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UP Parent Newsletter: May 2020
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| Dear Pilot Parents,
Like myself, I imagine you have a lot of questions about what the future holds. With so many uncertainties right now, the one thing that I am certain about is the strength of this community, rooted in UP’s mission of supporting and educating our students. I invite you to read my reflection on the past academic year (which includes my appreciation for all of you).
As we head into summer, please know that our office is still open and ready to support you. We will continue communicating with you via this newsletter and sharing other important updates as they become available. Other UP offices are also “open,” even if remotely, and ready to support your student.
To assist us in providing our UP families with the most helpful and relevant information, please take a few minutes to complete a brief survey about this newsletter and other communications.
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| P.S. We wish all of our Pilot moms a very Happy Mother's Day over this coming weekend. We would love to hear how you’re celebrating!
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| All the best,
Katie Seccombe
Associate Director, Parent Engagement
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| This past Sunday, our newest Pilot alumni received their degrees. As a send-off for the Class of 2020, students, alumni, staff, and faculty came together in a virtual performance of "Oh God, Beyond All Praising," which has become a Baccalaureate Mass tradition.
Thank you to all the singers, musicians, and Maureen Briare ’92, MA ’04, Associate Director of Liturgical Music, for putting this together. Lyrics for verses two and three were written by retiring provost Thomas Greene, Ed.D. Congratulations to the Class of 2020!
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| Congratulations, Student Leaders!
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| While many of the events that typically mark the end of the academic year at UP could not be conducted in person, student leaders from across campus were celebrated and acknowledged for their many contributions to the Pilot community. Please join us in congratulating this year’s recipients of the Student Affairs Leadership Awards as well as the “We are Portland” Student-Athlete Awards.
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| Once a Pilot, Always a Pilot
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| Now that final exams and the conferral of degrees are in the rear-view mirror, what’s next for our graduating Pilot families? Craig Swinyard Ph.D. ’98, Director of Alumni & Parent Relations, shares his own experience and offers three easy ways for recent graduates and their families to stay connected with the University of Portland. You will always be part of the UP family!
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| There have been several University updates in the past few weeks, including a video update from Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., sharing information about our plans to return to in-person instruction for the Fall 2020 Semester and a future in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020. Further information about Summer Sessions, room and board reimbursements, and the fall semester are also available on the UP website.
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| UP Offices Open During the Summer
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| While many students will be on break from classes this summer, UP offices are still open for business, even if virtually! Most offices are “open” all summer and happy to speak with students via phone, email, and Microsoft Teams regarding academic planning, career planning, or other topics. Learn how your student can utilize campus resources over the summer months.
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| Beyond your student’s core classes and major requirements, there are many other class offerings available that can help them develop leadership skills and prepare for internships and future careers. Check out these exciting additional classes being offered during the Fall 2020 semester and encourage your student to register!
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| UP Families Show Kindness & Generosity
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| Recently more than 200 UP families made gifts to ensure that new and returning students can receive a UP education. As a tuition-dependent institution, gifts like these truly make a difference in helping address the financial impact that this pandemic will have on our community. You can make a gift to help ensure that UP can support students and programs for many years to come. To discuss future ways to support UP, please contact Matthew Maas, Associate Director of Parent Giving.
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| Supporting Your Student During Transition
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| On April 19, the Active Minds student group and the Health and Counseling Center hosted an engaging virtual discussion on supporting your student during this time of transition. We greatly appreciate the student leaders and staff members who offered this opportunity. For those who were not able to join the call, we’ve compiled some of the information and resources that were shared, including what students want parents to know.
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| First-Year Focus: Maximizing the First College Summer
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| As the school year ends, first-year students often feel a wide range of emotions: relief upon finishing their first year, excitement for summer, sadness to be away from their friends, and uncertainty about sophomore year. Courtney Campbell, Program Manager of First Year Programs in the Shepard Academic Resource Center, shares how your student can maximize their summer to ensure a great start to their second year on campus.
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| Looking for additional resources and announcements? Important deadlines? Ways to stay connected to UP remotely? Please check out other reminders and resources.
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| “My sense of loss is only remedied by the sense of peace found in knowing that I will always be able to call The Bluff home and knowing that I will soon become part of the UP alumni networking that continues to be dedicated to a ceaseless sense of connection to one another and to The Bluff.”
Read a thoughtful reflection from Heidi Parrett ’20 about her experience and thoughts during this time of change.
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