Introducing Ramin Farahmandpur

My name is Ramin Farahmandpur and I’m a Professor in the Graduate School of Education in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy.  I have been working at Portland State since 2002.  In this time, I have served as a member of the PSU-AAUP Executive Council and as a department Unit Rep.  Currently, I chair the PSU-AAUP Legislative Committee and serve as AAUP Oregon Vice-President of Political Action.  I joined PSU-AAUP because, like many of you, I am gravely concerned about the gutting of Oregon’s public higher education system. The spiraling downward shift in state support for public higher education has not only resulted in a growing number of students shouldering mounting college loan debt as tuition soars higher, but also has served to undermine retirement and health benefits, degrade working conditions, and cut back wages.  During Oregon Legislative sessions, the PSU-AAUP Legislative Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Executive Council on bills that impact higher education. It also makes recommendations on the endorsements of candidates who have a strong track record supporting higher education. Moreover, committee members frequently testify at the State Capitol on issues important to our members. I am committed to promoting a high-quality higher education in Oregon.