Now is the time to start sending the Office of Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement (OUSE) the names of current juniors who would be strong candidates to apply for Fulbright Grants. Fulbright offers grants to countries around the world, and in many cases, the applicant is not expected to have studied the language of the host country. Likewise, Fulbright has no minimum GPA requirement, but they are looking for people who will be good ambassadors for the United States. Fulbright is particularly interested in getting applications from underrepresented groups. Students from all disciplines and schools are encouraged to apply, but OUSE needs faculty to identify them.
03-09-2020
2020 Retiring Faculty Ceremony, April 15
The following faculty members have announced their retirement at the conclusion of the spring 2020 semester, according to Kathleen Staten, provost’s office:
- Robert J. Albright, Professor of Electrical Engineering, 50 years
- Robin D. Anderson, Dean of the Pamplin School of Business and Franz Endowed Professor of Entrepreneurship, 22 years.
- James B. Carroll, Professor of Education, 27 years
- Frances Simmons, Instructor, School Nursing, 31 years
- Thomas G. Greene, Provost and Professor of Education, 37 years
A ceremony and reception for all 2020 retirees will take place on Wednesday, April 15, at 3:30 p.m., in the Bauccio Commons board room. For more information contact Staten at x7105 or staten@up.edu.
Please Check Your Emergency Notification Information
Campus safety recently sent employees a text message about the first Oregon cases of Coronavirus and campus preparations through our emergency notification system and a number of employees did not receive the message. Text messages are an effective way for UP community members to receive communications during an urgent or emergency situation. All faculty and staff are asked to please sign into pilots.up.edu and double check their emergency notification information and update as needed.
For more information contact campus safety at publicsafety@up.edu.
Coronavirus Update for UP Employees from HR
All University employees are advised to please review the Coronavirus guidance document at this link. Some of the guidance in this document may be updated or revised at a later time, as appropriate.
As the Coronavirus spreads in the Portland/Oregon area, you may have the following question, which is addressed in the FAQ’s question no. 1:
FAQ 1: A supervisor or employee has concerns that the employee may have been exposed to the Coronavirus. What should be done?
A: Please contact human resources as soon as possible at hr@up.edu or (503) 943-8484. If the situation is particularly urgent, please call or text (310) 779-2406.
If there are any concerns about Coronavirus exposure, it is best if the employee stays at home or goes home until human resources can help UP leadership make a determination about appropriate next steps. An employee’s pay and sick/vacation time accruals will not be affected if an employee is asked to stay at home while a determination is being made about Coronavirus exposure or if the employee is asked to continue staying at home because of potential or actual Coronavirus exposure.
Kaiser Permanente posts regular Coronavirus updates and information on their website at this link. Information sheets are available to members in English here and Spanish here.
Additional information from HR is available on the HR PilotsUP page.
When employees have to navigate difficult situations related to illness, family care, or childcare that come up in these types of situations, they can contact EAP at this link for support and connection to resources.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact human resources at (503) 943-8484 or hr@up.edu.
Coronavirus Update: Returning Students, Faculty Take Note
COVID-19, also called Coronavirus, continues spreading to various parts of the world. Since UP’s spring break more than a week ago, Oregon now has both confirmed and presumed exposures awaiting confirmation. Nearby Washington state has suffered a number of deaths from the virus to date.
Anyone with underlying medical conditions that make them especially vulnerable to complications from COVID-19 (Coronavirus) should consult with their medical provider to determine if self-isolation away from campus might be warranted. Based on that medical advice, any student who wishes to avoid coming to campus temporarily should contact their associate dean for guidance.
Before returning to campus, please contact your health care provider if you have traveled to one of the countries on the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Level 3 or 4 list (Italy, South Korea, Iran, etc.), or if you are aware that you have otherwise been exposed to COVID-19. They will advise you and refer you appropriately so together you can best address your individual situation.
If any students exhibit a history or symptoms consistent with COVID-19, we will work with the Oregon Health Authority and the CDC to care for the student and UP campus.
Since spring break, more has been learned about COVID-19 and its behavior, including:
- COVID-19 is thought to spread primarily through close contact, within six (6) feet of an individual with a confirmed diagnosis.
- According to CDC experts, COVID-19 appears to be effecting children and younger adults at lower rates. Furthermore, most young adults with COVID-19 experience mild symptoms.
- The CDC recommends people clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces, including keyboards, cell phones, doorknobs, desks, and light switches. Standard cleaning supplies are believed to be effective for COVID-19. Handwashing for at least 20 seconds is recommended. If handwashing is not readily available, then hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is an acceptable alternative.
Classes and daily operations at UP will continue as scheduled until further notice. Here are a few steps we are taking to help address the spread of COVID-19:
- Busy areas around campus will undergo multiple cleanings and disinfecting throughout the day and evenings, including bathrooms and high-use surfaces.
- More hand sanitizer stations will be positioned around campus as inventory allows.
- Visible signage is being increased in all buildings with important reminders and key information which must be followed for our protection.
- Scrutiny of outside events scheduled on our campus, subjecting them to potential postponement or cancellation, depending on the guidance we receive from local, state, and federal healthcare officials.
Other guidance shared with all students, faculty and staff prior to spring break still applies concerning precautions and information about COVID-19:
- Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. They can surface up to 14 days after exposure.
- Anyone experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider. Current UP students should contact the campus Health and Counseling Center (HCC) at (503) 943-7134. After hours, students can access ProvRN or Providence Express Care Virtual to reach a healthcare provider for immediate assessment. Instructions for accessing these services are available on the HCC website using this link.
- Precautions to decrease the transmission of COVID-19 are like those for preventing the spread of other respiratory illnesses, including colds and flu. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough; wash your hands frequently; and stay home if you are ill. The HCC is still taking precautions with patients, including providing masks to students with symptoms of any respiratory illness or fever; and screening all students seeking medical and counseling services upon check-in for risk of exposure to COVID-19. If any students exhibit a history or symptoms consistent with COVID-19, we will work with the Oregon Health Authority and the CDC to care for the student and UP campus.
COVID-19 Outbreak Information
- Additional information and regular updates are available online from the Health and Counseling Center at https://www.up.edu/healthcenter/coronavirus-updates.html.
- The World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and international governments are taking decisive action in response to COVID-19. The CDC website is being updated frequently with information as more becomes known.
Again, our guidance still focuses on caution and prevention. For further information or questions, please contact any of the following resources:
- Health and Counseling Center: x7134
- Campus Safety: x7161
- ProvRN: (503) 574-9606
2020 NUCL Keynote by Jennifer McDaneld, March 14
The 2020 NUCL keynote speaker will be UP English professor Jennifer McDaneld, who will present “Why We Should Take Literary Studies Public: The Case of the Suffrage Centennial” on Saturday, March 14, at 1:45 p.m., in the Brian Doyle Auditorium. All are welcome to attend her free lecture.
McDaneld teaches American literature and core curriculum courses in the English department. She is also a co-founder and coordinator of Public Research Fellows, a new public humanities program in the College of Arts & Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in American literature from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate certificate in feminist studies from Duke University. Her research focuses on suffrage literature, the print culture of U.S. women’s right movements, and the scholarship of teaching and learning, with essays published and forthcoming in journals like Legacy: Journal of American Women Writers, Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, Feminist Teacher and Pedagogy. She also serves as a reviewer for several journals and presses, including Broadview, Legacy, and Teaching American Literature. Currently, she is working on a book project that examines the overlooked genres of U.S. suffrage literature to recover suffragism from its “bad literature” and “bad feminism” critical frameworks.
For more information contact the English department at english@up.edu or x7228.
Spring Symposium of the Public Research Fellows, March 13: Please Join Us!
In keeping with its theme of celebrating the centennial of U.S. Women’s Suffrage, the Public Research Fellows Initiative is hosting a Spring Symposium on Friday, March 13. The symposium will showcase current Public Research Fellows projects as well as a roundtable discussion featuring local elected officials, activists, and historians speaking about women’s voting today. The keynote address, “Trust Black Women: The Importance of Black Women in U.S. Politics,” will be delivered by Brittney Cooper (pictured), author of Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower. All members of the UP community are welcome, as well as friends, family, neighbors, and others, to join in this celebration of women’s suffrage and the vitality of the humanities.
To register and find more information please use this link. For more on Cooper’s keynote use this link.
For ADA accommodations, contact Laura McLary at x7255 or mclary@up.edu.
Careers in Social Services Industry Night, March 10: All Students Welcome!
In partnership with the Department of Social Work and the Moreau Center for Service & Justice, the UP Career Center invites all students to the upcoming Careers in Social Services Industry Night on Tuesday, March 10, from 4:15 to 6:15 p.m., in Franz Hall room 120.
Faculty and staff who work with students are asked to let them know they are welcome to this multidisciplinary event, especially those who are interested inopportunities and career paths within various local social service nonprofits and government agencies. Students can gain insight through a professional panel and informal roundtable Q&A, learn about volunteer, internship, and job opportunities, and hear what employers are looking for. Meet UP alumni professionals in the field and hiring managers from over ten local nonprofits. All are welcome regardless of major or class standing.
For questions or ADA accommodations, contact career@up.edu or x7201.
Brian Doyle Scholarship for Creative Writing: 2020-2021 Applications Welcome
The Brian Doyle Scholarship for Creative Writing was established in 2018 by University of Portland regent Ralph Bliquez in memory of longtime Portland Magazine editor Brian Doyle, who passed away in May 2017. One aspiring writer will receive a $35,000 scholarship award for the 2020-2021 academic year. Applications are being accepted from now until April 1, 2020. Faculty and staff are encouraged to reach out to current freshmen, sophomores, or juniors to let them know about this exciting creative writing opportunity.
Please use this link for more details.
Assistant Hall Director Information Session, March 12: RSVP by March 10
Do you or anyone you know have an interest in becoming an assistant hall director at UP? Please join residence life, in conjunction with the School of Education, for an information night about UP’s MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs program on Thursday, March 12, at 7 p.m. in the Office of Residence Life, Tyson 123. Serving as an assistant hall director comes with 100% tuition remission and many other benefits.
Pizza and LaCroix will be served; please RSVP to reslife@up.edu by Tuesday, March 10.