February 24, 2025

For the last month, a series of federal actions have raised concerns about their potential impact on higher education. Many people have expressed uncertainty about how measures will impact the PSU community. The Office of General Counsel is closely monitoring executive orders and other federal developments, working with University Communications and other units to provide timely updates on how these changes may affect PSU. Employees are encouraged to bookmark the newly launched Federal Actions webpage and check back regularly for the latest information on federal policies and the university’s response.

PSU President Ann Cudd reaffirmed the university’s commitment to its values and addressed some of the federal actions in her recent blog post.

Last week’s Administrative Briefing had approximately 300 attendees — online and in person. Presentations covered topics including the university’s plans to address federal actions against higher education, details about the Department of Education’s investigation into reports of antisemitism at PSU and budget updates. Questions from attendees primarily focused on concerns around federal actions and their potential impact on PSU operations and students.

The Spring 2025 Budget Forum is coming up quickly! Hosted by Andria Johnson, PSU Vice President of Finance and Administration, the forum is part of PSU’s annual budgeting process where input is sought from the campus community. Presentations will include current budget updates and projections for fiscal year 2026, and attendees will participate in budgeting activities and a Q&A. The forum will be held in a hybrid format.

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

Members of President Ann Cudd’s executive team compiled, delivered and presented a report to the Board of Trustees earlier this month during their Finance and Audit committee meeting. The report is a mid-year update for the Trustees that shows the university is on track to reach its goal of addressing an $18 million budget deficit while focusing on the university’s long-term financial sustainability. The report is now available for viewing on the Bridge to the Future webpage.

Portland State employees who handle tasks related to marketing and communications, human resources, or finance are invited to participate in next month’s Listening Sessions as part of the university’s initiative to enhance operational excellence. You don’t need to work directly in these fields—if your role includes tasks in any of these areas, your input is valuable. These sessions, hosted by MGT Consulting, will be held entirely online and will help design systems that work better for everyone.

Links to join these sessions are also posted on the Operational Excellence and Employee Events webpages.

The Office of Academic Affairs is seeking applicants for the Dean of the University Honors College. This full-time, 12-month position is open to Portland State tenured faculty at the rank of Professor. The Dean serves on the Provost’s Academic Leadership Team and Dean’s Council, overseeing faculty recruitment, student success, academic programs, and resource management.

Screening begins Feb. 24, 2025.

All commencement ceremonies will be held on the PSU campus this year! In 2025, a total of ten ceremonies will be held in the Viking Pavilion at the Peter W. Stott Center. Each graduate will celebrate with their academic school or college in a more intimate, personal and customized ceremony. Mark your calendars for the date of the ceremony for your school or college!

Molière’s comedic indictment of the prevalence of moral hypocrisy remains a fresh and hilarious social commentary for an age of con artists, false virtue and alternative facts. In this scathing comedy, the scheming fraudster Tartuffe worms his way into the household of the wealthy Orgon, attempting to steal the affections of his wife and daughter and seize his property through a potent mix of charm, conniving and sanctimony.

Dates: Feb. 27 - March 8
Times: Various (see website)
Cost: Pay what you will, $6-$20.

The world-renowned choirs of Portland State University will perform Kaleidoscope this Friday and Sunday. Led by professors Ethan Sperry and Coty Raven Morris, the Chamber Choir, Thorn Choir and Rose Choir will perform an evening of music that explores how subtle shifts in perspective reveal new worlds of meaning and experience. Featuring selections from North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia, this concert invites you to see through the lenses of diverse cultures and times.

Dates: Friday, Feb. 28 & Sunday, March 2
Time: 7:30 p.m. & 4 p.m.
Location: The Old Church, 1422 SW 11th Ave., Portland
Cost: $20 general; $10 for students and seniors (65+)

Join the Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design in celebrating the 2024 Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize recipients: Olivia DelGandio (MFA in Contemporary Art Practice: Social Practice ‘24), HD Garner (BFA in Art Practice, Comic Studies Certificate, ‘24), and Michelle Jackson (BFA candidate in Art Practice, ‘25).

Date: Thursday, Feb. 27
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art in Fariborz Maseeh Hall (FMH) 110

Come join the largest student-run, accessible, FREE, all ages, public celebration of music, art, brain research and interdisciplinary neuroscience in the Pacific Northwest. Nogginfest is a fun, entertaining and educational annual event put on by Northwest Noggin and the Portland State University Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Association.

Date: Saturday, March 1
Time: 2 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Location: Leaven Community Common House, 5431 NE 20th Ave., Portland
Cost: FREE!

PSU faculty and staff are invited to celebrate the end of winter term by competing in the 4th Annual Faculty/Staff Mixed Pickleball Doubles Tournament! Pair up with a colleague of a different gender and let's play some pickleball! The tournament is happening from 4-6pm on Thursday, March 13. Don't wait to register your team — reserve your spot now! FREE for PSU faculty and staff, no Campus Rec membership required. Get ready for the tournament by playing drop-in pickleball Mondays and Thursdays 12-1 p.m. Register by Tuesday, March 11.

The 20th annual Gus and Libby Solomon Memorial Lecture will be delivered on by Rachel Kranson, Assoc. Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Kranson's lecture is titled, "Religious Misconceptions: American Jews and the Politics of Abortion". Kranson will uncover the history of the American Jewish lawyers and activists who advocated for abortion access to be protected by the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Date: Thursday, Feb. 27
Time: 7:30 - 9 p.m.
Location: University Place Hotel

Stop by for a sweet treat from a local entrepreneur who transformed her passion for chemistry into the art of baking. Experience precisely delicious creations, like micro cakes and cinnamon toast crunch cookies, from Misty Baked Goods. Crafted with science and love!

Date: Feb. 24 - 28
Time: 12 - 6 p.m. (or until sold out)
Location: Center for Retail Leadership pop-Up in the Karl Miller Center (KMC) Atrium

Hal Nelson, director of the energy policy and management graduate certificate program, talked with OPB about the dangerous implications of the Trump administration cutting jobs at agencies including the Bonneville Power Administration; Professor Emeritus of Geology Scott Burns discussed the benefits of the Vancouver-based Volcano Disaster Assistance Program that is also facing cuts under the Trump administration with KGW; and President Ann Cudd shared the exciting news that Damian Lillard’s new PSU scholarship for East Bay California high school students with the Portland Business Journal.

All week

Boliglaboratorium: A Danish Housing Lab Exhibition

Video Disease

Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize Exhibition

Just Playin’ Around

City of Possibility: Portland Seen Through Architectural Models Past, Present, Future

Monday, February 24

Biology Seminar Series: Influenza A Virus Reassortment is Strain Specific

Melodies of Identity: Music’s Role in Shaping and Reflecting Italian Identity with a Focus on Hip Hop

Tuesday, February 25

Maseeh College Scholarship Info Session (Virtual)

Weaving Worlds, Weaving Life: Cecilia Vicuña’s Visions of Collective Care

Wednesday, February 26

Violin Master Class with Chiara Morandi

Her Songs: Women Composers of the Great American Jazz Songbook

Thursday, February 27

Time to Celebrate: Reflecting on the Conclusion of PSU’s Plan for Equity & Racial Justice

Noon Concert Series: Violin Recital with PSU Violin Faculty Tomás Cotik

Show & Tell Design Lecture Series Presents Jen Wick

Sustainable Purchasing Pathways that Both Enhance Forests and Build Communities

Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize Reception and Awards Celebration

His Blade Bore Well Its Name: (S)wordplay and Manhood in Eight Dogs

Tartuffe Preview

Religious Misconceptions: American Jews and the Politics of Abortion

Friday, February 28

The Future of NATO and European Security Presented by World Oregon and Prof. David Kinsella

Maseeh College Prospective Transfer Student Day

Russian Club: Maslenitsa 2025

Fridays@4: Higher Density + Co-Housing Policy

Tartuffe

PSU Choirs: Kaleidoscope

Saturday, March 1

Storytime

Nogginfest + Brain Fair

Tartuffe

Violin Duos

Men’s Basketball v. Montana

Sunday, March 2

Tartuffe

PSU Choirs: Kaleidoscope

Jazz Combo Nights 1

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

People

Ellen Skinner

Published/Exhibited

Deanna Cor, Tugrul Daim, Tom Gillpatrick, Andrés Holz, Kathryn Farr, Susan Kirtley, Yi-Wen Su

Presented

Catherine McNeur

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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.