INSIDE STUDENT AFFAIRSA weekly insider’s guide for those helping students reach their goals toward optimal health and well-being, engagement with learning, and sense of belonging at PSU
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Week of November 16, 2020
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"ALWAYS BE A LITTLE KINDER THAN NECESSARY." - JAMES M. BARRIE
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PSU student holding a sign that says "Be kind" outside of Academic and Student Recreation Center
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Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is November 15-22. On Thursday, November 19 from 9 am to noon, Portland State University, Portland Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, and College Housing Northwest are hosting a virtual summit to bring the issue of student housing insecurity to light. Also, the Student Community Engagement Center has organized a panel of experts to answer questions about food insecurity, houselessness, and COVID-19 for Friday, November 20 at noon. You are invited to join and learn about issues facing our community. To RSVP for this event, please visit the event page.
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This Week: Annual Student Leadership Conference
The annual student leadership conference will be held on Thursday, November 19. This year’s all-day event will be virtual with timely topics perfect for the responsive and resilient leadership needed from students during these times. All students are welcome to attend, though this year’s event is especially focusing on students from across Portland State that have a leadership role in a group or program and want to expand their skills, knowledge, and networks. Students can RSVP or learn more at the event page.
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TEMPRR Days
TEMPRR Days (Trans Empowerment, Resilience, and Resistance Days) is an annual month of programming in November surrounding Trans Day of Remembrance. Programs offer space for trans students to honor trans people lost, while also building community. For a list of this week’s events, please visit the TEMPRR website. You can also contact psutrans@pdx.edu for more information.
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SHAC Workshops and Drop-in Groups
SHAC Counseling Services staff have been hard at work developing our group and workshop programming. We are hopeful that students will take advantage of the opportunity to connect at a time when we are so in need of connection! Workshops and programs are often co-facilitated by other areas on campus and include (but are not limited to) support groups, workshops, mindfulness events, therapy groups, and a weekly mental health series. To learn more, visit the workshop and drop-in group info page or the therapy and skills group info page.
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@ This Moment
@ This Moment is a series about timely, relevant research in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The series began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to build community and provide space for our researchers to share the relevance of their work in light of the pandemic. Topics have ranged from the virus to work-life balance, climate and telepractice. Learn more about future webinars here, which are already scheduled for Dec. 3, Jan. 14, March 11, April 8 and May 13.
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HR Timesheet and Leave Reporting Deadlines
The payroll processing schedule this month is exceptionally tight due to Veteran's Day and the Thanksgiving Holiday! For those who supervise, please have all October leave reporting submitted and approved by Monday, November 16 to give HR time to audit, send follow up emails, and make corrections. As for November timesheets, supervisors should have them submitted and approved in Banweb no later than 12:00 pm (noon) on Tuesday, November 17. Contact the Payroll Office if you have any questions.
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Winter Hikes around Portland
Winter is quickly approaching, but that doesn't mean the outdoor season is over. “In Portland, hiking isn’t an occasional summer activity — it’s a way of life. On any given winter weekend, thousands of locals lace up their waterproof hiking boots, zip rain jackets over their down vests and hit the trails. Ready to join them? These Portland-area paths are perfect for all-weather adventures.”
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Vivek H. Murthy, MD (left) and his bookTogether: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World
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Dr. Vivek Murthy is the former Surgeon General for President Obama and newly appointed Co-Chair of the Biden administration's COVID-19 Task Force. As Surgeon General, he embarked on a listening tour of America hoping to hear firsthand about people's health concerns. In a recent interview on NPR, he talked about being surprised with the significant number of Americans who reported suffering from a lack of human connection. He said, "One possible path is the path of social revival, if we recommitted to people and to relationships. We have the opportunity to use this moment to recenter our lives on people. And if we can do that, then I believe we can come out of this pandemic more connected, more fulfilled and more resilent than before the pandemic began."
One of my favorite alums recently posted this profound, yet simple message on Facebook: "Folks are going through things. Check on people. Encourage them, care for them, honor them... simply be there for them. It doesn't take much, a simple text means a lot."
Profound idea, yet really simple.
-Michele
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OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
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SUGGESTIONS FOR A FUTURE EDITION?
If you have something that you think should be included in an upcoming Inside Student Affairs, please email askdos@pdx.edu.
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