OSU-Cascades welcomes first freshman class

OSU-Cascades held an orientation day on Friday for the first class of the four-year college in Bend.

The incoming class is without a campus as construction on the controversial new campus on Bend’s Westside has just started. That delay did not help in recruiting students. Officials were hoping for around 100 freshmen, but that have about 50 enrolled and hope for 65 to 75 by the time classes start.

“When we’re out talking to students this next year, we are going to be able to point them to the new space,” said Jane Reynolds, director of enrollment services and student success. “That will be really helpful to us.”

Reynolds said she is confident enrollment numbers will increase, once the program is more established.

Students this year are excited to start their four-year college experience in Central Oregon, but they are also aware of the fact that they will be the very first class of the new program.

“Being the first kind of wave of freshmen is definitely a unique opportunity,” said Brody Swisher, from Bend. “I hope to be able to take advantage of that, one way or another.”

“We’re all going to be guinea pigs,” said Mitchell York, from Silverton. “It’s all going to be new for the school and for us. It’s going to be an interesting experience for everyone overall.”

Parents were also at the orientation event, asking questions about financial aid and student life. Most freshmen are from Oregon, with the bulk from Central Oregon.

The most popular majors were biology and computer science.

The new Westside campus will not be ready in time for the first class. Students will have to attend classes at the already existing campus. OSU-Cascades officials said the first 10 acres of the new campus will be complete by the fall of 2016.