VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY:
The visionPDX Input Report

EDUCATION:
Higher Education

  


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Portlanders value the city’s universities and colleges as engines
of economic, social and cultural advancement.

Section Summary

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

  1. Portland should be a leader in higher education.
  2. A strong system of higher education is fuel for the economy.
  3. Higher education is key to social and economic mobility.
  4. Institutions of higher education create a rich and vibrant cultural environment.
  5. Institutions of higher education should work to address community-identified needs.

MAIN IDEAS

  1. 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.”

Sample Strategies:

  1. Improve science and engineering offerings at local universities.
  2. “A world-class research university [should be] made possible through [funding from] local Fortune 500 companies.”
  3. 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.
  1. 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.”

Sample Strategies:

  1. Link business, workforce development, research and partnerships into a support network for higher education and professional job training.
  1. 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.”

Sample Strategies:

  1. Partner with businesses to fund scholarships.
  2. Hold down tuition costs at public colleges and universities such as Portland State University and Community College.
  1. 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.”

Sample Strategies:

  1. “We need more higher education in the arts to keep the artists here.”
  1. 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.”