A Visit from Portland
CEP and CD students spent a day pulling weeds by the Duwamish River.
CEP is not alone in its educational commitment to contribute socially and environmentally through urban planning. Just a little south of us in its College of Urban and Public Affairs, Portland State University has an undergraduate program called Community Development (CD). Though it is not interdisciplinary or student-run like CEP, it has very similar educational goals.
This last winter, with the encouragement of Cindy Updegrave from CEP, Vivek Shandas from CD, and leadership from CEP’s Navigation Committee, work to create an annual symposium between the two majors began. An annual symposium would create the opportunity for the two majors to come together and share their strengths with each other. It would also be a venue where ideas for curriculum and public service could evolve while examining our roles within the Cascadia region.
In April, four representatives from CD’s planning club came for a weekend with CEP to meet, share the basics of each major with each other, and to begin actively planning for a symposium in the fall of 2007. The weekend was incredibly productive toward establishing a relationship between the two groups and developing ideas on where strengths of each major could augment the other.
CEP first welcomed its guests on Friday morning to governance to display an example of the student-governed aspect of the major and later that night, CEP invited CD to join in at the college hosted Happy Hour to share stories, laughter, and community.
The following day the two groups got to work. CEP and CD each took turns presenting detailed explanations of their programs to each other. A question and answer session provided an opportunity to appreciate the similarities and differences between each major.
The timing was perfect to share CEP’s commitment to service and the environment with CD because it was Earth Day. Cindy Updegrave led everyone down to the Duwamish River for an invasive species clean up project hosted for Earth Day. Cindy gave an educational and inspiring tour of the area before heading to dig up Himalayan blackberry bushes and scotch broom. Friendships were made and a wonderful time was had by all.
Since the Earth Day weekend, Navigation has gone down to Portland for a follow up meeting. Part of the combined agenda is to write a grant to attain funds for the first symposium in the fall.
It is exciting to anticipate what these two dynamic, creative groups will bring to each other and to the region!
~Mia Thompson, CEP class of 2008
