Would you let these students down? These are three of 18 students who have been on the phone since January talking to thousands of PSU alumni. Their unflagging enthusiasmmatched with alumni generosity-has resulted in nearly $100,000 in pledges to the PSU Foundation, over twice the previous high. Under the able supervision of veteran phonathoner Janice Squires ('84), the student callers have secured pledges from nearly 29% of all alumni contacted. Of course, pledges are not cold cash. But they are promises. And that's why these students fully expect at least 70% of the alumni who pledged gifts to Portland State to follow up with their chosen method of payment (check or credit card. all at once or in installments). With $.70,000 deposited in Alumni Fund coffers. a record amount of money would be available for scholarships, equipment, special programs and faculty development. But remember, pledges must be returned by June 30, 1985 to be credited to this year's effort. Don't let these students down! Giving to PSU benefits you, too Take a look at the envelope that dropped into your lap when you opened this issue of PSU Perspective. It contains a few good reasons for ;~~~~, ;u~~tt~~~~s~a~oc~~~~Uof $250 or more open the door to a year's worth of performing arts events at Portland State. Give a little more and you also get a free Alumni Benefits Card admitting you to the gym and the library all year. If you're feeling a little strapped this year, you can still benefit by a variety of PSU mementos, such as a mug, an art print, a calendar andlor a T-shirt. Of course, a contribution of any size brings you a welcome tax deduction next April. But the envelope doesn't explain all the good reasons for giving to PSU. What about the many expenses that can't be met with state and taxpayers' allocations? Over 60 PSU students are receiving scholarships made possible by alumni donations. The library is able to update its collection and its services with the help of private gifts. And the very best faculty can be recruited and retained if they know that PSU is a place they can grow and developwhich they can with Foundation grants. If you think alx>ut it, these are all benefits to you, too. Because the better PSU looks, the better you look. Meet the chair of the 1985·86 Annual fund, Jim Griffittl ('bn (second from righl). Griffith, a building con§ullant. and his wife Carolyn joined old campus acquaintances lerry and Mary Meyer (both '68) at PSU's birthday party February 23 at Rian's Atrium R~taurant in downtown Portland. The evenl r.1ised $3,000 (or the '84·85 Annual Fund. 12 Foundation profile Board president sees good times ahead by Cynthia D. Stowell For leigh Stephenson a decade ago, Portland State was just a place he walked through to get to his downtown law offices. Now, as President of the PSU Foundation Board, he is one of the University's most valuable advocates. Stephenson jumped into the Park Blocks with both feet when he look on the City Club's mid-1970s study of PSU's role in the community. Interviews with PSU faculty, administrators, students and alumni, state higher education officials, and members of the community led Stephenson's commillee to conclude that PSU was "underfulfilling" Portland's higher education needs, mainly because the UniverSity's growth was being stifled. "The programs Portland Stelte had were doing a good job," said Stephenson of the City Club findings, "bul certain state poliCies were restrictive." The slate's funding formula based on full·lime enrollment discriminated against PSU, and the program duplication policy made it difficult to expand PSU's academic programming. Publication of the City Club's report in 1978 and later testimony by Stephenson before the Stale Board of Higher Educalion helped bring these facts to light. Stephenson finds it gratifying that the funding formula has since been modified and the Chancellor is pursuing a policy of "planned duplication . " "In terms of the leadership that counts, there is a very positive attitude toward higher education. " A graduate of Yale University and Columbia law School, Stephenson has cultivated this third university allegiance in thc city he adopted more than twenty years ago. "Portland State is an important resource to the community," he says of his support. As a business lawyer, Stephenson is keenly interested in the region's economy and he thinks PSU can help make it healthy. " I think people in Oregon have realized that the severity of the recession reflected a fundamental change in our economy - that it wasn't going to come back as it was before. Under the banner of economic development, one thing you have to do is have a sound educational system to attract business. This is now a political rallying point." After a period of "agonizing" budget cutbacks, Stephenson feels Portland State and the other state higher ed institutions are entering another growth period. "In terms of the leadership that counts - the Chancellor, the State Board, the legislature and the Governor - there is a very positive attitude toward higher education and a demonstrated concern that our system hasn't had the state support it's needed." He points to the State Board's 50% increase in the recommended slate system budget for the 1 985-87 biennium, with hikes in faculty salaries, building construction funds and program monies. Even after the Governor scaled it back. Stephenson was optimistic. He expects good things from the legislature, saying that leaders "seem to have their priorities right." As the Foundation Board President, Stephenson will be watching Salem closely, offering testimony if called upon. But it is also the job of the Board, as trustees of the Univer5ity, to find other sources of support. "An urban institution has fewer loyalties than a state land-grant college. Portland State has a small base of private support. .. no resources to fall back on." The quality of PSU's growth is also of concern to Stephenson. Noting that the current climate favors high tech. international trade and economic development, Stephenson concedes that growth in PSU's engineering and business programs is an immediate target. "By the same token, we have to be very sensitive 10 balance and not ignore other disciplines that are essential 10 an enlightened society. II
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