May 27, 2025

In a unanimous vote, the Oregon Senate advanced a bill to officially designate Portland State University as the state’s urban research university, recognizing PSU’s $1.8 billion annual impact and critical role in Oregon’s higher education landscape. The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for final approval.

More than 100 PSU students, faculty, staff and alumni gathered in Salem for PSU Day at the Capitol last Thursday to support the legislation and advocate for continued investment in higher education.

All faculty and staff were invited via email from Viewfinder, a trusted research partner working with the university, to take the Campus Climate Survey. The survey takes about 15 minutes, is completely anonymous, and helps PSU leadership understand how different groups experience our workplace. Your input informs efforts aligned with Imperative #3 of the Future in Focus strategic plan — ensuring that employee voices shape a more inclusive and supportive campus culture. Set aside time on your work calendar this week to take this very important survey!

Can't find the survey email? Try searching for "info@viewfindersurveys.com" in your inbox — in case it's hiding in your Trash folder!

Researchers at PSU, in collaboration with Campus Public Safety (CPSO), are conducting the second annual survey to gather feedback from students, faculty, and staff about their experiences with PSU Campus Public Safety and safety on campus. Recommended by the Reimagine Campus Public Safety Committee, the survey aims to inform CPSO’s safety practices and policies. Results will be shared publicly next academic year, potentially influencing safety improvements on campus. Act now to participate before the survey closes on May 30th. You can read results from the 2024 Campus Public Safety survey here.

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

PSU faculty and staff are invited to celebrate the arrival of Dr. Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, the first Pacific Islander Studies professor at Portland State University! Enjoy an afternoon of culture, connection and community as we honor this milestone for Pacific Islander Studies at PSU. This special event will feature a Samoan ʻAva Ceremony, light refreshments and opportunities to engage with Pacific Islander students, faculty and community members.

Date: Wednesday, June 25
Time: 4 - 6 p.m.
Location: University Place Hotel

As an AANAPISI Institution, PSU faculty and staff are cordially invited to the Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi (APID) Graduation! APID Graduation honors and celebrates our Pacific Islander, Asian and Desi students at PSU as an integral part of the campus community. Each registered graduate will receive cords to commemorate their accomplishments as the community's next generation of graduates. Join in this gathering as a community of students, families, staff and faculty to recognize and celebrate our 2025 APID Graduates.

Date: Friday, June 13
Time: 5 - 8 p.m.
Location: Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom

Are you a dementia caregiver? We want to hear about your work-life balance in our fully remote research study. Nearly 60% of dementia caregivers also work outside the home, and many report challenges balancing work, caregiving and their health. By sharing your experiences, we can build knowledge and make a difference. Our confidential, remote research study is led by a PSU psychology professor and former dementia caregiver. The study was IRB-approved. Email healthybalancelab@pdx.edu with any questions.

History Slam is a fast-paced history competition where Portland State University students have only three minutes to present their theses to a distinguished panel of judges for the ultimate prize as PSU History Slam winner! Be a part of the live audience, hear a wide variety of history research topics, and experience the excitement as PSU History majors battle it out for monetary prizes and eternal glory. Who wants to be a historian?

Date: Thursday, May 29
Time: 7 p.m. (doors open at 6)
Location: McMenamins Kennedy School Theater

Event is free with registration.

Join PSU Anthropology and partners for the 13th annual Archaeology Roadshow in Portland on May 31 in Gateway Discovery Park!  Immerse yourself in the heritage of our region through pop-up exhibits and hands-on activities around this year's theme, "The Archaeology of Art & Craft." Discover hidden Portland stories, make a stone or a basket, or throw an ancient spear.  Have a panel of experts interpret your personal objects (stone tools, pottery, animal bones); no financial appraisals are given. The event is free, family friendly and fun.

Come check out Campus Rec's Sound Waves Pool Party! Come in, enjoy the music, and have a dance party in the water, complete with a live DJ! The theme this term is PRIDE in preparation for celebration for Pride Month. Drop in and make waves this Thursday, May 29th, from 5-8 pm! Open and free for all Campus Rec members, and guest passes are available for $7.

LAST CALL for Campus Rec's annual Faculty/Staff Kickball Tournament, happening this Thursday, May 29, from 4-6 pm! Show off your kickball skills, make new friends, and have some fun in the sun! All equipment is provided, no experience is necessary. Free and open to all PSU faculty and staff; no Campus Rec membership required! All participants will receive an exclusive Campus Rec Pride t-shirt! We can only take 4 teams, so the first 4 teams to register 8 players will be included in the tournament. Register as a team or a free agent by 5pm TODAY.

Starting this summer, students will have a new way to print on campus that is easier and more accessible! Keep an eye out for new Wēpa (pronounced "wee-pah") kiosks that provide: more locations, easier to use, mobile-ready, and with print from cloud capabilities.

University Communications (UCOMM) has recently received an influx of troubleshooting questions regarding access and management of departmental social media accounts. Please refer to the Social Media Guidelines for Organizational Use about who should — and should not — be in charge of social media accounts. Please send details about who is running your social media accounts to Rubén Gil-Herrerra, Director of Content and Social Media Strategy at ruben4@pdx.edu.

Marisa Zapata, director of the Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative, discussed the latest Point in Time count findings and the increase in regional homelessness with the Oregonian and AJ Romero-Gemmell, student representative on the PSU Board of Trustees, talked with KOIN about the importance of funding higher education and student support services at PSU.

All Week

Through Our Lens: Curating a Sense of Place

Beyond the Periphery: 2025 BFA/MFA Showcase

Tuesday, May 27

Mariachi Ensembles in Higher Education: A Roundtable Discussion

Jazz Combo Nights

Wednesday, May 28

Reading Community-Engaged Learning (CEL)

The Wedge Awards

PRIDE Giant Pink Volleyball Tournament

Jazz Combo Nights

Love and Information

Thursday, May 29

Noon Concert Series: Composition Area Recital

ASL Club Presents: Children of a Lesser God

PRIDE Faculty/Staff Kickball Tournament

PRIDE Sound Waves

The 7th Annual PSU History Slam @ McMenamin's Kennedy School

Love and Information

Friday, May 30

VRC Advisory Board

Maseeh Mathematics + Statistics Colloquium Series Presents: Regular, Semi-Regular, and Proper Continued Fractions

Steps PDX Presents: Bloom 2025

PSU Choirs: Completing the Canvas

Love and Information

Saturday, May 31

The Archaeology Roadshow: The Archaeology of Art & Craft

Vikings on the Vine Winemaker's Tasting

Steps PDX Presents: Bloom 2025

Love and Information

Sunday, June 1

A Collaboration Celebration

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

Presented

Bright Alozie, Jesse Locker, Hyeyoung Woo

People

Bright Alozie, Tina Burdsall, Daniel Jaffee, Susan Kirtley, Aaron Roussell

Published/Exhibited

Bright Alozie, Emily Fitzgibbons Shafer, Papireddy Kancharla, Madhu Narayanan, Sue Taylor

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University Place Hotel & Conference Center

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.