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My first year as president is quickly coming to a close, and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you not only for a great year, but for making my family and me feel welcome. Portland has become our home and we wouldn't have it any other way.
Portland State is committed to providing a quality education and a unique urban campus experience. This year, 13 new programs, degrees, and certificates have been approved. We added programs that range from an MFA in creative writing to a minor in special education and a graduate certificate in sustainability. We've also partnered with Oregon Health & Science University to offer an MBA in healthcare management.
We have developed a long-range campus plan that includes additional housing units to accommodate more students. We also look forward to the opening of the new Academic and Student Recreation Center this fall.
Sustainability is ingrained in our practices and curriculum. The University started off the 2008-09 year with a bang, receiving the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation's 10-year, $25 million challenge grant in support of sustainability. This historic donation is a catalyst for Portland State's goal of becoming a national and international leader in sustainability. In the first year, we allocated $1.7 million for 21 faculty projects selected from 99 proposals, making important investments in faculty research and curriculum development, and laying the groundwork for future partnerships. Activities ranged from developing a Smart Grid seminar to helping launch the Green Building Research Lab in support of our region's industry and economy.
In addition, we solicited ideas for student projects and doubled the money initially allotted to $70,000, due to the quality of proposals received. The student projects include an Ooligan Press book on sustainable publishing and the Environmental Club's "Take Back the Tap" program encouraging the campus to decrease bottled water consumption. These projects are focused on reducing the environmental footprint of Portland State while leading the region's sustainability initiatives.
Research conducted at Portland State continues to grow in spite of tough economic times. We received a record $48 million in research dollars this year, up 20 percent from the previous year. This financial support enables our faculty to find cures for malaria, study food sustainability, look at traffic patterns, discover eco-friendly solutions for businesses and homes, and much more.
However, as the Oregon legislative process reaches a close, Portland State is preparing for a reduction in state support for the 2009-11 biennium. To continue providing a quality education and supportive learning environment for our students, we will have to raise tuition, establish new partnerships, and expand our funding streams. Portland State has served its students and community for over 60 years, and we'll still be here for years to come.
I'm proud of our accomplishments, and I look forward to what we will achieve in the future. We are graduating over 5,000 students this year--the most ever for any Oregon university. With them, and all of you, we will continue to expand our impact on this region and state. I wish you all a wonderful summer!
President Wim Wiewel
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