As protests swept the nation in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd and individuals across the campus community called for more action against racism, President Stephen Percy made equity and racial justice as his top priority. The decision was motivated by the local and national urgency of that summer, but it was also strategically intertwined with his other priorities of elevating student success and more deeply engaging with the community.
What’s the vision? Simply the success of every Portland State University student and employee—from every background. In concrete terms, that means equitable retention and advancement toward graduation for students, as well as a stable career path and sense of belonging for employees.
Late in 2021, Portland State launched a three-year equity plan and a scorecard to track the University’s progress. The work is backed by the $1.5 million Racial Justice Fund, matched by a PSU Foundation fund and supported by a number of grants from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission and the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities.
Early wins are already having an impact on the student experience. For example, in fall 2021, Portland State launched an initiative to support undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children (known as “Dreamers” after the 2001 DREAM Act). Plans for study abroad heritage trips oriented toward students who identify as Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) are also in the works. A new BIPOC Student Advisory Council will ensure that initiatives will center student voices and that there is an open line of communication with University leadership.
A new Summer Bridge Scholars program, put in place last summer, helps students—including those who are the first in their families to go to college—get familiar with campus and learn skills for successfully transitioning from high school. To ensure students don’t miss internships and research opportunities because of financial concerns, Portland State has found more sources of funding for internship stipends.
The new Basic Needs Hub, opened recently in Smith Memorial Student Union, makes it easier for students to find emergency resources when they need them so they can stay in school. To ensure students navigating housing crises have a safe place to stay, the PSU Landing at FUMC—launched by First United Methodist Church in partnership with Portland State—now offers temporary safe-haven housing in the Goose Hollow neighborhood. Financial support for housing has also been increased through state funding and philanthropic gifts.
Student success is also reliant on Portland State’s staff and faculty reflecting its diverse student population, making it imperative to support and retain employees of color. Affinity groups—for example, the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group, the Black Faculty/Staff Affinity Group and the Native Caucus—now proactively reach out when new hires arrive on campus.
Employees at all levels across the University are also exploring aspects of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, whether through formal training or informal study groups. Equity goals have been incorporated into everything from performance reviews to the budgeting process.
Portland State University ’s focus on racial equity is about more than just doing the right thing. The University is on the path toward becoming a majority BIPOC institution. This fall, PSU welcomed its most racially and ethnically diverse set of new undergraduates ever with a record 48.5% identifying as Asian, Black, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander or as more than one race. Creating a sense of belonging and a pathway to success for all students isn’t some lofty ideal—it’s a competitive advantage and the key to PSU’s future.