LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: November 5, 2010

To: The PSU Community

Fortis Construction, Inc. has been privileged to work on a number of construction projects on the PSU campus. We work hard planning our projects to minimize impacts and protect the environment. It hit especially hard when we discovered that our campus loop well drilling operation had released highly turbid water that found its way into the Willamette River. We have scrutinized our operations and taken steps to ensure this mistake is never repeated.

Promoting sustainability and green practices in the built environment is a core mission for us and part of the answer to a global issue. We will be even more diligent in our responsibility to the PSU community.

Sincerely,

Fortis Construction, Inc.

Jim Kilpatrick, President

Greetings,

On Monday Oct. 25, 2010 your publication ran a piece titled “Homeless at Portland State – Transients in PSU buildings pose safety risk.” The piece perpetuates stereotypes about the homeless and demeans people simply trying to stay warm and dry.

The opinion piece begins: “The smell was the first indication that the person sitting behind me in Smith Memorial Student Union wasn’t a student. Perhaps I’m naïve, but I don’t associate the collective scents of urine, body odor, exhaust fumes and old cigarettes with the Portland State student body.”

Presenting multiple points of view is one thing, but providing a platform for misinformed hate is another. I respectfully request that you retract this piece from your website.

David Henderson