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Biggest news in PSU history?

Hm, I would love that! A new building that would instantly solve all of PSU's space problems and add room for further expansion would certainly be one of the biggest news in the University's history. Of course, something like that would require a giant donation and an already existing approval - otherwise it would just be an ambitious plan.

My latest idea was actually something very similar. Maybe good old Bill Gates is looking for new ways to spend his money for a worthy cause, now that he's retired. As far as I know, Microsoft has invested in PSU in the past.
 
Whatever it is, they have certainly created alot of buzz around the announcement. Seems to be a great marketing strategy, assuming it was intentional. For all of our crazy theories, mine included, you can sure tell that people are passionate about the school.
 
If the tallest building in Portland was on the campus, and its primary purpose wasn't housing, that would be quite the statement for PSU. If this somehow happens, PSU would definitely receive major national recognition. It would be not only the biggest news in PSU's history, but create a new legacy for a school that is clearly in need of an identity at a statewide, regional, and national level.
 
I'll still be surprised if a big building is the news, but if the news is something else, I still like the building idea as a good notion for the future. It would kill many birds with one giant stone, and in the Broadway construction partnership with Gerding-Edlen, we already have a template/precedent for how the financing and development could come together.
 
I think this might actually help the new Stott center project. Reading the website, it says that donations to capital projects count toward the matching gift, as long as the project is done in a sustainable way. Designing the new Stott to LEED standards would probably qualify, and the administration would want to encourage donations to that project in an effort to leverage all the extra money out of the Miller award. Otherwise, I could actually see this getting in the way of a basketball arena, because the prez would want all fundraising efforts to go toward match-eligible projects in the next 10 years.
 
ManOfVision said:
I think this might actually help the new Stott center project. Reading the website, it says that donations to capital projects count toward the matching gift, as long as the project is done in a sustainable way. Designing the new Stott to LEED standards would probably qualify, and the administration would want to encourage donations to that project in an effort to leverage all the extra money out of the Miller award. Otherwise, I could actually see this getting in the way of a basketball arena, because the prez would want all fundraising efforts to go toward match-eligible projects in the next 10 years.
Click to expand...

I concur.

Redesign the Stott with as state of the art (sustainability) features to get the City of Portland and the University behind the project. Success that we're seeing on the court right now will be an added driver, while the new president will back supporting athletics to grow the University. It's all coming together. We need to strike now while the iron is hot.
 
Honestly, the news was about what I was expecting, but not really what I hoped for. The fundraisers will really need to get the job done in the coming years. Overall, I think it's great news. PSU hasn't appreciated its talented faculty members. I sincerely hope this will allow them to compete for the best people out there and keep the good ones they've got. Thanks to everyone at the Miller Foundation for this generous and motivating gift.
 
I think if there is one thing that's proven then that PSU has talented fundraisers. ;) As far as I understand, there has never been a donation for sustainability research and teaching greater than this, so it will be easy to spark some enthusiasm in the community.

I have a feeling this will make PSU's quest for an identity as a national institution a lot easier, and I personally am very happy with the direction we are moving in. I understand that this is not as exciting as WAC or a giant skyscraper, but c'mon! $25 million is huge, for any university!
 
Random question....

How exactly does a challenge grant work?

It's a 25m dollar grant, so does PSU need to raise 25m to get the 25m, or is it a situation where once you match a dollar (or a determined chuck of dollars, 1k, 10k, 100k, etc), it becomes available and that goes on for 10 years?
 
My understanding is that PSU has to raise $2.5 million each year for 10 years and that at the end of each year the Miller Foundation will cut a check for $2.5 million. If, for instance, PSU raised $5 million in the first year, I believe Miller would still only pay $2.5 million at the end of year one. However, I believe PSU would be able to count the extra $2.5 million from year one toward the $2.5 million needed for year two.
 
PortlandStater said:
I think if there is one thing that's proven then that PSU has talented fundraisers. ;) As far as I understand, there has never been a donation for sustainability research and teaching greater than this, so it will be easy to spark some enthusiasm in the community.

I have a feeling this will make PSU's quest for an identity as a national institution a lot easier, and I personally am very happy with the direction we are moving in. I understand that this is not as exciting as WAC or a giant skyscraper, but c'mon! $25 million is huge, for any university!
Click to expand...

I have similar feelings. This is awesome news that will do a ton for the university. The other ideas that had been thrown out there might have resulted in more immediate gratification or resulted in a more tangible benefit, but they would not necessarily have helped PSU more than this outstanding gift.
 
Portland State University has received a $25 million challenge grant from the James F. and Marion L.
PSU gets $25M challenge grant

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2008/09/08/daily22.html

Portland State University has received a $25 million challenge grant from the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation.

The donation is the largest grant the foundation has given and the largest grant the university has ever received.

The grant requires the university to raise at least $25 million over the next 10 years.

The $25 million grant and the funds raised to match it must be used exclusively for sustainability programs.

and

Portland State University Receives $25 Million Challenge Grant From Miller Foundation

http://www.foundationcenter.org/pnd/news/story.jhtml;jsessionid=YFU51NLPYUC3TLAQBQ4CGW15AAAACI2F?id=227200024

Portland State University in Oregon has announced a $25 million challenge grant from the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, to fund sustainability programs. It is believed to be the largest such grant in higher education.

The grant — the largest in the history of both the foundation and the university — requires PSU to raise at least an additional $25 million over the next ten years. The foundation, which provides funding for the arts and education throughout the state of Oregon, has awarded more than $5.3 million to PSU since 1998. Research and education at the university focus on issues of creating sustainable urban communities, the integration of human societies and the natural environment, implementing sustainability and mechanisms of change, and measuring sustainability.

"Our goal is to raise even more funds for Portland State University programs and to raise even greater local, national, and international awareness and support for this outstanding university," said Charles "Chuck" Putney, a Miller Foundation director and PSU alumnus. "We feel this grant can have a great impact at Portland State."

“Miller Foundation Makes Historic $25 Million Challenge Grant to Portland State University.” Portland State University Press Release 9/10/08.
Currently, PSU’s sustainability research and education is focused on four primary areas: creating sustainable urban communities, the intergration of human societies and the natural environment, implementing sustainability and mechanisms of change and measuring sustainability.

Since 1998, the Miller Foundation has donated $5.3 million to the university.
 
They finally downloaded the video coverage of the press conference when the Miller Foundation presented this gift.


http://www.media.pdx.edu/PSU/Miller_Foundation_Gift.asx
 
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