More Currently is coming this week!

Look for a special edition on Wednesday, January 15.

January 13, 2025

‘Tis the season for snow days so now is the time to make a plan for your own personal safety and for your work, should the campus close due to inclement weather. Review the University Closure Policy to determine what a closure means for your position or consult with your supervisor to set expectations. Ensure you are signed up for text messages from PSU Alert to be notified of any closure. Most importantly, take care! If the campus is open but you feel you cannot safely get to campus from where you are, please stay home.

The Committee on Socially Responsible Investment and Partnership invites the campus community to participate in activities during the week of January 13. Don't miss this opportunity! Your input is crucial as the committee gathers feedback to prepare recommendations for PSU President Ann Cudd on a model of responsible campus investment and partnership. These recommendations will examine PSU's current practices and propose strategies to better align our investments and partnerships with the university's mission and values.

The committee has shared a background document, schedule of the tabling sessions and a survey for gathering feedback that can be found on the website. 

Please participate in the listening sessions or complete the survey by Monday, Jan. 20.

Save the date and join Global Diversity and Inclusion (GDI) for a special celebration marking the conclusion of the Time to Act Three-Year Plan for Equity & Racial Justice. This initiative, launched in Nov. 2021 and completed in Dec. 2024, represents three years of transformative efforts toward equity and racial justice. Together, we’ll reflect on the journey, celebrate accomplishments and explore the path ahead.

Date: Feb. 27
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom (3rd Floor)

Already know you can make it? Click the button below!

The tri-county Point in Time Count (PITC) is just weeks away, and volunteers are needed to support this vital effort!

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires communities nationwide to conduct a Point in Time Count survey to better understand homelessness. Since 2023, Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties have worked with PSU's Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative (HRAC) to conduct coordinated counts.

Volunteers are needed between Jan. 23 and Jan. 29 to assist at pre-identified sites hosted by service and outreach organizations. Volunteers will help administer the survey and must complete a 90-minute Zoom training before participating. For questions, email PITC@pdx.edu.

PSU Night at the Portland Trailblazers is Wednesday, March 12 — but the deadline to purchase your discounted group tickets is this FRIDAY, Jan. 17.

Visit the Rose Quarter Group Sales webpage and enter the promo code PSUBLAZERS. Ticket prices start at $20. Wear your PSU gear while you watch the Blazers take on the New York Knicks! 

This event helps raise awareness around youth with communication disabilities. If we reach our ticket sales goal, youth with communication disabilities will be able to play on the Moda court the day of the game alongside the PSU community!

Undergraduate students are required to meet with their academic advisor within the first two terms of their enrollment at PSU. The Student Onboarding Workgroup has been working on recommendations to improve a student's first year advising requirement appointment with their academic advisor. In January/February 2025, the Student Onboarding Project, which includes undergraduate academic advisors, will be joining Pathway advising meetings and related advising units to discuss how to best implement the refined recommendations, learning objectives and outcomes. Please reach out to Kara Hayes in the Transfer and Returning Student Center at kahayes@pdx.edu if you would like the Onboarding Project to attend your department/unit meeting or if you have any questions.

The FAFSA is open for the 2025-2026 academic year. We encourage students to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible to ensure they will be considered for all available financial aid programs. 

If you hear of students needing help submitting the FAFSA or have questions, direct them to contact the financial aid office right away at (503) 725-3461 or via email at askfa@pdx.edu. We recommend calling or emailing us to schedule an in-person or virtual appointment for FAFSA help.

The International Student Mentor Program (ISMP) is recruiting for the 2025 - 2026 academic year. The ISMP is designed to provide ongoing assistance to incoming international students admitted to PSU. Peer mentors assist new international students in the transition from their respective countries to our university by connecting with students before they arrive in Portland, assisting with the International Student Orientations, and serving as a cultural bridge and a resource to new students during their first term in the United States. Applicants can be from any cultural background, department, and all educational levels. Visit the ISMP website to learn more about the program and view the full position description. The deadline to apply is Sunday, Feb. 9. For questions, contact intl-newstudents@pdx.edu

Running for office can be intimidating for students new to student government, but when encouraged by those they trust, they can feel more confident jumping into a leadership role. Please nominate a student for the 2025 student government elections using this form and ASPSU will contact them directly to let them know someone believes they demonstrate excellent leadership skills and are a good candidate to represent the student body.

PSU undergraduate or graduate students are eligible to participate regardless of major — often, students within these majors but are most interested in student government: Political Science, Business Administration, Finance, International & Global Studies, Accounting, and Criminal Justice.

Elected roles within ASPSU include: 

President/Vice President (must run together)
Senators
Student Fee Committee Members 

Contact Madeline Frisk, the SALP ASPSU & Greek Life Advisor at mfrisk@pdx.edu if you have any questions about the nomination process and/or ASPSU Elections.

Campus Rec is piloting a new series of small group courses! These introductory courses meet for four sessions to learn the fundamentals of a specific activity — activities offered this term are yoga, meditation and movement, weightlifting and rock climbing. Small group courses are led by knowledgeable and experienced instructors in a supportive community environment, perfect for members new to the activity. All small group courses require registration through the member portal and are being offered at a low price of $20 for this term only as part of a trial period. Participants will be asked to provide feedback. Registration is open now!

Bproud Pop-up is returning to the KMC building! Celebrate authenticity and empowerment at the Bproud Pop-Up Shop, happening today through Thursday, Jan. 13-16! Founded by Japhety Ngabireyimana and Jospin Mugisha, Bproud is a purpose-driven clothing brand dedicated to inspiring individuals to embrace their unique identities unapologetically. Explore bold apparel that amplifies messages of inclusivity, confidence and self-acceptance — and join the movement to create a world where everyone can proudly be themselves. Don’t miss it!

Paul Loikith, associate professor of geography, talked with KATU about a new report that found Oregon is more prone to drought and reduced snow levels because of climate change; Coty Raven Morris, the Hinckley assistant professor of Choir, Music Education and Social Justice, spoke with KPTV about her work at PSU that earned her a Grammy nomination for music education; and Professor of Environmental Sciences Elise Granek shared new research with Newsweek exploring microplastics found in seafood and which types contained the highest concentrations of particles. 

All week

Education Abroad Info Events

Monday, January 13

Biology Seminar Series: Bioinspired design from the sea and scanning all the fishes

Tuesday, January 14

Archive Speaker Series: Yes You Can Access the Oregon Historical Society Research Library Archival Material!

Wednesday, January 15

Award-winning Author Reyna Grande Speaks at PSU

Thursday, January 16

Noon Concert Series: Fantasy, Spirituality, and Transcendence: Gregory Partain, classical pianist

A Stanislavski Primer for Musicians: Insights from the Theater Applied to Teaching, Interpretation, and Performance

Reflections on the Tumultuous History (and Present) from an H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest Perspective

Friday, January 17

Fridays@1: Pickathon Design Build Cherry Hill 2024

Presented

Will Parnell, Yun Shi

People

Maurice Hamington, Thea Prieto

Published/Exhibited

Talya Bauer, Todd Bodner, Berrin Erdogan, Donald Truxillo, Brady Firth, Julie Freybote, Jack Straton, Erica Wagner

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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.