Seize this opportunity to influence PSU’s future |
What do YOU want from PSU? The university is seeking faculty and staff participation in the Strategic Planning process by participating in upcoming forums and
taking the Heart of PSU survey. Help shape programs and set priorities so PSU can meet the aspirations of its students now and for years to come. In order to be a reflection of the PSU community, wide-ranging participation is essential — please encourage your students to participate as well (they can learn more in this week’s Virtual Viking, the weekly PSU student newsletter). The strategic plan will be finalized in June.
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| What’s happening with the financial sustainability projects? |
Last fall, the PSU community rallied around the opportunity to spend $8 million from the state legislature for projects that would improve the long-term financial stability of the university. In mid-December, with input from faculty, staff and students, PSU joined the Technical and Regional Universities in submitting the most promising proposals to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) for funding consideration. On Friday, Jan. 19 the HECC finalized its criteria and process for decision-making regarding those funds. For more detailed information, there is a summary of the process as it applies to PSU, or you can read the full Financial Sustainability Funding recommendations for Oregon Technical and Regional Universities and PSU. Now that the HECC has a decision-making guide for funding projects, the next step is for the Legislature to approve the release of the funds. Then the HECC will begin assessments in March, with project reviews occurring through May. We expect that funding will be allocated by the end of the fiscal year (June 2024).
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Nominations for Building Community task force due Wednesday |
The Building Community Through Dialogue Task Force, launched by PSU President Ann Cudd in response to divisiveness regarding the conflict in the Middle East, is being restructured after community input from the initial announcement. In her Jan. 21 blog post, How a Task Force Can Build Community, President Cudd explains that the primary goal of the task force is to foster a safe community where lived experiences are acknowledged and where constructive conversations can occur, even when in disagreement. As a result of the delayed launch, the deadline for nominations to the task force is this Wednesday, Jan. 31. You may nominate yourself or someone else to join the task force.
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PSU hosts discussion on Portland’s changing government |
PSU’s Institute for Metropolitan Studies (IMS) and Center for Urban Studies (CUS) are excited to host a panel discussion on the City of Portland’s historic government transition on Thursday, Feb. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Parsons Gallery (2nd floor in the PSU Urban Center). Please join us for a moderated discussion with PSU professors, City of Portland staff working on the transition, and a voter education expert. Light refreshments will be served.
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Nominate your outstanding colleagues for a PSU Excellence Award |
Each year, PSU honors faculty and staff for excellence in scholarship and and accomplishments. There are awards honoring tenured and library faculty, staff, adjuncts, and academic professionals or administrators. Name-only nominations are due Friday, Feb. 2, with the full nomination form due the following Friday, Feb. 9.
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Last chance to register your fund for Day of Giving |
It's the last week to submit your unit to participate in the 2024 PSU Spring Day of Giving. If you'd like to build awareness and raise support for key fundraising priorities, be sure to fill out the participation form by this Friday, Feb. 2. Each fund will require its own form — be prepared to submit a brief description and photo to be used on the Day of Giving website.
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Write a song about PSU, win $500 and eternal fame! |
Portland State University is holding a lyrics contest for a school song. This poem will be short, metrical, rhyming, and simple enough to sing in under two minutes. The winning poem will be set to a melody composed by a PSU faculty member from the School of Music & Theater. The winning entry will be selected by a committee, with campus input. This competition is open to PSU students, alumni, faculty, and staff. A $500 prize will be awarded to the winning poet. Deadline for entries is Mar. 1.
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Internal search launches to lead Academic Advising |
PSU seeks its next Associate Vice Provost of Academic Advising to spearhead strategies in advising, community college partnerships, and student support, promoting degree completion and success. The AVP will lead collaborations with the Office of Student Success, academic leaders, and campus partners to enhance student services. Given the evolving higher education landscape, the AVP will drive PSU's response, utilizing data analytics, process reengineering, partnerships, and CRM for effective adaptation.
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Help Recruit for the Next Cohort of URISE Scholars |
The PSU URISE (Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement) program is recruiting for their fourth cohort of scholars. Students accepted into URISE will learn foundational skills of research and experience a 2-year paid placement in research learning communities focused on solving some of the world’s most pressing health issues. Students are also offered monthly stipends and a percentage of tuition is paid. Applications open Feb. 1 at 8 a.m. and close on Feb. 26 at 8 a.m. Please encourage your students to apply!
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Portland Winter Light Festival returns to PSU campus |
Need a break from the PNW winter? The Portland Winter Light Festival is returning to the city and to the PSU campus to bring light and joy from Feb. 2-10. On campus, a light projection called Thee Octopii of Love will be at the Simon Benson House. The Alumni Association invites faculty and staff to enjoy the display and warm up with cookies, cider and a hot cocoa bar at the Simon Benson House on Friday, Feb. 2 from 6 - 8 p.m. The first 100 people to RSVP get free, light-up PSU swag!
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Set 'em up and knock ‘em down! The Faculty/Staff Bowling Tournament is Thursday, Feb. 8 from 4 - 6 p.m. Six teams of six bowlers will compete in this fun tournament at the Viking Gameroom in the basement of Smith Memorial Student Union. Free for PSU faculty and staff. Bowling shoes provided.
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News Briefs and Announcements: |
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Register to attend MLK Tribute: Presentation of the Letter from Birmingham Jail this Thursday, Feb. 1 at 5:30 p.m. in Parkway North (SMSU 101). This event is presented by Global Diversity and Inclusion in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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The final candidate for Library Dean will be on campus this week. Faculty and staff are welcome to attend an Open Forum on Thursday, Feb. 1 from 2 - 3 p.m. in the Millar Library Room 160. Candidate CV and feedback form will be available 24 hours before the forum on the Library Dean Search webpage.
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Associate Professor of Geology Ashley Streig talked with KOIN about new research showing Portland is twice as likely to experience a noticeable earthquake than previously thought; Chris Shortell, political science professor, spoke with KATU about the likelihood a Supreme Court case could overturn a ruling against Grants Pass for ticketing people experiencing homelessess and sleeping in public places; and Professor of Environmental Sciences and Management Catherine de Rivera shared new findings with OPB showing that invasive green crabs are threatening native species.
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People
Emily Ford, Millar Library faculty, was featured on the LibParlor Podcast, Open Peer Review in LIS
Elliott Gall, Engineering & Computer Science faculty, had his research featured on Episode 302 and Episode 305 of the PBS show Home Diagnosis.
Published/Exhibited
Daniel Jaffee, Sociology faculty, had his research on bottled water profiled in an article published in Small Change.
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CURRENTLY is Portland State University's weekly faculty and staff newsletter. It is published by University Communications every Monday during the academic year. News items should be emailed by noon the Tuesday before publication. See the Currently website for submission guidelines and schedule.
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