Flock Talk

We're pleased to present Flock Talk, a podcast for new students and their families. Each episode will introduce you to important resources and people at the University of Oregon to help you with your transition. From housing and roommates, to financial aid and scholarships, to changing roles and relationships, our episodes will keep you engaged in all aspects of the UO journey. We'll highlight timely higher education topics, and discuss themes directly related to the way we support first-year students.

All About FERPA 04/15/2025

All About FERPA Today we’re joined by Julia Pomerenk, Associate Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management and University Registrar as she provides helpful information about FERPA. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/36123855

University Housing: Where Ducks Live 04/01/2025

University Housing: Where Ducks Live Bryson Beck, Director of Promotions and Student Recruitment for University Housing, discusses UO campus housing basics as well as tips and tricks. Topics include specifics around registration, timelines and deadlines, the data behind UO’s live-on requirement for first-year students, housing community options, the ins and outs of roommate selection, care and conflict coordinator resources, and so much more. A must-listen for students and parents! /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/35960270

Could an ARC or a FIG be a good fit? 03/18/2025

Could an ARC or a FIG be a good fit? On today’s episode, we hear about First-Year Interest Groups, or as we call them, FIGs. Amy Hughes Giard, from the First-Year Programs Office, joins the pod to share the benefits and logistics of FIGs, as well as when the 2023 FIGs will be available to read about, and how students can register in June. We also talk with Jessica Winders about Academic Residential Communities (ARCs), and all the benefits for first-year students. You’ll hear about registration for ARCs and the timeline for selection. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/35743135

Becoming a Duck 03/04/2025

Becoming a Duck Today we welcome Erin Hays, an Associate Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management and our Director of Admissions here at the UO. Erin offers parents and families some valuable tips on how to support your high school senior in the final stages of their college search. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/35530400

Holding On and Letting Go 09/26/2024

Holding On and Letting Go On the podcast today, Mariko Lin, Assistant Director for Education and Prevention Outreach Director joins us. We discuss common transitional issues for UO students and the ways families can help from afar. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/33123442

Parent and Family Programs 09/19/2024

Parent and Family Programs In this episode we meet Dee Kanikkeberg, Director of Parent and Family Programs here at the UO, to discuss the fun, engaging programs UO offers to build a great partnership with those supporting their Ducks from afar. From the popular online Conversation Starters to the UO Family Portal to Parent and Family Virtual Bingo night — being a part of the Duck flock isn't just for your student! /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/33122422

The Duck Life: Supporting Students on Campus and Beyond 09/12/2024

The Duck Life: Supporting Students on Campus and Beyond In this episode we chat with Kris Winter, Associate Vice President for Student Life, about the UO's approach to student development, the role of higher education in career readiness, and the ways our Student Life services support parents and families as well as students through the student journey at the UO. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/33023632

Week of Welcome 09/05/2024

Week of Welcome This week we talk with Michael Luna, Assistant Director of Welcome and Transition, and Zac Collins, Coordinator of Transition Programs, to discuss all things Week of Welcome (WOW) — including events for students, events for families, and tips for all on how to get the most out of the weekend. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/32911532

More About University Housing 08/29/2024

More About University Housing More on move-in times, Unpack the Quack (spoiler: leave the trailer at home!), and residential hall housing here at the University of Oregon with Bryson Beck, Director of Promotions and Recruitment for University Housing. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/32796017

Living and Learning 08/22/2024

Living and Learning https://housing.uoregon.edu/communities Kevin Hatfield, Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships, discusses one of the two living-learning programs offered in the residential halls at the UO—Academic Residential Communities (ARCs). Dive into the many opportunities for community building this program offers! /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/32692817

Basic Needs Program 08/15/2024

Basic Needs Program We revisit our conversation with Jimmy Howard, Interim Dean of Students, and Julia Morrill, Director of Basic Needs and Off-Campus Community Support, about our Basic Needs Program. The Basic Needs team connects students with campus and community resources to support their well-being, so that they can meet their academic goals. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/32498522

About FERPA: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 08/08/2024

About FERPA: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act We revisit our conversation with Julia Pomerenk, Associate Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management and University Registrar, to discuss FERPA—the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act—and navigating the "night and day" shift in records ownership for parents and students in higher education. Join us! /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/32498447

AI and Higher Education 08/01/2024

AI and Higher Education Academic Integrity in the age of Generative AI. Dr. Ramón Alvarado, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Data Science Initiative Data Ethics Coordinator, and Dianne Tanjuaquio, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards, join the show to share the fascinating and complex ways UO faculty and administration blend ethics and technology to navigate the powerful tools – and potential pitfalls – of generative artificial intelligence and student learning experiences. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/32385577

All Things Health Services 07/25/2024

All Things Health Services This week, we revisit our discussion about University Health Services with Deb Beck, Assistant Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management and Executive Director of University Health Services. We'll cover the phenomenal programs and care available for students right on campus through UHS, including primary and specialty care, pharmacy, mental health coordination services, wellness center, insurance coverage options, and immunizations. Join us! /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/32292102

Life After College: A graduate's perspective 07/18/2024

Life After College: A graduate's perspective Recent UO alumna Lauren Lilly, now a year into the "real world" after graduating in 2023, discusses her journey as a Duck — from choosing the University of Oregon, IntroDUCKtion, and the transition from high school, to navigating Covid and making connections during that challenging time, to utliizing resources and programs on campus and starting her career in higher education. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/32193622

University Housing: Where Ducks Live 07/11/2024

Becoming a Duck 07/08/2024

Becoming a Duck Jesse Nelson, Assistant Vice Provost for Advising and Accessibility, talks all things IntroDUCKtion, orientation, transition tips for first-year students, and the resources and opportunities available to support UO students as they kick off their first term on campus. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/32052502

Student Life 10/19/2023

Student Life Today we’re joined by Kris Winter, Interim Vice President of Student Life as we wrap up this season of Flock Talk. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/28366478

Holding On and Letting Go 10/12/2023

Presidential Perspectives 08/24/2023

Presidential Perspectives Today we’re joined by University of Oregon President Karl Scholtz. Hear more about UO governance, his vision for the university, and what he’s most excited about. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/27713190

Dean of Students 08/17/2023

Dean of Students Today we have a conversation with Marcus Langford, Dean of Students here at the UO. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/27713217

Accessible Education Center 08/10/2023

Accessible Education Center Today we’re joined by Norma Kehdi, Senior Director of our Accessible Education Center here at the UO. aec.uoregon.edu /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/27713145

Faculty Perspective 08/03/2023

Faculty Perspective Today our guest is Steve Beda, Assistant Professor of History here at the UO. Listen to get a taste of the college academic experience. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/27583569

What To Do Next For Health Services 07/27/2023

What To Do Next For Health Services On today’s episode our guest is Deb Beck, Assistant Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management and Executive Director of University Health Services. We discuss primary and specialty care, pharmacy, mental health coordination services, wellness center, insurance coverage options, and immunizations here at the UO. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/27583548

Fraternity and Sorority Life 07/20/2023

Fraternity and Sorority Life Today we speak to Caitlin Roberts, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Leo Serrato, Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/27466974

University Housing Updates 07/13/2023

University Housing Updates Today we have a conversation about housing here at the University of Oregon with Nedzer Erilus, Director of Housing for Residence Life and Educational Initiatives and Bryson Beck, Director of Promotions and Recruitment for University Housing. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/27459012

Care and Advocacy Program 06/29/2023

Care and Advocacy Program Today we speak to Drew Terhune, Director of Care and Advocacy Program here at the University of Oregon. We have a conversation about how the program provides students with resources and support if they face challenges during college. Flock Talk is taking off a week for the holiday and will be back with our Thursday shows the week after that. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/27240222

Basic Needs 06/22/2023

Basic Needs Today we have a conversation with Jimmy Howard, Associate Dean of Students and Julia Morrill, Director of Basic Needs and Off-Campus Community Support about our Basic Needs Program. This program is intended to connect students with campus and community resources intended to support their well-being, so that they can meet your academic goals. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/27237342

Career Center and Career Advising 06/15/2023

Career Center and Career Advising Today we welcome Kate Werdebaugh, Senior Associate Director for the University Career Center and Sally Garner, Director of Student Services for the School of Journalism and Communication. The UO is committed to ensuring that all Ducks are career ready when they graduate. We’ll go over the things students can do during their first year to help launch a successful career later. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/27160206

Financial Wellness 06/08/2023

Financial Wellness Today we have a conversation with Gilbert Rogers, Director of Student Financial Wellness. We discuss the crucial ways family members can support their student’s financial literacy, and the programs and resources the UO offers Ducks to better understand and manage their money matters, both while at the UO and for life after college. /episode/index/show/flocktalk/id/27079440

Flock Talk

TOPICS