NEIGHBORS WELCOME Students in 11 Washington counties bordering Oregon can now come to PSU for only 10% above in-state tuition, a big savings compared to regular out-of-state tuition. THE BEER’S ON BRUCE To coax football fans back to the stands after a COVID-canceled season, Coach Bruce Barnum offered the first beer on him at the opening home game. His final tab? $14,448. (Viks won 21-7.) 11 $14,448 → Portland State has found more sources of funding for internship stipends. The new Basic Needs Hub, opened recently in Smith Memorial Student Union, makes it easier for students to find emergency resources when they need them so they can stay in school (see page 8). To ensure students navigating housing crises have a safe place to stay, the PSU Landing at FUMC (fumcpdx. org/landing)—launched by First United Methodist Church in partnership with Portland State—now offers temporary safe-haven housing in the Goose Hollow neighborhood. Financial support for housing has also been increased through state funding and philanthropic gifts. Student success is also reliant on Portland State’s staff and faculty reflecting its diverse student population, making it imperative to support and retain employees of color. Affinity groups—for example, the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group, the Black Faculty/Staff Affinity Group and the Native Caucus—now proactively reach out when new hires arrive on campus. Employees at all levels across the University are also exploring aspects of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, whether through formal training or informal study groups. Equity goals have been incorporated into everything from performance reviews to the budgeting process. Portland State University’s focus on racial equity is about more than just doing the right thing.The University is on the path toward becoming a majority BIPOC institution.This fall, PSU welcomed its most racially and ethnically diverse set of new undergraduates ever with a record 48.5% identifying as Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander or as more than one race. Creating a sense of belonging and a pathway to success for all students isn’t some lofty ideal—it’s a competitive advantage and the key to PSU’s future. —CHRISTINA WILLIAMS A NEW EXHIBIT at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at PSU showcases the work of 20 Oregon artists exploring themes of resistance and resilience in response to systemic racism. “Black Lives Matter—we have all heard these words many, many times— but what do they mean? How do they affect you? How do we gain knowledge and understanding of each other?” said Jordan Schnitzer, local philanthropist and businessman. “The 20 artists in the exhibition force us, in different ways, to reach into our hearts, minds and souls to help find answers.” Artists’ contributions were supported by $2,500 grants.The results span photography, video, painting, performance, textiles, sculpture, poetry and printmaking. (Work from artist Latoya Lovely shown here.) See the Black Lives Matter Artist Grant Exhibition on campus through April 30. Check pdx.edu/museum-of-art for details. NITR, ADOBE STOCK SPRING 2022 // 7
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