Portland State's weekly student newsletter for the week of September 29, 2025

Fall term is here, and there’s a lot happening on campus to help you get started. From Welcome Week events and resources to updates on student services, this roundup highlights what you need to know to start the year off strong.

Viking Days runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 4, and offers great ways to get connected at Portland State — whether you’re new or returning. Starting Sept. 29 (today!), check out Welcome Days on the Plaza (free coffee & treats, help locating your classes, resource connections, academic advising), and Night at the Rec on Sept. 30 (play, inflatable games, rock climbing, and meet rec clubs), and Party in the Park on Oct. 1 (student engagement fair). There’s much more happening this week with student orgs, leadership, volunteering, fairs and fun events.

Whether you are new to Portland State or returning this fall, stop by a Welcome Week information table! Staff can answer questions, help you find your classes, connect you with drop-in advising and share helpful resources for your first week and beyond. Drop by on Monday, Sept. 29, and Tuesday, Sept. 30, on the first floors of Smith Memorial Student Union and Fariborz Maseeh Hall (8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.), and in Urban Plaza (10 a.m.–1 p.m.).

Monday, Sept. 29: Classes begin

Saturday, Oct 5: Last day to add courses online, last day to drop with 100% refund

Sunday, Oct. 6: Last day to pay account balance in full or enroll in the payment plan and pay 1st installment to avoid $100 late fee

Academic Calendar  | myPSU  | Registrar

Several important student and faculty support centers have relocated for fall term while HVAC work in Smith Memorial Student Union (Smith) is being done. The work is limited to mechanical areas not accessible to the public, and the student union will remain open with events, retail amenities and most resource centers operating as normal.

The following services have temporarily relocated until early 2026 while upgraded HVAC is installed in their areas. Please check the organizations’ webpages for regular updates on staffing, hours and events.

Several important student resource centers on the fourth floor of Smith Memorial Student Union have changed spaces to help improve their operations for students.

There’s a new way to print at Portland State! Wēpa (pronounced “wee-pah”) kiosks are now available with more locations, easier use, mobile-device readiness, and cloud printing. Give yourself a few extra minutes the first time you need to print, or download the app ahead of time to tap and go. Learn more about the new system and find tips for getting started.

Stop by the 1st floor of Smith Memorial Student Union on Tuesdays (weeks 1–9) between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to connect with employers who want to meet you! This is your chance to talk with recruiters, learn more about different industries, and ask about interview tips and best practices. This week, meet Morrison Child & Family Services!

Need professional clothes for a job interview or work event? Pick up free, gently used clothing and accessories at the Career Clothing Closet, located in Karl Miller Center (KMC 410). A variety of styles and sizes are available, and all items are free for Portland State students. The closet is open Monday–Thursday from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. all summer.

Find Your PSU is your all-access pass to the campus community. Whether you want to make new friends, expand your network, or just have fun, there are plenty of opportunities to explore. Visit pdx.edu/fypsu to discover upcoming events, job and volunteer openings, recreation and student news. You can also take Find Your PSU on the go with the Campus Groups app, available for iOS and Android.

Homecoming is back at Providence Park this year! Cheer on the Vikings as they take on the University of Montana Grizzlies on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. Portland State students get free tickets! Don’t miss out on this big return to Providence Park — get your tickets early and make game day unforgettable!

Walktober is back for its 15th year! From Oct. 6–Nov. 6, this free 31-day challenge motivates the PSU community to get moving, set personal goals and join friendly competitions. Earn prizes simply by increasing your steps—whether you walk or roll, solo or with a team.

Kick things off at the Walktober Launch Event on Monday, Oct. 6, 12:30–1:30 p.m. in the Academic and Student Recreation Center (ASRC 215). Meet new people, form teams, and check out the full calendar of group walks around campus. Registration is open now!

Multimedia artist Marie Watt is a storyteller whose work draws from Native and non-Native traditions, including Indigenous oral narratives, Greco-Roman myth, pop music, and Pop art. The exhibition Storywork: The Prints of Marie Watt features more than 70 prints, sculptures, and textiles highlighting her career from 1996 to the present. Visit the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at Portland State through Dec. 6 to experience this collection.

For the sixth year in a row, Portland State University is ranked No. 1 for Social Mobility in the Pacific Northwest and 42nd nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Social mobility measures how well a university supports economically disadvantaged students—especially those receiving Pell Grants. At PSU, more than half of students receive the Pell Grant, and the university helps more low-income students increase their economic status than any other college in Oregon.

Virtual Viking is Portland State University's student newsletter, published weekly by University Communications. To submit a news item or event, email virtualv@pdx.edu.

Visit Virtual Viking for submission guidelines and deadlines.