PSU Magazine Winter 1987

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT /_ Every public university has a responsi– bility to provide the best possible educa– tion to the widest possible student population. But, beyond that, a public university, and particularly an urban institution, has a duty to apply its resources toward the economic develop– ment and cultural growth of the commu– nity it serves. One of the ways we do that at Portland State University is through community-based programs in international trade, high-technology engineering, urban education and research, public administration , social work, and the fine and performing arts. The University also attracts talented people to the Portland area, where their expertise becomes a local resource, on hand when needed. From the community, in return , comes valuable advice, help in setting goals and planning strategies and essen– tial financial support. Only with that vital assistance and support is the Uni– versity able to fulfill its commitment to service. This partnership between Portland and its University has flourished for forty years and gained renewed energy in 1986-87. This year brought the formation of the University Advisory Board, the strongest link between University and community we have ever had. And this year brought a restructuring of the administration to work more efficiently with the various boards and councils and with students, staff and faculty. Much was accomplished during the year, some of it described in this report. Much more will be seen in the near future, including further contributions to research and graduate programs in sci– ence and engineering, continued work on campus beautification , plans for an appropriate facility for the School of Fine and Performing Arts, and decisions on the future of Portland State athletics. But even more important in the long term than these visible signs of the Uni– versity 's vitf{lity today are steps that began quietly in the Fall of 1986. Then, academic departments and administrative units throughout the University began to identify specific goals and objectives for their own purviews. As the year goes on, these will be matched with effective strategies and woven into a coherent Portland State University Plan for the 90's-a plan for growth in both the scope and excellence of our contributions to higher education and to our commu– nity as we head through the next decade and into the 21st century. This is an exciting time for Portland State University, and I'mgrateful to be a part of it with you. Cordially, ·~qr