THIS IS the last issue of Currently for the 2022-23 academic year. The newsletter will be published once in midsummer (with a July 25 deadline) and will resume weekly publication the first week of fall term, with a Sept. 19 deadline. See the schedule here.

June 12, 2023

News

Jose Coll leaving PSU for Western Oregon University

Jose Coll, Portland State University Dean of the School of Social Work and Interim Dean of the College of Education, will join Western Oregon University as its next Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. He begins his new role on June 30. PSU Provost Susan Jeffords will be naming his replacement.

Unveiling ceremony for Jason Washington Accountability Marker set for June 29

The Accountability Marker Unveiling Ceremony for Jason Washington, who was shot by campus police in 2018, is on Thursday, June 29 at 7 p.m. The ceremony will include remarks from PSU Director of Community Outreach & Engagement Ed Washington, President Stephen Percy, members of the Board of Trustees, Washington’s family, #DisarmPSU and Portland City Commissioner Carmen Rubio. There will be a procession from Montgomery Plaza to the site of the marker at SW College and Broadway that begins at 6:45 p.m. SW College Street will be closed to traffic and the event is "family friendly".

Participate in trauma-informed training to foster equity at PSU

Did you know you can contribute to a more equitable and trauma-informed campus? The Employee Access, Success and Equity (EASE) taskforce extends an invitation to complete a free, optional training module through Trauma Informed Oregon. The Time to Act plan identifies trauma-informed care practices using an equity lens as the top initiative or EASE. Register to make a positive impact on the PSU community.

Join in the discussion to optimize communications at PSU

PSU’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) is kicking off a Digital Ecosystem Discovery project to understand all of the existing processes and systems that are used to support and communicate with internal stakeholders (staff, students, faculty). The goal is to develop a roadmap for an ecosystem that uses fewer, better systems. The campus community is invited to participate in discussion workshops this summer. Sign up with the workshop interest form by June 20.

PSU Chamber Choir to give final performance before Italy tour

Join the Portland State Chamber Choir for their farewell concert on June 25, 4 p.m. at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Southeast Portland. Experience the music they will showcase in Italy this summer at The Basilica of San Marco in Venice and in the renowned Seghizzi International Choral Singing Competition. The Seghizzi Competition is in its 60th year, and the Portland State Chamber Choir is the only American choir ever to have won the Grand Prix, which they did in 2013. Tickets are available online.

Commencement 2023: Honorary Degree recipients & volunteer opportunities

Read about the distinguished recipients of Honorary Degrees at this year’s commencement ceremonies, each one a testament to the transformative power of education and the profound impact individuals can make in their communities. Honorary Degrees will be awarded during both combined ceremonies.

Staff volunteers are still needed to help with the combined commencement ceremonies at Moda Center on Sunday, June 18. Sign up to help out!

Celebrating student success!

Currently features student achievements, such as publications, scholarships, grants, presentations and more. Read this article to learn about some of the inspiring students who made us proud this term. Want your students to appear in the winter roundup? See the submission guidelines.

News Briefs & Announcements:

On June 12 & 13, the Office of Information Technology will upgrade PSU-managed computers to the latest version of Microsoft Office. Questions? Visit pdx.edu/help.
Listen to the newest episode of the PDXplores podcast about the experiences of adjunct, non-tenured faculty during the first few months of remote teaching during COVID-19.
The sixth annual Noggin Fest — featuring brains, art, research and music — is Sunday, June 18 at Honey Latte in Southeast Portland. Free and open to all ages!
Rent gear for 11 days for the price of 4: take advantage of the Outdoor Program’s summer rental special!

PSU in the News

Christopher Campbell, associate professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice, talked with the Portland Business Journal about new research into the impacts of Measure 110; Ethan Seltzer, emeritus professor of urban studies and planning, spoke with Willamette Week about public access to historic buildings.

Accolades

People

Anita Bright, Amy E. Borden, Susan P. Carlile, Karen Carr, Catherine McNeur, Deborah S. Peterson, Thea Prieto

Presented

Lainey Sevillano

Published/Exhibited

Martín Alberto Gonzalez, Paula Carder, Susan P. Carlile, Sarah Dys, Deborah S. Peterson, Lainey Sevillano, Jack Straton, Molly Wallace

Events

Additional Links

Currently is Portland State University’s weekly faculty and staff newsletter. It is published online every Monday during the academic year by University Communications. News items should be emailed by noon the Tuesday before publication. See the Currently website for submission guidelines and schedule.