With a 47 acre campus 12 blocks from the Willamette River, Portland State has a big impact on water quality. PSU was officially recognized as the nation's first "Salmon-Safe" university campus in 2006. During the past two years of certification, PSU has eliminated harmful chemicals from groundskeeping, reduced water use for landscaping, and improved stormwater quality.

The Cob Dialogue Dome and cob oven, located on the SW corner of the Smith Memorial Student Union, was repaired this summer with new stone seating.