PSU Magazine Fall 1998

ment would not have undue external influence on the position or the program. Training new legislators ystem better," says Professor Ron ease, a former legislator and PSU' organizer of the orientation. Tenn limits-we've got to live with 'em. As for the controversies between the Turkish government and people of Armenian and Greek heritage, the committee wrote, "While it cannot resolve the ongo ing controversies, education is the best way to air all opinion and to encourage dialogue between those who hold differi ng The O regon Legislature will see more than 20 new representatives join its ranks in January. Legislative tra in– ing has always been offered by the Salem staff, but now Portland State and Willamette Uni versity are getting involved. Cease is bringing fo rmer legislators to campus, including former Sen . Mark Hatfie ld, to discuss the workings of gove rnment, federal programs and agencies, the media, and the state's economy and demographics. The next day, faculty at Willamette Law chool wi ll talk on conflict reso– lution and negoti ation and provide practice exercises. The final session at the Capitol Building will foc us on the nitty gritty of mov ing a bill into law. . " views. The committee recommended that a Portland State Faculty Senate advi– sory council review the program aga in in three years fo r compliance with the University's policy on external gifts and grants. In December fres hman legislators will spend a day on the PSU campus, another at Willamette School of Law, and a third at the Capitol Building getting a civics crash course. "By giving our legi lators a better sense of the system's relationshi ps, we improve their chances of making the Cease also hopes to see incumbent legislators attend the orientation; their time in Salem is growing short. FROM THE O ne of the real pleasures of my job is meeting and talking with Portland State alumni-and with more than 70,000 graduates, it's a pleasure I can look forward to for many years. What is interesting is that graduates from each era, while they all share certain experiences, have somewhat different impressions of the campus. For example, those who attended during the 1960s often talk about the constant state of construction during that period. "We studied to the background noise of jack– hammers and construction equipment," they say. That's an understandable impression because the 1960s were pivotal in the physical development of the Portland State campus. During that single 10-year period, there were 27 building projects or acquisitions, including 10 major construction or remodeling projects. Now, more than 25 years later, we are entering another era of major campus development, but this time with a difference. Earlier campus development was focused inward in an effort to create a core academic campus where none existed before. Our new era of development is designed not only to build the campus, but to help build the surrounding neighborhood as well, and to make the University and the community integral parts of each other. The Urban Center and University Plaza, now under construction, will provide a home for the College of Urban and Public Affairs, plus a state-of-the-art distance learning center, street-level retail and commercial space, and a major transit center and public gathering space. Also under construction by a private developer is an office tower adjacent to our new engineering facility on Fourth Avenue. This building will house city of Portland offices associated with planning, construction, and development. PRESIDENT In addition, a new apartment and parking complex is planned for the Fourth Avenue areas and the Fourth Avenue Building itself will be remodeled to house the World Peace Center at PSU. This year, the University is seeking proposals for development of the block between Fifth and Sixth and Montgomery and Harrison. The idea is for street-level commercial development combined with academic space in the upper floors. A similar plan is in the works for the parking lot just east of that site. We also are working with Portland Public Schools on develop– ment of a combination elementary school and student housing complex for the campus. Twenty years from now, when we talk with alumni from the current era, they President Dan Bernstine may share the memories of and Former Senator Mark constant construction with Hatfield view a model of alumni from the 1960s, but the Urban Center project, they'll also remember being which has been likened to part of a campus in the a Pioneer Square of south process of truly integrating downtown. with its downtown neigh- borhood, an important next step in our development as the urban university of tomorrow. Dan Berns tine, President FALL 1998 PSU MAGAZINE 5