Field Experience Community Profile
Throughout the duration of the spring term of 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, I will be focusing on mutual aid efforts among students and staff in the Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning (referred to as TSUSP or USP) and understanding how the pandemic is affecting the lives of those in this community. This community includes students and staff affiliated with the College of Urban and Public Affairs, particularly those in the Community Development Bachelors program and the Master of Urban and Regional Planning program.
Within the entire university, which has a total student body of 26,012 individuals, 77.8% of students identify as Oregon residents, but students are enrolled from all 50 US Sates and many other countries including China, India, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Vietnam (Portland State University President’s Fact book, 2019). The racial and ethnic make-up consist of the following percentages: White: 51.9%, Asian: 8.2%, Latino: 14.4%, International: 6.3%, Black or African American: 3.4%, Native American: 1.0%, Multi-Ethnic: 5.8%, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: .05%, Other: 8.5% (Portland State University President’s Fact book, 2019). Additionally, 37% are first generation students and 25% of students have children (Portland State University President’s Fact book, 2019). Although I was unable to find specific population data for the School of Urban Studies and Planning, TSUSP “demonstrates a commitment to diversity and equity” by reaffirming school policies to ensure “equal access for all according to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or veteran status” (TSUSP, 2020).
I am personally connected to this community because I am an undergraduate student in the College of Urban Studies and Planning. Because of the circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, many people are facing a myriad of new and serious challenges. Challenges to employment, living situations, physical and mental health, and more have affected the members of this community, myself included. Because there is a heavy focus on inclusion, equity, and community development within this community, I would expect that mutual aid efforts could be very well developed and successful. However, due to the complexity of peoples’ lives and the limitations to making personal contact because of COVID-19, organization and participation within this community could be limited.