University of California-Riverside Top Questions

Describe the students at your school.

samantha

The students are so diverse it amazes me. Everyone comes from different places and has their own story. Students are friendly and studious.

Justin

Most people around here are generally quiet, not speaking unless spoken to or have a questionthat they need answered immediately, but there are a few partiers, some socialites, and some interesting people that will eventually bring people out of their comfort zones, one person at a time, each in their own special - albeit sometimes twisted - ways.

Juan

Very open minded, some intelligent, some not so much.

Waldir

My classmates are ethnically diverse, intelligent, mature bunch of people who are excited and ready to learn.

Chelsea

Open to new ideas and from very different backgrounds.

Connie

The friendlist, most engaging and most diverse group I have had the pleasure to be with.

Tiara

The diversity at the school is one of the things that makes it so great. Theres a good mix of every culture and financial background at UCR

laura

my classmates are diverse

Stelle

I haven't started class yet, but most people are friendly

Dalayna

Our school does not have one type of person. There is no overall vibe of people. You have different groups, different personalities, different cultures. Regardless of who you are, where you come from, or what your hobbies are, you will find a place where you belong and people like you.

Dalayna

I have a diverse, intellectual, determined set of classamates here to learn.

Trang

My classmates are motivated and smart; I befriend most of them and they help me with any questions I have.

Christina

They keep to themselves for the most part so you're going to have to approach them and keep in touch with them yourself--face it, most of them don't want to be there (because it isn't exactly a highly-ranked school) or don't care to be there (parents probably pushed them into university that they got into by the skin of their teeth).

Anthony

My classmates are a blend of all sorts of ethnicities, each hailing from different strata of life; all however express the desire to better themselves in whatever path they choose.

Marsha

UCR being the most diverse campus out of the UC's, you would think that we would be great to meet all these different kinds of people, when in reality people form cliques with their "own" people. It almost feels similar to high school over here. I see that the asians stick with the asians, whites with the whites, etc.

Kaitlyn

I am involved with the Pacific Islander Student Alliance on campus, and they are great. I danced hula in high school, and was sad thinking that I had to give it up because colleges don't usually have hula teams. I was practicing a routine in the Recreation Center one day, and one of the girls from the group was there and asked me to be a part of their group. Now I'm still able to do what I love, and I'm meeting some amazing new friends. I also became a part of the LGBT center on campus. As a recently outed LGBT-indentified person, it was awesome to have a safe place to go and meet other people I could talk to about whatever I wanted. They have some amazing staff there that are always available to talk and counsel or answer questions. There are so many clubs and groups at UCR, that I truly believe every student can find something that fits them, no matter how abstract it may be. If they can't, you can always start your own group, and I guarantee you'll find other students interested as well! The students at UCR are generally accepting, of anyone, no matter what race or economic position you may be in. Many students embrace themselves at this school, and are free to express themselves in the way they dress, act, or things they do and become a part of. Students are generally solid in who they are, or are in the midst of finding themselves, like I am. I truly believe that there are many resources and opportunities this school gives for the students to help them define themselves and ready them for the world, which is an unmeasurable gift to every student.

Rebecca

We are a very diverse campus and everyone is pretty cool with everyone. No one would really feel out of place, it's big enough so that there is something for everyone. Students dress relatively nicely to class, but you can always find someone in sweats too. Everyone interacts with everyone, we are lucky that way. People eat with their hall mates so tables wouldn't really be divided by "status quo" but by hall. People are from everywhere!

Ashlyn

There is nothing you wont see at UCR. We are a special grade of people. Anyone and everyone can find their place here because we dont discriminate on race, religion, socio-economic, or LGBT groups. We actually try to embrace all of there groups and create ways in which the can celebrate their culture. We feel that we are all in this together and we all work collectively to make a comfortable and studious environment.

Brian

There is no dominant type of student here on campus, which is why I always push UC Riverside as one of the more diverse schools in the state. Its possible for people to think that the dominant ethnicity for our school is Asian-American, however from my 4 years here on campus, thats definitely not true. You wont feel out of place here because you're always going to find somebody of the same ethnicity or religion as yours, however its the people you meet outside of your comfort zones that always seem to be the most interesting. From my point of view, people here aren't the most social people I've met. Yes it takes some time to meet people and build relationships with them. I believe this to be true just because school spirit here is a bit lacking. However, if you become involved and spend some time outside of your dorm room, you're going to meet some awesome people on campus. Most students here are from Southern California and the Inland Empire. There are a few from Northern California as well out of state, but those people are maybe 1/10. To really emphasize my point on campus diversity I will say this, as a Korean American attending UC Riverside, I have maybe only 3 other Korean friends here. The majority of my friends range anywhere from Hispanic to French. There are very ambitious and friendly students here on campus, you just need to step out of the box to meet them.

Ana

I am a Chicana student. I believed that it would be a struggle to fit into the school. However, no one has given me a problem about my ethnicity. Actually, I was surprised at how diverse the school is. Most students I have met come from difficult financial backgrounds. UCR tries to accommodate every student's needs. I will warn potential students, there is a great chance they might have to take out loans. Don't be afraid! As for the diversity in school, it is huge. Politically, the allegiances to parties vary from person to person. There really isn't an edge to any political view. I believe that in everything, from politics to race, the school is good at trying to maintain a balance.

celina

Diverse and open to conversations.

Johnathan

If you are the type of person that just wants to party until school's out, you will feel out of place. We have a population of Christians, Muslims, atheists, and agnostics. There are no religious tensions that I am aware of. It isn't uncommon to see people wear headscarfs and turbans. We have a Mosque and Christian church almost right next to each other near the school. Everyone has a "to each their own" attitude. The LGBT center is especially strong. I can say this from experience, because I am a transgender student. I have never once felt unwelcome at the campus. However, be careful about being publicly LGBT outside of campus. The area around there is rough. Most students are from the nearby area of Riverside county. They tend to be politically apathetic and politically aware. They are more likely to vote democrat than republican. A large portion of our students come from poverty and are first generation college students. If race is important to you, people at UCR tend to hang out in same-race groups at first. However, as time goes on, you are more likely to hang out in mixed-race groups. Most of the students stick with their own groups. However, if you put yourself out there and ask to hang out with a different group, almost always will they include you. Groups tend to be inclusive than exclusive. One sorority even openly accepts and recruits transgender students. Fraternities will also extend invitations to transgender students. Students here generally don't care about how much they earn one day. They tend to just want to enjoy what they do and pay the bills. College is generally seen as something to advance a career and a place to grow as a person.

Sneha

Students are generally open-minded about social issues. Most students are from the middle class and take their education pretty seriously. There's also a lot of clubs on campus from a snowboarding club to an origami club. I've never encountered any racism here and I don't expect to.

James

Students at UC Riverside greatly vary. It is one of the most ethnically diverse universities in the nation. The majority of students are Asian, with Hispanics/Latinos, Caucasians, and African Americans each accounting for a significant portion of the student demographics. The fact of the matter is there is no average student at UCR. There is such a large diversity amongst the students that nearly everybody is welcome, and a person would be hard pressed not to find a student who shares similar views or tastes. There are campus resource centers for every student who is looking to connect with other students. In fact, there is an LGBT Resource Center, a Women's Resource Center, a Campus Health Center, and many other diverse resources that can accommodate any student's needs. Because UCR is located in a desert, it is usually hot for the vast majority of the year. This means most students show up in either shorts and a shirt for guys or dresses and skirts for girls. When it does get cold in winter, jeans and sweatshirts become commonplace for the majority of students; however, it seems like sandals or ugg boots are worn year round regardless of how hot or cold the weather gets. Being in California it is no surprise that the majority of students are predominately left on the political spectrum. While there is a Young Republicans of America organization on campus that enjoys lots of participation, most students tend to be more liberal. There are many students who are politically active and every Wednesday on campus there are students protesting. Usually these protests either revolve around the "Occupy" Movement or the school administration and the tuition hikes prevalent across California colleges.

James

Students at UC Riverside greatly vary. It is one of the most ethnically diverse universities in the nation. The majority of students are Asian, with Hispanics/Latinos, Caucasians, and African Americans each accounting for a significant portion of the student demographics. The fact of the matter is there is no average student at UCR. There is such a large diversity amongst the students that nearly everybody is welcome, and a person would be hard pressed not to find a student who shares similar views or tastes. There are campus resource centers for every student who is looking to connect with other students. In fact, there is an LGBT Resource Center, a Women's Resource Center, a Campus Health Center, and many other diverse resources that can accommodate any student's needs. Because UCR is located in a desert, it is usually hot for the vast majority of the year. This means most students show up in either shorts and a shirt for guys or dresses and skirts for girls. When it does get cold in winter, jeans and sweatshirts become commonplace for the majority of students; however, it seems like sandals or ugg boots are worn year round regardless of how hot or cold the weather gets. Being in California it is no surprise that the majority of students are predominately left on the political spectrum. While there is a Young Republicans of America organization on campus that enjoys lots of participation, most students tend to be more liberal. There are many students who are politically active and every Wednesday on campus there are students protesting. Usually these protests either revolve around the "Occupy" Movement or the school administration and the tuition hikes prevalent across California colleges.

Joshua

The students at UCR are diverse, simply put. It is one of the most diverse campuses in the entire country, so with that being said it is quite difficult to describe all the students. In a brief, but concise answer I would say that if you are looking for diversity and an experience with people you never once thought you would meet, UCR is a perfect place. There are students from all different sects of the globe, which makes everyday a new and interesting one

Reissa

UCR is what you make of it. UCR students have a lot of agency, and that's what I like best about the college. There are many leadership, research, social, and personal development opportunities at UCR - to access them, you have to be proactive. If you really want to grow - professionally or personally - there are many resources at UCR for you. There are also many ways to fail your classes, abuse substances, and get kicked out. It can be easy to get lost amongst the masses (it's a pretty big school - I think about 18,500 students), but that also means that you can connect with so much more. The hugeness of UCR means that a lot of students have trouble finding their 'niche' on campus - but the opportunity will always be there. There isn't much school spirit at UCR, probably because we don't have a football team anymore. The administration is trying to increase school spirit with a "Tartan Soul" campaign that advocates Integrity, Accountability, Respect, and Discipline, but it hasn't had much effect. UCR doesn't have a "college town" feel, but it's located an hour away from the beach and the mountains. It's possible to get by with just public transportation, but its comfortable to have access to car. The budget cuts affect UCR enormously. Many services (like free trolleys that take students around Riverside) have been cut, building the medical school has been delayed, and class sizes are swelling to the point where students find it difficult to get classes. There are ways to ensure priority registration - enrolling in the Honors program, or playing for a school athletic team are a couple methods that give your first pick at classes. Incentives and disadvantages, UCR has both. Unfortunately, there will always be people who focus on the school's negative stereotypes. I remember hearing about an encounter my roommate had with an acquaintance she'd met at a party. She had told him she attended UCR, and he'd given her a surprised look, then said "Wow. Really? I never would have guessed - you sound so intelligent." It's irritating, but that reaction can also be motivating. It's up to the student to make their experience memorable.

Dana

UCR is the 3rd most diverse campus in the United States, As such, we have a wealth of students from all racial, social, religious, and sexual backgrounds. There's not really any way to avoid people of other social circles; you will inevitably meet, have classes, and work with students of different backgrounds. But that's okay! Part of being on a diverse campus means that you learn more about other people, and in turn it makes you a better listener and communicator. There are many ethnicity and LGBT based organizations, but you don't have to be a part of that group exclusively in order to join. In fact, joining one of these organizations increases your network and social capital, making it easier to do things like get a job, or find out which classes to take. It doesn't matter if you are in the dining hall or at the movie theater across from campus; you'll see clusters of students that are more often then not mixed-race rather then single race. In addition, UCR has a very laid back, jeans and tshirt feel that makes it really easy to approach people and make new friends.

Kenneth

If it is diversity people look for, they'll find plenty of it at UCR. They generally pride themselves on being one of the most diverse campuses. Anybody can feel like they belong in one way or another there. Mind you, this is coming from someone who spends most of his time on campus, standing on the top floor of a building alone, staring off at the world. Walking through the commons, though, you'll find people wearing suits, people in sandals and shorts, and everything in-between. In class, students usually dress casually, unless there is some specific reason they're wearing their suit. In my majors, it would be a bit difficult to see someone in a suit, but it occasionally happens. The school is relatively politically active. Though I've never participated in one, we generally have rallies over this or that injustice. They're commonly during class, though. Someone on the left will say that the school is too right-wing at times, people on the right will call it too left-wing. I tend to not bother myself with the pointless bickering that goes on around parties, though.

Dee

There's really no such thing as a "typical" UCR student. Walk around campus at noon one day and you'll see a variety of races and religions easily interacting with one another. As the 5th most diverse school in the nation, UC Riverside offers a unique opportunity to learn alongside those who truly represent California's heritage. Many of my friends are the first in their families to attend college, yet others come from a long line of doctors and lawyers. I truly can't say there's a mold of UCR student. SoCal style dominates here, so pack your Rainbow flip-flops and cutoff shorts. Greek (sorority and fraternity) apparel is a huge trend, as well as touting a longboard or cool retro bike. I'd say my only complaint is that there are far fewer cute guys than girls, so girls tend to mob over a hot single man. Indulging a college bro's ego even more? No thanks! Due to recent education cutbacks, many students are enraged and have begun peacefully protesting at the belltower. There are often tables encouraging students to sign petitions or register to vote out on the quad, and overall I'd say UCR is definitely a liberal school. It reflects the California vibe combined with the enthusiasm of a young voting populace.

JAMES

UCR students are very diverse. On campus you see all kinds of students from blacks to whites to asians to mexicans; just basically everything. UCR is also a very open campus, there aren't people who judge you because of your race or sexual orientation. Of course like any other university you have the occasional frat guys and sorority girls, but you also have the jocks and any other kinds that you can think of. Its very diverse so it would be pretty hard to feel out of place.

Tonia

Students at UCR are racially, culturally, sexually, financially, and socially diverse. There is virtually no way to feel out of place at this school, unless you put effort into isolating yourself and shy away from the friendly atmosphere of numerous clubs, organizations, and resources. Students are comfortable wearing anything to class, whether it be jeans and a t-shirt, slacks or a suit for their business organization, uniforms for their athletic team, letters for their Greek system, dresses, wigs, fishnets, shorts, leopard-skin fur jackets etc. It is such an honor and relief to attend a campus where every race interacts with each other, sitting at the same tables, holding hands, studying together, or playing sports together. The financial background that is most prevalent is definitely a lower one. Most students are on some sort of financial aid. No one ever boasts about the expensive item they just bought or the wholesome, pricy meal they just ate. Everyone just kind of accepts that they have to eat fast food most of the time, or save up their money instead of spending it on anything they don't exactly need.

Erin

The students here are so diverse. There are so many of every kind of person imaginable and there are tons of clubs to get in contact with people who have the same interests as you. I would say for the most part, all ethnicities and religions are mixed here. No one is left out. It is a very well-rounded school in that respect. You will find so many people whering crazy clothing to school and everyone engages in fun activities. We are very family-oriented I would say because we do a lot of things with eachother and we come together for support for our fellow students.

F

I've never witnessed any kind of discrimination or unacceptable behavior geared towards another student or a group of students because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other reason. UCR provides all students a strong sense of tolerance. I believe the only student that would feel out of place at UCR would be the student that refuses to interact with other students. Most students dress casually when going to class; depending on what time the class is, some students attend class in their pajamas. Many people are open and willing to interact with others; it's not like high school where one stick's to their click and avoids contact with anyone outside of their group. The students come from all over, as close as Riverside and as far as Hawaii. They come from all walks of life as well. UCR students are not as politically aware or active as other campuses but I feel that is slowly changing because of the protesting that has been going on at other UC's. There have been protests at UCR, unfortunately not as large as one would like but supporters are growing. As a whole, I'd like to believe UCR students are leftist, however, recently I have come across a significant amount of students with right-wing political beliefs. Personally, I haven't seen money as a large driving factor for may students.

Portia

There are so many relgious groups on this campus. Matter of fact, the Korean Christian Club was trying to encourage me to join their club. I was flattered but I chose not to because I am not a Christian. I honestly don't think any student would feel out of place here, there's room for everyone. It really depends on the weather, but if it's hot most students will wear shorts or dresses. Nobody ever wears anything too revealing on this campus. Yes, different types of students interact. Whenever I'm walking around campus I always see tables with study groups made up of students who come from different religious or racial backgrounds. In the dining hall, I'd see a table of girls from the volleyball or basketball team. I'd also see a table with a group of Asian boys laughing. I'd see a table with a group of students who live in the same hall eating together. I'd also see a table with a boy laughing with his girlfriend. It's always different each day. Most of my friends just happened to be from Northern California like me, but there are students from everywhere. Most of the students I've met are from California, but I have met a couple of students from Spain, France, and China. Most students come from unwealthy backgrounds, like myself. We're all heavily supported with financial aid, which is a beautiful thing. Yes, students are definitely politically aware and active. There are many departments that have open discussions about today's politics. I have a few friends who talk about how much they'll earn someday, which is great because I encourage everyone to dream big. We all deserve the best in life.

Erika

The students at UCR are very diverse, and come from various cultures, and economic backgrounds. There are also many international students within the UCR community. I don't believe that any student feels, or would feel out of place at this school because of the vast diversity. This school applauds diversity, and provides a campus life suitable, and enjoyable for students from all backgrounds and walks of life. There are many groups in the UCR community catering to, and empowering such diversities. Groups for every culture, style, preference, political view or association, religion, multi-cultural, academics, major, etc. Students at UCR proudly show their uniqueness.

Jennifer

A common stereotype is that students at UC Riverside are less academic than most UC students. There is a well-known saying that "UC Riverside accepts just about anybody." The accurate count of students UCR accepts a year is 76{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of applicants, which is more than most UCs but that doesn't necessarily mean that just anybody will be accepted. All applicants are held to the same standards. Another common stereotype is that UC Riverside is the most diverse college in California, and the 5th most diverse college in the nation. This is true. I work on campus and have seen a variety of diverse students enter UCR every year. A diverse campus is an important aspect at UC RIverside and they do a pretty well job of maintaining the diversity.

Joanella

Let me define UCR in one word- diverse. The students that attend UC Riverside come from different racial backgrounds, socio-economic backgrounds, religious backgrounds and family backgrounds. On the first day of class, I have heard stories from my classmates about how they're the first in their families to attend college, and everyone in the classroom smiles (and some even applaud) because that's the interesting fact that the student chose to share when we were all getting to know each other. Different students representing different religions have joined my team during practice and have asked if they could lead a prayer with my team so that we can do well this season. It seems like every week, we as a school are celebrating or remembering an event that is sponsored by different student groups like the LGBT group, the African-American students group, the Chicano Students group or any group on campus that wants to share something with the campus. Not only do I see these groups sharing but I also see the students participating by partaking in these groups' activities or wearing a shirt or accessory that the group is selling in honor of the event they're hosting. Everyone is open with everyone else. The Greeks set up couches and tents in the quad near the Belltower and they talk with normal students who pass by. I see people of different races mingling in the Highlander Union Building as they eat their lunches. There is no exclusivity- everyone mixes with everyone else. Let's picture this- there are four tables of students in the dining hall. One table has an entire hall of freshmen that haven't gone off in their own separate group of friends. This table is usually loud with students who are excited about their freedom away from home as well as a little jittery being around others that they don't know too well. Eventually, the students at this table will break into smaller groups, but for now they're all just loud and enjoying freedom. The second table is the study table. Now this is a rare sight, but it isn't impossible to find. These are the ones that are cramming for that big exam. They didn't want to lose a minute of studying so they brought their books with them to dinner. These are the ones that have acknowledged their freedom from home but still realize why they're in college. See, not all college students are party goers because you definitely have the smart kids who prioritize and know what's important. The third table consists of the athletes. They probably only have the roasted chicken and salads on their plates because they're afraid to gain weight and bring shame to their teams. This table is probably the sweatiest and smelliest table, so even though they welcome others to join their table, other students can't stand their stench. From personal experience, the athletes are UCR arefriendly and grasp onto other non-athletes for friends because let's face it, being around people who are obsessed with sports and practices and workouts 24/7 can be tiring to the mind and body. Plus, we need someone to anchor us to reality that we are STUDENT-athletes, and not just athletes. We tend to forget that school is why we're really here, so please, talk to us. The fourth table is the mix. Let's face it- everyone goes in groups to the dining table and there's only so many table to choose from. Some groups co-mingle with other groups and that's how friends are made (in fact, that's how I made a lot of my friends at UCR). No one really cares what race you are, how much money your parents make, or what major you're in. What it all boils down to is that in a college dining hall, people are there to eat and relax (minus table two). This isn't high school where there are strict boundaries of where you can and can't eat. The people you eat with in the dining hall are the people you'll be eating with for the next year or so, so whether you have had a good day or bad day, they'll still be there when those dining room doors open.

Gabriel

The diversity at UCR is really what makes student life stand-out. The student community is really defined by all the different races, cultures, and lifestyles represented. Students wear whichever clothes they choose however a fashion such as a head wrap for example from culture's that are known for them are not unheard of and are commonplace in plenty of classrooms. Most students are from around the southern California area but there are a few from up north in the state as well. Students all get along regardless of what culture, obviously just as in life there are simply certain individuals who don't get along but most students are at the understanding that "Hey, we're here, we're gonna be in the same class, why in the world would we have a problem?"

Hanaa

The students at UCR are diverse, tolerant and understanding of one another. My experiences with the various races, religions and groups were generally positive. Again, UCR is the most diverse university out of the 10 esteemed campuses in the UC system, and is also the fifth most diverse university in the nation, so there are ethnic, religious, and social groups of all types at UCR. As a Muslim, and a part of the Middle Eastern groups on campus, I was able to interconnect with all of the various groups on campus, such as interfaith meetings, collective fundraising with the support of other groups on campus, and simply the organizing of the groups coming together. The majority of the groups on campus support each other and their various causes. There are a small number of certain groups that are intolerant of other different groups, however, the positivity of the collective and combined support of the majority of the groups supersedes the minor intolerances of some organizations on campus. This is why no individual would feel out of place at this campus. Students of different races, religions, and social groups interact with each other all of the time on campus. I had many LGBT friends, many Christian and Jewish friends, and the many friends from the African Student Union. Often times we supported each other’s causes and organized events together. I would say the students at UCR can be quite politically active, and events and protests are often scheduled on campus. There are groups from various financial backgrounds, and various political views, and there is no majority of any one group, which is what’s so unique about UCR. Anyone could fit right in.

Hanaa

The students at UCR are diverse, tolerant and understanding of one another. My experiences with the various races, religions and groups were generally positive. Again, UCR is the most diverse university out of the 10 esteemed campuses in the UC system, and is also the fifth most diverse university in the nation, so there are ethnic, religious, and social groups of all types at UCR. As a Muslim, and a part of the Middle Eastern groups on campus, I was able to interconnect with all of the various groups on campus, such as interfaith meetings, collective fundraising with the support of other groups on campus, and simply the organizing of the groups coming together. The majority of the groups on campus support each other and their various causes. There are a small number of certain groups that are intolerant of other different groups, however, the positivity of the collective and combined support of the majority of the groups supersedes the minor intolerances of some organizations on campus. This is why no individual would feel out of place at this campus. Students of different races, religions, and social groups interact with each other all of the time on campus. I had many LGBT friends, many Christian and Jewish friends, and the many friends from the African Student Union. Often times we supported each other’s causes and organized events together. I would say the students at UCR can be quite politically active, and events and protests are often scheduled on campus. There are groups from various financial backgrounds, and various political views, and there is no majority of any one group, which is what’s so unique about UCR. Anyone could fit right in.

Jackie

Passion is never in short supply at UC Riverside, whether in regards to state laws, religious beliefs, or just the food. It's the most diverse college in the state of California, and with this, students are bound to get heated over cultural differences. It certainly isn't out-of-the-ordinary to find a 40-year old balding minister spewing out Bible verses by the bell tower, while Jewish or Muslim students fight back. I refuse to think that these arguments are negative, though, because it gives our campus the opportunity to express our opinions without any "high-school yard duty" to tell us to go the Principal's office. The fashion is all over the board at UCR, with some students wrapped in Indian saris & others rockin' their Greek letters. UC Riverside is predominantly Asian-American (40{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}), but has an unusually high Hispanic population as well. The student leaders represent every background imaginable, allowing for a fair & distinctive way of administrating policies. As one of the United State's "Best College Buys", the university is home to people from extremely varying financial backgrounds. The student to your right can have a father who's a stockbroker and a mother with a Phd, while the the student to your left may be living off of food stamps. It's truly a one-of-a-kind classroom setting and is chalk-full of different ideals.

Jackie

Passion is never in short supply at UC Riverside, whether in regards to state laws, religious beliefs, or just the food. It's the most diverse college in the state of California, and with this, students are bound to get heated over cultural differences. It certainly isn't out-of-the-ordinary to find a 40-year old balding minister spewing out Bible verses by the bell tower, while Jewish or Muslim students fight back. I refuse to think that these arguments are negative, though, because it gives our campus the opportunity to express our opinions without any "high-school yard duty" to tell us to go the Principal's office. The fashion is all over the board at UCR, with some students wrapped in Indian saris & others rockin' their Greek letters. UC Riverside is predominantly Asian-American (40{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}), but has an unusually high Hispanic population as well. The student leaders represent every background imaginable, allowing for a fair & distinctive way of administrating policies. As one of the United State's "Best College Buys", the university is home to people from extremely varying financial backgrounds. The student to your right can have a father who's a stockbroker and a mother with a Phd, while the the student to your left may be living off of food stamps. It's truly a one-of-a-kind classroom setting and is chalk-full of different ideals.

Elizabeth

There are over 300 registered student-led organizations on campus - including frats and sororities. And most of these organizations are pretty liberal and accepting. Of course, there are guidelines set by the school that prohibit discrimination but I believe that most of the school is accepting to begin with. Every now and then, a discriminatory incident will come up. At the top of my head, I remember an incident with the Latin fraternity, Lambda Theta Phi at the beginning of last year. A student was reportedly hazed for his sexual orientation and the organization was then dealt with by the school's administration by protocol. A copy of this story can be found in the school's newspaper archive at http://www.highlandernews.org/news/bisexual-student-says-he-was-harassed-by-fraternity-1.1740587#.Tt7hbHNW7ME However, I think the only type of student who would feel out of place at school would be one who discriminates against others. Often times, those are the people who have less friends, which makes sense. Otherwise, most students hang out with all types of people. There are Hispanic people in our Vietnamese Student Association, hispanic sororities welcome Asian students and most organizations have scholarships or payment plans to help those who cannot afford to join on their own. I briefly recall having heard that over 15,000 students on campus receive some sort of financial aid, which says a lot about the socio-economic characteristics of the student population. But having sat in on a variety of school meetings, I am confident in saying that it is not as big of a deal as it has proven to be at other schools thanks to our school's administration. I am extremely proud to say that UC Riverside's students are very active in the community - which great and necessary considering the extremes of Riverside's poverty. Regardless of whether it is a cultural, business, political or social frat/sorority/club, we all volunteer. In fact, in the year 2010, our campus completed 2.5 million recorded community service hours. The President’s Corporation for National and Community Service recognized this and placed UCR on the Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. More information is available at: http://newsroom.ucr.edu/2639.

Leticia

Everyone is nice and you shouldn't isolate yourself. and there are plenty of club activities. I personally love the LGBT center because i feel home there. and no body is judgmental, you're in college a time to be yourself

Jessica

Ask any student what their nationality is, and they will never give you a general term like “white”, “black” or “Asian”. They will proudly tell you what their ancestry is and where they came from. As it’s said a lot, a majority of the student body come from under-privileged backgrounds, and that’s not a bad thing. They receive just as much help as anyone else, financially. They are just as smart too. There are no discrepancies here in terms of finance: if you are a student, you are a rich in knowledge and life, regardless of where you came from. There are a lot of culture-specific clubs on campus, from a Filipino club to an LGBT support group. But you don’t have to be that certain race or orientation to join. One thing these clubs all have in common is their openness: all are welcome.

Kevin

UCR rants on and on about how diverse they, but the fact is that its true. There is a multitude of different races and ethnic backgrounds. At UCR there are also many religious types but they really mean no harm though they may ask you if you found Jesus. On the UCR campus is a building called Costo Hall. Here there is the LGBT center, African American Alliance, and Chicano group. There are many groups on campus that are accepting of others and offer help to those that need it. A majority students that attend UCR work either for housing services or the dining services while others have jobs else where. With tuition going up many more students are looking for jobs even though they may have enough money to pay for their school fees. Though some students may have enough money to keep themselves above water, others desperately need the help of financial aid. However, though the socio-economic range differs, all students understand that school is not cheap and they do not let money divide them.

Joseph

The campus offers resources to students of almost every background and culture, providing an experience where most everyone can feel welcomed, as if by family. As I've stated before, being one of the most diverse campuses in America means that there are so many types of people here it is hard to stereotype just one. There is a rough mix of "left", "right" and "centered" students, as well as a mix of students from wealthy backgrounds and those from not so wealthy ones. This optimizes the campus as a great place for meeting new people and for learning of different cultures.

Elizabeth

UCR has one of the most diverse diverse campuses in California. With student centers for all cultures and ethnicity like the Chicano center or the Pacific Asian center to the LGBT center and HILLEL the Jewish student center, one can find a home with friendly faces wherever they choose. Also one can go visit other centers to learn about any cultures or ethnicity they are unfamiliar with or interested in.

Rowena

There's just about all types of students here, with many different clubs to promote them. There are various ethnicities, various cliques, and various kinds of activities for them.