshman year, I may have met a lot of people immediately, but I wouldn't have had the freedom to continue making friends throughout my time at OU. I was in the European Students Organization for a while, I played ultimate frisbee, I was in a band, I literally came out of college with hundreds of great friends. I still make fun of what girls wore to class at OU. Everyday I saw a girl wearing a North Face, pink fleece jacket with sweatpants and UGG boots on. Everyday I would see that. I just wore what I had around, but I do think there is a huge pressure on young girls at OU to conform to this weird over-done, poorly dressed mass of other girls on campus. This may have something to do with most of the girls (and guys) at OU coming from primarily suburban towns. There wasn't enough of the crazy stuff on campus that would stir the pot. I hoped everyday that we would have streakers or some loonies yelling at other students on campus. It would have made things a little more fun, but people on campus are really terrified of standing out. Once, my friends and I were accosted on campus by the police because we were having a head-stand competition and they thought we were on drugs. I don't blame them, because they must have been extremely bored. No one ever does anything. Ever. Thinking back, maybe I should have done some drugs while I was in school. It may have been a lot of fun... Just kidding.