Higher ed thinks 20 years ahead

Higher education officials are continuing work on a proposal that aims to create a research triangle in Portland that would house Oregon’s best scientific knowledge in one sector of the city.

The top research programs from institutions of higher education in Oregon would come to the South Waterfront in Portland, making the area a hub of scientific research for the state and the nation.

Portland State and Oregon Health and Sciences University would be two points of the research triangle. The new South Waterfront research development would be the third. The waterfront area would be a conglomeration of Oregon’s best research institutions.

PSU would bring its life sciences programs, such as biology, and could develop its growing sustainability department in the waterfront location. OHSU might bring its dietetics and nutrition programs, while Oregon State may bring its agricultural program. Along with these three, other schools that might be a part of the research hub–possibly University of Oregon and Oregon Institute of Technology–could incorporate programs as varied as engineering, pharmacy, astrobiology or public health.

The research center is part of a multifaceted proposal called the Portland Higher Education Agenda for the 21st Century. The proposal was created by a subcommittee of the State Board of Higher Education to be a plan for the future of higher education in Portland, making goals for development, accessibility and improvement of the various Portland universities and colleges.

Creating the scientific research hub is part of three key developments the subcommittee thinks should take hold of Portland higher education during the next 20 years. The proposal also includes increasing accessibility and affordability to higher education, and promoting community involvement.

The president of the State Board of Higher Education chartered the agenda last summer, along with four other subcommittees that examined various aspects of Oregon education.

Hub could create sustainability and other programs

The development of sustainable science facilities, with PSU at the forefront, could be one of the major components of the South Waterfront research area. Keeping in line with Portland’s green reputation, the proposal aims to focus the area on being a leader in sustainability practices and education.

Buildings in the research area will be constructed as green buildings, with sustainable transportation systems, food practices and waste management.

Portland State administrators recently announced they have chosen to hire between six and eight faculty members who will be hired to teach and research sustainability.

University of Oregon may bring a product design program to the Portland research area, as well as a securities analysis center. The proposal also calls for the creation of materials, metals and manufacturing programs in the city.

Costs for the project remain unclear, and estimates have not been released. Funding for the project will come mainly from the state’s capital budget.

There is no specific completion date for work on the proposal, nor is there a date highlighting when work on a research hub might start. The Portland agenda proposal was presented to the State Board of Higher Education in January, where board members highlighted points of interest.

Now, the subcommittee is continuing research and assessing costs of construction and development.

Boosting Portland’s higher education

The agenda also outlines a plan to make college more affordable by developing a marketing program that promotes the Shared Responsibility Model, a financial aid program created by Gov. Ted Kulongoski that gives students federal and state financial aid as long as students and families also contribute a certain amount of money.

The committee also proposes to continue building relationships between Portland’s community colleges, PSU and the rest of the schools in the Oregon University System. Portland State entered a consortium with the five community colleges around Portland in April 2006, making it easy for PSU and community college students to transfer credits among the institutions.

The proposal aims to continue developing those relationships.

One of the final components of the plan would be to develop relationships between local businesses and staff and students of Portland-area schools.

The hope is that building these relationships would boost the region’s economy and increase the higher education opportunities in the area for students, faculty and staff.

“The whole idea behind this effort is to boost Portland’s economy,” said Jim Francesconi, chair of the Portland agenda committee.

– David Holley contributed to this article