Digital Commons Network^™

The Hanford Advisory Board: A Case Study In Democracy, Technology, And Representation, Alexander Sager, Alex Zakaras

Philosophy Faculty Publications and Presentations

Highly technical policy decisions present daunting challenges for democracy. In order to hold public officials accountable, citizens must be able to see how policy decisions stand to affect their interests. If they are unable to do so, they can find themselves exposed to bureaucratic domination through the discretionary power of bureaucrats, scientists, or policy experts. One of the major tasks of empirically informed democratic theory is to analyze and evaluate practices and institutions that use public participation to try to render highly technical public decision-making more accountable to the public, and therefore more legitimate. This paper presents a case study …

Ballot Measure 82 And Ballot Measure 83, City Club Of Portland (Portland, Or.)

City Club of Portland

No abstract provided.

The Portland Spectator, September 2012, Portland State University. Student Publications Board

Portland Spectator

Editor: Max Boardman

Articles in this issue include: Qi Gong classes at PSU?; Nicotine 2.0 reconciles freedom and health; The sweetheart of the road; Energy on your mind?; Fun facts 2012-2013; Viva la Hollande!; and The trouble with Tri-Met.

Total Employer Cost Of Compensation Study -- Phase 2.0, Robert Winthrop, Phil Keisling, Masami Nishishiba, Max Bernstein, Bonnie Crawford, Jonathon Gant, Andre Lipinski

Center for Public Service Publications and Reports

In the spring and summer of 2012 the State of Oregon commissioned a study from Portland State University’s Center for Public Service to examine the single biggest cost of most government jurisdictions: personnel costs. Working closely with the League of Oregon Cities and the Association of Oregon Counties, the state and the CPS research team identified 21 different city and county jurisdictions in Oregon and southwest Washington, in addition to using state of Oregon data. The research team then identified 11 different job titles that were chosen for their range of duties and the relatively high degree of position comparability …

Public Perceptions Regarding The Use Of Force By Police In Portland, Oregon, Greg Stewart, Kris R. Henning, Brian Renauer

Criminal Justice Policy Research Institute Research Briefs

The current study sought to assess public perceptions regarding the frequency of force used by Portland police and determine whether these beliefs are consistent with officially recorded data on force used by officers in recent years.

Oregonians Nearly Unanimous In Support Of Reentry Services For Former Prisoners, Jody Sundt, Renee Vanderhoff, Laura Shaver, Sarah Lazzeroni

Criminal Justice Policy Research Institute Research Briefs

The vast majority of Oregon prisoners — 94% or more — are released to the community after serving a median sentence of five and a half years. Most former prisoners struggle to resume their family relationships, find employment, secure housing, and access healthcare. The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) estimates that close to 60% of inmates are addicted or drug dependent, two thirds have an education need such as adult basic education or a GED, and half of inmates have a mental health need. Finally, close to 30% of those released will be convicted of a new felony within three …

Using Human Rights To Hold The Us Accountable For Its Anti-Sex Trafficking Agenda: The Universal Periodic Review And New Directions For Us Policy, Kari Lerum, Kiesha Mccurtis, Penelope Saunders, Stéphanie Wahab

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Since the passing of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, anti-trafficking efforts have grown in funding, political strength, and popular-culture appeal in the United States and globally. Particularly influential in shaping anti-trafficking policy in the United States are anti-prostitution advocates who are primarily concerned with rehabilitating sex workers and eradicating sexual commerce. Simultaneous to the development of prohibitionist anti-trafficking and anti-prostitution efforts in the US, movements for sex worker rights have also grown in strength and visibility, influencing a variety of cultural, academic, and public health arenas. While sex worker activists have widened the dialogue around sex workers’ rights, …

Oregon Nonprofit Sector Report: The State Of The Nonprofit Sector In Oregon, Andreas Schröer, Dahnesh Medora, Anindita Mukerjee, Greg Wallinger

The Nonprofit Institute Research

This is the first Oregon Nonprofit Sector Report (ONSR). It is co-produced by Portland State University’s (PSU) Institute for Nonprofit Management (INPM), which is part of the Center for Public Service, and the Nonprofit Association of Oregon (NAO). The ONSR team began tracking sector-related data in 2010. In addition to tracking existing data, the team conducted a survey in February 2012 to gather information important to accurate and current sector reporting.

This report focuses on three questions:

• What is the size and scope of the nonprofit sector in Oregon?
• How can the relative health of the nonprofit sector be described? …

Raps Sheet, April 2012, Retirement Association Of Portland State

RAPS Sheet: Monthly Newsletter

No abstract provided.

The Portland Spectator, March 2012, Portland State University. Student Publications Board

Portland Spectator

Editor: Sasha Chedygov

Articles in this issue include: PEP up your education: Portland State students gather in the Park Blocks to protest the ever-increasing cost of education; Social justice through hip hop: A one-day conference in the Multicultural Center explores the true meaning of hip hop; ASPSU grade book: See what your student government has been up to lately, and whether they’re meeting their expectations; Food carts and liquor: Food carts fight for their right to purchase annual liquor licenses, but the OLCC has some concerns; Artist profile: Adventure galley: This energetic, world-renowned indie rock sensation has moved to Portland, …

Associations Between The Quality Of The Residential Built Environment And Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women In North Carolina, Marie Lynn Miranda, Lynne C. Messer, Gretchen L. Kroeger

Community Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: The built environment, a key component of environmental health, may be an important contributor to health disparities, particularly for reproductive health outcomes.Objective: In this study we investigated the relationship between seven indices of residential built environment quality and adverse reproductive outcomes for the City of Durham, North Carolina (USA).

Methods: We surveyed approximately 17,000 residential tax parcels in central Durham, assessing > 50 individual variables on each. These data, collected using direct observation, were combined with tax assessor, public safety, and U.S. Census data to construct seven indices representing impor­tant domains of the residential built environment: housing damage, property disorder, …

Real-Time Change And Damage Detection Of Landslides And Other Earth Movements Threatening Public Infrastructure, Michael J. Olsen, Shawn Butcher, Evon P. Silvia

TREC Final Reports

Geologic hazards such as coastal erosion, landslides, seismic loading, etc. constantly threaten public highway construction and maintenance. Repeat surveys using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS, ground-based LiDAR) enable rapid 3D data acquisition to map, see, analyze, and understand the processes generating such problems. Previously, change detection and analysis between scan surveys was conducted during post-processing upon return to the office, instead of while collecting data in the field. Change detection in the field improves the effectiveness and efficiency of the field investigation. We have developed a new algorithm that quickly geo-references scans upon field acquisition and simultaneously performs change detection by …

Development Of The Oregon Traffic Safety Data Archive: Phases 1 And 2, Christopher M. Monsere, Myenwoo Lim, Chengxin Dai, Xiaowei Wu

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This report describes the preliminary work to develop the Oregon Traffic Safety Data Archive (OrTSDA). The mission of OrTSDA is to "build the knowledge base of traffic safety data in Oregon". The archive hopes to become a valuable traffic safety data resource with researchers, practitioners, and community supporters. As envisioned, the archive will provide current and historical versions of related data, encompass complete documentation, and contain an online interface to the variety of traffic safety related data. Working with partner state agencies, the archive contains reported motor vehicle crashes statewide, population data, estimates of vehicle miles traveled, traffic crime, and …

Development And Sensitivity Testing Of Alternative Mobility Metrics, John Gliebe, James G. Strathman

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Oregon Highway Plan’s (OHP) mobility policies guide various planning and programming activities of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Among these activities are ODOT’s land use change review responsibilities under the Transportation Planning Rule, as adopted by the state’s Land Conservation and Development Commission. This report examines supplemental transportation performance metrics beyond the volume-to-capacity metric that currently supports OHP mobility policies. Selected supplemental metrics are empirically analyzed using a travel demand model calibrated for a Medford, Oregon study area.

The Portland Spectator, February 2012, Portland State University. Student Publications Board

Portland Spectator

Editor: Sasha Chedygov

Articles in this issue include: Safety on campus: Director of CPSO tells about recent assaults and gives tips on staying safe in the city; Walking the labyrinth: Portland State’s “labyrinth” provides a place for students to meditate, regardless of denomination; Peace through education: The Peace through Education Symposium explores education as the answer to world peace; Grade book: See what your student government is is doing for you, and the records we’re keeping of them; Artist profile: Acheron Flow: A local up-and-coming rapper chases his dream one CD sale at a time; 16 days of film: The …

Bicycle And Pedestrian Engineering Design Curriculum Expansion, Ashley Haire

TREC Final Reports

This project summary report describes the execution of OTREC Project #298 (Development, Deployment and Assessment of a New Educational Paradigm for Transportation Professionals and University Students). The project is one facet of a multiyear collaboration of the Region X Transportation Consortium that was sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The regional collaboration aims to shift the traditional paradigm of engineering course delivery to foster a more hands-on approach. The University of Idaho, for example, has created activity-based modules for a traffic signals course, while the University of Washington developed similar modules for a freight systems course. The focus of …

Crime Emergence And Simulation Modeling: Modeling Crime Space, Patricia Brantingham, Kathryn Wuschke, Richard Frank, Paul J. Brantingham

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications and Presentations

This chapter explores several new modeling approaches and research findings, showing how they may be used to explore and enhance theory. There is a special emphasis on Target Choice Selection, focusing on Crime Pattern Theory and the Geometry of Crime (Brantingham and Brantingham, 1978a, 1984, 1991; Brantingham and Brantingham, 1981, 1993a, 2008). This exploration is described through a series of research examples and a case study of the target choice behavior of high repeat offenders. The goal is to explore the emergence of patterns better understood against the urban backcloths for high repeat offenders. Emphasis is in this case study …

Metaphor And Stories In Discourse About Personal And Social Change, L. David Ritchie

Communication Faculty Publications and Presentations

Barack Obama campaigned on the theme of ‘change,’ and as the first African-American to win the U. S. Presidency, he embodies changes of historical and cultural importance. Central among the changes Obama advocates is his attempt, throughout his campaign, to depart from the ‘old politics’ and keep racial issues in the background. However, at a crucial point in the campaign he was forced to confront these issues when a potentially damaging controversy erupted over a series of comments, widely regarded as unpatriotic, made by his personal friend and spiritual adviser, the Reverend Jeremiah Wright. How Obama dealt with this crisis …

Critical Issues 2005, Craig Wollner, Deborah Elliott

Institute of Metropolitan Studies Publications

Biennially, the Institute of Portland Metropolitan Studies (IMS) undertakes to identify the most compelling concerns, problems, and dilemmas facing citizens of the Portland metropolitan region. The region is defined as Clackamas, Colwnbia, Multnomah, Washington, and Yamhill Counties and Clark County in Washington. IMS staff analyzes the results of two Critical Issues list surveys, one of area residents at large conducted by the Survey Research Laboratory (SRL) of Portland State University (pSU), and the other a mail survey of regional opinion leaders. The opinion leaders are elected and appointed officials serving in jurisdictions throughout the six-county metropolitan region, academic experts in …

Bulletin: General Catalog Issue 2012-2013, Portland State University

Bulletin & Curriculum Change Documents

No abstract provided.

Criminal Justice Policy Research Institute Newsletter, Portland State University. Criminal Justice Policy Research Institute

Criminal Justice Policy Research Institute Newsletters

Newsletter provides information on:

• Latest research results
• Project and studies underway
• Research awards and distinctions
• Recent research publications

The Latino Community In Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile, Ann Curry-Stevens, Amanda Cross-Hemmer, Coalition Of Communities Of Color

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Our report, "The Latino Community in Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile" uncovers an array of racial inequities across the systems of income, employment, education, juvenile justice, corrections, child welfare, philanthropic giving, housing, immigration, research practices (particularly population measurement), wealth, health, health insurance coverage, racial harassment, public service and voter registration. These systems maintain our second-class status and serve to limit our current well being and the prospects for a bright future for our children.

Public Participation In Emergency Management, Jason Alexander Rood

Dissertations and Theses

With disasters increasing in frequency and costs each year, this study seeks to explore ways greater public participation can assist emergency managers in their mission to keep communities safe. Specifically this study examines the policy process and administrative functions of emergency management to illuminated the benefits and hindrances involved in greater participation. This study conducted a qualitative analysis of governmental documents, disaster case studies, international research, as well as political science and administrative doctrines, to arrive at its conclusions. The results of this study reveal that the public is a largely untapped resource in the emergency management field. Engaging the …

Myths And Measures: The Cultural Performance Of Portland’S Strip Club Identity, Wayne Coffey

Geography Masters Research Papers

Identities of place develop through a multitude of perceptions. Place myths guide much of this perception. Portland, Oregon’s identity has evolved in particular around a much quoted but unchallenged statistic regarding the volume of nude dancing venues. This paper focuses on the literature specific to both nude dance venues and place identity; Portland’s legal history that contributed to this phenomenon; and some of the cultural and spatial variables pertinent to this issue. Two initiatives, aimed at restructuring the state constitution specifically to deal with nude dance venues and other adult entertainment, are analyzed.

Building On The Strengths Of Indigenous Knowledge To Promote Sustainable Development In Crisis Conditions From The Community Level: The Case Of Palestine, Jehad Yousif Alayasa

Dissertations and Theses

This study began focused on the use of traditional knowledge in promoting sustainable development in crisis conditions. Presented the question: How have successful community-level sustainable development efforts undertaken under crisis conditions drawn upon indigenous knowledge to achieve positive outcomes? The study is a cross case analysis. The three cases addressed in this study have explained some of the ways that indigenous knowledge has played significant positive roles in promoting sustainable development for communities living under crisis conditions in Palestine. Indigenous knowledge community based patterns indicated significant focus on strengths of local culture, social cohesion, the integration process, and special advantages …

Portland State University Strategic Plan 2011-2014, Strategic Planning Development Team, Portland State University. Office Of The President

Resource Archive

A large, in-depth, background and analysis of the Strategic Plan, which was included in the Strategic Plan Development Team Toolkit.

Police Community Partnerships: A Review Of The Literature, Portland State University. Criminology And Criminal Justice Senior Capstone

Criminology and Criminal Justice Senior Capstone Project

To better understand community/police collaborations, this study researched several different types of successful partnerships. Our objective was to learn why the partnerships were formed and who was involved. Our research also sought to determine the goals of the partnerships, and the methods used to achieve those goals. The study also highlights several practices used by police agencies successfully to solve community problems.

Assessment Of The Socio-Economic Impacts Of Sb 1080 On Immigrant Groups, Mary C. King, John G. Corbett, John Chiappetta, Anabel López Salinas

Economics Faculty Publications and Presentations

In July 2008, the State of Oregon implemented SB 1080, legislation that required all applicants for an Oregon Driver License or ID card to present proof of legal presence in the United States. In 2007, some 140,000 unauthorized immigrants were estimated to be living in Oregon, more than two-thirds of whom were estimated to be members of the labor force. Approximately 97% of Oregon’s unauthorized immigrants are thought to be Latino, nearly all of Mexican origin. This report includes a discussion of the social science findings on the situation of undocumented workers in the U.S and what is known about …

Oregonians Report Broad Support For Policies That Could Reduce Prison Population, Jody Sundt

Criminal Justice Policy Research Institute Research Briefs

Correctional spending is one of the largest and fastest growing parts of the Oregon budget, making it a target for increased scrutiny. According to a 2011 Legislative Fiscal Office report, the Department of Correction’s (DOC) budget represented close to 9% of the combined General and Lottery Funds in the 2009- 2011 biennium. Since 1993-1995, correctional spending increased almost threefold from close to $400 million to $1.4 billion. Moreover, the DOC’s share of the state budget almost doubled since the mid-1980s. In the context of declining revenue forecasts and increased demand for public services, state agencies are under pressure to reduce …

"Justice Is Blind": A Model For Analyzing Metaphor Transformations And Narratives In Actual Discourse, L. David Ritchie

Communication Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this article I present a model of how metaphors are transformed and re-presented as narratives, how this process helps shape communicative interactions, and how it contributes to relevance effects and the generation of meaning, often by simultaneously affecting multiple cognitive contexts. I demonstrate the application of the model to samples of discourse from current research and show how it can contribute to understanding troubled communicative relationships and potentially to improving communication in situations of misunderstanding and conflict.