How Did Occidental Get Its Name?

Its name comes from the Latin for "western". The college was started in 1887 and moved to where it is now in 1914. Many of its early buildings were designed by Myron Hunt.

Why is it called Occidental?

The word oriental derives from the Latin orient-, oriens, meaning "the east" or "the part of the sky where the sun rises." Occidental, in contrast, derives from the Latin occident-, occidens, meaning "the west" or "the part of the sky where the sun sets." The geographical regions known as "the Orient" and "the Occident ...

What do Occidental students call themselves?

Student Body

They call themselves social justice warriors and love that Oxy brings together students with so many different perspectives and passions.