Portlanders
value the city’s universities and colleges as engines
of economic, social and cultural advancement.
In this section, Portlanders express appreciation for
the city’s many public and private institutions of higher
learning. These valued community assets contribute not
only to academic and economic advancement of individuals,
but also stimulate and renew our regional economy. Portlanders
believe that investment in and support of institutions
of higher learning will lead to sustained economic growth,
a well-educated workforce and innovative ideas. They
imagine a future where Portland has become a leader
in higher education, with world-class universities that
draw students and faculty from around the globe.
Portlanders are concerned, however, with equal access
to higher education. Respondents worry about the rising
cost of tuition and the availability of a college education
to minority and low-income community members. They call
for greater public support and funding for public institutions
of higher learning, more involvement from business and
industry and scholarship programs for underrepresented
groups.
Summary of Main Ideas
- Portland
should be a leader in higher education.
- A
strong system of higher education is fuel for the
economy.
- Higher education is key
to social and economic mobility.
- Institutions of higher
education create a rich and vibrant cultural environment.
- Institutions of higher
education should work to address community-identified
needs.
- Portland
should be a leader in higher education.
- There is widespread desire among community
members to transform the city’s colleges and
universities into world-class centers of higher
education.
- They want Portland’s colleges and universities
to be globally competitive and want to see
this goal supported by the community at large.
- Portlanders value the contributions institutions
of higher learning make to the overall livability
of the city.
- Some community members believe that Portland
has a long way to go to offer a truly world-class
education.
- Respondents convey a strong need for a first-rate
public research university in Portland.
- Portlanders want local colleges and universities
to improve so they can attract students from
around the world, but also provide excellent
higher education opportunities to them and
their children.
| “More
support for PSU. A great city needs a
great university, but ours is struggling
and higher education is becoming increasingly
inaccessible to its local citizens. We
see this as a state issue, but doesn’t
the city also have much at stake?” |
| “The
city is fortunate to have the state’s
largest university located right downtown.
Invest in it!” |
| “Strengthen
our higher education institutions so that
our high school grads are excited to stay
in the state for their college education.” |
| “[I
would like] a stronger commitment to our
universities to make them more advanced
and world renowned.” |
- Improve science and engineering
offerings at local universities.
- “A world-class research university [should
be] made possible through [funding from] local
Fortune 500 companies.”
- Merge the University of Oregon, Portland
State University and Oregon Health and Science
University to create a world-class educational
network able to attract brilliant students
and faculty from around the world.
- A
strong system of higher education is fuel
for the economy.
- Higher education is viewed as essential
to the economic growth of the city and region
(see Economy:
Economic Opportunities).
- Increased funding for the city’s colleges
and universities is seen as a smart investment
that will lead to sustained economic growth
(see Economy:
Employment and Economy:
Economic Opportunities).
- Portlanders want colleges and universities
to develop the knowledge, ideas and highly
skilled workforce needed to produce competitive
technologies, innovative products and new
industries that diversify and strengthen the
economy.
- A number of respondents want to see increased
partnerships between higher education and
industry.
- Portlanders also want a larger focus put
on research and development efforts.
| "Better,
first-rate/stronger colleges and universities.
Portland (and Oregon for that matter)
lacks strong educational centers to help
drive business growth and our economy.” |
| “I
value Portland State University the most.
PSU is consistently using its position
to develop engaged citizens for the future
who will contribute to Portland’s economic
vitality.” |
| “Increase
awareness of the importance of higher
education to the economic success of the
region.” |
| “Be
creative and aggressive in creating new
knowledge in the city – work with PSU,
get federal funding for research and development
in conjunction with state and federal
representatives, think about assisting
promising new start-ups that specialize
in sectors that will become more prominent
in the future based on global needs and
wants.” |
- Link business, workforce development,
research and partnerships into a support network
for higher education and professional job
training.
- Higher
education is key to social and economic mobility.
- Portland’s colleges and universities advance
the ideal of equal opportunity by serving
as avenues of social and economic mobility.
- The cost of higher education is prohibitive
for many community members.
- Portlanders want to broaden access to higher
education by addressing the under-representation
of minority and low-income students and ensuring
that higher education opportunities become
more affordable (see Social
Issues: Diversity and Economy:
Poverty).
| “[I
would like] financial access for all to
obtain higher education and make one more
self sufficient.” |
| “Level
tuition costs for higher education.” |
| “I
see a city where children get equal opportunities
and affordable college education.” |
- Partner with businesses to fund
scholarships.
- Hold down tuition costs at public colleges
and universities such as Portland State University
and Community College.
- Institutions
of higher education create a rich and vibrant
cultural environment.
- Portlanders value the cultural enhancements
and benefits that stem from the city’s colleges
and universities.
- Exhibitions, lectures, artistic performances,
athletic events and other university activities
make Portland a more vibrant place in which
to live.
- Portland institutions of higher learning
connect Portland to the rest of the world
through international students and faculty.
| “I
value local universities and the rich
cultural and creative opportunities they
bring to the city, including libraries
and artistic exhibitions.” |
- “We need more higher education
in the arts to keep the artists here.”
- Institutions
of higher education should work to address
community-identified needs.
- A number of respondents value community-based
learning programs such as those offered at
Portland State University’s Capstone program
and other service learning initiatives.
- There is a desire to see even greater collaboration
between institutions of higher education and
the community to address issues, while at
the same time deepening students’ civic and
academic learning (see Education:
Community Education).
| “I
attend Portland State University and I
appreciate the connection between PSU
and PDX and the opportunities for service
learning.” |
| “[I
want to see] continued strong relationships
with Portland State University—our urban
university—and ongoing collaboration addressing
a wide range of public policy issues.” |
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