It’s time to tell the UO story: Next phase of year-long effort continues with campus visits

What five words best describe the University of Oregon? 

Tim Clevenger, associate vice president at the UO, has been asking virtually everyone he has encountered since last summer for their answer to the question.

Shortly after taking the helm of the communications, marketing and brand management team for the UO in addition to his role as the executive director for the UO Alumni Association, Clevenger formed a group to review focus group information and survey data collected over the past decade.  The data came from all corners of campus in an attempt to determine how the UO is unique and what the school’s niche is.

A significant step in the year-long process will begin on campus next week when 160over90, a nationally recognized agency selected to assist the university, begins meeting with faculty, students, prospective students, parents, alumni, community members and other constituents.

“160over90 has worked with many private and public sector clients including UCLA, Notre Dame and Michigan State University, and will apply the team’s knowledge to the unique qualities of our university,” said Clevenger.

Months ago, a task force was formed with representatives from the schools and colleges, research, enrollment management, equity and inclusion, student affairs and athletics at the direction of the president and the provost to determine the narrative of the university. 

“Competition has never been more intense for prospective students. Students and their parents must be able to visualize how the UO can be the correct choice for the most important decision of a lifetime,” said Roger Thompson, vice president for Enrollment Management. “160over90 has demonstrated its ability to help others with similar efforts and I look forward to working with the team.”

160over90 will assist with direction for the UO’s web presence, multimedia advertising and other communications elements to articulate the university’s academic and research strengths.

“As an alumnus of the University of Oregon, I know all too well how special this place is and I look forward to making sure more people around the State of Oregon, the nation and the world know that as well,” said Clevenger.

160over90 was hired after a competitive bid process, and the work is being supported in totality with donor funds.  The donors have chosen to remain anonymous.

“Thanks to the generosity of our donor community, we are able to boldly and proudly share the wonderful story of the University of Oregon in a way we have never done before,” said Michael Andreasen, vice president for advancement.

The campaign is expected to launch in Fall 2014.

 By Julie Brown, Public Affairs Communications