—2— director of New Student Programs, who also spoke to RAPS. The Student Orientation attendance requirement goes into effect next fall, and it’s a no-nonsense rule. “If you don’t go to Student Orientation, you do not register for classes,” Trifiletti said. The mandatory academic advising regulation also has teeth. “All students, starting with freshman class, have to meet with an academic adviser before they can register for classes,” she explained. To meet what will obviously be greater demand for advisers, Provost Roy Koch is hiring 13 new advisers who will fan out to the various schools across the University. “I’m really excited that mandatory advising is in the works because it’s so easy for kids to get lost,” said Gallagher. President’s Message LARRY SAWYER At the June 10 RAPS Board meeting, members and committee chairs will be submitting their annual reports, and I will turn over the gavel to Clarence Hein. Reports will be posted on our Web site, www.raps.pdx.edu, for all to read. In May Bob Vogelsang and I attended a regional conference of retirement associations hosted by the Western Washington University Retirement Association in Bellingham, Wash. Most of the Washington public universities were represented, plus PSU, OSU, and a visiting representative from Montana State University. We discussed our different activities and degree of university support. We have more university support than some others. We were also interested in their scholarship programs. Most had some endowed funds and means to secure funds for scholarships. The OSU Retirement Association has accumulated almost $25,000 in endowed funds since their formation in 2001. We have just over $1,000 in unendowed funds and will be offering some small scholarships for next year. Finally, I attended a May 12 University Public Forum on PSU’s future. Other RAPS members were also in attendance. There were presentations by President Wim Wiewel, Chancellor George Pernsteiner, and Lindsay Desrochers, vice president for Finance and Administration. Pernsteiner noted that in 1968 Oregon and Minnesota had the best-educated 25- to 34-year olds in the world. We are now in the bottom five states in that category. We have record enrollment (presently around 29,000 head count) and operate under tight state controls. Both Pernsteiner and Wiewel called for changes in our compact with the state government. Desrochers gave a Power Point presentation on our financial history and our present status. Last November Wiewel formed a task force with representatives from faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the private sector. They are asking for input. More information on the forum can be found in a press release by Suzanne Pardington on May 13. Check theWebat http://www.pdx.edu/news for the release. Have a great summer, and I will see you at the RAPS picnic on August 19. Advising, orientation to be mandatory . . . continued from page 1 Melissa Trifiletti Mungin agreed, recalling that she didn’t go to Student Orientation her first year. “I was just flying by the seat of my pants when I first came to PSU.” So what’s a Student Ambassador? Rihana Mungin and Keighty Gallagher are two of a dozen students who make up this year’s contingent of PSU Student Ambassadors. Established in 1995, the program provides the University community with a diverse group of outstanding students who represent PSU to visiting speakers, educators, and dignitaries. They also conduct campus tours, perform community work, and act as hosts at official functions and VIP events. Students are nominated to the program by faculty and staff. Successful nominees have a record of academic excellence, strong communication skills, and strong leadership skills.
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