June 2, 2025

As we get ready to celebrate the class of ’25, we’d like to take a moment to recognize the remarkable achievements of the PSU graduates and faculty who paved the way for the future. From confronting climate change to working with NASA to getting Grammy nods, these innovative individuals have tackled complex issues, positively impacted our community and gone for groundbreaking in everything they do.

Take a moment to view this video and discover PSU’s achievements through the years — because what we do here is anything but ordinary.

Viks football returns to Providence Park this fall for a homecoming Big Sky battle with the University of Montana Grizzlies. Tickets for this historic return to Providence Park go on sale June 3 at 10 a.m. (tomorrow!) and PSU faculty and staff can take advantage of an exclusive discounted ticket offer. Use code: PSUStaff to purchase tickets at the discounted group rate. Please note that this game is managed through SeatGeek and not the University's Box Office. Please contact Athletics at vikingstickets@pdx.edu for questions or more information. The game is on Saturday, Nov. 15.

This is a reminder that Staff Fee privilege tuition discount forms are due two days before the start of the term. Your completed staff fee form can be uploaded at any time between now and Saturday, June 21 for summer term on the HR uploader. Deadlines for the other Oregon universities vary. Please check their websites for more details. Please email askhrc@pdx.edu if you have any questions about this process.

Happy Studying!

OIT has been hard at work to provide an improved digital experience for faculty, staff, and student employees. If you are a PSU employee, myPSU now contains links to all of the resources from the Employee and Faculty tabs in Banweb. The myPSU student interface will still appear for everyone, regardless of whether they are taking classes or not. Three new sections for: 1) all employees, 2) faculty, and 3) advisors will only display for people with those roles.

Join PSU President Ann Cudd for a warm Summer Kick-Off celebration as we reflect on the past year and look ahead to what’s next. Enjoy light refreshments, connect with colleagues and mark the close of the 2024-2025 academic year together!

Date: Monday, June 9
Time: 5 - 7 p.m. (President’s remarks at 5:30)
Location: ASRC 515 (Board Room) and Terrace

Message (80-120 words): PSU International Special Programs (ISP) and their official homestay partner, ACES-American Cultural Exchange Service, are seeking kind, empathetic host families for international high school (July 10 - 24) and college students (Aug. 17 - Sept. 6, Oct. 17 - Nov. 6). Your two- or three-week time commitment could very well change a young person's life. Students will have weekday classes and activities, commuting to and from PSU on public transit. They are excited to spend evenings and weekends as part of an American family. Orientation, 24/7 support, and a stipend are provided. Visit acescollegehomestay.org, email aces.or@exploretheworld.org, or call (503) 673-6898 for more information.

Time is running out to take the Campus Climate Survey! All faculty and staff were invited via email from Viewfinder, a trusted research partner working with the university. The survey takes about 15 minutes, is completely anonymous, and helps PSU leadership understand how different groups experience our workplace.

Haven't seen the email in your inbox? Try searching for info@viewfindersurveys.com — some people have reported it hiding in their Spam or Promotions folders!

Students are also receiving a student-focused version of the survey so if you work directly with students, please let them know it is legit and encourage them to participate!

Are you getting ready for your own summer adventure? Rent outdoor gear for 11 days for the price of four from Friday, June 13 until Monday, June 23 during the Outdoor Program’s summer closure. Any additional days will be charged standard extra day fees. Take advantage of the deals on gear for backpacking, camping, rafting, paddleboarding, water sports and more!

Get ready to dive into summer with Campus Rec's beginner swim clinics! This free class is for participants with no swimming experience. Instructors will focus on the basic skills, such as water acclimation, floating, breathing and equipment introduction. Hit the pool this Thursday, June 5, from 6 - 7 pm for the last class of the term. Or, register now for Summer clinics happening on Fridays from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. starting Friday, June 27. Please note that youth ages 14-17 are only eligible to participate in beginner swim clinics during the summer, when clinics occur during youth hours.

Immerse yourself in an evening of jazz with this special collaboration between the PSU Vocal Collective and Jazz Band, featuring the Los Angeles singer-songwriter and musician, Inara George. Inara George is known for her clear, sultry voice, which many describe as personal and emotionally resonant. She is a prolific solo artist with a number of acclaimed solo albums, the founder of her own record label, Release Me Records, and she is half of the indie pop duo The Bird and the Bee with Grammy-winning producer Greg Kurstin. 

For this unique performance, Inara’s songs will be reimagined by PSU faculty and students, who will create original arrangements that highlight the depth and beauty of her work. 

Time: 7:30 p.m.
Date: Friday, June 6
Location: Lincoln Performance Hall
Pay what you can

Students in the UNST 157/158/159A FRINQ "Failure" class have written and published a 394-page guide to academic and personal success at PSU—now available on Amazon. In addition to authoring the book, students created a full promotional campaign, including a website, podcasts, PR materials, and social media content. All book proceeds support Pueblo Unido PDX.

Explore student reflections, author bios, and more at psufrinqclass.

In her recent blog post, PSU President Ann Cudd reflects on the importance of celebrating Pride “season” in Portland and reaffirms PSU’s commitment to supporting the LGTBQ+ community.

From a community choir to free hearing evaluations and low-cost counseling, the newest article in the Portland State Magazine explores the way PSU serves the community with services, resources and partnerships. Be sure to watch the video about the PSU Community Choir!

Many PSU research faculty talked to The Oregonian about the impacts of terminated grants on science education; Chris Whyte and Tomas Cotik of the College of the Arts Music & Theater were interviewed by Oregon ArtsWatch about PSU’s Collaboration Celebration concert; and PSU’s Population Research Center informed OPB about Portland’s first spurt of population growth since 2020.

All week

Rewire Festival

Soft Reset: A SAMP Sound Art Installation

Tethered at the Spine: Photo Exhibition at Blue Sky Gallery

Through our Lens: Curating a Sense of Space

Beyond the Periphery: 2025 MFA/BFA Showcase

Monday, June 2

Biology Seminar Series | The Coral Microbiome: Pathogens & Probiotics

Tuesday, June 3

University Band Spring Concert

Wednesday, June 4

Friendtorship Presents Just Play

Coffee, Books, & Wine: Conversations with Coffee Writers

Laptop Ensemble

Thursday, June 5

Assembly 2025: An Art + Social Practice Gathering

KSMoCA Artist Talk and Exhibition with Xavier Price

Middle East Study Center Lecture | Unveiling Developmental Disparities in the Middle East

Noon Concert Series: Musicology Area Presentation

Fresh! Best in Show - PSU Graphic Design Senior Portfolio Showcase

Friday, June 6

Assembly 2025: An Art + Social Practice Gathering

Meet the Artist: Q&A with Inara George

PSU Jazz with Inara George

Saturday, June 7

Assembly 2025: An Art + Social Practice Gathering

End of Term Oak Savanna Gathering

Sunday, June 8

PSU Orchestra Candlelight Masterworks Series

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

Presented

Kathi Inman Berens, Chris Cartwright, Walter Dawson, Bill Griesar, Jeff Leake, Will Parnell

People

Elizabeth Almer, Radhika Reddy, Patrick Terry

Published/Exhibited

Anita Bright, Chris Cartwright, Mary Marshall

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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.