For Seniors: It’s all Going to be OK

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Senioritis. It’s real, and it may be hitting our senior students in a big way as they come back for their last semester before leaving the comforts of The Bluff for the “real world.” The last semester will be packed with reading, tests, final projects, applications, and overall life discernment of “what’s next.” While your student may be tempted to become apathetic towards their academic affairs, you can play an important role in supporting and motivating them to get to the finish line! This doesn’t mean personally solving all their problems or finding them their dream job. Probably the most important thing you can do over the next few months is listen and reassure them that everything is going to be okay.

Another way to support your student is to be aware of these upcoming events, traditions, and resources for seniors:

Commencement: May 4–5, 2019

  • Of course, the biggest thing looming in the future for our senior students this semester is Commencement! Luckily the Commencement website is full of helpful information for both you and your student. Your student will want to pay special attention to the Commencement action item list to make sure they’re not missing any important events or deadlines. There is also a special section just for you, our guests that weekend. May will be here before we know it, so we encourage our families to plan ahead for what will be a busy, wonderful weekend filled with memorable moments.

Commencement

Grad Fair: February 5, 2019

  • The Grad Fair is the Class of 2019’s one-stop shop for all the information they need about Commencement. All soon-to-be graduates are encouraged to stop by to ask questions or to purchase Commencement-related products. The Office of University Events staff will be available to answer graduation questions. Encourage your student to attend!

Career Fairs: The University of Portland will host four career fairs in the spring of 2019.

  • February 22, 2019 – UP alumni and current students are invited to attend the SWE STEM Career Fair. The fair focuses on internship and career opportunities in engineering and computer science as well as chemistry, math, and physics.
  • March 14, 2019 – The Education Career Fair will take place from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • March 15, 2019 – The First Avenue Career & Graduate School Expo is sponsored by the Oregon Liberal Arts Placement Consortium (OLAPC).
  • March 21, 2019 – The Nursing Career Fair will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Other career related events can be found here.

Senior Weekend at the Coast: March 22-23, 2019

  • In their last semester as UP students, all seniors have the opportunity to retreat from the rush of senior year and spend a weekend at the coast with their friends. This one-night retreat invites them to celebrate their experiences on The Bluff and gather wisdom for impending transitions.

    Anchors Away

Founders’ Day: April 9, 2019

  • On Founders’ Day, the University of Portland pauses to celebrate its rich past and promising future. UP honors its bold leaders who dared to dream of a Catholic university overlooking the Willamette River and learns from its most outstanding seniors whose research as undergraduates portends great things for the future.  In recognition of the importance of both the past and the future, the University holds no classes on a Tuesday in April and instead opens its doors to learn from our best and brightest students.

Senior Night: Late April

  • Seniors are invited to a special evening including the “Last Lecture” in the Chapel, the Closing Bell Tower Ceremony, and Prost with Profs in the Pilot House.

Anchors Away: May 2, 2019

  • The Campus Program Board hosts this special event on the last day of finals week during the spring semester where faculty, staff, and students celebrate the successes of the year.

GOLD Grad Party: May 5, 2019

  • After students cross the stage at Commencement and officially become alumni, we invite them to their first-ever alumni event. As new GOLDs (Graduates of the Last Decade), the Class of 2019 is invited to gather one final time on campus before they go their separate ways. The evening will include plenty of food, dancing, a photo booth, and sentimental farewells.

GOLD Grad Party

Alumni & Parent Relations: Ongoing

  • Both before and after graduation, our Office of Alumni and Parent Relations is here to support your student! Revisit this article about how our office can help connect students and provide resources.
  • One way that students can build connections is through UP Switchboard, the online platform where Pilots ask for what they need and offer what they have within the trusted University of Portland community. This is the perfect time for seniors to seek advice from UP alumni all over the country on careers, traveling, applying to grad school, and more. Encourage your student to sign up!