News - Pilots Prevent

Back on Campus and Building Community

Pilots Prevent

For the second year in a row, the start of Spring semester didn’t exactly look like it usually does. This year, classes were remote for the first two weeks to minimize the transmission of COVID as students returned to campus after winter break. But now case numbers are falling dramatically, and fun events are in full swing, bringing a sense of normalcy to campus.

5 Reasons You Don't Want to Get COVID

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After Omicron caused a meteoric surge in COVID-19 this winter, cases are finally tapering off. And most of us are vaccinated, and boosted, offering loads of protection against COVID’s worst effects (at least for the current variants). The Oregon Health Authority even announced plans to lift the indoor mask mandate by the end of March, letting businesses and communities set their own mandates as they see fit. So it seems things might soon look a lot more normal.

It’s Time to Take Self-Care Seriously

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It’s easy to dismiss healthy habits as something we “should” do but don’t “have” to do. So, we put them off. We’ll eat more healthfully tomorrow, start that exercise routine next week, catch up on our sleep later when there’s not so much to do.

FAQ’s Regarding COVID-19 Boosters

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Have questions about complying with University of Portland’s booster requirement? We have answers. Check out our list of frequently asked questions.

Updated Guidance on Quarantine + Isolation

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When it comes to protocols for quarantine and isolation, UP follows CDC and Multnomah County Health Authority guidance. But since residential college campuses offer more close contact between people, they’re also a higher-risk setting. That’s why UP also follows guidance from the American College Health Association in determining its quarantine and isolation protocols.

Troublesome Omicron Variant Demands Our Constant Attention

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The number of positive tests, hospitalizations, and rapid-spread infections bear it out: the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is a game-changer in the ongoing battle against the pandemic. Though viewed as less dangerous overall than the earlier Delta variant, Omicron brings with it a higher level of challenges.

How to Upload Vaccine Booster Status

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Have you received your vaccine booster shot? Have you uploaded your most recent booster shot?

Where to Get a COVID-19 Booster

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In general, COVID-19 booster shots are available wherever the vaccine is offered, such as pharmacies, clinics, and doctors’ offices. UP’s Health and Resource Center has compiled this list of resources to help you find one that’s convenient to you.

5 Questions with Fr. Jim Gallagher

Pilots Prevent

University of Portland’s director of Campus Ministry reflects on the holiday season—our second Christmas of the COVID-era—and offers advice for finding restoration and rejuvenation during winter break.

UP’s Student-Teachers Get a Crash-Course in Flexibility

Pilots Prevent

University of Portland’s School of Education has always made field experience a top priority. Beginning with their first year in the program, students spend time in K-8 classrooms around the region, observing the teaching process, getting ready for their senior year when they work with mentors as student-teachers in a classroom.

Thanksgiving Special Hours on Campus

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Many campus services have shortened hours this week, but students staying on campus will still have access to dining services, and Campus Security is always available 24/7. And if you’re looking for something to do with other students, check with your residence hall staff to see what events and festivities are planned.

What We’re Thankful For

Pilots Prevent

Here at UP, Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday for feasting, it’s a state of mind — a feeling of gratitude we strive for every day of the year. We recently asked members of the UP community what they’re thankful for. Here are some of the responses we received.

UP’s Nursing Students Gain Real World Experience Despite the Limitations of COVID

Pilots Prevent

Hands-on experience is a key component of a University of Portland education, and even though COVID-19 has limited some of the field experience opportunities usually available to students, by the same token it has opened up some surprising new avenues for growth and development.

Putting the What in the When is How to Tame the Test Anxiety Beast

Pilots Prevent

As students approach the end of fall semester, many are likely feeling a bit anxious about their upcoming exams. It doesn't help that we're all struggling with COVID anxiety too. So, we spoke with Brother Tom Giumenta, UP’s resident expert on study skills and a learning assistance counselor in the Shepard Academic Resource Center, to get his insights on how to get through these final weeks without letting the stress win.

What COVID Case Management is Really Like (Hint: There’s a Lot of Snacks)

Pilots Prevent

If you’ve ever taken a rapid COVID test, you’ve likely experienced “second line anxiety.” That’s the fear and trepidation you feel as you wait to see if the second line appears on the stick, the one that indicates the test is positive. Everyone dreads the second line.

Five Questions about Seasonal Affective Disorder with Andrew Downs, professor of Psychological Sciences

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The days are getting shorter as we march toward winter, and that means we have to make a concerted effort to stave off the winter doldrums. Seasonal Affective Disorder is no joke, but there are ways to minimize its impact. We asked Andrew Downs, professor of Psychological Sciences, for his advice on proactively protecting our mental health this winter.

Engaging in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs During COVID

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At the beginning of the pandemic, no one was surprised to learn we’d have to wear a mask in public spaces (although few of us likely guessed we’d still need to do so almost two years later). But how many of us could have predicted that the pandemic would give many folks the time and space to really listen—to each other, to ourselves, and to the voices that have been calling for justice, equity, and inclusion for generations.

Updates on Mental Health Services at UP’s Health & Counseling Center

Pilots Prevent

With the onset of COVID-19 and subsequent restrictions, some services at UP’s Health & Counseling Center (HCC) have been altered, but the events of the last year-and-half have only bolstered HCC’s mission to provide inclusive, compassionate care to UP students. Staff have turned the HCC website into a great resource for COVID-19 info, and have provided some new mental health services for Fall 2021 Semester and beyond.

Tips For Staying Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

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The temperatures have dropped and we’re all spending a lot more time indoors. That means, you guessed it, cold and flu season is here. But with the COVID-19 pandemic still in play, this isn’t the usual season of sniffles. Every cough, every achy muscle can feel like cause for alarm. We asked Miko Hoy, a registered nurse at UP’s Health and Counseling Center, to give us some insights and advice for keeping the worries, and germs, at bay.

How to Get Involved in Service Opportunities in the COVID Era

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As we approach the holidays, a season of giving thanks, our thoughts also turn to giving back. Our communities need more help than ever, whether it’s our neighbors down the street or the many global communities we belong to as citizens of the world. If you’re not sure where to start, what opportunities are available, and how to serve safely, UP’s Moreau Center for Service and Justice can lead the way.

Gearing Up for Winter Sports in the Chiles Center

Pilots Prevent

After an exciting return to in-person soccer games at Merlo Field this fall, everyone’s looking ahead to another season of sports this winter, starting with men’s and women’s basketball in the Chiles Center. Games are indoors (and blessedly warm and rain-free), but that might have you wondering about COVID protocols inside the arena. We caught up with Jason Brough, senior associate athletic director, to find out what we need to know before we go.

Staying Safe During Spooky Season

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For little kids, Halloween is all about the candy. For college students, well, it’s still about the candy, but more so about the parties. It’s a time to dress up (maybe) and blow off steam (for sure) and take a break from the rigors of academics for a while. But with parties come an assortment of potential risks, so we asked James Peña, Wellness Education & Prevention Programs coordinator, to offer some words of advice.

Five Questions with Scott Leykam, Vice President for Athletics

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There’s no way around it—competing in college sports requires participating in a litany of COVID-19 no-nos: Hours of close contact with a lot of other people, repeatedly touching shared surfaces, traveling to and from different cities and states—sometimes alongside the general public. To say that navigating the pandemic hasn’t been easy for the UP Athletics department and its student-athletes is an understatement. We asked VP for Athletics Scott Leykam to give us some insights on the challenges.

Fall is the Perfect Time to Tap Into the Resources at the Career Center

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Although summer seems like eons away, now is the perfect time for students to start thinking about what jobs and internships they might want to have when the school year is over. Just carving out a little time now to take some small steps can have a big payoff in spring when applications are due. But if you’re feeling like you don’t know where to start and are confused about how the pandemic has affected the job search landscape, we’ve got the answer: UP’s Career Education Center.

Your Facemask is Only as Effective as How You Wear and Take Care of It

Pilots Prevent

From virtually the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic nearly two years ago, there has been one constant in our defense against the virus—facemasks and face coverings. When correctly used alongside vaccinations, safe social distancing, hand sanitizing and other precautions, masks are the most influential force for mitigating the spread of the deadliest infection in recent memory.

Pandemic Hobbies and Discoveries Among the UP Community

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If there was any silver lining to the COVID-19 shutdown in early 2020, it’s that many people found themselves with a lot more time on their hands. With events canceled and commutes measured in steps rather than miles, people found themselves with more time to reassess their priorities and open themselves up to a new world of possibilities.

Celebrating the Semester so Far

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For so long, we anticipated what it would be like to return to campus and be together again this fall. We embraced the excitement with the uncertainty, the joy with the bittersweet, and here we are, midway through the semester already.

Questions about COVID-19 vaccine boosters? We’ve Got Answers

Pilots Prevent

It seems like not that long ago we were all lining up to get our COVID-19 vaccines. Now, for many people, it’s already time to get a booster shot. You might be wondering why it’s necessary, who is supposed to get one, and what the effects might be. So, we asked Kaylin Soldat, associate director for primary care at UP’s Health and Counseling Center to give us some insights.

Updated Hours for Campus Services During Fall Break

Pilots Prevent

Although Campus Safety and the Health and Counseling Center will maintain their regular hours, many other buildings and services around campus will be closed or have limited hours. Check this list of updated hours before venturing to the gym, library, or dining hall.

Fall Break Fun That’s Close to Home

Pilots Prevent

Summer may get all the love, but locals know that nothing beats October in Oregon. The air is crisp and cool, the leaves are turning glorious shades of red and gold, and the rains haven’t yet set in for the long haul. That’s why, when fall break arrives the week of October 11, there’s no better time to get outside and enjoy all that the state has to offer.

Travel Tips for Portland Airport

Pilots Prevent

Do you have travel plans for Fall Break? If you’re going by plane, be sure to plan ahead. Flying can be exciting (and sometimes stressful) even in the best of times. With COVID restrictions and Portland International Airport (PDX) under construction, navigating the airport can be tricky. We’ve compiled the most important tips to help make your travels as smooth as possible.

Study and Self-Care Tips to Get You Through Mid-Terms

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After more than a year of remote learning, it’s been exciting to get back to life on campus and in-person classes this semester. But the adjustment hasn’t been without its challenges, and with mid-term exams approaching, it can all feel a bit overwhelming right now. Just remember, you’re not alone, and UP offers many resources to help you manage the stress.

Delta Variant FAQ

Pilots Prevent

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is now the most common — and most contagious — variant in the US. We asked Kaylin Soldat, associate director of primary care services at the Health and Counseling Center, to sort through the information from the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and provide clarity about the variant. Here are her answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Get to Know the Resources Available at Clark Library

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The University of Portland Clark Library offers so many resources, it can be hard to know where to begin, especially for the many students new to campus this year. Fortunately, there’s an Orientation website with information and short videos. It’s a great starting place to figure out how to get help, access materials from books to laptops, find the best places to study, and learn how to print.

How to Get Involved on Campus

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You attend college to learn and get a degree, but you go to college to expand your world. That’s perhaps the biggest reason why in-person classes, events, experiences, and campus living are such important aspects of the college journey (and worth protecting by following COVID-safe protocols). So, now that you’re here on The Bluff, it’s time to make the most of the experience by getting involved in campus life beyond the books.

5 Questions with Andrew LaFrenz, PhD, MPH – Epidemiologist, Integrative Health and Wellness Program Director and Associate Professor, UP School of Nursing

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5 Questions with Andrew LaFrenz, PhD, MPH – Epidemiologist, Integrative Health and Wellness Program Director and Associate Professor, UP School of Nursing

Shepard Academic Resource Center is Your ‘Booster Shot of Confidence’

Pilots Prevent

With fall semester in full swing, the return to campus and in-person classes comes with an array of emotions: excitement, relief, joy—and, yes, anxiety. Many students are finding it difficult to stay organized, finding their essay writing skills are a little rusty, or wondering if they can live up to classroom expectations.

3 Big Reasons to Get a Flu Shot — and Where to Do It

Pilots Prevent

With COVID vaccines top of mind and in the news nearly every day since the pandemic began, it’s easy for the annual flu vaccine to get lost in the shuffle. But now more than ever, everyone needs to get their flu vaccine as early in the season as possible. And this year, UP is making flu vaccinations easier than ever.

How to Get Involved in Your Res Hall

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First-year students aren’t the only ones going through the sometimes-awkward experience of adjusting to communal life on campus. Due to the pandemic, most sophomores missed out on campus life last year. And juniors only got one college semester — their first one ever — before being sent home. That means many students living on campus this semester are actually pretty new at it — and might be feeling a bit at sea. But UP’s hall directors have plenty of campus living experience under their collective belts, and they’ve got lots of great advice for making the most of it.

Everything You Need to Know About Quarantine Isolation and Case Management

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Now that nearly all UP students, staff, and faculty are vaccinated against COVID-19, exposure to the virus doesn’t always mean your daily routine comes to a screeching halt anymore. In fact, if you’re vaccinated, get exposed and don’t test positive, life pretty much goes along as usual.

Inside Look at the Covid Steering Committee

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The COVID pandemic has been anything but predictable since it upended our lives in early 2020. Keeping track of the latest studies, data, recommendations, and mandates is like tracking a moving target. That’s why UP created a COVID-19 Steering Committee way back in March of that year, and it still meets for at least 90 minutes every single week a year and a half later.

Staying Active at UP: Recreational Space, Fitness Classes, Outdoor Pursuits, Intramurals

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Recreational Services

Fall Semester is in full swing, and the UP community is back to work and the classroom. In the midst of class, studying, social and work obligations, it’s important to find ways to stay active. Whether it’s taking a Brazilian Jiujitsu class, practicing your rock-climbing skills, weightlifting, or getting outside to explore the Pacific Northwest, The Beauchamp Recreation & Wellness Center has a plethora of offerings for students, staff, and faculty.

Quarantine and Isolation Dos and Don’ts

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A lot has changed since the last time UP welcomed students back to campus. Namely, nearly everyone is vaccinated. As a result, the quarantine and isolation protocols for those exposed to COVID-19 have changed too.

Adjusting to the New Normal of Life on Campus

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The whole world is weathering the COVID-19 pandemic at the same time, and yet the experience is different from continent to continent, country to country, even person to person. It affects us all, but it affects each individual differently. That’s why, as we adjust to life together on The Bluff, it helps to remember we’re all in this together, but our journeys aren’t the same. We all need to give ourselves and each other the space to get our feet under us during this transitional time, and the grace to do so without judgement.

Scenes and Stories from Fall Orientation and Move-in Festivities

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Last week was a big one on the UP campus. Sophomores moved in on Tuesday, August 17, and spent the following day enjoying their own special Orientation do-over complete with scavenger hunts and food carts. Then new students (and a lot of parents) arrived on Thursday, August 19, filling dumpsters with moving boxes and loudspeakers with the sweet sounds of Brittney and Tay-Tay.

Best Places to Study on Campus

Pilots Prevent

Whether you’re brand-new to campus, or it’s just been a while, you can probably use a refresher on all the comfy, quiet, power-outlet-bedecked spaces around campus tailor-made for studying. We gathered them all up in a handy list so you can find your favorite spot (and a few backups in case someone got there first).

What a Self-Administered COVID Test is Like

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In mid-August, UP sophomore Murphy Bradshaw was planning to take a trip to Seattle to celebrate her mom’s milestone birthday with family and friends. That’s when it hit her: Maybe she should take a COVID test.

The Best Masks to Express Your Back-to-School Style

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At this point, we all have masks. They’re stuffed in our bags, peeking out of our pockets, dangling from our rear-view mirrors. They’ve become a fact of life. But your early pandemic purchases might be looking a bit tired — and you’re probably tired of looking at them. Why not embrace the low-germ lifestyle and add a new set of masks to the back-to-school shopping list?

What Vaccinated People Should Do if a Close Contact Tests Positive for COVID-19

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Getting vaccinated and wearing a mask are still everyone’s best defenses against contracting and spreading COVID-19, especially as the highly contagious Delta variant has caused a spike among unvaccinated individuals. Although breakthrough cases are relatively rare, they can happen. So, as reports of vaccinated people contracting COVID circulate, you may be wondering what to do if you find out one of your close friends, family, or colleagues test positive, even though you’re all vaccinated.

Back to Campus and Back Together Again

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On Monday, August 2, University of Portland’s campus offices were once again thrumming with activity as staff returned to work on campus. After well over a year working remotely through the height of the pandemic, the return to The Bluff was like a homecoming for many employees.

To Mask or Not to Mask? The Answer is Yes!

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When COVID-19 mandates relaxed in Oregon at the end of June, those who were unvaccinated against COVID-19 were advised to continue wearing masks while indoors in public areas, and that includes those at UP who qualified for a vaccine exemption. Those who were fully vaccinated could leave their masks off.

Get the Facts Behind Breakthrough Cases

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Hearing news of vaccinated individuals contracting COVID-19 can be both concerning and confusing. The fact is, no vaccine is 100 percent effective. But does that mean there’s no point getting your shots? Absolutely not.

New Online Orientation Platform Launches in August

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Last fall, Orientation pivoted from in-person workshops to an online series due to COVID-19. But the pivot worked out so well, it inspired a whole new Orientation strategy.

Pilot House On-Campus Dining Re-Opens

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The most popular dishes are back, along with in-person seating and more non-alcoholic options at the bar.

Special Fall Plans for Sophomores and Transfer Students

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The pivots of last year have had a ripple effect on plans this fall. Find out the details, including how rising sophomores will get an Orientation do-over complete with a special move-in day and fun activities.

What You Can Do Now That You’re Vaccinated

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So, you got your second shot (or the one-dose J&J) and the requisite two weeks have passed. Congratulations! You’re officially vaccinated against COVID-19.

We Gotta Do It: Why Two Pilots Made Getting Vaccinated A Priority

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A UP student and faculty member discuss why it was important to them to get vaccinated as soon as they had the chance.

What’s Life on Campus Like for Summer Students?

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It’s all about research, internships, classes, and lots of opportunities for summer fun in the sun during Portland’s most glorious season. Find out why summer might just be the best time to live on campus.

Key Move-in Dates and Details to Keep in Mind

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Although summer has just begun, it’s almost time for students to make their move-in day appointments. Find out what else you need to know before Fall semester starts.

How to Access the COVID-19 Vaccine in Oregon and Report Your Vaccination Status to UP

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It’s never been easier to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and it takes just a couple clicks to report your vaccination status to UP.

UP Ends Testing Partnership with Carbon Health, Offers Self Testing Kits for Summer Session

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As Spring Semester winds down and students return home for the summer, UP’s COVID-19 testing program will pivot from a mandatory surveillance program to a decentralized, voluntary testing program beginning Monday, May 10.

Looking Forward to Fall Semester: What Vaccination Could Mean for the UP Community

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With the UP community vaccinated this fall, some COVID protocols might relax while others will stay in place. But we’re optimistically looking ahead at more students on campus, more events, and more fun.

University of Portland campus from above

University of Portland to Require COVID-19 Vaccinations of All Students, Faculty, and Staff By Start of Fall 2021 Term

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President

The University of Portland (UP) has announced that it will require proof of COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, faculty and staff when the Fall 2021 semester begins. Employees must provide proof of vaccination by August 1, and all students will be required to show their proof of vaccination by September 1. As with all other vaccination requirements, religious and/or health-related exemptions from this policy may be requested.

Safe Can Still Be Fun: Ways to Celebrate Commencement This Spring

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Commencement

In-person gatherings may be restricted this year, unfortunately precluding UP from holding a traditional in-person Commencement ceremony, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the monumental achievement of a college graduation.

Online Learning Tools Help Faculty Make Education More Equitable

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Faculty and staff have partnered to provide a network of support to make sure that education and ongoing training are available to faculty to teaching in an online environment.

Celebrating Commencement COVID-Style

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Commencement

Commencement 2021 is almost here, and while it won’t look like the Commencement most students were expecting when they began their studies at UP, the University is doing its best to make the Class of 2021 feel celebrated while following the state of Oregon’s COVID safety guidelines for in-person events.

Preparing for Finals Week? Don’t Forget to Relax

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For a lot of UP students, studying for finals is the easy part. What’s harder is giving yourself permission to take breaks, unplug, and have fun. But relieving stress and anxiety is just as important as all that hard work.

Movin’ Out: Tips for a Quick, Easy, and COVID-Safe Exit to Residence Halls

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Residence Life

Residence halls close Friday, May 7, and residence life has advice for on-campus students to make their move-out process quick, easy, and COVID safe.

Wellness Day 2: The Succulent-Filled Sequel

Residence Life

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Residence Life is bringing back its popular student event just in time to de-stress before finals. Therapy dogs, succulent plants, massages, contests, food, and prizes will be part of the Wellness Day events, April 21, 1-4 p.m. on West Quad.

Plans Underway for “Normal” Fall in Residence Life

Residence Life

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De-densified halls and move-in appointments will remain, but otherwise residence life is aiming for a "normal" fall semester in the halls, with special attention given to sophomores who will be living on campus for the first time.

Working Through Grief: Campus Ministry Offers Advice for Coping with Feelings after a Year of Loss

Campus Ministry

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Because of COVID, people are experiencing loss of loved ones as well as loss of opportunities and experiences. Fr. Jim Gallagher, director of Campus Ministry, says, “If you find yourself stuck in those feelings of grief or loss, or the emotions that come with it, be patient with yourself and seek out help.”

The Learning Commons Expands Online Tutoring Offerings to Reach More Students

Shepard Academic Resource Center

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The pandemic and remote learning has been an opportunity for the Learning Commons to create new programs online for peer tutoring, collaborative learning sessions, and more.

Admissions Team Takes Extra Precautions in Hosting Prospective Students on Campus

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Welcome to The Bluff will replace Weekend on The Bluff as the preview event for admitted students this year. The admissions office will host 16 outdoor information sessions over two weekends to reduce the number of visitors on campus at any one time and in any single location.

Student Nurses at Vaccination Clinic

UP Student Nurses Get Real World Experience Administering COVID Vaccines

Nursing

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When their clinical rotations got canceled, UP nursing students got a valuable crash-course in patient care and people skills by administering COVID vaccines at clinics in the Portland area.

Key Ways for Preventing Burnout

Residence Life

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Residence Life’s student care team says don’t underestimate the power of structured routines, study breaks, talking things out, and giving yourself some grace.

Live Stream and In-Person Events Offered During Holy Week

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Campus Safety

Campus Ministry is bringing people together for Holy Week through live streaming events and on-campus services for students and members of the UP community who want to worship in person.

School of Education Student Teachers Rise to the Challenge of the Virtual Classroom

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Education

When classes went online, so did classroom field experiences, but SOED students proved their resilience and creativity over the course of a year of online teaching.

Feeling Bored and Looking for Some Fun? Stay in Your Dorm!

Residence Life

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UP’s residence halls pack each weekend with activities to bring students together in creative and COVID-safe ways.

(Not Just COVID) Resources for All: HCC Open for Primary Care and Mental Health Services

Health Center

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The Health and Counseling Center (HCC) is open to all students and offers a range of care and services. Throughout the semester, the team at HCC has been serving the community through outreach, wellness education, and offering appointments, both in-person and virtual, to students who need primary care or mental health resources and counseling.

COVID Case Management Team Helps Students Navigate Isolation

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If you test positive for COVID-19 and have to check into isolation housing, the COVID Case Management team makes sure that even if you're physically isolated from others, you don’t have to go it alone. A member of the CCMT checks in with students in isolation housing daily to see how they’re feeling and provide assistance.

Bon Appétit Launches New App to Expand Student Dining Offerings

Residence Life

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Bon Appétit launched a new app called GET that students can connect to their campus meal plan. The app allows students to preorder and remote purchase food from Pilots Pantry, which carries over 80 different grocery staples.

Undergrad Research Teams Get Out in the Field and Back in the Lab

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While most classes can be taught online, many of UP’s research projects rely on in-person field work and lab work that can’t be replicated virtually. But by following Pilots Prevent protocols since Fall semester, many of UP’s undergraduate research teams are moving forward with their projects—and making exciting progress.

A New Approach to the On-Campus Housing Process

Residence Life

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The housing process for next fall looks a little different this year. Students currently living off-campus will be given equal priority with current on-campus students in an effort to level the field for students who weren't able to live in the residence halls this year. Students should apply by March 8 to be included in the housing lottery.

Students Helping Students: Active Minds UP Overcomes Barriers to Care

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Active Minds UP empowers students through peer-to-peer mental health education. Self-care is central to the group's programming--a timely topic during the COVID-19 era.

campus aerial view

Worth the Hurdles: In-Person Classes Successfully Resume

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Some 990 individual students are taking in-person classes at University of Portland this spring. Clearing the logistical hurdles has been worth it, say students and professors.

campus aerial view

First-Year Students Find Community on ‘Discord’

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On Discord, University of Portland students have found an innovative way to ensure that social connections are still flourishing.

campus aerial view

Pilots Play: Wellness Day Offers Opportunities for Student Self-Care

Residence Life

Pilots Prevent

The Wellness Education & Prevention Program is launching “Pilots Play: Wellness Day” during the mini-break on February 24. To lure students away from their books and computers, they’ve organized four hours of sometimes silly, sometimes soothing R&R at the Pilot House.

campus aerial view

Care Beyond COVID: How the Health and Counseling Center Serves the UP Community

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Health Center

University of Portland's Health and Counseling Center staff are dedicated to providing care for students with physical health concerns, COVID-related or not, and connecting them to mental health resources.

campus aerial view

Bonding on The Bluff: How On-Campus Roommates are Beating Pandemic Blues

Residence Life

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On-campus students are finding fun and meaningful ways to connect with roommates during COVID times.

campus aerial view

Special Precautions Around COVID-19 Modify Operations of UP Printing/Mailing Center

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Daily operation in printing and mailing services have changed in the COVID era. Among the changes: the center is now closed through the noon hour to allow for sanitizing; only one customer at a time is allowed in the building; and, like all public spaces on campus, masks are required at all times.

campus aerial view

What’s Open at Rec Services

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Recreational Services

COVID may have hamstrung our usual workout routines, but University of Portland’s recreation staff are hard at work coming up with ways to keep the UP community active this spring with an outdoor workout space, virtual classes, and outdoor equipment rentals.

campus aerial view

How to Participate in Campus Ministry This Semester

Campus Ministry

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Although social distancing is still the order of the day, that doesn’t mean we have to be socially isolated. In fact, Campus Ministry is doing all it can to bring people together—safely—right when we need it most.

campus aerial view

Your Questions Answered: Asymptomatic Surveillance Testing and Symptomatic Testing on Campus

Health Center

Pilots Prevent

Asymptomatic surveillance testing is an important part of UP’s ongoing Comprehensive Prevention Strategy to keep the community safe and healthy. We know some folks have questions about the process, and we’re here to provide you with answers and resources.

University of Portland campus from above

University of Portland Sets Plans for Fall Semester; Will Continue Momentum from Spring Term with In-Person Classes, Students On Campus

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President

The University of Portland is setting its sights on a Fall 2021 semester with primarily in-person classes; more students living in the residence halls; and a return to regular campus activities. UP President Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., made the announcement today as a continuance of momentum from the current spring term that has 800-plus students living on campus and a hybrid curriculum of virtual and select in-person instruction. It was also announced that tuition and fees for the 2021-22 academic year would be frozen at current levels.

campus aerial view

Off-Campus Student and Visitor Access for Spring Semester Explained

Pilots Prevent

Even with campus re-opening for classes, study, and some recreation activities, UP essentially remains a closed campus this semester.

aerial view of campus

Residence Life Welcomes Students and Builds Community

Residence Life

Pilots Prevent

With students safely and successfully moved in to the dorms and settling in, University of Portland’s Residence Life team is thriving and working to provide them with the best on-campus experience possible. From virtual activities, to safe in-person group events, to one-on-one meetings, Mehling Hall director Shaylene Smith fills us in on everything that her team has been doing to foster community.

campus aerial view

Go Pilots! How to Stay Safe and Engaged with Pilots Athletics

Pilots Prevent

Athletics

In person fans aren't allowed at athletics venues in the State of Oregon, but you can still cheer on your favorite Pilot teams by watching livestreams and engaging with social media.

campus aerial view

UP's Travel Policy Encourages Community to Stay Local; Spring Break Replaced by Two Mini-Breaks This Year

Pilots Prevent

The University strongly discourages anyone, employees and students, from doing any non-emergency travel during Spring Semester. As such, the week-long Spring Break has been replaced with two mini-breaks--long enough to give students and faculty a breather from classes but short enough to make local excursions preferable to a big trip.

campus aerial view

Students Return to Campus for Spring Semester

Pilots Prevent

Spring Semester has kicked-off this week, and campus is vibrant with students again. Last week, students and their families arrived for their designated move-in appointments and were welcomed by University of Portland staff, who have been hard at work preparing to make the move-in process as smooth and safe as possible. Also awaiting students were baseline COVID-19 tests by UP healthcare partner Carbon Health, which required a negative result before move-in was allowed.

campus aerial view

Roommate Communication in Times of COVID: Some Workable Solutions

Pilots Prevent

Residence Life

Navigating roommate relationships can be challenging in the best of time. During the pandemic, additional questions related to setting boundaries and personal space, accommodating homework needs, dealing with demanding schedules, loneliness, isolation, or plain old homesickness can occur. Carol Dell'Oliver and Andrew Weingarten offer tips to help students have a successful and positive experience.

campus aerial view

Flow Charts to Better Understand Employee Designations, Testing and Campus Access

Pilots Prevent

Human Resources

The COVID-19 Committee has developed flow charts to help faculty and staff understand the testing process for the high contact, low contact, no contact, and exclusively remote groups.

University of Portland campus from above

University of Portland Opens Spring Semester with Mix of Online, In-Person classes; 800-Plus Undergraduates Returning to Residence Halls

Pilots Prevent

With a national healthcare provider delivering innovative COVID-19 symptom screening and testing, the University of Portland (UP) is laying the groundwork for a measured return to campus for students, faculty and staff. More than 800 undergraduates began prescheduled move-ins this week to occupy UP residence halls following baseline testing by new partner Carbon Health.

campus aerial view

UP Can Communicate COVID-Positive Status to Parents with Student Consent

Health Center

Pilots Prevent

Due to HIPAA and FERPA regulations, UP can communicate medical information to parents when they have the consent of students.

campus aerial view

Making the Most of the Library This Spring

Pilots Prevent

Library

Although the library has (and will continue to) offer a wide range of online services—including ebooks, scanned and emailed book chapters, physical books mailed right to your door, and even live chat with a librarian—this spring it will be open for studying again.  

campus aerial view

Spring Semester Begins January 25, Limited In-Person Classes Resume

Pilots Prevent

A small number of in-person classes--mostly core curriculum courses for first-year students--will be offered when Spring 2021 commences.

campus aerial view

How to Access Campus Services This Spring

Recreational Services

Pilots Prevent

Health Center

The Career Center, Health and Counseling Center, and recreation services have altered access but still have a plethora of services available to students this spring.

campus aerial view

"UK Variant" of COVID-19 Infects University of Portland Staff Member; Individual is Isolated and Contact Tracing is Complete

Pilots Prevent

Health Center

The University of Portland (UP) was notified last night that a previously-diagnosed case of COVID-19 infecting one (1) on-campus staff member is the recently-discovered “UK variant” or “B.1.1.7” strain of the virus. It is the first known case of this variant in Oregon. The infected staff member has been in isolation since the initial diagnosis and will remain so until cleared by their healthcare provider in the coming days.

campus aerial view

UP Welcomes Carbon Health as COVID-19 Testing Partner

Health Center

Pilots Prevent

UP is partnering with leading national healthcare provider Carbon Health for screening, diagnostic testing, and the delivery of rapid results for COVID-19 testing of students, faculty, and staff.

University of Portland campus from above

Safe Spaces to Gather at University of Portland

Pilots Prevent

For everyone anticipating a safe return to campus for Spring 2021, University of Portland staff are hard at work planning ways to provide spaces to gather for eating, studying, socializing, and events. By now we’re all used to expecting things to look and feel different, and that remains true as we adapt to changing guidelines—and Portland weather.

Monitor Symptoms Daily to Ensure Safe Return to Campus

Pilots Prevent

Daily symptom monitoring is a key part of the Pilots Prevent COVID-19 safety protocols--designed to keep UP community member safe and healthy during the pandemic.

aerial view of campus

Students Will Play an Active Role in the COVID-19 Testing Process to Ensure a Healthy Campus Environment

Pilots Prevent

When classes resume in spring, UP will engage in comprehensive, multi-level testing protocols using an independent, third-party vendor.

Campus Program Board

Array of Student-Led Activities Planned for Spring 2021

Pilots Prevent

Both in-person and virtual events will engage students and provide space for community.

Andrew Weingarten

A Thoughtful Approach to COVID-19 Case Management

Pilots Prevent

The COVID Case Management Team has created a comprehensive plan to ensure students feel supported and taken care of if they have to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19 Concerns.