The University of Oregon (also referred to as UO or Oregon) is a public flagship research university located in Eugene, Oregon. UO was founded in 1876.[7] The institution`s campus is 295 acres in size and is situated along the Willamette River.[8] Since July 2014, UO has been governed by the Board of Trustees of the University of Oregon.[9] The university has a Carnegie Classification of “highest research activity”[10] and has 21 research centers and institutes.[11] UO was admitted to the Association of American Universities in 1969.