March 10, 2025

All PSU students, faculty & staff are invited to the Immigration Information Forum, a hybrid resource fair organized by PSU Legal Services.

Learn about:

For those who attend the in-person resource fair, you can meet representatives from local nonprofits for an overview of services that are available and how to access them. Also, learn about student-led efforts that provide resilience and community building. 

Together, we are stronger.

Date: Wednesday, March 19
Time: 1:30 - 5 p.m.
Location: Hoffman Hall (hybrid option available)
Snacks and refreshments provided

In a letter to campus, Campus Public Safety Office (CPSO) Interim Chief Kevin Modica emphasized CPSO’s commitment to upholding PSU’s status as a Sanctuary Campus. He wrote, “this means that CPSO will not engage with immigration enforcement.” Read the full letter below.

Four years ago, in response to a national and local racial reckoning, PSU launched the Time to Act plan — an ambitious roadmap for equity and racial justice on campus. Earlier this month, the university community gathered to celebrate its impact and reaffirm PSU’s commitment to transformation.

From new student resource centers to expanded access initiatives and equity-focused faculty training, the plan has driven meaningful change. As Iris De Lis, assistant director of Academic Testing Services, said, "The time to act is always."

You are invited to an upcoming Cultural Awareness Training Program for PSU faculty and staff. This series is designed by student leaders to enhance belonging for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students at PSU. This interactive training will explore AAPI student experiences, challenges and strengths while equipping participants with tools to foster a more inclusive campus.

Dates: April 4, May 2, June 13 (attendance required for all three)
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. (lunch provided)
Location: In-person at PSU (locations vary)

Your participation is essential in strengthening support for AAPI students.

Portland State employees are invited to participate in the Spring Budget Forum, hosted by PSU Vice President of Finance and Administration Andria Johnson.

This forum is part of the university's annual budgeting process, which includes seeking feedback from the PSU community. Attendees will be hearing about current budget updates and projections about FY26, and participating in budgeting activities. There will be time for Q&A. This is being presented in a hybrid format.

For those who cannot attend, a recording of the forum will be made available following the event.

Date: Thursday, March 13
Time: 10 - 11 a.m.
Location: Hybrid & ASRC 001

As part of the Bridge to the Future plan, the university is evaluating administrative services in finance, human resources and marketing and communications to identify opportunities for improvement. Workgroups in each area have now outlined key administrative tasks to be reviewed.

The next step is gathering input from PSU employees. If you handle tasks in finance, human resources and/or marketing and communications, your insights are needed! Attend one or more Listening Sessions this week to share your feedback. Before attending, please review the list of issues identified by the workgroups.

Listening Sessions

Tuesday, March 11 at 9 a.m. - Marketing & Communications [Meeting Link]
Wednesday, March 12 at 10 a.m. - Human Resources [Meeting Link]
Thursday, March 13 at 1 p.m. - Finance [Meeting Link]

Note: The meeting links are through Microsoft Teams — you do not need to download Microsoft teams to participate.

All PSU faculty and staff are welcome to attend the Open Forum sessions this week for the three finalists for Vice Provost for Faculty Success. Candidate CVs will be added to the Academic Affairs Website 24-hours prior to the session. All Open Forum Sessions will be held on the sixth floor of the Richard and Maurine Neuberger Center (RMNC), 1600 SW 4th Avenue, at the corner of SW Market and 4th Ave.

Candidate A:

Candidate B:

Candidate C:

Do you know a currently enrolled student leader who has made a significant impact at Portland State University or in the community? The General Student Affairs Committee and Office of Student Affairs are seeking nominations for the Presidential Awards, now through April 11. PSU President Ann Cudd will present awards to winners at the annual Leadership Awards Luncheon on May 21.

Your experiences and opinions matter! Please take 5 minutes to complete the 2025 Campus Rec Survey, which informs future improvements and offerings. Responses will be accepted until this Friday, March 14.

The Portland State Men’s Basketball team will play #6 Idaho in the quarterfinal game tonight in the Big Sky Conference Tournament as a number-three seed in its quest for a title in the NCAA Tournament. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ tonight (Monday) at 7 p.m. The tournament is taking place at Idaho Central Arena in Boise. Semifinals are Tuesday and the championship game is Wednesday.

Brianne Suldovsky, associate professor of Communication, shared her journey from a fundamentalist Christian to a researcher focused on science communication with OPB; Professor of Urban Studies and Planning Vivek Shandas spoke with Inside Climate News about the potential impact of reduced federal funding for tree planting; and Allie Tissot, doctoral candidate, talked with the Oregonian about the impacts of microplastics and pesticides on the sea star.

All week

City of Possibility

Boliglaboratorium: A Danish Housing Exhibition

Just Playin’ Around

Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize Exhibition

Monday, March 10

Biology Seminar Series: Death in the Deep: Microeukaryotes in Hydrothermal Vent Food Webs

PSU Visiting Writers Series: Lidia Yuknavitch

University Band Concert

Men’s Basketball v. Idaho

Tuesday, March 11

ASA Simon Mittman: Jewish Demons, Muslim Idols, and Other Christian Monsters

PSU Vocal Collective

Wednesday, March 12

Talking Community-Engaged Learning

2025 Winter Budget Forum

Discover Graduate Education in Public Administration and Public Policy

Thursday, March 13

Artist Talk with Napoleon Jones-Henderson, KSMOCA’s Winter 2025 Artist in Residence

Noon Concert: SAMP Laptop Ensemble

Characterizing Fire Resilience at Regional Scales

PSU Wind Symphony Concert

Friday, March 14

Honors College Thesis Presentations

Saturday, March 15

Exhibition Tour: Just Playin’ Around

Friends of Chamber Music: Jerusalem Quartet

Sunday, March 16

Friends of Chamber Music: Jerusalem Quartet

Forgotten Spring, The Early Lieder of Fanny Hensel, CD Release Concert

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

Presented

Alida Cantor, Cynthia Carmina Gomez

People

Deborah Arthur, Kathi Inman Berens, Rachel Noroda, Ken Ruoff, Suzanne Savaria

Published/Exhibited

Jacen Greene, Jenn Reed, Yun Shi, Franklin Spurbeck

Grants

Deborah Arthur, Suzanne Savaria

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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.