News and Events => Education news => Topic started by: Rose City Rose on August 08, 2014, 10:35:34 PM Return to Full Version
Title: A Review of Portland State University
Post by: Rose City Rose on August 08, 2014, 10:35:34 PM
Post by: Rose City Rose on August 08, 2014, 10:35:34 PM
I've been a student at Portland State University for more than a year now.
Here's my review:
Community- For the most part, you'll be fine as a transperson in Portland. At least, better off than the part of the country I come from. Portland State's campus, however, is located downtown Portland in an urban campus with non-students who pass through quite freely. If you prefer the solitude of a suburban campuses with a gated community feel, this is not for you because you do get the occasional deeply disturbed individual wandering onto campus, and sexual assaults by random strangers- while rare- do happen now and then on campus. Generally I have not had a problem with police or campus security but I do have passing privilege. Other than creeps, there will be the occasional ugliness from fundamentalists on campus (recently there was a shouting match between students and an anti-gay street preacher which proved a bit of a circus). On the whole though, the student body and and surrounding community are very supportive, laid back, and live and let live.
LGBT services- Portland State's Queer Resource Center is an actual help desk and lounge area/safe space that not only coordinates with the Dean of Student Life and Student Health for LGBTQQA etc. advocacy but also provides free information on free or low-cost services within the community, which are abundant but difficult to locate on your own. The Student Life office reviews and enacts suggestions by the QRC, and Student Health now offers a wide range of on-campus treatments by qualified doctors including testing, hormone and surgery recommendations, gender counseling, psychiatric services, and general medicine as well as referrals to professionals. The student insurance covers all but (I think) $3,500 for genital surgery and all but $20 per re-fill on hormones, and 100% on labwork for HRT. Furthermore, the campus also has a large number of gender-neutral restrooms. As far as women's restrooms, I felt very safe using them on campus and the community is supportive of this practice. I literally went from a nervous dysphoric wreck to about 80% transitioned in only a year and a half thanks to the abundant and high-quality LGBT services.
Academics- Class sizes are a little larger than I would like, but the professors are usually dedicated and passionate about their subjects. Graduation rates are reasonably high and tuition's not bad at all if you can get local residency first. The professors are typically courteous and very helpful to transgender students.
Verdict: You can finish your degree AND transition in comfort at this school. Highly recommended for trans students!
Here's my review:
Community- For the most part, you'll be fine as a transperson in Portland. At least, better off than the part of the country I come from. Portland State's campus, however, is located downtown Portland in an urban campus with non-students who pass through quite freely. If you prefer the solitude of a suburban campuses with a gated community feel, this is not for you because you do get the occasional deeply disturbed individual wandering onto campus, and sexual assaults by random strangers- while rare- do happen now and then on campus. Generally I have not had a problem with police or campus security but I do have passing privilege. Other than creeps, there will be the occasional ugliness from fundamentalists on campus (recently there was a shouting match between students and an anti-gay street preacher which proved a bit of a circus). On the whole though, the student body and and surrounding community are very supportive, laid back, and live and let live.
LGBT services- Portland State's Queer Resource Center is an actual help desk and lounge area/safe space that not only coordinates with the Dean of Student Life and Student Health for LGBTQQA etc. advocacy but also provides free information on free or low-cost services within the community, which are abundant but difficult to locate on your own. The Student Life office reviews and enacts suggestions by the QRC, and Student Health now offers a wide range of on-campus treatments by qualified doctors including testing, hormone and surgery recommendations, gender counseling, psychiatric services, and general medicine as well as referrals to professionals. The student insurance covers all but (I think) $3,500 for genital surgery and all but $20 per re-fill on hormones, and 100% on labwork for HRT. Furthermore, the campus also has a large number of gender-neutral restrooms. As far as women's restrooms, I felt very safe using them on campus and the community is supportive of this practice. I literally went from a nervous dysphoric wreck to about 80% transitioned in only a year and a half thanks to the abundant and high-quality LGBT services.
Academics- Class sizes are a little larger than I would like, but the professors are usually dedicated and passionate about their subjects. Graduation rates are reasonably high and tuition's not bad at all if you can get local residency first. The professors are typically courteous and very helpful to transgender students.
Verdict: You can finish your degree AND transition in comfort at this school. Highly recommended for trans students!
Title: A Review of Portland State University
Post by: Kassie on August 08, 2014, 11:16:15 PM
Post by: Kassie on August 08, 2014, 11:16:15 PM
Just a few questions we are not too far away from each other
What is the cost for counselors? How old are you? Do you live on campus?
What is the cost for counselors? How old are you? Do you live on campus?
Title: Re: A Review of Portland State University
Post by: Rose City Rose on August 09, 2014, 07:03:43 PM
Post by: Rose City Rose on August 09, 2014, 07:03:43 PM
The counselors are covered 100% by the student health insurance.
I am 30 years old, though I began my transition at age 28.
I live off campus in south central Beaverton, about 40 minutes' walk from the transit center.
I am 30 years old, though I began my transition at age 28.
I live off campus in south central Beaverton, about 40 minutes' walk from the transit center.
Title: Re: A Review of Portland State University
Post by: Keira P on August 27, 2014, 04:39:56 PM
Post by: Keira P on August 27, 2014, 04:39:56 PM
What is the tuition like for an out of state resident?
Title: Re: A Review of Portland State University
Post by: Felix on August 28, 2014, 12:53:45 AM
Post by: Felix on August 28, 2014, 12:53:45 AM
Quote from: Keira P on August 27, 2014, 04:39:56 PMhttp://www.pdx.edu/financial-services/sites/www.pdx.edu.financial-services/files/PSU_2014_2015_FeeBook.pdf (http://www.pdx.edu/financial-services/sites/www.pdx.edu.financial-services/files/PSU_2014_2015_FeeBook.pdf)
What is the tuition like for an out of state resident?
I attended PSU for a bit, but my opinions are out of date. I will say that even non-students would do well to check campus event calendars. They host a lot of open lectures and gatherings that are relevant to the trans community.