PSU’s numbers are down

Uninspiring neighborhood may be the answer

Portland State is shrinking, according to the Oregon University System. This year’s fall enrollment was down 1.1 percent from 2011. That might not sound like much, but it represents a decrease of 233 students from last year—not a negligible number. President Wiewel apparently thought it was, though; in a recent statement he said that “enrollment at PSU is essentially flat compared to last fall.”

EVERYWHERE AND HERE
By Eva-Jeanette Rawlins
Uninspiring neighborhood may be the answer

Portland State is shrinking, according to the Oregon University System. This year’s fall enrollment was down 1.1 percent from 2011. That might not sound like much, but it represents a decrease of 233 students from last year—not a negligible number. President Wiewel apparently thought it was, though; in a recent statement he said that “enrollment at PSU is essentially flat compared to last fall.”

Riza liu/VANGUARD STAFf

Gotta love the PSU spin brigade.

When you compare our numbers to Oregon State University in Corvallis, which saw 925 more students enroll this fall, you’ve got to pretend things aren’t so bad. You’ve also got to ask what they have that we don’t. Granted, we’re still the largest university in Oregon, but if this enrollment trend continues, we won’t be for long.

The economy undoubtedly plays a role in these numbers, but if that were the only factor OSU would be equally affected. This is only a guess, but the fact that Corvallis ranked sixth out of the top 10 college towns in the U.S. by Livability.com may have something to do with it.

Described by the website as “among the safest and most environmentally friendly cities in the nation,” Corvallis “offers many spots to eat local food, enjoy live music and engage in outdoor interests like fishing, hiking and camping.” The kind of review prospective out-of-town students would love—and their parents (the ones with the money) even more so.

Not the kind of review our beloved PSU environs would receive.

Walking the streets around campus is a depressing experience. They’re grey and boring. Two Starbucks are a stone’s throw away from each other, and Seattle’s Best and Subway provide a lovely corporate backdrop to our coffee and eating choices. Let’s not forget the bright glow of the McDonald’s sign. Yum.

As the administration attempts to address and change the commuter culture of PSU and attract more 24-hour students, there needs to be greater incentive than really expensive housing. Right now our “culture” induces swearing fits because there’s nowhere to park, and I’ve never been asked to meet anyone for coffee or lunch anywhere near campus unless it’s a required group project. And then we have a glorious array of choices, like Chit-Chat Cafe and Food For Thought.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Food For Thought’s ethos, food and student-led management, but I’m already depressed in the winter—going underground doesn’t help with a vitamin D deficiency.

Portland is full of amazing local eateries and coffee shop havens—they’re just not here, not within walking distance of almost 30,000 potential customers. There’s something wrong with that picture.

Craig Sweitzer of Urban Works Real Estate commented on the lack of local business in The Oregonian. “You’re not just selling lunchtime. A lot of retailers, particularly food vendors, really survive and make money on evening trade. Kids who live [on campus], they want to go do stuff,” he said.

Indeed. University is as much about the “stuff” as the education. That might be the deciding factor in PSU’s growth, or lack thereof.

The problem is location, location, location. Experts like Sweitzer acknowledge the pitiable amount of space around campus, admitting that businesses often take one look at the real estate and walk away. He said, “They would love to be in that neighborhood, but there hasn’t been that kind of space.”

It’s a bit of a catch-22. More options will attract students; more students will attract businesses.

Hopefully, the new Education Urban Renewal Area approved earlier this year will address this dilemma. It’s meant to raise $169 million by 2041 for the “redevelopment” of the urban zone around PSU.

Much of this money will go toward expansion of the campus itself, but it’s also intended to attract private businesses. According to The Oregonian, the renewal area includes the two Oregon Health and Science University buildings just south of Interstate 405. OHSU may move its offices to allow for private purchase of the property. This is just one attempt to attract new blood.

Hopefully, the businesses coming in will have a heck of a lot more character than those on the way out, and perhaps we’ll finally see the quaintness, quirkiness and weirdness of Portland we all love around its best university…ever!