Portland State Magazine Winter 2012

CIQPYIDITOR Martha Wagner DISIGN forma Sean Marti LllTDS "TO THI IDITOR Market enter Bu kllng P08ax751 d OR 97207-07 1 50 25-445 3-n5-446s psumagOpdx ed ADDRESS CHANGO PSU Alumn A.ssociatiOn www alumni pdx edu idc on update your info or ca I S03-725-4948 ALUMMI INGAGBMIMT 0 FFICI Torn Executive Director Simon Benson House 1803 SW Park Ave PO Boll 751 Portland OR 9720 -0751 SO 25-4948 IumOpdxedu PSU ALUMNI AS 0 CIATI0N BOARD OP DIRECTORS David Keys '81, MBA 92, President R Adams '60 Leila Aman 99 Sarah Bracelin 01 Chris Cooper MBA 06 Aubre Dickson 98 Al Fitzpatrick MA 83 Nicole Gallagher 01 Jerry Gordon 68 Richard Helzer 62 Kelly Hossaini '90, MURP '93 8111 Lemman, Vanport, HD 04 Dan McDonald MBA 91 Kendal McDonald MA 02 Greg Meyer MBA 08 Krishnalcurnar Regupathy MS 99 John Whearty '91 Portland StateM~ IS published three times a yea[ during fal win~ and spring terms ootents may be reprinted only by pemllSSIOl1 of the editor The rnagazme is printed on recycled pa~ Portland State UniverSrty , an affirmative action equa opportunity 1r1Stituti0n 2 FROM THE PRESIDENT Portlanders give high marks to PSU TH E NEW YEAR brings encouraging news that I wane co share with you about the rising public perception of Portland Scare. As we develop our priorities for the future of the University, it's crucial that we have an accurate understanding of how our commu– nity views PSU. We commissioned a public survey in the fall co determine public awareness and gather opinions about a wide range of issues relating co the University's reputation. Here are some key findings: • 79 percent of those surveyed agreed that PSU provides a quality education co students. Only 7 percent disagreed, and the rest had no opinion. • 80 percent of those surveyed consider PSU important co the overall quality of life in the Portland metro area. Only 5 percent disagreed and rhe rest said they didn't know or were neutral. • 68 percent of those surveyed consider PSU important co attracting and keeping jobs in the Portland metro area. Only 6 percent disagreed, and the rest said they didn't know or were neutral. • Portland Scare compares favorably co the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. PSU ranks higher in commu– nity partnerships and expertise in urban issues such as transportation and about the same when comparing the quality of graduates, faculty, and academic programs. This data comes from 500 adults in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties who were interviewed in September by Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall, a leading public opinion research firm in Portland. WHILE TH ESE POSITIVE perceptions may nor surprise those of us fami liar with PSU, researchers noted chat the findings go against rhe larger trend of public opinion. Adam Davis, a veteran Oregon public opin– ion researcher who headed the study, says the strong positives surprised him, given char other polling shows how the public has soured on pub lic institutions and public officials during these rough economic rimes. 1he survey also shows some reputation areas we need co work on. The majority of chose surveyed rared UO and OSU higher than PSU in research and can1pus facilities, and these are two priorities that I've identi– fied for our campus going forward. And the survey shows that PSU and higher education in Oregon must do a better job of inform– ing the public about funding. For exan1ple, nearly one in five of chose surveyed believed char scare taxes are the primary source of funding for PSU even though they comprise less than 14 percent of our budget. The bottom line: We are proud of the increasing public recognition of our quality and impact. The urvey nor only affirms our rising reputation bur also reinforces rhe areas that we are working co improve. WimWiewel PRESIDENT, PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY