PSU Magazine Winter 1999

- -:.~ I ,. • ,' = "-'~,j .'f:1f,~ Preventing child sexual abuse goal of grant For the first time in its history, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has funded a grant to address the epidemic of child sexual abuse. The $700,000 grant was awarded to Keith Kaufman, chair of the Psychology Department. The common belief that strangers are usually responsible for child sexual abuse is just not true, says Kaufman. "People don't want to think that kids know most of the people who abuse them," he says. National and local studies suggest that more than 90 percent of child sexual offenders are people whom chil– dren see routinely. Kaufman seeks to study why people close to children are responsible for most child sexual abuse, how offenders operate, and how to develop a public health approach to prevent more abuse. "Our study offers an exciting oppor– tunity to impact this epidemic prob– lem," says Kaufman. "Study findings will offer guidance for a nationwide effort to reduce the incidence of child sexual abuse." Kaufman recently joined the PSU Department of Psychology from Ohio State University's departments of pedi– atrics and psychology. He also served as a psychological consultant to Columbus Children's Hospital's Child Abuse Team and was the clinical supervisor for the hospital's treatment program for adolescent sexual offenders. Two new master's degrees The University began offering two new master's degree programs in envi– ronmental sciences and resources this fall in answer to growing industry needs. A Master of Science in Environ– mental Sciences and a Master of Environmental Management join the already existing Master of Science in Teaching in Environmental Science and B.A., B.S., and doctoral programs in environmental sciences. "We've seen a tremendous demand," says Dick Pratt, director of the Environmental Sciences and Resources Program. "There are about 250 environmental consulting firms in the Portland metro area alone, and another 150 in other parts of the state. Also, these programs are for people who are looking for career change opportunities." The environmental management degree program takes a "nontraditional" approach, says Pratt. It is especially designed for part-time students who are already working in the field, allowing them to substitute a research project for a thesis. The new M.S. degree is more traditional, he says. The new degrees are part of a cooperative program involving PSU, Oregon State University, and the University of Oregon. They are designed to draw on the academic resources and strengths of all three institutions while allowing students the flexibility to take courses at any of the three institutions. FROM THE PRESIDENT In January 1998, I appointed a special Commission on Campus Climate and Life. In my charge to the commis– sion I asked that members, "consider what our students should expect in the way of administrative services, class- room experiences, support for academic learning, social climate, and assistance in the transition from school to the workplace. In addition, what should we do to provide an exciting and supportive envi– ronment for faculty and staff?" This fall, the commission presented its final report and recommendations, the result of many hours of research and discussion with a wide spectrum of the campus community. I want to thank Dalton Miller-Jones, commission chair and professor of psychology, and the 14 commission members for their commitment to the commission charge . and for the thoroughness with which they pursued it. 4 PSU MAGAZINE WINTER 1999 Why is the work of the commission so important? Increasing and maintaining student enrollment at all levels is crucial to the future of Portland State University. We believe PSU offers a wide array of quality educational, research, and service programs, but to grow and improve those programs will require the enrollment and retention of greater numbers of students. My vision for PSU is of an institution of first choice for students of all ages and from every academic level. They will come here because of the excellence of our programs and because we will be known as a campus that cares about and responds to the needs of students. The commission's report and recommendations will serve as a comprehensive guide for the development of a positive and supportive environment for all who study and work here. The commission has done its work well. It is now the responsibility of the campus community to review and evaluate the report and recommendations and, where appropriate, to design implementation strategies and priorities. Dan Bemstine, President