University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Top Questions

Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

Sydney

ya... pretty much.

Traci

To a certain extent...yes, probably about 99.9{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of us are southern, but maybe not that many are conservative, and a number of us aren't football loving maniacs, but I would say for the most part, yes, the stereotype is true.

Yonathan

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Brandon

Just as with every university, there are all of these stereotypes but I think the fantastical is what people like to hear. Yes, there are the partiers, the football fanatics and those who on't pay attention to what is going on in the world around them. However, this doesn't define us. We have intellectuals that can, at times, rival a professor in a debate, people who could care less about the game of football and still others who came to OU for a good education...not to party. Stereotypes are common at every school. Students coming out of high school need to understand that every university will have incredible diversity, but it all has to do with them opening up their eyes and stepping into it. They cannot rely on the information of what is fantastical but on what is observable.

Ainsley

OU fans and students definitely live for football. Game days are a truly unique experience. I never experienced the snobby stereotype that I had been warned about. There are quite a few wealthy kids from OKC and Tulsa that go to OU in comparison to Oklahoma State or other schools in OK and I can see how this stereotype could get started.

Kate

Most of the time, they are.

Ainsley

They sound OK to me.

Randy

Nope. My girlfriend is a shorthair too.

Sasha

I would say they are accurate. Very much so.

Sandra

I can see how OU is similiar to UT compared to the other schools in Oklahoma, OU is the biggest and I could see how Norman as a city could be compared to Austin. As far as the stereotype about the students being snobby it can go both ways. You do run into those people who walk around thinking that they are the greatest thing, but then you have those really down to earth people as well. However, anywhere you go you are going to have both kinds of people so I don't think it really effects OU as a school.

Reese

They are somewhat accurate. There is a lot of diversity and there are a lot of activities, but you have to look for it. The Greek system just presents itself as the only outlet for activity, leaving students to believe it's the only thing to do.

Cassie

I don't think so. I believe that every house has many great and diverse people that make it up! It is those bad seeds that give houses bad names, and it takes many years to clear the slate from those doings.

Julie

I do not think so, I have met some awesome people not in the greek scene!

Lindsey

You'll see a few walking stereotypes on the South Oval every day, but they're only croutons in the tossed salad of student diversity on OU's campus.

Sarah

Once getting to OU I found I didn't have to fight my way through a non-stop party. There are SO many ways to get involved which didn?t include frat parties.

Hunter

(answered in last question)

Mark

While the greek system is a big part of campus life, there are plenty of opportunities besides the greek system. And though I see students rolling by in BMWs and Range Rovers every day, those student are few and far between!

Royce

Absolutely, 100{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} inaccurate. Sports power a lot of what goes on at OU and the football program alone generates a ton of money for the university. One thing people don't realize is that OU is one of three universities that have self-sustaining athletic programs. So before you complain about Bob Stoops getting six million dollars a year but your desk is broken in a classroom, remember that NO money is taken from academics and given to the athletic department. If fact, last year the athletic department donated seven million dollars to help fund an addition to the OU library. So a huge misconception about OU is that football comes before academics and football sucks money from the school. Which is completely untrue. It's actually quite the opposite. NO, ZERO, ZILCH money is taken from scholarships, academic funds or anything else and given to the athletic department. The athletic department generated over 70 million dollars last year and did it ALL ON ITS OWN. The academic aspect of OU and the athletic department are two totally separate entities.

Laura

While at OU, I met a very diverse group of people with all kinds of backgrounds and interests. I must say, there is a very large and strong Greek community and some of the stereotypes were true, but not in a bad way.

Andrew

yes.

Valerie

Football is huge. We have a great football team and everyone loves to be a part of ?Sooner Magic.? Alumni and fans are always tailgating outside the stadium on game days. As for the horses, yeah, we just rope ?em to the bike racks outside class.

Matt

None of these stereotypes are accurate and they really demean a great campus. OU's campus has some of the most visually appealing buildings I have seen on a campus. They are architecturally great and provide everyone with a homely small university feel. We also have many amazing lanscape projects. The stereotype about the students and community is generally untrue. You do have some religious affiliations that are stronger than others, but it does not affect university life at all. Our staff does happen to be particurally liberal and are very open to their views through classrooms and outside of class. Norman is a town of 100,000 plus people and is very educated as a town and many people would not label the community as redneck if you came and visited.

Jacob

On the whole, yes.

Jacob

On the whole, yes.

amy

Not at all, I have really enjoyed going to school here and meeting new people. By no means do we ride horses. What is really great about OU is that you are permitted to have cars on campus no matter what your standing is.

Alex

Most of them are not true however there are a few that are dead on.