schools in southern oregon (Medford, Grants Pass: fit in, home, transferring to)

[grace59]

My family is considering moving from Southern California to either Northern California, Southern Oregon, or the Seattle area. We're leaning toward Oregon, but have some reservations regarding my son's education and can't seem to find good answers to our questions. So thought I'd try this board, since you all seem knowledgeable about the area.

My young adult son lives with us and helps home care for his grandfather. He would like to eventually enroll in either a four or two year college program wherever we move. Any thoughts about the university in Ashland or the community college that seems to have branches in several of the other towns (Grants Pass, Medford)? What's the general atmosphere at the schools? How about the overall quality of education? Are the teachers good? Also do the schools have different "reputations"?

My son got solid As to Bs in high school, is intelligent, and fairly liberal/open minded--would he fit in well and be challenged there? And are there a lot of intellectual activities and opportunities for him at the colleges or in the towns (concerts, lectures, etc)? He's leaning toward the humanities.

I've also heard some things about the libraries in the area closing and public aversion to taxation--how does this affect the schools resources? And are there any other problems or negatives we should consider?

Thanks!

[backdrifter]

SOU is really a second-tier university. It's a decent school, but your son could probably do better. SOU is really only known for its Theatre program. Ashland and SOU are both quite liberal however.

Rogue Community College is based in GP with a branch in Medford and it really isn't a very high quality school. It's more than adequate for someone who just wants to take some basic requirements before transferring to a four year, but other than that I wouldn't recommend it.

Southern Oregon being in a relatively isolated area, there isn't much of a population or funding to support really good teachers at the colleges. Ashland has a few decent professors though. The area being against taxes, tends to vote down things such as library tax distracts or taxes to support RCC.

As for "extra-curriculars" if you will, there isn't terribly much of that either, unfortunately. Though I'm sure there are a fair amount of lectures to be found in Ashland.