SLUG Tracks | Honors College | Oregon State University

Ask an Honors College student their favorite place to study and many will answer, “The SLUG.” A student learning center and community lounge, the SLUG’s history dates back more than two decades and spans three locations across Oregon State’s Corvallis campus. And just as the Honors College has changed, so has the SLUG. Check out the photos below for a visual and oral history of the SLUG.

Students gathered around a table in Strand — A learning center for Honors College students opens in 1995 in the basement of Strand Agricultural Hall.

A student working at a table — “One of my favorite memories in Strand Hall was watching rows of folks pounding out their final drafts of Honors College theses the week before deadline, since many of us didn’t own computers.” -Kyle Shaver, HC class of 2000

Students working at computers — In 1996, the center picks up the name SLUG, an abbreviation for Student Learning Under Ground.

Students working in the SNAIL — In 2014 SLUG makes the move to the second floor of Weniger Hall. Inspired by the new location, the center is renamed SNAIL, an abbreviation for Students New and Improved Lounge.

Students doing homework on couches — “My favorite memories of working in the SLUG have been meeting with other HC students who use the SLUG regularly and reconnecting with friends from the dorms who I never see anymore.” – Lexi Welch, human development and family sciences

Two students walk past the Learning Innovation Center — In 2015 SLUG moved into Oregon State’s world-class learning and teaching facility, the Learning Innovation Center.

Students talk at the desk in the SLUG — “Some of my favorite memories in the SLUG have been the study breaks. It’s really fun to just relax and hang out with people and collectively take a break for a few hours.” -Tanna Wilson, French

A student works on a whiteboard — “My favorite thing about the SLUG? I love that I can always reconnect with friends in the SLUG, and that I have a place to study in the middle of the day.” –Dillion Koch, family sciences

Students study on some couches — Located on the 3rd floor of the LInC, the SLUG serves more than 1,100 Honors College students each term.

A student stands in front of the computers in the SLUG — “The SLUG is the perfect place to chill and unwind between classes.” -Jorie Casey, microbiology

A student stands in the Honors College office — “Hanging out in the SLUG and enjoying the gorgeous views of Corvallis is one of my favorite things about our new space in the LInC.” – Logan Adams, ecological engineering & international studies

A students stands in front of their locker in the SLUG — “I love that working in the SLUG offers the chance to study with other people.” -Holly Duvall, animal science

Someone works at the front desk in the Honors College — “Working in the SLUG is motivational because I’m surrounded by other students.” -Alex Martino, management and marketing

The bottom of the Learning Innovation Center — The Learning Innovation Center is home to the Honors College and the SLUG.