Welcome to the Portland State Family Resource Guide

It is our belief that your understanding of Portland State University, and the support that you provide to your PSU student, will assist in their ability to be successful. We host a parallel family program as a part of each of our freshmen student Orientation sessions held during the summer. These sessions are designed to educate you about the resources available to PSU students and the transitions that many students and families experience during their academic journey.

One of the most challenging transitions for a parent to make is adjusting to the changes that accompany sending their student off to college. To help you with this transition, we've assembled some advice from parents of other Portland State students to help you adjust to this change.

The opportunities for your student at Portland State University are abundant.

• Let them adjust to the university during their first quarter but encourage them to get involved.
• Don’t pressure your students to declare a major right away if they are a freshman. Most don’t until their second year.
• Your students are safe. There are people looking out for them here. They need to take charge of their personal safety and be smart. Encourage your student to not leave their belongings unattended.
• Teach your students how to do laundry before they get here, and give them quarters for the laundry machines.
• Set up a system of communication so you are not waiting anxiously for your student to call, and so that your student has a clear understanding of what you expect.
• Familiarize yourself with the resources on campus so you can point your child in the right direction. See the helpful list we’ve put together for you on this website.
• If you’re going to give your child allowances, work out a budget with them and hold to it.

Support Your Student….

• Your student is growing up, so always support them throughout all their decisions. Be their support even when they think they don’t need it.
• Leaving home is a big change, and it’s important that families act as safe spaces where students can share thoughts and ideas.
• Send care packages. Send fun mail!
• Call your student. Though they may fuss about your call, deep down they are happy you are there for them.
• Send your student e-mails or pictures from home.
• Packages of cookies are always a welcome gift during midterms or finals.
• This is not the last you are going to hear from your kid! Your child is still yours, even if they have flown the nest, and they’ll want to check in with you every once in a while; they love you.

… But Let Your Student Be Independent

• They’ve come this far, so obviously there is a good head on those shoulders. Trust them to use it.
• Trust that everything you taught them will guide them.
• When your child comes home after their first year of school, they will be different, more independent. Embrace the person they are becoming!

The rest of this page will be your first introduction to our academic, cultural, social, and physical environment. To learn more, click on any of the links below.

For further reading, the National Association of Orientation Directors has compiled the following bibliography.

Legal Services and Student Records

Affirmative Action Complaint and resolution options for Portland State University students

PSU Student Record Privacy

Student Legal & Mediation Services (SLMS) provides confidential and professional assistance to students on a wide range of legal issues

Student Services

PSU’s Career Center is a great resource for your student to use to help them find a job, internship, or volunteer opportunities. The Career Center’s website also has valuable information regarding upcoming career fairs, and other events at PSU.

The Center for Student Health And Counseling PSU offers a wide range of medical and dental services through our on-campus facilities, and basic health fees for these services are included in tuition.

Disability Resource Center The mission of the Disability Resource Center (DRC) is to provide students with disabilities and equal access to education.

Educational Equity Programs and Services PSU offers Department of Education TRIO programs in addition to many other programs and services to under represented student populations.

Parking and Transportation How to get to, and park at PSU

Skills Enhancement and Tutoring Center In addition to helping your student with their current coursework, our academic support services can assist your student in developing learning skills for the long term.

Student ID cards Learn how to obtain and activate a PSU Student ID card (opportunity to have photos taken at Orientation) and information associated with the HigherOne account.

Student Parent Services SPS is a program that helps student parents manage the conflicting roles and responsibilities that school, work, and family demand of them. Follow this link for more information about all of the resources available; including Child Care, Academic Support, Financial Assistance, and more.

The Writing Center The Writing Center helps writers of all levels develop powerful, clear, effective writing that represents their ideas, creativity, and scholarship.

Comprehensive list of all campus services available to current PSU students.

Student Life

The Associated Students of Portland State University PSU's student government is a great way for students to get involved in many of the major decisions affecting the PSU student body.

Portland State Athletics Portland State offers a number of men's and women's NCAA Division I collegiate sports teams, in Football, Basketball, Soccer, and more.

Campus Recreation Office Campus Rec organizes and supports intramurals and other student athletic and recreation programs.

Student Activities and Leadership Programs PSU offers over 200 student groups and organizations, and SALP is tasked with supporting these groups, which share an annual state budget mandated for student programs. More information about student groups and organizations at PSU can be found on their web page.

Women’s Resource Center The Women's Resource Center seeks to empower women and to encourage their active and equal participation in all levels of the university community and the larger society. They encourage the participation of ALL people in the community as they strive to provide a safe and supportive environment for self-identified women.

Joining the PSU Community

 Alumni Association Established in 1987, the Portland State University Alumni Association serves over 110,000 alumni and friends of the University. The Association sponsors life-long learning activities, PSU Weekend, special lectures, receptions, and other events.

Giving to PSU Help PSU reach its Big Plans!

PSU Magazine Quarterly magazine published by PSU Alumni Association

Portland Oregon Visitor's Association The official tourism and meeting website for Portland, Oregon

Safety and Security

Campus Public Safety Office Campus Safety is dedicated to keeping the campus safe and secure 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. CPSO also offers a number of other public service and security programs, like the Lost and Found and campus watch

Any other questions? Please feel free to contact the Orientation Office at 503-725-5555, or Toll Free at 800-547-8887 ext. 5555