UC Riverside has had a long and storied history of mascots. From a pedigreed Scottish Terrier way back when to Norm the Orange and Scotty now, UC Riverside has had some difficulty establishing its own unique identity as a UC. Some believe that Scotty the Bear is a lesser version of UCLA or Berkeley's bears- and many others think that Scotty doesn't represent the student body. 

We believe that the answer to this problem is right in front of our eyes; the burros that roam campus!

Donkeys at UCR already exist as an "unofficial" mascot! Plush toys of them are sold at the bookstore, and bumping into them on the way to campus or at the Market at Glen Mor is practically an everyday occurrence. What better way to broadcast our school far and wide than with the most famous animal populating Riverside's highlands?

Burros are fierce animals. They're good fighters- a strong kick to the chest will prove that quickly, and they aren't afraid to bite! Their distinct large ears and loud braying makes their presence impossible to miss. A burro would be a powerful mascot to lead our sports teams to victory while standing out from the crowd!

Scotty the Bear has served UC Riverside for the past 71 years, but his time in the spotlight is coming to an end. A new era at UC Riverside is being ushered in as the nation's leader in social mobility and one of the top public schools for making an impact- who better to lead the charge but the Highlanders' own burros?