Be Good. Be Orange.

By: Tiffany Cicerchi

Be Orange Essay

For the past couple of years Oregon State University (OSU) has been adopting and implementing the phrase “Be Orange” to encourage people to support Oregon State. Aside from the new logo, the phrase says something different to me, and comes across more positive than the beaver logo. I personally see posters on campus with pictures of students; working in the lab, engaging in class discussions, cheering for athletics, working on campus, studying, and participating in clubs. While looking at these posters from a Be Orange stand point, it would mean being associated and involved with OSU in anyway. The value that I see the most is involvement, and I believe being orange can be students, professors, staff anywhere on campus, athletes, fans, alumni, online students, etc. When I look at the advertisements on campus for being orange I see a positive community that will support you in the event that you choose to be orange and be involved with OSU in some way. Another way of looking at being orange is understanding that it means to be connected to the school or people associated with the school.

It is hard for me to determine and assume how others define Orange as a value, so instead of assuming I asked some of my roommates what they thought. To them being orange means contains the value of unity. They see being orange as everyone associated with OSU learning to be united with one another, whether it is for academics, athletics, or clubs through the school.

Students practice being orange everyday once they step foot on campus or do assignments outside of class. OSU students are orange by being in class, learning at OSU, and engaging in class work. Similar to students, professors can practice being orange as well and it happens when they come to campus and teach the students, because they are actively engaging in the learning process and benefiting the students, in the hopes of gaining the title of an OSU degree.

Athletes are one of the largest components to being orange in my opinion just because sports are so widely broadcasted. I think that our athletes are orange because they are playing their sport to represent OSU. Individuals outside of our institution do not normally see students and staff members being orange, but they do see athletes being orange, because of the media surrounding the subject. Without fans, who knows what orange would look like. Fans are another huge component to showing yourself being orange. By supporting OSU you are taking part in the be orange campaign.

Now when I was looking at our new school beaver logo that was designed, I did not feel that it accurately represented my definition of what it meant to be orange. When I see the new logo the things that come to mind are; aggressive, winning is everything, football, sports, where the logo cause we look the best. I do not think that this is what it means to be orange, and I feel as though the logo is directed more at athletics and leaves out everyone else who is involved with OSU. When I where our logo I do not feel like I am being orange, but I feel like I am only allowed to be a sports fan with it. The logo does not want me to be engaged in class, or being involved with the school outside of sports.

Although my two definitions do not match up based on the new logo and the be orange campaign, I still believe that being orange is a more positive outcome and does not relate to the logo at all. Being orange as proved above, is being involved with OSU in anyway, including, students, staff, fans, in-class activities, etc. Being orange is positive and gives you a sense of community support for all to feel welcome. I hope that when I graduate from OSU that my education says “involved”, which in turn shows experience. I believe that if my education shows this value of being orange it will open up more doors and help prepare me more for the real world.