Transforming STEM, Vernier Science Center Opens
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The Vernier Science Center (VSC) opened during a ceremony hosted by the PSU Foundation on Friday, Sept. 27. What was once Science Building 1 has undergone a dramatic renovation, creating an inclusive and welcoming home of STEM at PSU. The VSC boasts contemporary labs, classrooms and learning spaces that support collaboration, exploratory learning and authentic research experiences. All of this is set in culturally affirming spaces where PSU students can feel a sense of belonging and see themselves in STEM.
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Board of Trustees approves PSU's vision for 2030 |
On Friday, Sept. 27, the PSU Board of Trustees approved the university’s strategic plan, ‘Future in Focus’. The plan was presented to the trustees by PSU President Ann Cudd. 'Future in Focus' lays out PSU’s vision for 2030 with four Strategic Imperatives that include creating clear pathways for students, leading the Pacific Northwest in serving minoritized students, supporting and empowering employees, and driving Portland’s resurgence. The plan is now available to download. Visit the Strategic Plan webpage to learn about implementation and read President Cudd's blog post, 'Our Strategic Plan is in Place: Let's Get to Work'.
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Annie Lindgren named Associate Vice President of Research |
Portland State University is pleased to announce the appointment of Annie Lindgren as the Associate Vice President for Research. Lindgren will play a pivotal role in advancing PSU's interdisciplinary research initiatives and faculty professional development. She will work closely with the Vice President for Research & Graduate Studies, academic leadership, and the broader university community to elevate PSU's research profile in both scale and distinction.
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Nominate a colleague for a PSU Research Award |
Portland State’s annual research awards celebrate PSU’s outstanding research faculty and student mentors. Submit your nomination via the Research Awards Nomination Form on Research & Graduate Studies’ home page. Please start nominations by Monday, October 28. Completed nominations are due Friday, Nov. 15.
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DON’T FORGET! Track initiation of attendance |
Instructors are required to record initiation of attendance for each student registered in their classes in order to comply with federal Title IV regulations. Initiation of attendance should be recorded in Class List & Initiation of Attendance by the end of the second week of the term, or at any point when the student first attends. Students you have not reported as initiating attendance in the first two weeks may be required to return a portion of their financial aid. Review the Faculty Guide to Initiation of Attendance to learn what constitutes initiation of attendance and how to satisfy the requirement.
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Register now to participate in National Transfer Student Week |
The Transfer and Returning Students Resource Center (TRSRC) is looking for student groups and organizations to celebrate National Transfer Student Week, Oct. 21 - 25. In collaboration with departments and resource centers across campus, the TRSRC will offer a special series of workshops, information sessions, social events, and more. Register by Friday, October 4 to participate.
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Level up your cybersecurity knowledge and win! |
Happy Cybersecurity Awareness Month from the Information Security team! To celebrate, we’re offering six short, optional training modules through KnowBe4. For each one you complete by October 31, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a prize! Log into KnowBe4 starting October 1 and click “Library” to get started. Note: The required annual training is not part of this contest. Questions? Email security@pdx.edu.
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Help students navigate PSU |
Encourage your students to make connections this week with academic service units including Undergraduate Advising, the Office of Student Success, Academic Affairs and University Studies. Students can find them on Monday and Tuesday at three locations on campus: Fariborz Maseeh Hall (FMH), outside of Cramer Hall and in Urban Plaza.
Academic Advising will also be hosting drop-in advising Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for each Pathway.
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Save the Date: Student Success Fair |
The Inaugural Student Success Resource Fair is coming on Thursday, October 10 from 12 - 2 p.m. in Montgomery Plaza. With more than 20 campus partners participating, this event is designed especially for first-year and transfer students to showcase the wide range of student success programs and resources available to them at PSU. Students who attend will also learn about upcoming events and can ask questions — plus free PSU swag! Hosted by the Office of Student Success.
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Meet the new ASPSU President: Brady Roland |
As the president of the Associated Students of PSU (ASPSU), PSU’s student government, second-year student Brady Roland has voter education as one of her top priorities this fall. Roland is a public health student, was an ASPSU senator last year, and has served on several committees. Read about her other priorities and her personal activism against gun violence on PSU News.
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Help increase voter turnout among PSU students |
PSU faculty & staff can play an important role in mobilizing students to educate themselves about issues and get registered to vote! Historically, college students vote at lower rates than the national averages for all Americans (Inside Higher Ed, 2024). We can help increase this! Here are five possible action items within The Faculty and Staff Guide: Promoting Student Voter Registration at PSU:
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- Encourage students to register to vote! (Note: the Oregon deadline is October 15)
- Promote civic engagement events on campus.
- Utilize the Viks Vote module in Canvas (search in 'Commons').
- Encourage students to get involved in civic engagement year-round by joining a group!
- Promote ways students can educate themselves on what’s on their ballot!
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Connect to Your PSU Community |
Viking Days are for employees, too! |
Viking Days are here through this Saturday, October 5! There are a number of events all week long to kick off the academic year. It’s a great opportunity to connect with students and your PSU colleagues. Highlights:
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- Welcome Days on Urban Plaza - Monday
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Party in the Park - Wednesday
- Viking Made: Alumni Business Pop-up - Wednesday
- Vikings Football vs. UC Davis - Saturday
- ...and so much more!
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Step into fall with Walktober |
Get moving this fall with Walktober — a fun, free 31-day challenge to get the PSU community active through Campus Recreation. Whether you’re walking, rolling or simply setting personal goals, this challenge offers friendly competition, weekly mini-challenges, and the chance to earn prizes along the way. It’s all about getting outdoors, boosting your step count and feeling great! Join as an individual or form a team with your colleagues — participate anytime, anywhere.
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Stress less, sing more with the PSU Community Chorus |
Do you like to sing? Reduce your stress and improve your health by joining the PSU Community Chorus, a welcoming community of staff, faculty, students and community members. There are no auditions! The chorus performs in a variety of musical styles, in four-part harmony. Novice and experienced singers welcome! Rehearsals are at noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Cramer Hall. Cost to join is $80/term (sliding scale available). Rehearsals begin Oct. 8.
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News Briefs & Announcements:
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Faculty, students, funders and friends gathered earlier this month to celebrate the construction launch for PSU’s Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design.
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A Portland affordable housing project was named after Dr. Darrell Milner, professor emeritus of Black Studies.
- Read about how PSU is becoming a home for indigenous STEM.
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Chuck Knepfle, vice president for enrollment management, spoke with U.S. News about what parents should know about financial aid; Gerard Mildner, professor emeritus of real estate and finance, talked with KGW about the longtime implications of Gordon’s Fireplace, which occupied a historic building in Northeast Portland, closing; and Library staff (Dean Xan Arch, Associate Dean and Head of Special Collections Cris Paschild, Associate Dean Michael Bowman, and Access Service Manager Rose Bosely) discussed the reopening of Millar Library after being closed for more than four months with the Oregonian.
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People
Talya Bauer, Óscar Fernández, Emily Fitzgibbons Shafer, Bennett Gilbert, Ulrich Hardt, Kris Henning, Shirley A. Jackson, Kimberly Kahn, Darrell Millner, Cassio de Oliveira, Aaron Roussell, Ken Ruoff, Dara Shifrer, Jack Straton, Sonja Taylor, Melissa Thompson
Presented
Talya Bauer, Paula Carder, Berrin Erdogan, Óscar Fernández, Tom Gillpatrick, Hollie Hix-Small, Jon Holt, Shirley A. Jackson, Shung Jae Shin, Sejin Keem, Ted Khoury, Susan Kirtley, Catherine McNeur, Vicki Reitenauer, Ji Woon (June) Ryu, Sonja Taylor, J.J.P. Veerman, Frederik Vos, Suwako Watanabe, Yazhen (Sophie) Xiao
Published/Exhibited
Talya Bauer, Daneen Bergland, Sherry Buchanon, Alida Cantor, Paul Collins, Don Dickinson, Berrin Erdogan, Bennett Gilbert, John Hall, Jon Holt, Priya Kapoor, Shung Jae Shin, Matt Kaufman, Talitha May, Carlos Mena, Cassio de Oliveira, Will Parnell, Pronoy Rai, Aaron Roussell, Ken Ruoff, Ji Woon (June) Ryu, Jack Straton, Gerry Sussman, Sue Taylor, Marisa Westbrook, Lindsey Wilkinson
Grants
Peyman Abbaszadeh, Paula Carder, Heejun Chang, Alison Hopcroft
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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.
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