Spring Semester Courses

We want to be sure our Pilots families are aware of the following 1-credit courses available next semester. Encourage your student to explore these great options in the pursuit of their growth and development both inside and outside of “the classroom.”

CAS 291- Career Planning + Life Design

Is your student starting to navigate the big questions surrounding life after UP? Are they unsure about their major or even how their major connects to career options? If any of this resonates, encourage your student to register for this course, which will offer them the tools and community to explore ideas and develop a creative, proactive approach to career and life planning.

ED 102 – University Success

Has your student experienced challenges transitioning into academic life at UP? Do you wish they could learn more about how to manage their time, study for exams, take good class notes, etc.? If you answered yes to any of these questions, encourage your student to check out ED102 – University Success. Brother Thomas Giumenta, C.S.C., Learning Assistance Counselor, servers as the instructor. The University Success class will meet for an hour every week and is specifically designed for students who have experienced difficulties and challenges with academic work. The course is designed to create greater success and to free a student from the burden of academic probation. By the end of the class your student will be able to:

  • Create and implement daily, weekly, and semester schedules
  • Improve reading comprehension of class texts
  • Practice the Cornell note taking method
  • Practice various test taking strategies
  • Practice memory retention skills
  • Practice effective communication with professors of challenging courses

If your student has questions about the course, they can contact Brother Thomas Giumenta, C.S.C., at Giumenta@up.edu.

LDR 225: Foundations of Leadership

The Leader Certificate Program at UP is designed to provide leaders with the tools, knowledge, and ability to impact and inspire their followers using the key leader habits. Students can register for a Spring Semester leadership course. Courses are 1 credit and meet once per week in the spring. All students can register for the first course in the program (LDR 225: Foundations of Leadership), and all majors are welcome!

CAS 197: Internship & Career Preparation

Did you know that applied and project-based experiences (particularly internships) give students an edge with employers after graduation? Recent surveys show that 60% of hiring managers are much more likely to hire a recent graduate with internship experience on their resume. Internships give students valuable experience and help them develop skills which employers are looking for! In this class, we’ll explore the career planning process including self-exploration, occupational exploration, internship planning, and how to conduct a job search. 

After taking the course, students will be better prepared to make informed career decisions and to locate satisfying internships or positions after graduation. Assignments include working on career materials to apply for internships and/or jobs in the future, such as a resume and cover letter, as well as creating a professional brand online (LinkedIn). 

This course for Spring 2021 will be held online on Mondays from 5:45—6:40 p.m. PST. Any student interested in completing an internship or expanding their career development should register for the course. Students can contact Elizabeth Jones, CAS Academic Internship Coordinator, at jonesel@up.edu with any questions.   

Offices to Know

Common questions and offices:

Other University offices to familiarize yourself with:

  • Academics: Every academic program falls under our College of Arts and Sciences or one of our four professional schools: the Pamplin School of Business, the School of Education, the School of Nursing, or the Shiley School of Engineering. Learn more about the college and schools.
  • Accessible Education Services: Accessible Education Services is part of the Shepard Academic Resource Center. They assist University of Portland students with obtaining appropriate documentation of a disability, developing an accommodation plan to ensure necessary and appropriate classroom accommodations, and facilitating non-classroom accommodations. Learn how you can connect with their team.
  • Alumni & Parent Relations: The Office of Alumni & Parent Relations serves to be a resource for families as they partner with you in the development and success of your student during their UP journey. Through important communications like their parent newsletters, local and regional events, and additional opportunities to get involved, you can stay connected to the UP community. Let us know how we can support you as you transition into the Pilot family! Contact our office at 503.943.7328 or parents@up.edu.
  • Care Team: When parents, faculty, or staff members are concerned about the physical, emotional, academic or personal health of a University student, the Care Team Program can assess the situation, offer support, and provide referrals to the breadth of resources on-campus. Submit a Care Team referral, or contact a member of the Care Team.
  • Financial Aid: The Office of Financial Aid is dedicated to helping students and their families finance a high-quality education at the University of Portland. For scholarship, grant, loan, and other aid related questions, please reach out to them at finaid@up.edu.
  • First Generation College Students: First Generation (FGEN) students are defined by the University of Portland as those students where neither parent or guardian has earned a four-year college degree. At UP, approximately 20 percent of the student population identifies as a first generation college student. Learn more about the community and resources available to FGEN students at UP.
  • International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion: The Office has a mission of fostering a welcoming campus climate and establishing a robust array of learning opportunities that support internationalization, equity, and inclusion on campus and in the world. The unit is comprised of International Student Services, Studies Abroad, Diversity and Inclusion Programs, Collaborative for International Studies & Global Outreach, and the Diversity Center. Learn more about the important work of this group.
  • Learning Commons: The Learning Commons provides assistance that supplements classroom work. Students can connect with peer tutors in a variety of disciplines, including math, writing, speech, and international languages. Learn more about their peer-assisted learning community and resources!
  • On-campus Dining: UP’s on-campus dining is provided by the Bon Appétit Management Co. Learn more about the dining facilities, daily menus, and meal plan options. To contact Bon Appétit, please email Kirk Mustain, General Manager, at mustain@up.edu.
  • Registrar: The Office of the Registrar maintains all permanent academic records, coordinates classroom assignments, processes transcript requests, provides enrollment certification/verification, and processes graduation applications and distributes diplomas. They also provide course schedules, registration information, and student schedules. The office can be reached at registrar@up.edu.
  • Shepard Academic Resource Center: The Shepard Academic Resource Center (SARC) provides several services and programs, including tutoring, advising, learning assistance counseling, first-year programming, educational accommodations, and programming for students who are the first in their family to go to college. The SARC team will be a valuable resource for your student during their first year and beyond!
  • Student Accounts: The primary responsibility of the Office of Student Accounts is to ensure that all funds due the University are billed, collected, posted, deposited, and reconciled accurately and in a timely manner in compliance with University policy and all federal and state regulations. Check out these important updates and dates, and contact stu-acct@up.edu if you have questions.
  • Student Affairs: The division of Student Affairs is the lifeblood of the University community! Click on each department below to learn how they are ready to connect and help build community for all students. For any general questions and inquiries about the Division of Student Affairs, you can reach out to the Office of Student Affairs at 503.943.8532 or studentaffairs@up.edu
  • Student Employment: The opportunity for a student to work is a fundamental part of the University of Portland’s philosophy, based firmly in the conviction that a meaningful and rewarding work experience is an educational benefit of lasting value. While some students qualify for the Federal Work-Study program, most students work on campus earning Student Employment Institutional Funds. Learn more about Student Employment at UP.
  • Technology and Information Services: Learn more about technology at UP, what equipment your student will need to be successful as a UP student, and how your student can get started with the technology you will need as a UP student. Information Services can be contacted at 503.943.7000 or help@up.edu.
  • Para preguntas o inquietudes de orientación que se aborden en español, comuníquese con Thomas Giumenta a giumenta@up.edu o llamando al 503.943.8716. For Orientation questions or concerns to be addressed in Spanish, please contact Brother Thomas Giumenta at giumenta@up.edu or by calling 503.943.8716. 

Preparing for College

The first year of college presents wonderful opportunities for growth and learning. To help your student prepare for the adjustments ahead, we encourage you to have important conversations with them and teach them helpful life skills, especially if they will be moving away from home and onto campus. 

Don’t feel like you have to tackle this all at once! You can break topics into 5-minute chats and incorporate them into your everyday interactions (running errands, washing dishes, etc.). The more natural the setting, the more smoothly the conversation may go. 

These resources may be a good place to start: