By Dan Corcoran

EUGENE, Ore. -- It didn't take long for the University of Oregon's incoming freshmen to make history.

Just a couple of months into their first term at Oregon, the 2009 freshman class has a cumulative average of 3.54, the highest grade point average of any group of first-year students in the University's history. The average is higher than last year's 3.49 and 2007's 3.48.

2009's freshman class includes 3,700 students, down from last year's record 4,200. With a much more selective admission process, this year's freshman class is a result of 50 percent more applications for 500 fewer available spaces.