Smith Broadway Entrance Closed Oct. 30 for Crane Lift

Contractors upgrading the HVAC system in the northeast corner of Smith will be conducting their first all-day crane lift on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, moving materials to the roof of Mezzanine 3.

For everyone’s safety, during the lift the SW Broadway entrance and the sidewalk on the west side of SW Broadway will be closed. The sidewalk will be closed to all users including pedestrians, bikes and scooter. The bike lane on SW Broadway will be moved to another lane.

The lift is scheduled from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday.

Our north entrance, on the Cramer side of Smith Memorial Student Union, will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is ADA accessible.

As a precaution during lifts to and from the roof, EH&S and Capital Projects ask that the offices and spaces under the roof unloading site be empty. Those who work on Mezzanines 2 and 3 (Office of Academic Innovation, Student Legal Services, Conflict Resolution Center, Trio/Upward Bound) are asked to arrange other workspaces that day.

This is part of the ongoing Critical Maintenance project that is replacing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) that have outlived their lifespans and must be upgraded before they fail.

Another crane lift that will close the Broadway entrance is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 18.

Contact building venue manager Mercedes Youngston or Smith communications coordinator Randy Mishler if you have any questions or concerns about the critical maintenance work.

We appreciate your patience with this necessary Smith infrastructure work.

The torn apart remains of a large metal horizontal housing for supply fan 4.

Recent demolition work on Supply Fan 4 as it is prepared for upgrades. This supply fan is located on Mezzanine 4, a mechanical room located above the Mezzanine levels. Though smaller than the Mezzanine floors, it holds important infrastructure systems like SF-4 and the Mezzanine elevator mechanical room.

Elevator Upgrades Start in November with Mezzanine

Part of the Critical Maintenance project is to improve access in the student union with upgrades to the public elevators.

All three shafts – the Mezzanine elevator and the two shafts in the main hall, called Nos. 6 and 7 by campus engineers — will be modernized by the end of summer 2026.

The elevators will be off-line one at a time. The first one to be replaced will be the Mezzanine elevator, which still functions with the mechanical systems that were installed in the building in the early 1960s.

The current schedule is for the Mezzanine elevator to be shut down on or around Nov. 25. It is scheduled to be offline until March.

While most of the Mezzanine resources have been temporarily relocated through March, access will still be available using a service elevator located in the Campus Events & Student Union office. More information will be provided in the coming weeks.

Critical Maintenance Updates Website

Resource Offices Relocated During Maintenance Work

Several student and faculty support centers have relocated during the first phase of heating, ventilation and air conditioning work in Smith Memorial Student Union. The following services have temporarily moved to other buildings until early 2026 while upgraded HVAC is installed. Please check the organizations’ webpages for regular updates on staffing, hours and events.

Disability Resource Center — University Center Building, Suite 400

Office of Academic Innovation — Vanport Building, Suite 560

Student Legal Services — Parkmill Building, Suite 184

Conflict Resolution Program — Cramer Hall, CH346

The Helen Gordon Infants & Tots Program, usually in the Broadway lobby of Smith, will be located in the Helen Gordon Center during the academic year.

The Info Hub window in the SW Broadway lobby of Smith is operated by student employees and staff weekdays.

Student employees help resolve issues for other students, staff, faculty and visitors at the Information Hub in the Broadway lobby of Smith.

Info Hub/Box Office Hours Expanding

The Info Hub in the Broadway lobby of Smith is expanding its hours. Starting this week they will be open to answer questions, offer a campus map and provide box office assistance from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The Box Office is open online 24/7.

Student employees of the Campus Events and Student Union office pose for a group photo in the Smith ballroom.

The student employees of the Smith Operations Team participated in a Sunday of event set-up and assistance training this month. Conducted by the Campus Events & Student Union department, the session features information and activities on how student workers can support activities on campus even as they learn to work together.

Follow the Smith Scoop throughout the year for updates and information about Portland State's Student Union. Sign up online and then remember to approve the confirmation email to receive the Scoop.

Sip a Scary Soda Friday at Viking Gameroom

Quench your thirst with a special Gameroom Halloween concotion, one brewed with carbonated ingredients and a little of that ole' black magic. Drop by Friday, Oct. 31, from noon to 4 p.m. to sample the Green Goblin or the Pepscreeam among others at a special holiday price. And, because it is a Friday, treat yourself to a free popcorn with your PSU ID!

Quick reminder: If you are considering a holiday or staff party in the Viking Gameroom (Bowling! Pool tables! Gaming!) dates in December are already filling up. You can request an event reservation or learn more about the Gameroom on its webpage.

The Viking Gameroom is in the basement of Smith.

Congratulations to Priscila! She's the PSU student winner of the University Market/Pepsi bike giveaway at Party in the Park. Thanks to Campus BikeHub for the expert assembly.

Community Hour Specials at University Market

This fall, University Market on the ground floor of Smith is offering special sales each week during Community Hour. Celsius energy drinks, sodas and snacks have all been featured. Drop in and see what the deal is this week!

The Market accepts tap-to-pay, American Express and Dining Dollars. And, yes, there’s coffee!

The Market is open 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. M-Th, til 5 p.m. Fridays.

Schedule Events with 25Live

Portland State University now uses 25Live for all event venue requests, scheduling and planning. 25Live provides more visibility of open dates and additional information on venues. If you are your department's event planner and haven’t been contacted about 25Live training, reach out to Campus Event’s Matt Berger to schedule a session.

Smith: Who to Contact

For most concerns related to the use of Smith, contact building manager Mercedes Youngston, 503-725-4334. These would include custodial issues, non-emergency maintenance, space-related issues and access control needs. Note: If you submit a request to the Facilities Work Control Center for facility emergencies in Smith, please CC Mercedes.

For safety concerns and after-hours building emergencies in Smith, contact Campus Public Safety Office at 503-725-5911.

Call 911 immediately for any life-threatening emergencies.

Smith is managed by the Campus Events & Student Union office, located in Smith 119 (off the Broadway lobby). You can reach us at conferences@pdx.edu, 503-725-2663.

Thanks for taking the time to read the Smith Scoop.

To let us know about an upcoming event of general interest or changes in your department or Smith-based group, drop us a line via our Scoop Content Submission Form.

Smith Memorial Student Union at Portland State University is managed by the Campus Events & Student Union office, located in Smith 119 (off the Broadway lobby). You can reach us at conferences@pdx.edu, 503-725-2663.

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