Location
Located in the progressive, dynamic city of Portland, Oregon, Reed's campus encompasses 116 acres of rolling lawns and winding paths, a century of distinct periods of architectural design, over 2,000 trees representing more than 125 species, and a 28-acre watershed that is home to a growing population of wildlife and native plants. Century-old Tudor gothic buildings are interspersed with modern, LEED-certified centers and residence halls.
Reed is also a gateway to the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest and a point of entry to the energy and excitement of Portland. Campus sits at the intersection of several vibrant neighborhoods. Many students spend their free time visiting the city's food carts, exploring the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, and heading downtown to visit Powell's City of Books, the world's largest independent bookstore.
Beyond the borders of the city, the windswept beaches of the Oregon Coast and the snow-capped mountains of the Cascade Range are both just an hour and a half away. Many students take advantage of the college's proximity to the great outdoors by going on day trips through Reed's outdoor education center, spending a weekend at the Reed-owned ski cabin on Mount Hood, or using Reed's backpacking co-op to stock up on gear for their own adventures.
Campus Facilities & Equipment
The social center of the college is the Gray Campus Center. It includes a commons building, student union, kitchen, dining room, private meeting rooms, student activities offices, bookstore, and mail services.
At the physical center of campus is the canyon, a beautiful wooded area surrounding a spring-fed lake and emergent marsh. A walking trail around the lake provides numerous opportunities to observe migratory birds and other woodland wildlife.
Reed's Performing Arts Building is another vital community space that represents the college's commitment to the important role the arts have played throughout Reed's history. The departments of music, dance, and theatre are housed in one building that includes rehearsal and performance space, scene and costume studios, collaborative spaces, a multimedia lab, and offices.
Housing at Reed includes traditional residence halls, as well as co-ops and language houses. All communities on campus have access to full kitchens and ample common spaces for group studying and spontaneous conversation. Reed's newest residence hall, Trillium, opened in 2019 and has earned a LEED Platinum certification.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Reed has partnered with 80 universities and programs in over 30 countries and territories to provide opportunities for off-campus study. Domestic programs include Howard University in Washington, D.C., and Sea Education Association in Massachusetts. In addition, Reed provides study abroad opportunities in Argentina, Australia, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, Palestine, Peru, Russia, Spain, Taiwan, Tanzania, Turkey, Turks and Caicos, and the United Kingdom. Students may also arrange independent study plans in consultation with appropriate faculty members.
If "you are looking to party or become enthralled in a sports culture" or Greek life, Reed is not the school for you, as students here "pride themselves on the amount of work they have to do." That said, "Reedies are also very laid-back, making sure that time for work has corresponding times for play." That's how you wind up with traditions like the Thesis Parade, in which costumed seniors burn their notes and drafts in a bonfire, or "themed dances where you get to dress up, dance, and let loose." The college has "a program called 'The Gray Fund' which helps fund all types of activities that are completely outside of academics," and these "can be as extensive as weeklong trips, or as simple as visits to the local cat caf脙漏." The pool hall is a massively popular meeting space, and there are weekly events "where students gather for pool tournaments and hanging out." Since this bunch is generally creative, many here "play a lot of board games, have radio shows at the station, knit or crochet, or play musical instruments." Downtown Portland "is very easily accessed by bus" and students also "take day trips to the Oregon coast and go into the mountains near the city."