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Purpose & Organization
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Student programs and services support the achievement of the institution’s mission and goals by contributing to the educational development of its students. Student programs and services are consistent with the educational philosophy of the institution. The institution provides essential support services for students, regardless of where or how enrolled and by whatever means educational programs are offered.
Purpose and Organization
Staff members in student services and programs have academic preparation or experience appropriate to their assignments. In all functional areas, student affairs leaders have appropriate graduate degrees and supervise professional staff hired to fulfill responsibilities clearly delineated in position descriptions on file in the respective units and published during the search processes. Job performance of staff members represented by the American Association of University Professors and the Vice Provost for Student Affairs reviews Service Employees International Union annually; supervisors review job performance by un-represented staff members periodically.
The mission statements and objectives of each Student Affairs unit are available in department publications, departmental Web sites, or the Departmental Profiles Web site. Each unit's mission and goals supports the overall mission of the Office of Student Affairs.
To meet increasing demands brought on by enrollment growth and a changing student demographic within the last 6 years, the organization and management of student programs and services have been reviewed and redesigned. Admissions and registration processes, student orientation, and advising have undergone substantial revision to improve services both for students new to the University and transfer students.
Online services for registration and financial aid are now available to students.
In 2004, the entering GPA requirement for freshmen was increased from 2.5 to 3.0, but included provisions for special admissions of promising students.
Co-admission policies with local community colleges were revised, resulting in increased access for students and easier transitions between high schools and community colleges, and Portland State.
The President's Advising Initiative introduced comprehensive advising across the University. Expansion of centralized advising services and a computerized system for advising (Degree Audit Reporting System) is now available for students and faculty.
New Student Orientation programs for both freshmen and transfer students have improved service to a larger number of students.
The Career Center has expanded services for students, including online access to post student career jobs, and for career exploration.
Portland State will continue to use technology and personnel in innovative ways to improve services, communication, and efficiency. Substantial enhancements in information technology over the past decade have contributed to improved student services.
A focus on attracting full-time students aged 18-25 has required a new approach to resident life, housing, scholastic standards, academic appeals, advising, health and mental health services, and other aspects of university life. Through new construction and programmatic enhancements, Portland State is enhancing the campus environment for an increasingly residential student population, while continuing to support the needs of its traditional commuter student population.
Over the next several years, increased funding for student services will be necessary to meet increasing enrollment and increasing demands of a younger cohort of students. Budget allocations for the Office of Student Affairs have not matched the need for increased services as enrollments have increased. Budget reductions in key areas have hampered efforts to improve services and manage enrollment growth. Space and facilities limitations have also affected the University's ability to manage the increased demand for student services.
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