Many students have speculated over the last few years why the University would have such a large — and growing — population of white squirrels, leading to a journalistic investigation of who these squirrels are, why they’re here and what this means for students.
With further examination, it was found that the campus phenomenon of increasing numbers of albino squirrels is no accident.
The university, in aims to create the most inclusive environment possible, has been importing albino squirrels from Southern Canada to boost diversity throughout campus.
“There are a couple of reasons we decided to open our campus gates to the squirrels,” said President Mice. “Our values do not just include academics, but also building and empowering community through an assorted and diversified campus population.”
These pure-white squirrels can be found along Sheridan Avenue, playing on Renner Lawn in the warmer months or eating inside the compost bin in the Main Dining Room.
Kave Daufman, the university’s previous president, began this project as part of a seven-year plan before his departure. The objective of this albino squirrel acquisition was to eventually enroll them as students to boost diversity rates across multiple groups, such as species, socio-economic status and more.
Five years ago, this plan was set in motion with the first albino squirrel as a beta-test.
This squirrel tested very well in focus groups, even earning the alias of Queso the Squirrel. After such a high rating from these participants, the first series of squirrels arrived in early 2022, and have been slowly getting to know the area before their enrollment.
Meisten Koore, interim vice president and provost, also spoke on the issue, saying, “Our first-generation and foreign exchange student population is very important to us, but I believe once these Canadian-American squirrels are acclimated, we could integrate them into the student body and increase those numbers.”
Other benefits of the squirrels on campus are their contribution to the Bexley community with the possibility of changing Bexley High School’s mascot to a white squirrel, and of course, the “one-upping” of Kent State’s famous black squirrels.
With the seven-year plan only being partially completed, the question of how this integration will happen rises.
In 2026, the Canadian-American squirrels will be sent to speech and language therapists in the English as a Second Language Department, not only to learn English, but French as well to connect them with their Canadian roots.
Once the squirrels reach the standard for being trilingual, speaking English, French, and squirrel, they will then be enrolled in UC classes until they choose a major. The expected deadline for albino squirrels to choose a major will be in the Spring semester of 2027.
Since Queso’s arrival in 2021, this project has come a long way.
There have been three large orders of albino squirrels from a squirrels dealer in Ottawa, Ontario, costing the university thousands of dollars.
As of right now, the albino squirrels pose no threat to students, although, with the cost of importing, tuition may rise in upcoming years.
