Portland State pride

On a nontraditional urban campus where students typically come for class and then leave, a new “Go Green” campaign aims to highlight student and faculty accomplishments.

University Communications’ “Go Green” campaign is designed to encourage the cultivation of a strong Portland State community by further promoting the spirit of Portland State students.

Christian Aniciete, communications director for ASPSU, said he would like to see Portland State represented as ubiquitously as University of Oregon and Oregon State, but it will take time and persistence—and the “Go Green” campaign is where that will start.

“Going green means finding what PSU students are proud of and broadcasting it,” said Director of Marketing Julie Smith.

To encourage the spirit and achievements of students, Portland State now has its own YouTube, Flickr and Facebook Web sites where events can be discussed and photos and videos can be posted.

The campaign spawned from last year’s push for “College Color Fridays,” but the idea dissolved, as there were not enough students to support it on the University Communications committee.

The Interim Programming Board, an entity formed this year under Student Activities and Leadership Programs, Campus Recreation, ASPSU, Residence Housing Association and University Communications, is a committee in charge of facilitating campus traditions like “Go Green” that do not necessarily have a home.

Currently, University Communications is providing student volunteers to help with “Go Green” efforts.
“PSU is a nontraditional campus, which means students don’t spend much time here. It’s a commuter school… They have families, jobs, activities and homes all off campus. What we need is a culture shift,” Aniciete said.
Last year, Portland State received a lot of criticism about “College Color Fridays” being too focused on school spirit—replacing individuality with sameness. This year’s campaign is intended to magnify student and faculty accomplishments across a variety of disciplines and activities.

Director of Communications Scott Gallagher said, “Going green means more than being sustainable. It’s riding your bike to school, recycling or showing spirit at sporting events. The hallmarks of PSU are involvements across campus—aside from just research and academics.”

Initiatives and campaigns benefit the university in terms of graduation rates, retention and admissions.