PSU Magazine Fall 1996

limitations. Perhaps more than a few of us take a perverse pride in the place and how little we had to work with. Fortunately the teachers were gener– ally committed, people wanted to learn, ways around shortages of all kinds were located. So I can deal with that part of the equation. But this never-ending threat to the very exis– tence of PSU is harder to deal with. Can't that issue be dealt with and resolved once and for all? Brother Brian C learman '64 St. Benedict, Oregon p.s. I have my M.S. from UO; often use OSU library: I'm not down on those places. There they go again Recent suggestions from the Oregon State System of Higher Education (or rather from the Office of the Chancellor) indicate a move afoot to close down the Portland State Schools of Engineering and Business and reopen them as outposts of Oregon State University and the University of Oregon. There they go again. When I was at Portland State in the mid-'60s the guys from down the valley were trying to keep Portland State from attaining university status (keep those graduate programs out of Portland if we can't run them) and to stifle residence faci lities on campus. (A commuter school won't compete for dominance of the system.) They lost. PSU became a university with a real campus and residence halls, and today it's a major player. So now that PSU has fought for and gained programs and facilities of real excellence, mostly over obstacles thrown up by jealous brethren from the south, the jealousy is turning to coveting. Nice Business School you have there. Nice metropolitan base. I'll get Dad to give it to me, because I'm bigger. In 1990 the Governor's Commission on Higher Education in the Portland Metropolitan Area made these two good recommendations, among others: I.Develop an organization to coordi– nate academic programs and admin– istrative arrangements among the state's institutions of higher learning; and 2. Develop Portland State University as a university serving the needs of Greater Portland. Taken together, those recommenda– tions mean that Portland State should have first call on serving the needs of Greater Portland, and administration of the State System's academic programs in Portland is first and fore– most a Portland State concern. I have a copy of the Governor's Commission Report, if the chancellor needs to borrow it. Portland State has always run leaner than other State System institu– tions. From a lower financial base to start with, PSU has cut more and done more with the little remaining than anybody else. But now that the State System of Higher Education is approaching the legislature for increased funding, it isn't seeking to add back funds to Portland State in proportion to what has been lost. Why is that? If I were paranoid, I'd see the beginning of a softening up process. But being just an alumnus with a view on history, I see ... well, pretty much the same thing. The tragedy of all this expensive and distracting maneuvering from downstate is that Portland State's success is inevitable. History will repeat itself, those guys will lose again, and PSU win continue on its path to becoming the flagship institution of the State System of Higher Education. Portland State will win out not because of luck and certainly not because of influence in seats of power, but because demographics and economics demand it. Maybe PSU will someday be called the University of Oregon, but it will come about from natural development of the existing institution not from a replay of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. It's time for everybody to stop the turf-grabbing games and think about working together. Jim Westwood '67 Portland, Oregon PSU Magazine wants to hear from you. Send your comments to PSU Magazine, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207. We reserve the right to edit for space and clarity. With the Alumni Benefit Card you can get the ATHLETIC CLUB, BOOKSTORE, AND COMPUTER TIME. You'll get it all with your ABC Card. Update your resume, read 950,000 books, or join a health club with a pool. Available exclusively to Portland State alumni, the PSU Alumni Benefit Card entitles you to entertainment discounts, and access to PSU's recreation facilities, computer labs, and library. Get your ABC card today. Call 725-4948 or e-mail psualum@pdx.edu for more information. Another urviu ofyour PSU Alumni As1ociation. - FALL 1996 PSU MAGAZINE 3