Pilots Prevent
June 1, 2021
Although most students have gone home for summer break, the UP campus still thrums with activity. That’s because a smaller cohort of students of all majors and class years are making the most of summer semester with classes, internships, and research projects, and the hard-working folks of Residence Life are making sure they have a chance to enjoy some summer fun too.
McKenzie Clark is keeping very busy this summer working both ends of that spectrum. “I’m taking summer classes, I’m a summer RA in Lund Hall, and I also have an internship through the Dundon-Berchtold Institute,” she says.
The rising junior says that less students on campus means there’s always a bench or study spot available, which is a big perk of sticking around after May. Plus, fewer people mean it’s easier to social distance. “UP made a good call this spring making everyone stay masked and distanced,” she says, “but it’s nice now that we have the option to be unmasked outdoors. I’m fully vaccinated so it’s nice to have that freedom.”
But there’s a flip side to having fewer students around. “It’s really quiet, so it’s odd to walk through campus and not see anyone. Although there are ways to make connections to other students, it’s a Iot more challenging than a typical academic year.”
That’s one reason why Residence Life is working hard to plan activities that bring students together nearly every day of the week. “My staff role this summer is help students make the most of it, especially as plans change,” says Brittani Klindworth, a hall director for Residence Life. “That’s why we designed a consistent program so that students always know when something’s happening.”
Whether that’s Movie Mondays or Mass and dinner on Wednesdays or Special Event Sundays, students can always count on finding something fun to do with their peers. The Wednesday Mass is even open to off-campus students, giving everyone more opportunities to build community.
“We’re doing Mass in Hagerty and Tyson chapel because it has its own separate door, so you’re not entering the common space of a residence hall,” says Klindworth. “And we’re doing everything else outside.”
Most of the events revolve around food, even if it just means keeping a hefty supply of grab-and-go study snacks on hand. Klindworth says it’s the one thing that predictably draws students, but it’s an especially big draw in the summer, when they’re not on the meal plan and food isn’t as readily available on campus like it usually is.
“We try to make as many opportunities as we can to get food and enjoy each other’s company. The challenge is coming up with something else to go with the food!”
Clark says the programs are a fun, low-pressure, reliable way to meet other students, and she’s always blown away by the diversity of their experiences. “There are students doing research in some really complex topics, things like racism and political ideologies, and biology research, and students doing classes and internships,” she says. “It’s really wonderful to experience a community of my classmates that I haven’t had a chance to meet before and find out they’re doing something they’re really passionate about.”
Brennan Van Deren couldn’t agree more. “My major is physics, and I’ve been able to meet people from different walks of life — biology majors doing research, upper division nursing students coming back to complete their clinicals, athletes I wouldn’t have had a chance to talk to before.”
The Southeast Portland native hasn’t lived on campus before, and as a senior he realized now was his chance to give it a try. He’s living on campus for 10 weeks as he conducts research for his SURE project (Summer Undergraduate Research Experience).
“I’m super excited to be on campus,” he says. “It’s made me appreciate how beautiful the UP campus is so much more. I’m sure it’s different than the usual experience, but I’m making a lot of friends and having fun. In the midst of COVID, it surprises me how it still feels like a college experience even through the pandemic.”University of Portland
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