PSU Magazine Winter 1997

M ark Twain is reputed to have said, "History doe n't repeat it elf, but it does rhyme." While Yogi Berra put it thi way: "It feels like deja vu, all over again." There may well be a fami liar ring to many of the chal– lenge faci ng Portland State University and Oregon as we begin the new year; there also is cause for optimism and excite– ment. And, as we work to address these issues, we will do so in the manner that has worked well for the University and for Oregon, solving problems collaboratively with an eye to what is be t for the region and for the state. What issues are on the horizon for 1997 ? Here are a few which we have een before. Funding Oregon's Educational System As you read this, the Oregon Legislature, Gov. John Kitzhaber, and education officials from K-12 schools, community colleges, and higher education are addressing the issues surround ing state funding for our public educa– tion systems in light of voter approval of Measure 47, the property tax limitation. The Oregon Department of Revenue estimates that, over the next two years, Measure 47 will result in the loss of about $450 million for local school districts and $560 million fo r citie , countie , and special taxing districts. In terms of post-secondary educa– tion, Oregon's higher education ystem has lost $100 million in state support over the last six years. Fortunately, Oregon's economy i trong and projec– tions for increased income tax revenues will help make up some of the hortfall in property taxe , at lea t in the hort run. We will be working with our sister institutions to help the governor and others make the ca e for investing in education. We are heartened that two of the governor's priorities for education funding are to freeze higher educa– tion tuition (which has risen 80 percent in five years) and to inve t in engineering and technology education in the Portland metropolitan area. Engineering and Technology Education There is reason for optimism regarding this issue, which ha surfaced periodically over the past 30 years. In November, the State Board of Higher Education endor ed a unique propo al for improving engineering and technol– ogy education and research, beginning with a focus on the Portland metropolitan area. The proposal establishes an Oregon College of Engineering and an industry council to help guide it. The goals for the college are ambitious: • to double the number of graduates in computer science and engineering; • to improve program quality and increase connections with industry; • to provide high-quality graduate and continuing profes– ional education for existing employees; • to meet Oregon' economic objectives. With an innovative collaborative structure, a new ense of in titutional cooperation and purpose, and the direct involvement of industry, I believe these goals are attainable. University District and Urban Center We continue to move forward with our plan for devel– opment of a true Univer ity District, which will help revi– talize the south downtown area. We recently received authorization of a $6 million grant from the Federal Tran portation Administration to extend the downtown bu mall into the campus. Former Sen. Mark Hatfield wa instrumental in obtaining the e fund . In addition, we are working with the Economic Development Administration on an add itional $2 million grant proposal which would provide distance learning facilities in the proposed Urban Center building. Each of these efforts have been in collaboration with community partners, particularly Tri-Met and the city of Portland. Our success illustrates the genius of working with your community on is ues of common interest. Continuing the Process of Change There have been remarkable changes at P U over the past few years. We have re-engineered our administrative and operational structures for greater efficiency and effec– tiveness. We developed a new and innovative undergradu– ate curriculum designed to provide a more meaningful, integrated undergraduate experience for all our students, regardles of major. We developed and adopted new guide– lines for faculty tenure and promotion which enlarge faculty roles to include community outreach a well a teaching and traditional re earch. We currently are turn– ing our attention to the shape of graduate tudie , and the academic major. In short, we have created a campus climate which embraces change and which under tands that change is the one necessary constant if we are to c ntinue to grow and meet the challenges of the future. I purposely use the pronoun "we" in these statement because these changes are the result of thousands of hours of collaborative work by faculty, staff, students and community supporter . Portland State Univer ity is the accumulated reflection of all the individuals who have taught, studied, re earched, and worked here and it is their spirit that makes our success possible. The Univer ity and its people truly are an a set for Oregon as the state looks forward to 1997 and to the 21st century. Judith A. Ramaley, President WINTER 1997 PSU MAGAZINE 3