Southern Oregon University (USA)

Situated in sunny Ashland, Southern Oregon University combines quality education with a spectacular location. Surrounded by rugged mountains, rivers, and lakes, the beautiful 175-acre campus is home to 5,500 students from around the world. SOU, a four-year university specializing in liberal arts, sciences, and select graduate and professional programs, offers 100 areas of study, including 37 majors in the schools of arts and letters, sciences, social sciences, and business. SOU’s website>>

SOU’s Mission Statement

Southern Oregon University is an inclusive campus community dedicated to student success, intellectual growth, and responsible global citizenship.

Southern Oregon University is committed to:

•  a challenging and practical liberal arts education centered on student learning, accessibility, and civic engagement;
• academic programs, partnerships, public service, outreach, sustainable practices, and economic development activities that address regional needs;
• outstanding programs that draw on and enrich our unique arts community and bioregion.

SOU Alternative Spring Break

Southern Oregon University’s Alternative Break program, sponsored by the Civic Engagement Program and launched in 2008, promotes critical thinking, social action and continued community involvement by combining education, reflection, and hands-on direct service on the local, regional and national levels. Students are immersed in diverse experiences and inspired to take thoughtful, meaningful action toward the resolution of interlinking social issues. In 2009, students spent their spring breaks working on Hurricane Katrina reconstruction in New Orleans, environmental conservation on Catalina Island, and assorted service projects in Guanajuanto, Mexico. Learn more>>