Pilots Prevent
December 7, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
December 7, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
December 7, 2021
Have you received your vaccine booster shot? Have you uploaded your most recent booster shot?
Alumni
Portland Magazine
December 6, 2021
Danny McGarry '17 shares his favorite winter drink and the memories that go along with it as part of University of Portland's 25 Days 'til Christmas.
Portland Magazine
Admissions
December 1, 2021
Every fall, as students are settling in to new routines on campus, Cassy Esparza ’14, assistant director of admissions, hits the road in search of next year’s class. Her recruitment regions are Oregon, Utah, and New Mexico, and it’s not unheard of for her to have a day like she had a few weeks ago: visits with students at four different high schools in Albuquerque, then an hour-plus drive to Santa Fe for an evening meeting with students and parents. (She tries to remember to eat.) These trips involve long days and lots of miles, but the relationships she is building and the inroads she is making with students from historically marginalized populations make everything worth it.
Portland Magazine
Athletics
December 1, 2021
UP’s legendary coach Clive Charles had a gift for offering small gestures that mattered to people, that still matter, even years after his passing. A former English football player, a defender for the Portland Timbers, the coach who led the Pilots to their first NCAA Championship during his 1986 to 2002 tenure, Charles mentored his athletes to achieve their maximum potential. Several made it to the highest levels of the sport. They became pro athletes, Olympians, World Cup winners. But even more than his successes on the field, his true legacy seems to come from how he treated people.
Athletics
Portland Magazine
December 1, 2021
WHEN LUIS ROBLES ’06 decided to retire from professional soccer after 14 seasons, he didn’t plan to tell anyone. He knew he was done the moment he’d broken his arm while playing for Inter Miami; why make a big deal out of it? He figured he’d just step back.
Pilots Prevent
November 30, 2021
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.
Portland Magazine
Alumni
November 24, 2021
For Ryan Szto ’21, the joy of engineering begins with the simple notion of being in the field. “I hated sitting behind a desk at school,” he says, “so I didn’t want to do that at work.” Ryan is a product validation engineer at Daimler, a truck manufacturer, whose offices are ten minutes away from campus. There, Ryan is working in the growing field of Daimler’s electric-powered semi-trucks.
Portland Magazine
November 24, 2021
On a race track in Wilsonville, Oregon, six University of Portland engineering students—otherwise known as the Pilot Speed Racing Team—stepped into their go-karts, strapped on their helmets, turned the ignitions, and approached the starting line, motors rumbling. The air smelled of gas and burning rubber. The flag rose. And they were off.
Portland Magazine
November 24, 2021
Artist and author Makoto Fujimura visited University of Portland (via Zoom, from his studio in Princeton, NJ) in early September to give the Zahm lecture, an annual talk on faith and reason. Days later, on September 11, 2021, Fujimura relaunched the Kintsugi Academy, which he co-founded as a way to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11, an event that gave his work new focus. What follows is an excerpt of Fujimura’s remarks.
Pilots Prevent
November 23, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
November 23, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
November 23, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
November 16, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
November 16, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
November 9, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
November 9, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
November 9, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
November 2, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
November 2, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
October 26, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
October 26, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
October 26, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
October 19, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
October 19, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
October 12, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
October 12, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
October 12, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
October 5, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
October 5, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
October 5, 2021
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.
October 5, 2021
We checked in with the student government leader to find out some of the challenges that students face today, and hear her plans for the future.
Pilots Prevent
September 28, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
September 28, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
September 28, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
September 21, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
September 21, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
September 21, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
September 21, 2021
5 Questions with Andrew LaFrenz, PhD, MPH – Epidemiologist, Integrative Health and Wellness Program Director and Associate Professor, UP School of Nursing
Pilots Prevent
September 21, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
September 14, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
September 14, 2021
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.
Awards and Rankings
September 13, 2021
The University of Portland (UP) is now ranked third out of 130 institutions listed in the “Regional Universities – West” classification according to U.S. News & World Report magazine. In-Person Fall Semester Classes Proceeding with Vaccination Rates Above 96% Among Faculty, Staff, and Students; and Adherence to Oregon’s Mask & Other Safety Mandates
Pilots Prevent
Recreational Services
September 7, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
August 31, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
August 31, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
August 24, 2021
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).
Pilots Prevent
August 24, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
August 17, 2021
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?
Pilots Prevent
August 17, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
August 10, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
August 10, 2021
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.
Portland Magazine
August 10, 2021
Conor Eifler ’11, recipient of the Angus Bowmer Award for Drama from the 2021 Oregon Book Awards, speaks to Portland magazine about the genesis of his play You Cannot Undo This Action, which will receive a fully produced reading at University of Portland from September 22 to 26, 2021.
Pilots Prevent
July 27, 2021
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.
July 27, 2021
Orientation is just three weeks away, and while new students are busy finalizing their back-to-school shopping lists, the Orientation planning committee is hard at work finalizing the details of the fun events they have in store.
Pilots Prevent
July 13, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
July 13, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
June 29, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
June 29, 2021
The most popular dishes are back, along with in-person seating and more non-alcoholic options at the bar.
Pilots Prevent
June 15, 2021
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.
Portland Magazine
President
June 9, 2021
A reflection on UP’s 20th president and his cherished years on The Bluff.
Portland Magazine
June 9, 2021
Even during this difficult year, her joy has sustained her.
Portland Magazine
Alumni
June 9, 2021
Sometimes the student and the parent end up learning a thing or two.
Alumni
Portland Magazine
June 9, 2021
Dawn Nelson ’82, longtime kindergarten teacher for Portland Public Schools, says she’s “failing at retirement.” The main reason she hasn’t had too much downtime in the last year is her booming cookie business.
Portland Magazine
Alumni
June 9, 2021
In some ways, the pandemic changed the focus of Tara Benavente’s day-to-day work. In other ways, she is doing what she has always done since she graduated from UP in 2014—bringing her abiding belief in hospitality to the community where she lives.
Portland Magazine
Alumni
June 9, 2021
When David Austin graduated from UP’s newly minted MBA in Nonprofit Management program in 2013, he earned the Moreau Fellows Award for Outstanding Service and Leadership for his work with Mercy Corps. Turns out, that was just a hint of much—much—bigger things to come.
Portland Magazine
June 9, 2021
As University of Portland's auto mechanic, Shaun Shepherd is responsible for maintaining every vehicle owned by the University. That’s well over 100 pieces of moving equipment—from electric carts to backhoes, high lifts, and lawn mowers.
Portland Magazine
Alumni
June 9, 2021
Recent graduate and set designer Kat Yo ’21 brings her passion for sustainability and Korean folklore—and her dazzling imagination—to UP’s stage.
Portland Magazine
June 9, 2021
Where many saw dangerous, crumbling buildings, graffiti artists saw a canvas, and Janna Machalek ’08 saw an intriguing research opportunity.
Study Abroad
June 8, 2021
After an international search, the University of Portland has named Maraina Montgomery, Director of Studies Abroad, effective July 1.
President
June 2, 2021
The University of Portland (UP) Board of Regents has chosen Provost Dr. Herbert A. Medina as Acting President effective July 1, succeeding Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., who announced in February that he would conclude his tenure at UP after 10 years on campus – the last seven as UP’s 20th president.
Pilots Prevent
June 1, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
June 1, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
June 1, 2021
A UP student and faculty member discuss why it was important to them to get vaccinated as soon as they had the chance.
Business
Awards and Rankings
May 27, 2021
The University of Portland’s Pamplin School of Business continues to rank among the best, recently earning multiple accolades for its flexible MBA programs geared toward helping business professionals navigate the challenges of today’s world. The latest recognitions continue a multi-year string of business education honors focused on The Bluff.
Portland Magazine
Alumni
May 26, 2021
Gina Amato Yazzolino ’96 is UP’s—no, your—new director of alumni and parent relations, and she has hit the ground running here on The Bluff.
Alumni
Portland Magazine
May 26, 2021
Thoughts from Graduating Senior, Devonna Begay ’21.
Portland Magazine
May 26, 2021
Student Engineers Tackle Shoreline Trash
Alumni
May 24, 2021
UP alum Conor Eifler’s play “You Cannot Undo This Action,” received the Angus Bowmer Award for Drama from the 2021 Oregon Book Awards. Eifler’s psychological thriller was inspired by conversations with the Ida B. Wells High School community about social media and how it’s affecting the lives of adolescents. In exploring these issues, “You Cannot Undo This Action” aims to spark dialogue about our rapidly evolving digital world.
Pilots Prevent
May 18, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
May 4, 2021
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.
Athletics
May 4, 2021
University of Portland Vice President for Athletics Scott Leykam has been named the 2021 Builders' Award honoree, the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association (DI-AAA ADA) announced on Tuesday. The Builders' Award is presented to an individual who, for a minimum of five (5) years as an active I-AAA Director of Athletics, has contributed to the enhancement of the Association, their institution(s), and the profession as a whole.
Pilots Prevent
May 4, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
Commencement
April 27, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
President
April 27, 2021
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.
College of Arts and Sciences
April 26, 2021
The University of Portland has appointed Dr. Amy Abugo Ongiri as Director and Professor of Ethnic Studies, effective July 15. Dr. Ongiri joins UP from Lawrence University, where they were an Associate Professor and the Jill Beck Director of Film Studies. Dr. Ongiri will be the first Director of the newly formed Ethnic Studies program at the University of Portland.
Pilots Prevent
Residence Life
April 20, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
April 20, 2021
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.
College of Arts and Sciences
April 20, 2021
The University of Portland’s Public Research Fellows program will host the 2021 Public Research Fellows Showcase on Thursday, April 29 from 7 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. on Zoom. Students and faculty fellows will unveil their projects and be on hand to guide attendees through a variety of lenses for thinking about the theme, Displacement and Justice.
Pilots Prevent
Commencement
April 20, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
April 20, 2021
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.
Residence Life
Pilots Prevent
April 13, 2021
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.
Residence Life
Pilots Prevent
April 13, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
April 6, 2021
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.
Shepard Academic Resource Center
Pilots Prevent
April 6, 2021
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.
Campus Ministry
Pilots Prevent
April 6, 2021
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.”
Residence Life
Pilots Prevent
March 30, 2021
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.
Nursing
Pilots Prevent
March 30, 2021
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.
Alumni
March 25, 2021
The University of Portland (UP) has announced the appointment of Gina Amato Yazzolino as its new director of alumni and parent relations effective April 12. UP Vice President for University Relations J. Bryce Strang made the announcement today, concluding an extensive search process. Yazzolino, a 1996 graduate of UP, succeeds Craig Swinyard, Ph.D. ’98, who stepped away from the position last December after six years to rejoin his University academic colleagues as an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics.
Pilots Prevent
Campus Safety
March 23, 2021
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.
College of Arts and Sciences
March 22, 2021
The University of Portland Mock Trial team is headed to the National Championship Tournament, which is scheduled for April 16-18. The championship tournament can be watched over Zoom on the American Mock Trial Association’s website.
President
March 17, 2021
Dear University of Portland Community Members, Like so many around the nation, we are deeply disturbed and disheartened by the recent rise in violence and discrimination targeting the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities. Xenophobia is an affront to our shared belief that all persons are children of God who possess inherent dignity. As a Catholic, Holy Cross institution, we condemn violence and discrimination, we pray for those victimized by hatred and intolerance, and we commit ourselves to building a more just and equitable world.
Health Center
Pilots Prevent
March 16, 2021
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.
Residence Life
Pilots Prevent
March 16, 2021
UP’s residence halls pack each weekend with activities to bring students together in creative and COVID-safe ways.
Pilots Prevent
Education
March 16, 2021
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.
Business
March 10, 2021
The University of Portland (UP) has completed its search for a new Dean of the Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr., School of Business, today naming Michael L. DeVaughn, Ph.D., to the position effective July 1. Dr. DeVaughn becomes the successor to Dr. Robin Anderson, who retired in June 2020.
Pilots Prevent
March 9, 2021
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.
Residence Life
Pilots Prevent
March 9, 2021
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.
Alumni
Portland Magazine
March 9, 2021
The woodshop at the Holy Cross Court has become a place of refuge, especially during these days of endless video conferences. The stacks of maple, red oak, and cherry and our saws, planes, and chisels beckon us to imagine and create.
Business
Portland Magazine
March 9, 2021
After his first-place win in UP’s 2020 Pilots Venture Challenge invention track, accounting major and Entrepreneur Scholar Ryan Jarvis ’21 took second place in the 2020 Invent Oregon State Finals in the fall.
Portland Magazine
March 9, 2021
What the writer remembers about the Filipino food of his youth, what he forgets.
Alumni
Portland Magazine
March 9, 2021
Got questions about your camellias? Jim Nuccio ’72, co-owner of an 85-year-old family-run California nursery, has answers.
Pilots Prevent
March 9, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
March 1, 2021
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.
Residence Life
Pilots Prevent
March 1, 2021
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.
Awards and Rankings
February 25, 2021
The University of Portland is the top producer of Fulbright U.S. Students in the nation among master’s level institutions, according to an annual study just released by the Chronicle of Higher Education. UP ranks first nationally in Fulbright U.S. awardees for academic year 2020-2021, with 10 students receiving the prestigious grants to study, conduct research, and/or teach English abroad.
Pilots Prevent
February 23, 2021
On Discord, University of Portland students have found an innovative way to ensure that social connections are still flourishing.
Pilots Prevent
February 23, 2021
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.
Commencement
February 22, 2021
The University of Portland (UP) has announced plans for a virtual commencement ceremony honoring the graduating Class of 2021 on Sunday, May 9 at 1:00 p.m. Schedules for a virtual Baccalaureate Mass that weekend along with details for the commissioning of graduates from UP’s Air Force and Army ROTC programs will be announced soon. Commencement honorees include Sr. Marilyn Lacey, RSM; Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ; Carlos Kalmar; Carol Ann Mooney; and Gil Muñoz.
Residence Life
Pilots Prevent
February 22, 2021
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.
February 18, 2021
After 10 years with the University of Portland (UP), including the last seven as its 20th president, Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., is stepping away from the presidency on June 30, 2021. Poorman made the announcement today in a message to UP community members. It was also announced by the UP Board of Regents that Rev. James (Jim) M. Lies, C.S.C., (pronounced LEASE) will serve as interim president effective July 1, 2021.
Nursing
Portland Magazine
February 17, 2021
Chelsea Cassens ’08 wants her eastern Oregon community to stay healthy. She works toward that goal as a nurse and as an advocate for the protection of public lands.
International Student Services
Portland Magazine
February 17, 2021
Three Cambodian UP students reflect on distance learning in the COVID-19 era.
Portland Magazine
College of Arts and Sciences
February 17, 2021
Four University of Portland professors create a massive online interdisciplinary course with nearly two dozen faculty from four of UP's five schools with rave reviews from students and faculty.
Nursing
Portland Magazine
Alumni
February 17, 2021
UP’s resident epidemiologist—Andrew Lafrenz ’02—has been working seven days a week since April. Not only is he directing the School of Nursing’s newest major in integrative health and wellness studies, but he has also been offering his expertise to local entities during the pandemic.
Portland Magazine
February 17, 2021
By purchasing land along Portland Harbor—known for its legacy of industrial pollution—University of Portland committed to a new level of environmental stewardship. The neighborhood is taking notice.
Residence Life
Pilots Prevent
February 16, 2021
On-campus students are finding fun and meaningful ways to connect with roommates during COVID times.
Pilots Prevent
Health Center
February 16, 2021
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.
February 15, 2021
All University operations are canceled on Tuesday, February 16 – including in-person and online classes and all remote work – until campus reopens at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, February 17.
February 13, 2021
Due to inclement weather, University of Portland's shutdown day protocols will remain in effect until 7 a.m. on Monday, February 15. Bauccio Commons remains open for student meal pick-up. Clark Library will remain closed through Sunday with online resources available. Staff and student employees scheduled to work on Sunday, February 14 should contact their supervisors for further instruction.
February 11, 2021
University of Portland will pivot to online instruction at 4 p.m. February 11 in response to inclement weather for the Portland area. Staff should work remotely on February 12. Clark Library will close at 4 p.m. Thursday. The Commons will remain open for student meals. Operations are expected to return to normal by Sunday, February 14.
Mathematics
February 10, 2021
Mathematics professor Stephanie Salomone was selected as an associate director of Project NExT (New Experiences in Teaching), a national program of the Mathematics Association of America that provides professional development for new faculty in mathematics. Salomone was a NExT fellow in 2005 and was offered the opportunity to apply for the associate director position last fall.
Pilots Prevent
Recreational Services
February 9, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
February 9, 2021
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.
Health Center
Pilots Prevent
February 8, 2021
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.
Campus Ministry
Pilots Prevent
February 8, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
February 2, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
Athletics
February 2, 2021
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.
Residence Life
Pilots Prevent
February 2, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
February 2, 2021
Even with campus re-opening for classes, study, and some recreation activities, UP essentially remains a closed campus this semester.
Pilots Prevent
President
February 2, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
Human Resources
January 26, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
Residence Life
January 26, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
January 26, 2021
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.
Portland Magazine
Alumni
January 21, 2021
Airline captain Anderson Johnson III ’90 has seen it all from the cockpit of his 747. From meteor showers and space shuttle launches, to watching the sun chase down the horizon near the North Pole. These days, Johnson is now focused on what he is carrying in the cargo of his UPS plane—the COVID-19 vaccine.
Portland Magazine
Alumni
January 21, 2021
On a crab processor boat, in 1988, in the middle of a storm off the coast of Alaska, Kara Breuer ’95, MAT ’06 made a promise that if she survived, she’d go to college. It took the crew about 17 hours to make it home.
Portland Magazine
Athletics
January 21, 2021
For weeks, University of Portland’s men’s and women’s basketball teams navigated online classes and roamed a lifeless campus, as they fought off fears their season would never happen. On Oct. 14, the NCAA permitted its Division I basketball programs to begin preseason practices with regular coronavirus testing and other safeguards, and gyms across the United States opened doors for full-contact, five-on-five workouts and scrimmages. But of the 350 Division I programs, two—UP and crosstown rival Portland State—were forced to keep their doors closed, thanks to a perplexing decision by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to deny exemption requests by the schools to play through the Oregon Health Authority’s sports guidance.
Recreational Services
Pilots Prevent
Health Center
January 19, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
January 19, 2021
A small number of in-person classes--mostly core curriculum courses for first-year students--will be offered when Spring 2021 commences.
Pilots Prevent
Library
January 19, 2021
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.
Health Center
Pilots Prevent
January 19, 2021
Due to HIPAA and FERPA regulations, UP can communicate medical information to parents when they have the consent of students.
Pilots Prevent
January 19, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
Health Center
January 16, 2021
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.
Pilots Prevent
January 12, 2021
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.
Health Center
Pilots Prevent
January 12, 2021
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.
January 11, 2021
University of Portland’s Office of International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion invites all UP community members to take part in “MLK Day On,” a celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 18 from 6 - 7:30 p.m., with a virtual keynote address by Taylor Stewart ’18.
Pilots Prevent
January 11, 2021
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.
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