Link me! Link to page from your webpage or MySpace account: Just copy and paste! <a href='http://www.studentsreview.com/OR/PSU_g.html'> Portland State University </a>

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My biggest gripe with this university is the lackadaisical attitude of both students (undergraduate & graduate) and faculty toward EVERYTHING. Most departments are greatly underfunded - a situation not uncommon among most U.S. state universities - and rather than working toward greater efficiency and chipping in to increase awareness and value of the departments, students and faculty just seem to have given up. Most graduate students attend courses crammed with undergraduate students, and really the only difference between grads and undergrads in terms of education received is in the number of assignments they are given. Grads pay at least 2x the tuition of undergrads, yet we receive almost no specialized training - save for a couple of 2 credit research courses. PSU can more accurately be described as a large community college, which is fine for undergrads (or better yet, post-high school students) just starting out, but this is certainly not a place for serious graduate students. Feb 08 2008 Linguistics

Overall the quality of both students and instructors is disappointing, but there are some remarkable bright spots too. A number of my tenured professors are excellent teachers and researchers. However, 60% of instructors here are adjunct, which makes this institution feel more like a community college than a university. Nevertheless, you will be paying university tuition! Classroom experience varies with the instructor, but in general there is faculty reluctance to control disruptive students (no doubt in fear of lawsuits)which can mean much wasted time. Other times classes are deeply engaged and inspiring. Perhaps as a result of PSU's community engagement, there seems to be an abundance of non-degree students in advanced courses who lack focus and drain the instructor's time. Yet, in a major urban university with a diverse, older student population - including many parents who care for dependents - I am shocked that departmental requirements often include night classes and extensive community service or studio time. The university does not cope well with its very diverse student population, but a few departments are nationally recognized, and certain individual professors are incredibly gifted. Research your department before committing to study here to make sure you get the good things PSU does have to offer. Feb 21 2004 Other

 

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