Wider bike facilities intuitively accommodate a greater number of cyclists in the same amount of time, but specific queue discharge characteristics associated with varying widths and/or types of bike facilities have not been thoroughly documented. The focus of this research analyzed queues of cyclists at four signalized intersections in Portland, OR with varying widths on the approach and downstream intersection legs. A total of 2,820 cyclists within 630 groups of queued cyclists were observed at five different intersection layouts in Portland, Oregon. The layouts consisted of: a standard bike lane six feet wide connecting bicyclists to a standard bike lane six feet wide, a standard bike lane five feet wide connecting bicyclists to two standard bike lanes each five feet wide, a buffered bike lane 12 feet wide connecting bicyclists to a standard bike lane 6.5 feet wide, a bike box 21 feet wide connecting bicyclists to a buffered bike lane 10 feet wide, and a bike box 15 feet wide connecting bicyclists to two standard bike lanes each five feet wide. For each configuration, the following aspects were analyzed: average headway per cyclist within each queue, the time required for queues to enter the intersection, the time required for queues to clear the intersection, the number of cyclists within queues, the width of the bicycle facilities, the approach grade, and the utilization of a bike box at the intersection approach if it was present. The first major focus of the analysis reviewed the average headway values associated with each observed queue of cyclists. The queue size with the lowest mean of the average headway was for groups of seven cyclists with an average headway of approximately 0.8 seconds per cyclist. For queues larger than seven in size, the mean of the average headway remained relatively stable until queues of 12 in size and started to slightly increase toward approximately 1.0 seconds for queues larger than 12 cyclists. In addition, it appears that utilization of a bike box has a potential relationship with a reduced average headway as compared to queues that do not utilize a bike box. The associated reduction in the mean of the average headway was approximately 0.2 to 0.3 seconds per cyclist for queues of three or more in size. The second major focus of the analysis reviewed the queue discharge rate associated with each observed queue of cyclists. The results appear to potentially indicate that wider bike facilities approaching an intersection, wider receiving bike facilities, or utilization of a bike box generally discharge queues of bicyclists into the intersection over a shorter amount of time as compared to facilities that are narrower or underutilized. The installation of a bike box at one of the study intersections increased the approach width from five to 15 feet and resulted in consistently lower average discharge times for all queue sizes, a reduction of greater than one second for queues of two cyclists to as much as about four seconds for queues of nine cyclists. The third major focus of the analysis reviewed the intersection clearance time associated with each observed queue of cyclists. The results appear to potentially indicate that wider bike facilities approaching an intersection, wider receiving bike facilities, or utilization of a bike box generally clear queues of bicyclists through the intersection over a shorter amount of time as compared to facilities that are narrower or underutilized.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the survey as a method of assessing client satisfaction with clinical services and to then assess parental satisfaction of clinical services at Portland State University's language clinic using the survey method. The survey asked questions regarding the parents' perceived benefits from the clinic, their perception of the skills of the clinicians who served their children, and the parents' perception of the clinical atmosphere. Eighty-five Consumer Satisfaction Surveys were mailed to 81 parents of children receiving services at Portland State University Speech-Language Clinic between the years 1987 and 1994. Eleven surveys were returned, all containing a signed consent letter, representing a 13% rate. Determining the cause behind the poor response rate for this particular survey was not difficult. No surveys were returned from the years 1987 through 1989. The highest percentage of return was from the year 1994 (38% ), indicating that higher response rates were achieved if the client was polled within 1 year of using clinical services. To further substantiate this conclusion, two of the parents contacted by telephone refused to participate in the survey, and gave length of time as the reason behind their refusal. The overall response to the survey was positive, indicating a high rate of satisfaction among the survey respondents with the services provided at the Portland State University Speech-Language clinic.

The relationship between mass-transit and the concentration of burglary and robbery crimes is inconsistent within the available literature in environmental criminology. A number of studies have provided evidence of crime concentration at and near mass transit locations where paths intersect, referred to as a node. These empirical studies bring in environmental criminology theory with the idea that crime is clustered, and the pattern of the concentrations is substantially influenced by how and why people travel and move in a city. It is suggested that public transit allows for a large proportion of the population to move around the community along a restricted number of destinations and paths; therefore, this concentration of population frames opportunities, and increases overall concentrations of crime. Establishments and environments surrounding transit nodes may act as crime generators or attractors, as a high influx of people are drawn to the area via nearby transit services. More recent literature has identified contrasting results, finding that crime does not concentrate near mass transit areas. In some cases, transit facilities appear to act as protective nodes, with lower counts of crime occurring in and around these locales. Given the conflicting results of existing research about crime at and near transit nodes, this study advances work in environmental criminology by analyzing the concentration of burglary and robbery events in Portland, Oregon. Recognizing that crime concentrations may vary depending on the level of analysis, this study explores crime concentrations at multiple levels of analysis. At the macro-level, this study examines burglaries and robberies across Portland as a whole to determine whether these events concentrate around mass transit nodes, when compared to other areas of the city. The meso-level examines within the broad category of mass transit, to explore whether burglary and robbery events cluster differently around different types of mass transit. Finally, the micro scale investigates the five highest-crime transit nodes to explore how burglary and robbery events concentrate in close proximity to these important locations. This study finds that while crime concentrates at higher levels surrounding mass transit nodes within Portland, the patterns of this concentration changes as the spatial level of analysis changes.

The Surgeon General of the United States in 2003 documented the existence of striking disparities for minorities and immigrants in mental health services and the underlying knowledge base. This thesis expands the knowledge base by examining the personal experiences and perspectives of community health workers (CHWs) employed in a mental health project. CHW interventions have been shown to increase access and reduce barriers to health care services. CHWs come from similar cultural and ethnic backgrounds as recipients of services and share similar life experiences. As cultural mediators between ethnic communities and a primary health care system, CHWs are able to provide valuable insight into immigrant mental health disparities. Through case study analysis, this thesis explores the personal experiences of CHWs employed by a grant-funded mental health project. Utilizing ethnographic research methods to better understand the CHW intervention, this thesis focuses on CHW motivations, their challenges and the impact of work on their personal lives. Results suggest that CHWs experienced many positive changes in their own lives as a result of their work. CHWs are better able to address their own physical and mental health needs. By increasing access to community and clinic services, CHWs help to improve the mental and physical health status of clients. Results suggest that the cultural competency of clinic staff, service providers and clients improved. CHWs help to strengthen community bonding or social capital by expanding social networks and empowering individuals to create change in their own lives. / Graduation date: 2006

Between 1845 and 1980 the Portland waterfront between southwest Washington and Clay Streets, east of Front Street, metamorphosed from wilderness to trade center, to highway, to inner-city vacant lot. No place in Portland has more graphically illustrated the rapidly changing forces of the modern age in which the city has grown. For much of its history this stretch of waterfront was mired in law suits. The struggles centered on public versus private ownership. Originally dedicated as public property, but left unimproved by the city, the waterfront was usurped by private investors. Eventually, private owners allowed their property to decay prompting the public to encourage improvements. The legal battles even became reversed as private investors sought to force the sale of the waterfront to the city. Through all the confusion of legal battles this stretch of waterfront played a central role in the development and identity of Portland. It has finally become, undisputed public territory. The tension and greed of private investment have been replaced by the lack of municipal funds for aesthetic improvement and have left this stretch of land, a potentially fine and important urban park, a vacant lot.

This research study is an evaluation of a graduate social work training program funded by NIMH of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare entitled "Teaching-Trainingship Grant in School Social Work." This grant provides training opportunities in a field placement at John Adams High School in Portland, Oregon, for Portland State University School of Social Work Masters degree candidates. Originally approved in June 1969, the grant became operational for the school year 1970-71. In addition to faculty salaries, supplies, professional consu1tation, fees, etc. the grant provides trainee stipends for selected students participating in the program. Both first and second year students in the graduate program are eligible for field placement at John Adams High School where they spend two days per week as school social work trainees. The unit is currently instucted by an MSW social worker who is a faculty member of the School of Social Work at Portland State University. The instructor provides a variety of training experiences for students including direct services to clients and families, supervision, consultation, program development, teaching and research. The primary focus of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the training program. at Adams High School. Secondarily, this study will attempt to answer three basic questions: Can a graduate school social work field instruction program in public school social work on the elementary and secondary levels be evaluated? Can an ongoing instrument be developed allowing for evaluation of program and individual instruction? Can the study provide analytical data for the program director's evaluation of the effectiveness of his training? This study was undertaken by the authors because of an interest in program evaluation as an integral function of professional social work practice. We feel agencies, particularly those financed through public funds are increasingly being pressured to not only quantify, but to qualify program effectiveness. Funding bodies now require evaluative research documenting direction and effectiveness of social programs. Findings of this study should be of value not only to the funding source and the program director, but also to other students who in the future may wish to conduct similar studies in evaluation of graduate social work field instruction. The following chapter discusses the background and development of John Adams High School and the educational climate that made possible the inclusion of this training program as a part of the learning experiences offered. Chapter III deals with the objectives of the training program. Chapter IV examines evaluative research. Chapter V develops the methodology of the research. The charts and statistics used are examined in Chapter VI. The data are presented and analyzed in Chapter VII. Summary, conclusions and recommendations are then set forth in the final chapter.

Past research shows that Japanese Americans have been successful occupationally, financially and educationally. This thesis examines factors leading to this success. It is generally argued that the greater the congruence between minority and majority value systems, the less likely conflict would be generated in the minority group's acculturation. There appear to be two opposed aspects in the acculturation of the Japanese Americans, relinquishment or retention of traditional Japanese values. Also important is the degree to which Japanese Americans identify themselves as American, or Japanese, or some mixture. This thesis focuses on the following questions: What types of values have been relinquished or retained? If some are retained and others relinquished, are those that are retained congruent with the American value system and those relinquished incongruent? What intergenerational and intragenerational differences are observable in the pattern of retention/relinquishment of traditional Japanese values? To what extent does ethnic identity affect success?

The Urban Center Plaza at Portland State University is a high profile place situated in downtown Portland, Oregon. In some ways it is the ideal university plaza providing space for eating, conversing, or limited recreational activity. It is a place that has been studied before, but not in a more in-depth method incorporating quantitative and qualitative analyses. It is also a place that has gone through several stages of development and is the target of many opinions based on casual observations, at times due to these changes. This thesis focuses on an ethnography of place in this particular plaza in an effort to more thoroughly analyze how people use the space and how it came together to become the plaza known by Portlanders today. This is done through the use of random video observations, direct observations, and in-depth interviews with those who were involved in the creation of the plaza. Analysis of the video recordings includes pedestrian counts, behavioral maps, and common routes taken through the plaza. Direct observations provide more insight into the day-to-day activities of the plaza and the phenomenological perspective of the design elements. Interviews allow for a more complete timeline of events in order to assess the plaza properly. By combining these methods based on other plaza-based ethnographies, it is concluded that the plaza is a well-used and successful space and even suggest possible areas of improvement. Methods are also assessed for future use on other city parks and plazas, possibly in a comparative context.

Research questions were: 1: Will Drug Injectors Use An Exchange In A StateWhere Syringes Are Legal? 2: Will Drug Injectors Using An Exchange Decrease Risky Behavior? 3: Will Frequent Clients Change Risk Behaviors More Than Infrequent Clients? 4: Will Drug Injectors Using An Exchange Change Risk Behaviors More Than A Comparison Group Not Using An Exchange? 5: Does An Exchange Have An Impact On The Number Of Discarded Syringes On The Streets? 6: Is There A Difference In The Rate Of Spread Of HIV Infection Among Users And Non-Users Of The Exchange. Drug injectors will use needle exchange programs, even in a state where syringes are legal. During the first four years, nearly 2,000 drug injectors made approximately 16,000 visits to the Exchange. Clients of the Exchange reduced risky behavior from intake to six months. Change lasted over time: at twelve months, change in behaviors continued to be significant. Frequent users of the Exchange were better on two variables than infrequent users: they borrowed syringes less, and were less likely to use a syringe and throw it away. Drug injectors using the Exchange were compared to those not using the Exchange, but using a bleach/outreach project. Clients of both projects reduced risky behaviors, with Exchange clients better on two variables: re-using syringes without cleaning, and throwing away used syringes. The two projects attracted different drug injectors, and should be viewed as complementary rather than competing AIDS prevention strategies. The impact of the Exchange on the community was evaluated by the change in the number of discarded syringes found on the streets. The number of syringes found per month decreased from 5.14 before the Exchange opened to 1.9 after it began -- a significant side benefit. The data presented here support the growing evidence that needle exchange programs produce behavioral risk reductions, and that the number of potentially infected syringes in public places can be reduced.

Queer women's relationship to space has been under-theorized due to the difficulties in identifying particular spatial patterns that can describe their presence in urban settings. Most of the research that has focused on queer space has mentioned the difficulty of mapping queer women. The purpose of this research is to identify the ways in which the scarcity of queer women-specific space in Portland, Oregon, has affected the development of a women's community based on a queer identity, the role of intersecting identities such as race and gender identity in these communities and spaces, as well as the implications of queer women's spaces for the development of inclusive spatial frameworks. This research is based on 15 map-making interviews with queer women in the Portland area. During the interviews, participants were asked to draw a map of what they consider to be queer women's space in Portland. The results suggest that queer women occupy an array of places, but lack public queer women-specific spaces. Some of the reasons for the decline in these spaces are changing identities and the political climate, an attempt at inclusion of trans and gender non-conforming people, and racism. In order to better understand queer women's spatial patterns, the scholarship needs frameworks that are inclusive of private, cyber and temporary spaces. Given the lack of scholarship on the relationship between queer women and space, this research contributes to a better understanding of queer women's geographies in a changing political climate.