February 23, 2026

Last week, all PSU employees received an email from OHSU with information about a work-life balance and leave support study. This research project is in collaboration with PSU Human Resources.

There will be a total of three surveys sent to PSU employees from February to October. Individual responses are strictly confidential and will only be seen by the OHSU research team. PSU will receive aggregated data only.

Human Resources will use the data to inform improvements to leave processes and supervisor training, which are among the key recommendations that PSU Human Resources is pursuing as part of Operational Excellence.

If you have questions about the survey, contact Julie Goodman, associate professor and principal investigator, at goodmanj@ohsu.edu.

A Finance pilot program is exploring a new way to handle PCard reconciliation so employees can spend less time on administrative steps and more time on their primary work. This is the first in a series of updates sharing how Operational Excellence work is being tested across PSU. Learn what's changing and how the pilot is working so far.

This is a reminder that Staff Fee (tuition discount) forms are due two days before the start of the term. For spring term at PSU, the deadline is Saturday, March 28. Deadlines for other Oregon universities vary — please check their websites for details.

Your completed staff fee form can be uploaded to the HR uploader beginning this Friday, Feb. 27. Please email askhrc@pdx.edu if you have any questions about this process. 

Happy Studying!

Portland State faculty and staff are invited to learn about Advance Directives and Powers of Attorney — and how to fill out these important estate planning documents — at a workshop hosted by Student Legal Services and The Commons Law. Free forms provided!

Friday, Feb. 27
12 - 1 p.m.
Remote (register for meeting link)

Avel Gordly, the first Black woman elected to the Oregon State Senate and a proud alumna, professor and honorary degree recipient of Portland State University, passed away Monday at 79, leaving a legacy as both a trailblazing public servant and a devoted educator and mentor.

Read about Gordly and her legacy at PSU News, which includes remembrances from her son, former PSU colleagues and former students.

Spring Awakening is a riveting rock musical that captures the desires, pain, excitement and confusion of adolescence. Set in a rigid and repressive society, it follows a group of teenagers as they navigate the treacherous terrain of growing up — confronting sex, pregnancy, love, loss and the suffocating pressures of school and family. The ferocious alt-rock score by Duncan Sheik is expertly performed by PSU vocalists and driven by a live on-stage band.

Feb. 26 - Mar. 7
Lincoln Performance Hall

Spring Awakening is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Celebrate the end of the Winter term with some friendly competition at the 5th Annual Faculty/Staff Mixed Pickleball Doubles Tournament. This is a perfect opportunity to partner with a colleague and connect with others from across the PSU campus community. The tournament is free for all PSU faculty and staff. There will be beginner and advanced divisions. Not ready for the tournament? You can also practice during our drop-in pickleball times (Mondays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.). Sign up your team by Tuesday, March 10, and be ready to play on March 12!

Think you could make a cup of coffee after an earthquake? PSU is hosting the award winning Shaky Grounds Café earthquake escape room on Montgomery Plaza. Swing by during the free community hours (Monday to Thursday, 12-2 PM) to play a few quick challenges, and pick up free emergency preparedness materials. Or grab your friends, buy a ticket and tackle the full coffee-shop-themed escape room.

Units can also book team-building sessions in the escape room!

In celebration of Social Work Month, the PSU School of Social Work will host a special screening of the documentary Gert's Boys on March 11. Gert’s Boys introduces a unique window into San Francisco’s gay community (1981-1995) through the lens of one woman, Cindy “Gert” McMullin, an original volunteer & co-founder of The AIDS Memorial Quilt. The film will be personally introduced by the director and producer of the film, Sara Schwartz, who received her PhD from the School of Social Work in 2007.

Wednesday, March 11
12 - 1:30 p.m.
ASRC 620 & Zoom
Free and open to all

Do you know a currently enrolled student leader who has excelled during their time at PSU, both inside and outside of the classroom? Nominate them for a Presidential Award!

The General Student Affairs Committee and Student Affairs are seeking nominations for the Presidential Awards. Award categories include Service to the Community and Service to the University.

To be eligible, a student must:

FAFSA & Scholarship deadline - March 1

The deadline to apply for financial aid and scholarships is quickly coming up! Please remind students that they need to have these applications complete and submitted by March 1 — that's this Sunday!

Share these links:

Apply for Financial Aid
Scholarship Universe
Guide to Applying for Scholarships

Free writing help

The PSU Writing Center is free for students and can help with any step in the writing process. Appointments are offered online and in-person. Walk-ins are also available. Please share the website with students who could benefit from these services.

Resource for stressed students: Peer Wellbeing Coaches

SHAC's Peer Wellbeing Coaches can help students who are stressed about academics. Trained coaches work with students individually to identify goals using the 8 Dimensions of Wellbeing and their personal strengths. This service is totally free for students and is offered in-person or online. Share the website so students can access help.

Christof Teuscher, professor of electrical and computer engineering, talks with the Oregonian about the challenges Intel is facing in attracting and hiring students; Professor of History Catherine McNeur shared new details about the origins of Dawson Park with Axios; Tanner Cooke, associate professor of communication, discussed the risks of Olympic betting with KGW; Nora Dunkirk, a mycologist with the Institute for Natural Resources, talked about funghi conservation efforts with the Associated Press; and Modesta Minthorn, executive director of Tribal Relations, spoke with the Oregonian about efforts to collaborate with tribes and reawaken Oregon’s sleeping languages.

All week

Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize Exhibition

Residual Moments | Archiving the Building: The 5th Avenue Years

Mapping Familiar Territories, Charting New Paths

Monday, February 23

Biology Seminar Series: Is What’s True for E. Coli True for the Elephant? The Case of Archaeal Cell Biology

Tuesday, February 24

Women on Weights

Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize Reception and Awards Celebration

Wives, Workers, Navigators: Indian Women’s Evolving Migrations to Japan; A Presentation by Dr. Megha Wadhwa

Wednesday, February 25

Reading Community-Engaged Learning (CEL)

CPID Talks: Affordable Housing + ABCD

Triaging Responsiveness in New States with Limited Capacity: Evidence from Turkey

Thursday, February 26

Show & Tell Design Lecture Series Presents Gabriella Narvaez

Parks & Portland: A Public Lecture with Catherine McNeur

Bowling Tournament

PSU Theater Arts Presents: Spring Awakening - Preview

Women’s Basketball v. Montana State

Friday, February 27

Music @ Midday: The Brass Sounds of Brazil

PSU Theater Arts Presents: Spring Awakening - Opening Night

Saturday, February 28

PSU Theater Arts Presents: Spring Awakening

Women’s Basketball v. Montana

Find more events at: PSU Events, OAI Events, Viks Athletics

People

Iris S. De Lis, Dara Shifrer, Hyeyoung Woo

Published/Exhibited

Micki M. Caskey, Jesse Locker, Rex Marshall, Max Parmer, Aaron Roussell, Gerry Sussman, Frederik Vos

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CURRENTLY is a weekly newsletter for the employees of Portland State University, published by University Communications. News items, events and accolades should be sent to currently@pdx.edu. Deadline is noon, the Tuesday before publication. See the Currently website for submission guidelines and schedule.