Portland State University Campus Environment

Portland State University is a comprehensive public university of growing distinction. The University has more than 16,000 enrolled students and serves 40,000 individuals in credit and non-credit classes each year, including nearly one-third of the Oregon University System's enrolled graduate students. Portland State is Oregon's primary vehicle for meeting higher education, research, and public service needs throughout the Portland metropolitan area.

The Portland State University campus is a cityscape, designed to meet student needs. Occupying 4.5 million sq. ft. of buildings in a 49-acre area, the campus is built around the South Park Blocks, a greenway reserved for pedestrians and bicyclists. At the edge of campus, the University merges easily into downtown Portland. The areas immediately surrounding the campus contain private student housing, shops, taverns, convenience stores, dry cleaners, theaters, and restaurants that primarily serve the community.

Portland State University is an "open" campus with no physical barriers between the University and the outside world. It is very easy to assume we are totally crime free.

Campus safety at Portland State is a combined effort among the administration, faculty, staff, and students. It is our desire to create and promote an open environment that encourages learning and freedom among all who come to the University.

Portland State considers your safety a very important part of your educational experience. It is also important to preserve a balance with an open environment where faculty, staff, and students feel a sense of safety to academically explore the issues of the day. With this in mind, Portland State is committed to providing a competent and professional University public safety program that is administered using updated procedures, trained and professional staff, and sufficient staffing levels to preserve a reasonably secure campus for all members of our University community.

It is important for all of us to know and be aware that no university campus or community is totally "risk free" of crime. Portland State's president and administration strongly believe everyone has an important role in providing a safe learning environment. To accomplish this goal, everyone is responsible for using commonsense precautions and for practicing crime prevention to reduce our vulnerability and the opportunity for criminal activity around us! Crime happens in our society, in Portland, and at Portland State. To reduce the possibility that any faculty, staff, or students may be exposed to hazards, Portland State has taken steps and initiatives to help reduce the risks.

Campus Public Safety at Portland State University is under the direction of the Director of Public Safety and oversight of the Vice President for Finance and Administration. The program is designed proactively, responding with visibility, education, prevention, and immediate response to incidents at the University.