April 3, 2023

News

PSU ends COVID-19 vaccination requirement

Effective immediately, Portland State University is no longer requiring students and employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19. The decision, made in consultation with local public health experts, reflects a society that is evolving from a public health response to a personal health response to the virus. Additionally, in accordance with Oregon Health Authority guidance, the Center for Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) no longer requires masks in its facilities. The full statement about this policy change is on the PSU COVID-19 webpage.

PSU’s accreditation is reaffirmed

Accreditation of Portland State University was reaffirmed in Spring 2023 by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), after submission of a comprehensive Year Seven Self Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness, a peer review by external reviewers, and review by the NWCCU commissioners. Accreditation of an institution of higher education by the NWCCU indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of institutional quality.

Join PSU’s first Transfer Faculty & Staff List

PSU faculty and staff: Were you once a transfer student? The Transfer & Returning Student Resource Center (TRSRC) invites you to add your name to the first Portland State University Transfer Faculty & Staff List. The purpose of this list is for PSU students to identify former transfer students inside and outside of the classroom, make transfer more visible, and increase student sense of belonging and community. The list will be publicly shared with the PSU community and on the TRSRC's website for students to view. Please complete this form by Friday, April 14 to be included in the Transfer Champions list for Transfer Appreciation Day on Tuesday, April 25.

Work begins on design of federated service centers

Academic Affairs has assembled a working group that will engage with Huron Consulting to design several federated service centers, one of the recommendations in the Support Services and Operational Review. The review identified PSU’s highly decentralized operational structure as a key challenge at the university. The task is set to take about 13 weeks. The working group is currently seeking feedback about shared service models at other colleges and universities. More information is available at Academic Affairs.

Last call for Presidential Awards nominations

Do you know a currently enrolled student leader who has made a significant impact at Portland State or in the community? The General Student Affairs Committee and Office of Student Affairs are seeking nominations for the Presidential Awards through April 7. To learn more and submit a nomination, please visit the Presidential Awards website. President Percy will present awards to winners at the annual Leadership Awards Luncheon in May. Each of this year's winners will also receive a $250 award from the President's Office.

Bring Your Kids to Campus Day is April 10

The Resource Center for Students with Children invites you and your family to Bring Your Kids to Campus Day on Monday, April 10. This is a day-long, campus-wide celebration for students, staff, faculty and their children to enjoy special campus events and activities just for kids! Stay for the full day of activities or just an hour — activities are scheduled in a very flexible, drop-in setting. Questions? Check out the FAQs. If you’re planning to attend, please register ASAP.

This week at Campus Rec:

The Bridgetown Boulder Bash is this Friday — register to participate.
Family-friendly Group X classes start on Saturday. Check out the line-up.

PSU in the news

Sergio Palleroni, director of PSU’s Center for Public Interest Design, talked with KOIN about the future of housing in downtown Portland; Professor of Film Studies Jennifer Ruth explored the importance of protest in higher education in the Chronicle of Higher Education; and Tamara Sale, Director of the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, shared the benefits of OHSU-PSU’s Early Assessment & Support Alliance program for youth experiencing psychosis with OPB’s Think Out Loud.

Accolades

People

Bright Alozie, Lynell Spencer, Ashley Streig

Presented

Jola Ajibade, Kimberley Brown, Kate Comer, Óscar Fernández, Brenda Glascott, Susan Kirtley, Kacy McKinney, Pronoy Rai, Eric Rodriguez, Tetyana Sydorenko, Dilafruz Williams, Chia Yin Hsu

Published/Exhibited

Paula Carder, Tom Dietrich, David Gerbing, Kai Hang Cheang, Brandon Reich, Kali Simmons, Jeremy Spoon, J.J.P. Veerman

Grants

Bright Alozie, Cynthia Carmina Gómez, Anne Thompson

Events

Additional Links

Currently is Portland State University’s weekly faculty and staff newsletter. It is published online every Monday during the academic year by University Communications. News items should be emailed by noon the Tuesday before publication. See the Currently website for submission guidelines and schedule.