March 2, 2026

Celebrate the first Big Sky Championship for PSU men’s basketball since 2008 — tonight, when the Viks play their final home game against Weber State!

Cheer on our players and then celebrate with them afterwards as they cut down the net and receive their trophies.

Faculty & staff tickets are $7 with code PSUMBB. Students are free with ID.

Go Viks!

Monday, March 2
7 p.m.
Viking Pavilion

Think you could make a cup of coffee after an earthquake? PSU is hosting the award winning Shaky Grounds Café Earthquake Escape Room on Montgomery Plaza. Swing by during free community hours (Monday to Thursday, 12-2 p.m.) to play a few quick challenges, and pick up free emergency preparedness materials. Or grab your friends, buy a ticket and tackle the full coffee-shop-themed escape room parked on the plaza all week. The escape room is also available to book for team building sessions!

Join the Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science for their winter community event, Infrastructure and Resilience, which will explore the forces that shape stronger, safer communities. The Maseeh Winter Exchange brings together groundbreaking research, hands-on innovation, and powerful stories of perseverance — from seismic safety and sustainable infrastructure to the enduring legacy of the WWII Rosies and today’s women veterans. Discover how engineering resilience spans generations and strengthens the world we build together.

Wednesday, March 4
4:30 - 7 p.m.
Engineering Building

Portland State University is honored to host the Oregon Tribal Language Speaker Series. Our tribal partners will present their language program’s history, revitalization efforts, and future projects. This week: Ɨtísyawak, Mildred Quaempts, of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Language Program.

Friday, March 6
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Native American Student & Community Center (NASCC)

Based on forecasted revenues and expenses for PSU, the Tuition Review Advisory Committee (TRAC) is considering two tuition increase options for the upcoming academic year. Please see the tuition flyer (linked below) that summarizes these options and provides more information.

To inform its guidance to President Ann Cudd and the Board of Trustees, TRAC would like to receive feedback from the PSU community on these tuition scenarios. The survey is open through Friday, March 13.

The Institute on Aging is soliciting proposals for the 2026 Gerontology Education and Research Initiative (GERI) faculty grant program to support faculty-led research projects on topics that affect older adults, their families, and communities. Applications for the 2026-2027 funding cycle are due April 15. There will be an information session on Thursday, March 19 at 2 p.m. Reach out to betterwithage@pdx.edu with any questions.

PSU researchers are recruiting couples for a study focused on supporting partners who are concerned about a loved one’s alcohol use. Led by Psychology faculty member Cynthia Mohr, the study also seeks to better understand how to help couples strengthen their relationship and communication. Eligible participants can earn up to $193 for taking part. Learn more about the UPLIFT Study, including eligibility details and how to enroll, by visiting the study website.

Education Abroad is accepting proposals for Faculty-Led Programs in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall 2027. The submission deadline is March 31. Please note that late submissions will not be considered.

Faculty and instructional staff interested in leading a program are encouraged to review the Program Leader Toolkit for detailed guidance on proposal requirements, review criteria, timelines, and required Program Leader Development Trainings. 

If you are considering submitting a proposal, now is the time to begin refining your concept and attending upcoming development sessions.

Advance your career with PSU’s Center for Executive and Professional Education (CEPE) Customer Success Certificate. Designed for working professionals, this fully online program builds practical skills in client retention, relationship management, onboarding strategy, data-driven decision making, and cross-functional collaboration.

This online program begins on May 27 and is taught by industry experts. Full-time PSU employees are eligible for a 50% tuition discount.

This week, the PSU Financial Wellness Center is presenting the course: Understanding Credit. Faculty and staff are welcome to attend! In the course, you will learn what a credit score is, how to establish credit and how to improve your credit score.

In person: 
Wednesday, March 4
12:40 - 1:25 p.m.
Fariborz Maseeh Hall (FMH) Trillium-101

Virtual: 
Thursday, March 5
12:40 - 1:25 p.m.
RSVP for Link

In celebration of Social Work Month, the School of Social Work will host a special presentation by a PSU PhD in Social Work and Social Research program alum, Heidi Allen. In this talk, titled Psychedelics as Medicine - Preparing Social Work to Meet the Moment and Lead a Movement, Allen will discuss the assorted legal frameworks guiding psychedelic use in the U.S., situated in the indigenous and historical context, and will conclude with a moderated Q&A session. 

Friday, March 13
1 - 2:30 p.m.
Urban Center Building, Parson’s Gallery (2nd floor)

Move with the President is a series of physical activity opportunities where staff, faculty, and students can interact with President Ann Cudd and get some exercise. This week the president is partnering with Campus Rec to offer Move with the President: Indoor Climbing! Staff will be present to facilitate and instruct, all equipment is provided, and no experience is necessary. This event is open to the entire PSU community, no Rec Center membership required, just bring your PSU ID card for access.

Thursday, March 5
12:45 - 1:30 p.m.
Campus Rec Climbing Center (3rd floor)

It's almost time for Campus Rec's 5th Annual Faculty/Staff Mixed Pickleball Doubles Tournament! Next Thursday, March 12, partner with a colleague and connect with others from across the PSU campus community. The tournament is free for all PSU faculty and staff, in beginner and advanced divisions. All equipment is provided, and courts are open for practice starting at 3 p.m. Need extra practice time? Join drop-in pickleball on Mondays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Professor of Economics Rajiv Sharma talked with KGW about the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down federal tariff policy; Walidah Imarisha, professor of Black studies, discussed Oregon’s Black exclusion law and the historic implications to the state’s Black population with the Register Guard; and Professor of History Catherine McNeur joined KOIN not once but twice this week to delve into the unique history of Portland’s parks.

All week

Mapping Familiar Territories, Charting New Paths

Arlene Schnitzer Visual Arts Prize Exhibition

PSU Theater Arts Presents: Spring Awakening

Monday, March 2

Create an Accessible Syllabus: Virtual Workshop

Biology Seminar Series: Microbiology Cultivates Food Security for Public & Planetary Health

In Session: Jazz Combos Live

Tuesday, March 3

Beginner Climb Night

Politics and the Arts Forum: Building Support for the Arts in Portland

In Session: Jazz Combos Live

Wednesday, March 4

Instructional Accessibility Drop-In Support: Virtual Session

Thursday, March 5

BFA/MFA Open Studios

Inhumanitarianism: The Origins and Purposes of the Modern Refugee Regime | Laura Robson

Breathe, Set, Play: Saxophone Sounds of Spring

Friday, March 6

Music @ Midday: Wind Symphony Chamber Works

Three Centuries on Four Strings

Saturday, March 7

Nogginfest + Brain Fair

Sunday, March 8

Concert Mosaic: A Confluence of Music and Art by Northwest Women

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

People
Bright Alozie, Jacob Rose

Presented
Elizabeth Almer

Published/Exhibited
Bright Alozie, Sally Guyon, Holly Lawson, Amy Parker, Will Parnell

Currently  |  Events  |  Athletics News & Schedules  |  Training & Development  |  Vacancies
HR Policies, Contracts and Forms  |  University Policy Library
University Place Hotel & Conference Center

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.