Portland State University

Last edited Monday, 3 Dec 2012

Basic Information

School Profile Picture:

Public/Private:

Public

City:

Portland

State:

Degrees Offered:

Undergraduate

Graduate

Professional (MBA, JD, etc.)

Administrative and Legal Protections

Non-Discrimination Policy:

Portland State University’s faculty, staff, and students are responsible for maintaining an environment for work and study free from prohibited discrimination and harassment. Portland State University is committed to providing all students, faculty and staff an equal opportunity in education and employment and an environment free from discrimination and harassment.

This policy applies to all students (including undergraduate and graduate), faculty, staff, applicants for employment or admission, volunteers and members of the PSU community, including but not limited to contractors and vendors.
Discrimination means unreasonably treating an individual or group of individuals differently based on “Protected Class” which includes age, disability, national origin, race, marital status, veteran status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, or in the use of Workers’ Compensation, the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) or the Oregon Family Leave Act (“OFLA”) and any other category covered by law.

Local Laws:

Transgender people are protected against discrimination in employment, housing, and other public accommodations by local and state laws although gender identity is covered in the law as a part of sexual orientation and thus, not explicitly stated as gender identity.

Campus Life

Campus Pride Rating:

Nothing has been submitted here yet, click here to add something!

Campus Climate:

There is a large trans presence on campus. Trans people are invited to speak on campus and there are staff positions on campus dedicated to trans inclusion.

Housing Policy:

There are no gender-specific halls. All halls except Ondine house students who are in double occupancy rooms with roommates of their choosing, regardless of gender. Housing is based on gender identity or the gender listed on PSU records and does not need to be consistent with legal sex.

Gender-Neutral Housing Options:

All housing can be gender neutral except rooms in Ondine. This however, does not include bathrooms. There are a few gender-neutral toilet stalls, but the shower areas are gender-specific. You can choose which gendered shower space to occupy.

Special Interest Housing:

First year experience housing changes topics as needs appear, current topics are quiet, math/science, substance free lifestyle, health and wellness, and cultural diversity and awareness (open but not required for 1st year students 19 and younger). Foreign language/global village housing is open to upperclassmen. There is also honors housing,

Facilities:

There are gender neutral bathrooms and changing facilities/showers (the queer resource center provides a list). In the gendered locker rooms the showers are curtained and changing areas are generally open.

Also, 4th Floor Smith Building Multi-stall Gender Neutral Bathroom: http://www.pdx.edu/trio-student-support-services/news/gender-neutral-bat...

Sports:

Intermural/intramural and club sports are usually co-ed and student led/formed.

Courses and Programs of Study:

The Women, Gender, and Sexualities studies department frequently offers well-educated classes and inclusive environments, as well as some other departments. University Studies also offers a Sexualities cluster.

Fraternities and Sororities:

There are no official school policies related to this issue besides the non discrimination policy. Individual organizations may have their own policies.

Safety and Security:

Crimes targeting LGBTQ people do sometimes occur, but are not overly common. Campus security is trained on LGBT issues and can be trusted, although local law enforcement may not be as reliable. Hate crimes are reported to the campus safety office or the office of equity and compliance.

Healthcare

Campus Health Services:

The Student Health and Counseling center (SHAC) is very sensitive to trans issues, although they will just about always call you back by your birthname given how their records forms are handled. However, all staff and providers are trained and very welcoming and respectful, and will switch to a given name without blinking an eye. Forms are inclusive of all genders.

Local Health Care Providers:

Dr. Suzanne Scopes is a wonderful naturopathic doctor specializing in trans health and hormone therapy. She accepts the university health insurance. http://www.drscopesnaturalhealthcare.com/

Dr. Tuan Nguyen is a local plastic surgeon who specializes in FTM chest reconstruction
Mdtnguyen.com

Dr. Sara Becker, Northwest primary care

Outside-in has a free hormone and gender ID clinic for low-income folks Outsidein.org

Health Insurance:

Mandatory student insurance covers trans-related care (including surgeries provided therapeutic requirements are met) as it covers all other conditions and procedures. The campus insurance broker, Christi, is a great resource for finding out specific information about health insurance coverage and is sensitive to trans issues.

Student insurance is moving to a one-level system in fall of 2012 which provides more coverage that the old system (including prescriptions, birth control, and transition related surgeries) for all students unless they are covered by another equivalent insurance and choose to opt out.

Faculty and staff may have different insurance policies available.

Records and Identity Documents

Registrar's Office:

Gender markers on academic records can be selected without legal verification and are specific to gender and not sex (options are male, female, or other). Gender markers can be changed without documentation. There are no gender markers on transcripts. Name changes require a form to be filled out and some sort of official documentation.

Course Management System:

This will be changing and updating on October 1st to include all students. (Previously student workers could not update their preferred name.) Details to come.

Student ID Card:

Nothing has been submitted here yet, click here to add something!

School Email:

Nothing has been submitted here yet, click here to add something!

Employment Records:

Nothing has been submitted here yet, click here to add something!

Online Profiles:

Nothing has been submitted here yet, click here to add something!

On-Campus Resources

Student/Staff Groups:

There is a Queer Straight Alliance. Other programs may have additional groups.

Resource Center:

Queer Resource Center:
The Queer Resource Center provides students along the sexuality and gender spectrum with the support they need to persist to graduation. The Queer Resource Center’s vision is to facilitate a campus environment such that Portland State University is the higher education destination of choice for students, staff, and faculty along the sexuality and gender spectrum.

For more information please visit:
http://www.pdx.edu/queer/
https://www.facebook.com/psuqrc

Women's Resource Center:
The PSU Women's Resource Center advocates for the best educational and campus experience for all members of our community. We accomplish this by advancing social justice, ensuring access to personal empowerment for all self-identified women, and by working toward a safe and healthy campus.

For more information please visit:
http://www.pdx.edu/wrc/

Academic Departments:

The Queer Resource Center (4th Floor Smith) provides academic counseling and guidance, including an official 4-credit course for Fall 2012 focused on helping queer students be successful and healthy in school and life. The QRC does have a Trans Coordinator (contact at psutrans@pdx.edu), but all staff are immensely trans-respectful and friendly.

SHAC provides short term mental health counseling.

The Deans of Student Life (4th Floor Smith) are also very trans friendly.

Trainings and Workshops:

Optional: http://www.pdx.edu/queer/queeries-the-qrc-speakers-bureau

Career/Employment Center:

Nothing has been submitted here yet, click here to add something!

Religious and Spiritual Organizations:

Nothing has been submitted here yet, click here to add something!

Community Resources

Trans Advocacy and Support Organizations:

TransActive

TranzGuys: https://www.facebook.com/tranz.guyspdx