What Is Oregon State University's Connection to the New PAC-12 Conference?

Updated

Oregon State University (OSU) is one of the founding partners of the relaunched PAC-12 Conference. According to OSU's official website, the university "partnered with Washington State on a campaign to welcome new member schools and celebrate the conference's next era." In short: OSU helped launch the new PAC-12 and is actively promoting it, rather than merely participating in it.

What the website says

OSU's homepage carries a prominent banner reading "The new PAC-12 Conference has launched," with the following description:

Oregon State partnered with Washington State on a campaign to welcome new member schools and celebrate the conference's next era.

This tells you three things:

  • OSU is a partner, not a bystander. The campaign was a joint effort between Oregon State and Washington State.
  • The focus is on expansion. The campaign's purpose was to welcome incoming member schools.
  • The framing is forward-looking. OSU presents the relaunch as "the conference's next era," not a continuation of the old PAC-12.

Why Oregon State and Washington State led the effort

The two universities are the remaining PAC-12 members after the conference's 2024 realignment departures. That position explains why they, rather than any other school, fronted the welcome campaign: they were the continuity holders of the PAC-12 name while new members were being added. The website does not list the new member schools or a launch date, so treat those details as outside what OSU's page confirms.

The athletics brand: "Go Beavs"

OSU's athletics identity appears alongside the PAC-12 banner. The homepage uses the cheer "Go Beavs" — short for Beavers, the university's teams. If you see "Go Beavs" in PAC-12 coverage or on OSU pages, it refers to Oregon State athletics, not a separate program.

What this means if you're researching OSU

If you want to know... What the OSU page supports
Is OSU in the new PAC-12? Yes — OSU co-led the relaunch campaign
Who else was involved? Washington State, as OSU's partner; new member schools are referenced but not named
What is the conference's status? Launched, per the homepage banner
Where do I follow OSU athletics? Under the "Go Beavs" brand

For prospective students, the PAC-12 connection is an athletics and conference-affiliation matter, separate from admissions. OSU's homepage directs prospective students to Apply Now, Request Info, and Visit for academic inquiries.

Where to verify updates

Conference membership and campaign details change quickly. The OSU homepage banner is the university's own statement; for current member lists and schedules, check OSU's athletics site or the PAC-12's official channels rather than relying on the homepage excerpt alone.