PSU Local Leader Delivers a Message

Words of Marc Nisenfeld, who served on the committee that recommended Portland State’s new president, attract positive feedback from the Board chair and members.

The president of the SEIU 503 local representing classified workers on the Portland State University campus of the Oregon University System has welcomed PSU’s new president, and called upon the State Board of Higher Education to give classified workers more voice in the university governance process across the Oregon University System. Marc Nisenfeld, president of SEIU 503 sub local 089 and a member of the presidential search committee that attracted Wim Wievel to PSU, told the board it has “a unique opportunity today to develop an unrivaled partnership among all players within the Oregon University System.” “Classified staff is often the first and most frequent contact students have at our universities, serving as motivated advocates,” Nisenfeld said in comments from the floor shortly after the board voted to appoint Wievel at a meeting in early May.

“We care greatly about the students and their success and believe strongly in the delivery of a high quality education. Every day, we report for work ready to make a difference in the lives and education of our students. Many of us hold advanced degrees from the very institutions we serve.

“When it comes to problem solving, few can know or see many of the issues more clearly than the plumbers, the carpenters, the painters, the grounds workers, the office workers in admissions and records, and the department secretaries, as well as many other staff members. The institutional knowledge of these very dedicated employees cannot be replaced.

“Many of these people have worked decades for their universities--in fact PSU just had one electrician retire on Wednesday after 36 years on the job; we cannot afford to waste this precious resource. Input into problem solving by these fine employees is largely unsolicited despite the potential high value of such contributions. We clearly demonstrated, in the last legislative session, our effectiveness in collaborating.

“I’m here today to let you know we are anxious to improve the ways we work in partnership with the Board, the Chancellor, Campus Administrations and Faculty in order to help take our University System to the next level of excellence. We want to be partners not adversaries in this process. In order to facilitate this, we propose a clarion call for open and clear communication, collaboration and partnership in all aspects of University operations and mutual respect for the work we all do in pursuit of academic excellence.”

Several Board members, including Board chair Kirby Dyess, thanked Nisenfeld for his comments and promised to meet with the union to explore ways of expanding the meaningful involvement of classified workers.

SEIU 503 represents about 3,600 classified workers on seven campuses across the state.