PSU's Hatfield School of Government to Provide Education and Training to Oregon Municipalities

Contact: David Santen ( santend@pdx.edu )

A new partnership between Portland State University's (PSU) Mark O. Hatfield School of Government and the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) will create new opportunities for research, education and training for municipalities across Oregon.

The agreement covers a wide range of educational and research activities that will assist local governments. PSU and LOC will jointly conduct training-needs assessments and will offer PSU credit and non-credit public administration courses, seminars and workshops to cities throughout Oregon. PSU will also assist the League by brokering education and training from third-party providers, when necessary.

"Formalizing our relationship with the League of Oregon Cities is an important step in the evolution of the Hatfield School of Government and the College of Urban and Public Affairs at PSU," said Ron Tammen, director of the Hatfield School. "We are working to expand our traditional teaching and research mission by reaching out to serve any and all entities that do the public's business. My colleagues and I are honored to work closely with cities throughout Oregon."

"We are excited to be working with PSU and the Hatfield School of Government," said Ken Strobeck, executive director of the League of Oregon Cities. "They have a solid and growing reputation as a leader in public administration education."

Also planned are a number of research projects, including a census of electronic government activities within Oregon cities, and a survey of local government officials to determine future staffing needs likely to result from higher than normal retirement rates. Additionally, Portland State University and the League of Oregon Cities will promote student internships and practicum opportunities to LOC members.

For more information, contact George Beard, director of the Electronic Government project at PSU's Hatfield School of Government, 503-772-0222 or gbeard@pdx.edu.

Background
The League of Oregon Cities (www.orcities.org) is an association of 238 incorporated cities throughout Oregon. The League was founded in 1925 and is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors. LOC's core mission is to work for strong, livable communities, to advocate, to inform and to educate. LOC partners with its member cities to help local government better serve citizens of Oregon. The league is based in Salem, Ore., and can be contacted by telephone at 503-588-6550 or via e-mail at kstrobeck@orcities.org.

The Mark O. Hatfield School of Government (www.hatfieldschool.pdx.edu), named in honor of Oregon's highly respected former senator, is a dynamic, fast-growing public affairs institution housed in the College of Urban and Public Affairs at Portland State University. With an outstanding interdisciplinary faculty, 13 degree programs (including a Ph.D.), three divisions and five institutes, the Hatfield School is an intellectually rich institution that carefully nurtures its students and extends its mission to serving public institutions in Oregon, the United States, and beyond. The school can be reached by telephone at 503-725-5156 or via e-mail at lewisbe@pdx.edu.