Welcome to Winter Term

While we hope everyone had a great break, we are also excited to see everyone back at the student union.

This term, Smith Memorial Student Union will continue with building hours for PSU students and staff that align with campus access. Our general public hours will keep the building accessible to the community on weekdays and during special events.

Welcome back!

Reminder: Those PSU staff members with extended building access will continue to have that access to Smith this term.

Student, staff and faculty PSU ID general access – 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.
Staff and faculty with standard PSU ID access – 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily
SW Broadway entrance open to the general public – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F
The building will be open for scheduled events evenings and weekends.
Campus event attendees can find access to the building at the SW Broadway entrance.
University Market will be open 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. M-Th; open until 5 p.m. on Fridays.
Viking Gameroom will have open bowling lanes and pool table availability from noon to 6 p.m. M-F in the basement, unless a special event is scheduled. You can check availability on the gameroom event calendar
Bowery Bagels will be open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. M-Th; open until 1 p.m. on Friday.
The Smith’s Kitchen food court will be open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. M-Th; open until 2 p.m. Fridays. See below for more on the food court options this term
The Smallwood Food Pantry in the basement of Smith will be open weekdays as staffing allows. The hours as the term start:
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday & Tuesday
- 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday
- 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday
- 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday
In Viking Pavilion, the Versa Cafe will feature Bashas Mediterranean, smoothies, breakfast wraps and sandwiches again this fall. Their hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. M-Th; 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays.

Hello Caffeine Cove, Good-bye Cheesesteak

This term, the Smith coffee shop in the Broadway lobby will be operated as Caffeine Cove. This locally owned operation will serve up fresh Nossa Famila Coffee, energy drinks and pastries from Portland's Dos Hermanos. Look for more menu options to come! It will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Fridays.

If you sneak in for the soft opening (through Friday, Jan. 10), Alexa and Ahmed, who are associated with Shawarma Spot in the Smith food court, will treat you to 10 percent off any drink. So, drop by the new home for barista coffee in Smith!

We have to report, however, that Oregon Cheesesteak has decided not to renew its agreement to operate in Smith’s Kitchen. They will continue to serve at Hillsboro Stadium activities such as Vikings football and Hops games.

Ahmed and Alexa fire up the espresso machine at the new Caffeine Cove in the Broadway lobby of Smith.

The Smallwood Food Pantry continues to serve 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.

Look For An HVAC Info Invitation

Preperations to upgrade several critical Smith building systems through 2026 continue.

As the start of actual hammer-pounding-saw-grinding work nears (currently planned to begin in June), Campus Projects & Construction (CPC) and Smith Operations will meet with departments and organizations whose spaces in the student union will be directly impacted. Here “impact” will likely mean periods where the heating, air conditioning and ventilation system (HVAC) serving a specific area is not operating normally or times when access in the building might be limited as elevator systems are renovated.

First up is information on the HVAC work. Those folks who need to be aware of possible disruptions in their areas will be contacted this month and invited to meet with CPC and Smith representatives for an informational session. If you receive an invitation, please plan to attend or send a representative. The majority of this work will affect the east side (the SW Broadway side) of the building.

We want to do everything we can to make these necessary repairs without undue interference in your programs.

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

A hand-typed label -- probably from the 1960s -- lists the circuit breakers associated with exhaust fan systems in Smith

Hand-typed labels in a circuit box list the Smith exhaust fans electrical breakers are associated with. Smith has 10 separate heating and air-conditioning systems, some dating to the early 1960s.

Reservations for Campus Meeting Spaces About to Change

After many years using the EMS software system to reserve meeting spaces and general-pool classrooms at Portland State, the Campus Events & Student Union (CESU) office will begin transitioning to a new, more powerful system this spring.

Don't Panic! While training in the CESU office begins soon, the actual rollout to the campus will likely happen at the start of fall term. At that time, the system will allow new ways to book space (such as from a mobile device), the elimination of the current Google form and the creation of a master events calendar.

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.

Ten people in a wedding party pose for a group portrait in the bowling alley in the basement of Smith.

Congratulations! Lisa (in white) and Jeff (at left, kneeling) held their wedding reception in the Viking Gameroom during the winter break. They are not affiated with the University but just wanted to hold their small reception for family and friends in a fun spot downtown. Yes, this is just a blantant reminder that the Viking Gameroom -- with bowling, billards, popcorn, soda and video gaming spot in the basement of Smith -- can host all kinds of events. Check out the Gameroom webpage for more information. P.S. A good time was had by all.

More Ways to Pay at University Market

The University Market in Smith has great stuff to buy and many ways to pay. You can tap-to-pay, use your SNAP benefits (on qualified purchases), major credit cards such as American Express and for those with a meal plan, your Dining Dollars.

It’s easier than ever to get a PSU hoodie, beanie, energy drink or grab-and-go sandwich. The Market also offers snacks, class supplies and Boyd's hot coffee daily.

The University Market on the ground floor of Smith is an easy way to shop on campus. Open this term 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. M-Th, til 5 p.m. F.

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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