PSU Magazine Winter 1989

Portland State's Future Three PSU citizen advocates reflect on proposed University change. by Cliff Johnson On November 9, the Governor's Commission on Higher Education in the Portland Metropolitan Area heard a recommendation from the Oregon chapter of the American Electronics Association to "disband" Portland State University and divide its programs between Oregon State University and the University of Oregon. The primary purpose would be to establish a high-tech training center in Washington County (run by OSU) to serve the needs of AEA member firms. PSU Magazine discussed the work of the Governor's Commission and the AEA proposal with three leading PSU advocates. Excerpts from the interviews follow : Lee Koehn Lee Koehn is president of Lee Koehn Associates Inc., a Portland-based exerntive search firm which has a//racted senior-level ta/en! to positions with Northwest companies for the past 12 vears. Koehn is presiden1 of the Universitv Foundation Board . James Westwood is an attom e1· 1vho has practiced IVith one of Portland 's major law firms. Miller, Nash. Wiene1; Hager & Carlsen for several vears . Westwood is presiden! of the Universitl' Alumni Board. Roger Yost , a residen t of the Parr/and area since 1960. is president of one of Portland 's busiest architectural firms. Yost. Gm be. Hall. Yost is presiden1 of the Un iversitv Advisol"I' Board. PSU 18 Jim Westwood Roger Yost PSU MAGAZINE: How do you measure the importance of the Commission's work to the Portland metropolitan area and to the future of PSU? KOEHN: The Comm.ission's work is crucial and it can't be taken lightly by the people in the community. Not only does the Commis– sion's work affect Portland , but the whole state of Oregon as well. My hope is that they will take everything under consideration, and (the question) not be used as a political foot– ball. I think they really need to look at this through objective eyes, and do what's best for the city, for the metropolitan area. And one thing I do know is that we don't have enough money to support all the institutions that we have. My push would be to combine the Port– land-area institutions under Portland State. WESTWOOD: I think the futu re of Portland State is going to be changed by the Commis– sion's work , and it's our job to make sure that that future is one in which Portland State is really principally involved. YOST: I came here in 1960 , and I think that the implications for the (next) century are eno1mous, depending on whether this met– ropolitan area can find a way to serve the needs, in terms of research, development , continuing education and higher education. I'm hopeful that the conunission will back up far enough from the situation to look at it in these historic terms, and recommend signific– ant changes that are likely to bring about those kinds of results .