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Student Services
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The institution recruits and admits students qualified to complete its programs. It fosters a supportive learning environment and provides services to support students’ achievement of their educational goals.
Portland State has made substantial progress in meeting the needs of a diverse and growing student population. Many students expect to be involved in experiences outside the classroom and to have access to services that enhance their academic experiences. In addition, the University has faced challenges in serving a high number of students with disabilities, and in providing developmental advising and academic support for students who require specific types of services. The focus on attracting younger cohorts of students has prompted the University to modify the delivery of co-curricular programs that in the past have been more suited to older students in order to meet the needs of this population.
Information on each functional area within the Office of Student Affairs may be found in the Departmental Profiles. Additional information is provided in individual unit Web pages, as noted in the sections below.
Admissions and Co-Admissions
The University continues to provide and expand services that address the diverse characteristics of its student population. Information regarding policies and procedures regarding student services, enrollment, academic progress, and graduation are available in the University Bulletin.
Portland State was the first institution in the state to develop a "co-admissions" program with metropolitan area community colleges. In the last seven years, the program has expanded to include four regional community colleges, Portland Community College, Clackamas Community College, Mount Hood Community College, and Chemeketa Community College. Through the leadership of the Office of Student Affairs, a variety of support services are provided to students enrolled in this program. The Information and Academic Support Center (IASC) has ensured advising for transfer students to help them make a smooth transition from community college to the University.
Electronic Access
Students may register for classes via the Web and have electronic access to their student records through the degree-audit program (DARS) (one of the few of its kind in the region). This enables students to determine requirements for degree completion and promotes student understanding of academic responsibilities. Financial aid information, including information about availability and categories of aid, is also available on line and in the Portland State Bulletin.
Financial Aid
Academic Support
The Information and Academic Support Center provides support for students with disabilities, transfer students, first-year students, and students struggling academically. Portland State has implemented policies that deal more directly with students who are struggling academically through a new academic standing policy, which includes a three-term dismissal process. A hold is placed on registration to ensure that students participate in a student success workshop and connect with an advisor to address academic progress. The policy includes an expanded tutoring and skills-enhancement program.
Advising for Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Student Affairs works collaboratively with the University Studies Program and University Honors Program to provide advising and other services to undergraduates enrolled in the general education programs. Professional academic advisors from Student Affairs participate on each Freshman Inquiry team as advising liaisons, bringing additional advising support into the classroom. Graduate students receive primary academic advising through their respective graduate programs with support from the Office of Graduate Studies. Other student services are available to graduate students on the same basis as undergraduate students.
Student Orientation
New student orientation programs have expanded significantly in the last 10 years, with thousands of students participating throughout the year. Orientations are provided for students new from high school, transfer, co-admitted, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students. During Orientation, students may register for classes and receive advising on programs of study and financial aid options, take campus tours, and learn about co-curricular activities on the campus.
Health and Counseling
Center for Student Health and Counseling was created in 2003, combining Counseling and Psychological Services with Health Services to provide a complete wellness center for students. The new facility provides education, counseling, and treatment services. At the request of Portland State students, options for health and dental insurance offerings have been added.
Career Center
The Career Center provides current students and alumni with comprehensive services to meet their diverse career development and job search needs. These services are designed to facilitate student learning in the areas of: self-knowledge, knowledge of the world of work, and an understanding of the life-long career development process. The Center also provides services to employers and other external constituents.
During the 2004-2005 academic year, the professional staff provided one-on-one career counseling to 2,170 students-a 21% increase in students served when compared to 2003-2004. They served 1,654 students through workshops delivered in the Career Center or in classrooms and other off-site settings. The counseling staff taught three sections of HUM199 Career Planning class, serving total of 53 students.
The Career Center held three career fairs in 2004-2005, where 158 organizations provided information on careers and job opportunities to approximately 3,100 students. The Center maintains an on-line jobs database with career job positions and on-campus recruiting opportunities for seniors, recent graduates, or returning alumni. That same database also lists internships and part-time on- and off- campus jobs for current students. In 2004, local and national employers posted a total of 6,541 job opportunities (many with multiple openings) with the Career Center. The database also allows students and alumni to access Experience, a related national database with an additional 900,000 job postings.
Student Leadership
In response to student input, Student Affairs has refocused its student activities and leadership programs. The Associated Students of Portland State University assisted in this effort. Additional staff members and infrastructure provide increased support for student involvement. For example, student publications have expanded in recent years as students have advocated for increased opportunities to participate.
Student Residence
For nearly 40 years, a non-profit organization, College Housing Northwest (CHNW), managed student housing at Portland State. The organization was created by a group of students who were responding to high housing costs in the neighborhoods surrounding the campus. After a thorough review of the services provided by CHNW, and in view of its goal to increase freshman international student enrollment, the University initiated the Residence Life program within Student Affairs. Staff members with expertise in student housing manage programs such as the First-Year Experience and Global Village within Portland State's existing and new housing structures.
Food Services
In Summer 2005, Portland State began providing food services on campus through a contract with Sodexho Marriot. This replaced an existing contract with Aramark food services. A food court occupies the ground floor of the Smith Memorial Union. A student cooperative restaurant, Food for Thought, is located in the basement of the Smith Center, serving breakfast and lunch. Food service is supplemented by a wide array of restaurants and vendors adjacent to the campus, or in some instances in leased space on ground levels of more recent campus buildings, such as the Broadway Residence Hall and the Urban Center.
Recreation
Campus Recreation has expanded services and created more effective opportunities for students to be engaged. Students and staff are actively involved in planning a new recreation center, approved by the President during Summer 2004.
Diversity
Portland State students have many opportunities to learn about and interact with the University's diverse community through programs, services, and facilities. Following years of fundraising and student, faculty, staff and community initiatives, the Native American Student and Community Center opened in Fall 2003. The Center is a unique meeting place that brings together students, faculty and staff and the regional Native American community under one roof for academic, social and cultural events and activities. The building is a noted architectural structure, which includes an eco-roof containing plants native to the Northwest. The Center has become a resource for the region, as well as a campus landmark.
The Multicultural Center and Women's Resource Center have expanded to include full-time professional staff, graduate assistants, and vital programming across campus.
Student Conduct
In response to the growing student population and changing demographics, the University initiated an effort to clarify and communicate rules and expectations around student conduct. The first step was to create a position for an assistant dean, followed by revisions in the Code of Conduct. Recently, a new software program has enhanced administration and adjudication of conduct complaints.
Bookstore
The Portland State Bookstore is a co-operative, housed in the University's Urban Center. Its location is convenient to public transportation. The Bookstore serves as a place of entry to the campus for students, alumni, and members of the community.
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