January 27, 2025

Portland State University has reaffirmed its status as a Sanctuary Campus and Minority Serving Institution, ensuring the university will take all legal measures to protect all students, regardless of identity or immigration status. In a message to campus last week, PSU President Ann Cudd explained to what it means to be a Sanctuary Campus, including:

President Cudd held firm to the university’s commitment to remain a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQIA+ community members, announcing that the Queer Resource Center, the Office of General Counsel and other campus resources will work together to provide support amid rising discrimination.

See the FAQ linked below, compiled by the Office of General Counsel, to help students and employees understand their rights and address immigration-related concerns.

All PSU employees are invited to participate in the university’s Winter Symposium, “Exploring the Role of General Education @ PSU: Past, Present and Future." The event will include opportunities to hear from a student panel, discuss and learn about general education at Portland State, and reflect on the goals of general education within our university. All PSU faculty, staff and students are welcome and encouraged to participate in this collaborative event.

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 18
Time: 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom (3rd floor)
Continental breakfast served 8:30 - 9 a.m.

PSU is moving forward with plans for a new dormitory-style residence hall on the South Park Blocks, replacing the outdated Blackstone and Montgomery buildings, which are not financially feasible to renovate. The new building will house 550 students—double the capacity of the current structures—and is designed to provide accessible, modern housing that meets students’ needs.

The building will be funded with debt financing to be repaid from housing operations and will not have any effect on the education and general fund that pays for academic operations. Investing in attractive, functional housing at the heart of campus will not only enhance the student experience but also serve as a driver for enrollment. The project is expected to be completed by Fall 2028.

Final call! Applications for the 2025 PSU Spring Day of Giving close this Friday, Jan. 31. Don’t miss this 36-hour opportunity on April 16-17 to boost your unit’s fundraising priorities. Submit your fund for approval today!

February is nearly here and love is in the air! Have you met a cherished friend or significant other at Portland State? Or maybe you found a stray animal on campus that is now a beloved pet? Share your story and it may be selected to be featured on PSU’s social media channels and Inside Portland State blog. 

HURRY! The first 20 qualifying submissions will receive a special Valentine’s Day-themed gift. To enter, follow the link below. 

The deadline is Monday, February 10 at 5 p.m.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all our Vikings!

Interested in trying out Campus Rec but don’t want the full commitment of a membership? For a limited time, get the Faculty/Staff Class Pass for 20% off! Normally $50 for 10 visits, enjoy any number of group fitness classes for only $40.

Already a member of Campus Rec? There’s a sweet deal for you, too! For current faculty & staff members, bring a buddy into the Rec to sign-up for a membership or buy a class pass and get a towel AND locker pass for the term. Head to the member services desk to find out more.

The University Studies Peer Mentor Program has extended the application deadline for the 2025-2026 school year to this Friday, Jan. 31. Peer Mentors work directly with the FRINQ (First Year Inquiry) and SINQ (Second Year Inquiry) faculty to support students as allies and tutors so they can develop the skills needed to succeed at PSU. Please apply today and see more info by clicking on the link below. Positions are paid hourly.

This week, the Dress for Success: Career Clothing Closet Pop-Up is an excellent opportunity for students to acquire some FREE, gently used professional clothing for job interviews or work events. A mirror and dressing room will be available.

Date: Monday, Jan. 27 - Thursday, Jan. 30
Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: Karl Miller Center (KMC) 155

Our colleagues at Ed Abroad are hosting info sessions for students interested in traveling abroad as part of their college education. From K-Pop to Dutch architecture, there are a variety of sessions meant to help students kickstart their overseas adventures. Topics include navigating the PSU process, program selection, financial planning and the advantages of studying abroad with PSU. Students can earn credits toward their major or minor by participating in faculty-led sessions.

The Homelessness Research and Action Collaborative was all over the news last week as the team released a statewide homelessness report and kicked off the second-ever tri-county point-in-time count of the regional homeless population, including this feature on KGW’s The Story;  Phillip Cooper, Douglas and Candace Morgan Professor in public administration, talked to CBS about presidential authority when it comes to the TikTok ban; Paul Manson, research assistant professor in the Center for Public Service, helped Axios understand Portland’s budget woes.   

All week

Just Playin’ Around

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

Monday, January 27

Biology Seminar Series: The Oral Microbiome: Gateway to Health and Disease

Tuesday, January 28

MECOP Inclusive Panel

Archive Speaker Series: The Origins of the Oregon Encyclopedia and How It Works

Thursday, January 30

Noon Concert Series: Armonías Mexicanas: A Mexican Piano Recital

Conflict and Peacemaking in the Middle East: A Panel Discussion

Barred Owl Management: History, Ecology, and Current Challenges

Japan's Remarkable Meiji Era of Modernization, 1868-1912

Friday, January 31

Fridays@1: Building for Disaster in the PNW: What Writing a Children’s Book about the “Big One” Taught Me About City Planning

Saturday, February 1

Free PD Opportunity: 2025 PSU Music Tech Ed Workshop

JSMA Storytime

Sunday, February 2

PSU & CDZ Collegium Musica Classical Guitar Series: Yuri Liberzon, Classical Guitar

Find more events at: PSU Events

Presented

Suwako Watanabe

People

Catherine McNeur

Published/Exhibited

John Hellerman, Lynn Santelmann, Jenny Mittelstaedt, Janet Cowel, Steve Thorne, Daniel Jaffee, Aaron Roussell, Dara Shifrer

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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.