[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 20, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1278-S1279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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              PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. HATFIELD. Mr. President, Portland State University is 
celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Although that is a 
relatively short life in the history of America's higher education 
movement, Portland State University has quickly developed into one of 
the Nation's premier urban universities.
  This remarkable university began as the Vanport Extension Center, 
located in one of Portland's public housing projects. It was an 
educational resource for many of Oregon's returning World War II 
veterans. Two years after the Center was established, the famous 
Memorial Day flood destroyed the campus, but not the college. Even the 
Christian Science Monitor published a national story about the 
Vanport's resurrection, calling it ``The College That Would Not Die.''
  The college relocated to its current site in the South Park blocks 
area of downtown Portland in 1952. In 1955, my first term in the Oregon 
State Senate, the legislature officially designated it as Portland 
State College. At that time, the enrollment at PSC was more than 3,300 
students--up from 221 Vanport students enrolled during its first term. 
In 1969, as the college introduced its first doctoral program, the 
legislature granted it university status.
  Today, Portland State University is a national model of the urban 
university. Its mission is to enhance the intellectual, social, 
cultural, and economic qualities of urban life, and to promote the 
development of community-institutional networks and collaborations to 
address community priorities through academic and research programs. 
The university offers 32 bachelor's and 398 master's degrees in the 
humanities, sciences, social sciences, and professions, as well as 
doctoral degrees in seven areas: Education, electrical and computer 
engineering, environmental sciences and resources, public 
administration and policy, social work and social research, systems 
science, and urban studies and planning. PSU's programs are so widely 
accepted in Oregon that it offers one-quarter of the State's graduate 
degrees annually.
  My wife, Antoinette, and I have been involved in this great 
university since its early days. Antoinette attended Vanport Extension 
and eventually returned to Portland State College as its counselor to 
women. During my tenure 

[[Page S1279]]
in state government, the institution emerged as one of the State's 
major educational resources. As Governor, I was proud to sign the 
legislation that authorized funding for Portland State University's 
prestigious graduate school of social work. During my service as 
Senator, I have been pleased to work with Portland State University on 
legislation that established and funded the Urban Community Services 
Program in the Department of Education. Portland State University was 
one of the first universities in the Nation to qualify for one of these 
grants that provides seed money to help extend academic resources to 
urban communities.
  Celebrating the 50-year milestone is important--for institutions and 
for individuals--but Portland State University is looking toward the 
future and making its mark in the national higher education movement. 
If the past half century is any indication, we can expect Portland 
State University to make significant contributions in Oregon and in the 
Nation as it approaches its centennial celebration. Portland State 
University is developing a model learning community in the heart of 
downtown that will include new, multifamily affordable housing, 
connections with public transit and the light rail system, expansion of 
retail and commercial businesses in the neighborhood, and the 
development of urban open spaces and parks. I know of no other 
university in the country that is working so closely with local 
government to link its resources to the needs of the community and 
revitalize its neighborhood.
  Portland State University has received national recognition for 
improving its general education curriculum. Students now take courses 
that are communication-intensive, interdisciplinary and team-taught, 
and include extensive community involvement and service learning 
components. This new curriculum responds to concerns expressed by 
business, policy leaders, and students that traditional general 
education programs have not served today's students well. Called the 
University Studies Program, this innovative approach to providing 
undergraduates and integrated overview of the core subject areas is a 
model for colleges and universities across the country.
  Portland State University is also a success story because of its 
approach to administrative reform and commitment to the principles of 
quality management. In recent years, the university has engaged in an 
extensive reorganization of its management operation. Portland State 
University has reduced its administrative and management staff while 
still maintaining a high level of service and productivity. The 
national consulting group, KPMG Peat Marwick has called PSU ``a 
national model'' for efficient management. And, the National 
Association of College and University Business Officers recently 
presented the university with a national award for its management 
reform efforts.
  Making a difference, that is what Portland State University is all 
about. When it began, it made a difference to those veterans returning 
home from World War II. It provided them the chance to get an education 
while working and living in Portland. And, it continues to make a 
difference in the lives of Oregonians. Today, Portland State 
University--in partnership with community organizations--makes a 
difference in the lives of inner-city youngsters by exposing them to 
higher education early in life so they can realize that a college 
degree is within their grasp. Portland State University makes a 
difference in the lives of high school students who otherwise might not 
be able to afford a college education away from home. Portland State 
University makes a difference to the working professional who needs an 
advanced degree in order to stay current in their field, earn a higher 
wage, or qualify for a promotion. In short, Portland State University 
is crucial to Oregon's citizens and its economic future.
  On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, I want to extend my sincere 
congratulations to the faculty, staff, and students who have 
contributed to PSU's success. I look forward to the exciting 
contributions this remarkable institution will make in the 21st 
century.

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