May 12, 2025

What does it feel like to be a part of the PSU community? Take the Campus Climate Survey and tell us about your experience!

Today, you’ll receive an email from Viewfinder Campus Climate Surveys with the subject line: “The Portland State University Viewfinder Campus Climate Survey is Now Open!” Viewfinder is a trusted research firm that is conducting PSU’s Campus Climate Survey.

Survey results are completely anonymous.

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Your responses to this survey will help inform future decisions and initiatives that will continue to make PSU a more equitable and welcoming place for employees.

In the Summer of 2024, PSU launched the Placematters Design Competition to invest in a long-term placemaking strategy for our downtown campus. But what makes a place matter? You’re invited to a gathering of placemakers past, present and future to celebrate what has already been done and help set the table for the future of planning and design at PSU. Bring your questions and curiosity, and RSVP now!

Date: Wednesday, May 21
Time: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: ASRC near the southwest corner of 5th and Montgomery St.

Agenda: 

PSU faculty and staff are invited to attend open forums this week with two finalists for the position of Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Candidate name, CV and feedback form link will be added to the search webpage 24-hours prior to campus visit. Information about the first two candidates who visited last week are posted on the search website.

Academic Affairs is hosting a Faculty Retirement Reception. Drop in on Wednesday, May 21 between 4 and 6 p.m. in Smith Memorial Student Union room 327/28/29. Campus colleagues are invited to celebrate and honor PSU’s retiring faculty for their dedication to the university and commitment to students. Refreshments will be provided.

Portland State University is proud to announce the recipients of Honorary Degrees as part of its 2025 commencement ceremonies:

Aminé (Adam Aminé Daniel), a Grammy-nominated artist, gained notoriety in 2016 for his debut commercial single “Caroline”, which he wrote while he was a PSU student and peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His third studio album is due for release on May 16.

Al Barkouli, chairman and CEO of David Evans Enterprises, Inc., earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from the Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Poison Waters is best known as co-hostess of the legendary Darcelle XV Showplace, where they have graced the stage for the last 34 years. They also hold the Guinness World Record for longest-running drag show at 48 hours, 11 minutes!

All commencement ceremonies are moving to Viking Pavilion this year, and help is needed to make the experience extra special for our graduates. Sign up to help at commencement ceremonies June 13, 14, & 15!

Tuesday, May 13 in the ASRC 5th Floor Boardroom

Do you have gently-used PSU gear (clothing or other merchandise) that you no longer wear or use? Do you need gently-used PSU gear? The first annual PSU Gear Swap is Tuesday, May 13 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. You are not required to donate gear in order to "shop."

If you have gear to donate, drop it off in the University Welcome Center (first floor ASRC), no later than Monday, May 12. The University Welcome Center is open Monday - Friday, 9 am to 5 pm (closed from 12 to 1 daily). If you have questions, contact campusvisits@pdx.edu.

A/C not working? Wondering what projects are happening in your building? Facilities & Property Management have online resources to stay informed and make requests:

Submit maintenance requests through the Facilities Work Request Portal (on-campus or VPN network access required).

Add yourself to building Impact Notice Groups to stay informed about work occurring in and around your building.

Submit brass key requests to keys@pdx.edu. Remember to return your keys to Facilities & Property Management when you no longer need them, or use the 24/7 drop box in the lobby of Campus Public Safety.

The Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement (RESR) committee is sponsoring a welcoming event and gathering of RESR instructors on May 15 at 3:30 p.m. in the Office of Academic Innovation (OAI) south end gathering space in Smith Memorial Student Union (directions). All faculty and staff interested in the RESR are invited to attend this event. Faculty who will be teaching new RESR classes are welcome to share ideas for supporting RESR curriculum and pedagogy into the future. More info: RESR@pdx.edu

In her latest blog post, PSU President shares exciting news about the future of Pacific Islander and Asian American Studies at Portland State University. As part of PSU’s designation as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AAPI), the university will host Dr. Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, an Indigenous climate journalist and scholar from Samoa, as a visiting Pacific Islander Studies Scholar-in-Residence.

This month’s feature story in the Portland State Magazine is all about PSU’s new School of Earth, Environment and Society (SEES) and how its combination of disciplines is preparing students for fulfilling careers. The school is focused on understanding the environment, societies and the relationship between them and combines Anthropology, Complex Systems, Environmental Science and Management, Geography and Geology to offer a broad-based curriculum.

From May 12–29, the Pickathon x StudentWork Pop-Up brings the spirit of Oregon’s most unique music festival to the Karl Miller Center. A celebration of creativity, sustainability, and community—Pickathon is for those who know. Stop by for a chance to win Pickathon tickets, grab exclusive merch and experience live performances right on campus! Learn about the sustainability efforts behind the scenes, explore volunteer opportunities, and connect with the creative team behind Pickathon’s 25th anniversary. Don’t miss your chance to win and jam! (Warning: if you sleep under a rock, this is not for you!)

Date: May 12 - 29
Location: Karl Miller Center (KMC) Atrium
Live performances on May 16 & 23 at noon!

Did you know PSU has a strong connection to Pickathon? Check out the Pickathon stages designed and built by PSU Architecture students!

Coty Raven Morris, assistant professor of choir, music education and social justice, discussed the positive community impacts of singing with NPR; Population Research Center Director Ethan Sharygin talked with the Oregonian about declining birth rates and the impacts on the Portland Public School District; and Marc Rodriguez, professor of history, shared the history of Cinco de Mayo with KGW.

All week

Beyond the Periphery: 2025 BFA/MFA Showcase

Monday, May 12

Mapping (Im)mobility: Spatial and Political Dimensions of Refugee Displacement

Biology Seminar Series | Performance All the Way down: Genes, Development, and Sexual Difference

Stories of Belonging: Exploring Identity in Contemporary Italian Literature

Tuesday, May 13

Dismantling the Cheating Industrial Complex Part 2: In-Person Lab

May PSU Technical Communication Meetup: Content Management & SEO

Pride Archery Tag Tournament

Wednesday, May 14

Talking Community-Engaged Learning

Dismantling the Cheating Industrial Complex Part 2: Virtual Lab on Zoom

“Queer Lasting: Ecologies of Care for a Dying World” with Sarah Ensor

The Conversation Project: Housing and Belonging

Pride Pilates

Thursday, May 15

Noon Concert Series: Brass Area Recital

Show & Tell Design Lecture Series Presents Josh Kenyon

Future of the Forest Book Talk

Moving Forward: Funding our Transportation System - A Conversation with Earl Blumenauer

Friday, May 16

CETI Constellations: Uncertainty

Eco Edit: A PSU Textile Arts Sustainable Fashion Showcase

Fridays@1 | Screen Time: Pattern, Shade, and Passive Cooling in Traditional and Contemporary India

Italian Film Screening: “Welcome Venice”

Saturday, May 17

Oregon ‘25 Institute on Teaching Social Action

CETI Constellations: Uncertainty

Single Reed Day

Beyond the Red Carpet

Classical Ballet Academy: Spring Showcase

Single Reed Day Culminating Concert

“The Legend of Sensei Tsinelas” Book Launch at Powell’s

Sunday, May 18

Oregon ‘25 Institute on Teaching Social Action

CETI Constellations: Uncertainty

Classical Ballet Academy: Spring Showcase

Daniel Mobbs and Dr. Chuck Dillard Present: “Bel Canto Goes to France”

Florestan Trio

Find more events at: PSU Events, OAI Events, Viks Athletics

Presented

Riette Carstens, Julia Freybote, Óscar Fernández, David Peterson del Mar, Cynthia Carmina Gomez,  Araceli Cruz, Osvaldo Avila, Jacen Greene, Madhu Narayanan, John Nimmo, Ryan Petteway

People

Julia Freybote, Ryan Petteway

Published/Exhibited

Marek Elzanowski, Cass Hausserman, Hannah Kravitz

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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.