Offer Your Thoughts on Smith Break Hours

During the breaks between terms and the summer months, Smith Operations generally seeks to reduce costs for staffing and utilities by cutting or eliminating hours for the general public and, during some maintenance periods, hours for the Portland State community.

We are asking that departments and organizations based in Smith complete a brief survey giving us an overview of how changes in the building hours impact your work.

These survey results will be shared with the Smith Advisory Board as we discuss the cost-effectiveness of more or less public hours.

As a thank you, one responder will be selected at random to receive a special selection of Smith and PSU swag. We appreciate everyone's time.

QR code to the History Department feedback form

Draft of history hall exhibit ready for feedback

A student curatorial team, working with Dr. Patricia Schechter of the PSU History department, has hung a draft exhibit of photos representing Portland State history in the center east-west hall on the second floor of Smith.

The team is asking folks based in Smith to take a look in order to provide feedback on this ongoing project. To build awareness, the team is offering guided looks at the work.

“If you would like a mini tour of the exhibit with myself or one of the student curators as ‘docent,’ I invite you to visit the space on Thursday mornings, 10 am to noon on May 1, 8, and 15," Dr. Schechter writes.

“(If you don't have time for the mini tour), please feel free to drop by and have a look. We would be very grateful to have your response to the survey. The survey is geared toward students, but feel free to identify as a staff person and offer whatever constructive feedback you care to provide."

You can use the QR Code or link to the form.

This exhibit, telling the history of PSU from the student perspective, is the brainchild of the Retirement Association of Portland State and is currently titled: “We Come Here to Grow: Moments of Joy, Movements for Change.”

Curators did a survey before assembling this mock up and will continue to bring people through for feedback as well as conduct tours and focus groups to get comments and suggestions.

A temporary display of photos from Portland State's history hangs in the second floor hallway at Smith.

Moments of PSU history line the walls of the center hallway on the second floor of Smith. You can provide feedback on the draft exhibit using the QR code above or at this survey link. Please visit the center hallway to see the entire exhibit before responding to the survey.

The Smallwood Food Pantry serves the PSU community from the basement of Smith. Check out their website or Instagram feed for the latest hours or to learn more about the Pantry.

Critical Maintenance Work Proceeds

From time to time, you might be seeing visiting engineers, outside contractors and employees from our own Campus Planning department circling the halls of Smith as critical maintenance work begins in the building.

Most of this spring has been spent sorting out the needs of the project: Determining which sub-contractors to hire, what exact costs will be and how best to schedule the work that will take more than a year to complete. At present, few disruptions are estimated before mid-July.

Work on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems will directly impact departments and organizations based on the east side of the building. Preparations for that work – removing old portions of the system, rerouting electrical and plumbing – will be the first stages of construction activity.

Elevator upgrades, which will impact most building users, won’t begin until late fall.

If you are invited via email to meet with Smith staff or CPC about the work, then your space will be impacted. We plan to continue those meetings as dates are solidified.

If you have any questions about the critical maintenance work, please contact building manager Mercedes Youngston.

An HVAC technician checks the air flow in the Quiet Prayer and Meditation Lounge.

An HVAC technician examines the air flow from a ceiling vent in the Quiet Prayer and Meditation Lounge, part of the critical maintenance planning proces.

Participate in the annual campus public safety survey

Yes. This has become the "Smith Survey" newsletter. But this is an important one: The annual PSU Campus Public Safety Survey.

Researchers at PSU’s Psychology Department, in collaboration with Campus Public Safety Office (CPSO), are conducting their annual survey of the campus community about their experiences with CPSO and safety on campus.

Creating an annual campus safety survey was recommended by PSU’s Reimagine Campus Safety Committee and this survey has been created to help CPSO guide public safety practices and policies on campus. The survey closes May 23, 2025.

While participant information is private, the findings will be shared publicly and available to be used in improving safety and policing on PSU’s campus.

Be Heard: Annual Campus Public Safety Survey

Surplus and trash removal reminder: Your department or office must not leave furniture and large items, particularly trash, in the corridors of Smith. It creates access issues for your area and others serving students in the building. Custodial does not remove these items.

Please contact PSU Materials Maintenance and arrange for a date of pickup BEFORE taking items out of your work space. They often have a backlog of pickups so your patience — and consideration for others in the student union — is appreciated.

Book the Viking Gameroom Now

Quick reminder: If you are considering an end-of-year party in the Viking Gameroom (Bowling! Pool tables! Gaming!), dates in May and June are filling up fast. You can request an event reservation or learn more about the Gameroom on its webpage.

Student workers take part in a department bowling and pool party in the Viking Gameroom

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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