Best of CASE District VIII Award
 

Institution: Portland State University Foundation

Title of entry: A Return to Campus Brings Downtown Revitalization

About this entry: Between COVID-19 business and office closures, historic racial justice protests and an ongoing and heartbreaking housing crisis, 2021 dawned on a downtown Portland, Oregon that was a shadow of its former vibrancy. With 25,000 students and 6,000 employees, Portland State University is a the largest downtown employer and an economic engine for the city. In February, University Communications worked with PSU President Percy on an op-ed signaling the university's intent to play an active role in the city's recovery. Soon, the opportunity emerged to work closely with partners across Portland to make the most of the university's return to in-person instruction through a coordinated effort to provide relief to struggling businesses, welcome students back downtown, and inject vibrancy into the downtown community. Starting with a July, 2021 press conference hosted with the Portland Mayor's office atop PSU's beautiful Karl Miller Center, the university joined with other city leaders to announce a grand reopening of downtown Portland. An earned media plan brought reporters and cameras to campus in the weeks leading up to the September, 2021 start of fall term to capture events including a colorful street mural designed and painted by College of the Arts students; a bustling move-in day to on campus residences that returned to pre-COVID populations, and our partnership with a local technology company and workforce training organization to distribute $30,000 in $50 gift cards for use at downtown businesses and match student interns with businesses struggling to find workers.