UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

03-16-2020

Have You Considered Becoming a Leadership Fellow with the Franz Center?

The Franz Center is providing free leadership training and development during the 2020-21 academic year for faculty and staff who want to learn more about their leadership gifts and habits and about becoming a Leadership Fellow. There have been over 150 faculty and staff from across the University who have been trained as Leadership Fellows thus far, and the Franz Center is seeking to include 30 additional faculty and staff who will begin their training next fall. In addition to engaging in what some who have gone through the training describe as a “transformative experience” in which faculty/staff develop a deeper awareness of their leadership strengths and practice leveraging those strengths in service of the common good, after completing the leadership training, Leadership Fellows can serve as leadership instructors and coaches in the Leader Certificate program. Instructors in the Leadership Certificate program earn a stipend of up to $2,500/semester for their teaching or coaching.

All full-time faculty are eligible to participate. Because of certain restrictions, we are able to include only exempt (salaried) staff in the program. Please contact Dave Houglum, director of leadership for the Franz Center, at houglum@up.edu if you would like to participate, nominate a colleague, or need more information, by Friday, May 8.

Nominations Due for Oddo Scholarship by April 13

Shortly after his untimely death in 1989, University president Rev. Thomas Oddo, C.S.C., was memorialized by faculty, staff, students, and friends with the establishment of an endowed scholarship fund named after him. Every year the University awards scholarship funds in Fr. Oddo’s name to one or more students who meet a set of criteria which includes demonstrated commitment to service and to service learning. Criteria for the Father Thomas C. Oddo, C.S.C. Memorial Scholarship are:

  • Minimum 3.0 G.P.A.
  • Demonstrated financial need
  • Junior or senior student standing in the 2019-2020 school year
  • Demonstrated commitment to service and service learning
  • Open to any academic major.

A nomination form is available at this link and is due to Theresa McCreary, Campus Ministry, by Monday, April 13, 2020. For more information contact McCreary at x7131 or mccreary@up.edu.

Teams for Distance Learning Quick Guide

Microsoft Teams is a program for engaging with students both synchronously and asynchronously, allowing for chatting, video and audio calls, and even sharing presentations with students while on a call. However, according to Sam Williams, academic technology and innovation, because of the many features it has, it can be a bit intimidating to get started with. Here is a guide on the basics of starting a 1-on-1 chat, and starting a classroom team for group or singular at distance instruction.

If you want to explore additional resources visit the ATSI  Online Learning Support page or contact them at atsi@up.edu.

Fulbright Grant Candidates Wanted: Open To All Disciplines

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.

Send names to scholars@up.edu and we will contact the student and invite them to meet.

PLEASE NOTE: Coronavirus Message from Fr. Poorman, March 12

Dear University of Portland Students, Faculty, Staff, and Parents,

I write to provide you with an update on the University of Portland’s ongoing response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. I recognize that this communication is lengthy. However, it contains critically important information and I thank you in advance for reading it in its entirety.

The health and safety of UP community members remain our top priorities. Since the onset of the outbreak, leaders from across campus have continuously evaluated and implemented measures to promote the well-being of students, faculty, and staff. Their goals have been threefold: (1) reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure among community members; (2) assist community members who have been impacted by the outbreak; and, (3) promote continuity of our University’s academic programs and operations. Throughout our University’s decision-making process, we have considered guidance from public health authorities, members of our Health & Counseling Center team, and best practices in higher education. We have endeavored to make decisions that are data-informed and consistent with our mission. I want to thank all across campus for their tireless, timely, and transparent efforts in responding to this challenge.

In recent days, with the continued spread of COVID-19 in the United States (including in the Greater Portland area), we have determined that additional steps are now necessary to accomplish the three goals stated above. I note that no member of our University community has tested positive for COVID-19. Nevertheless, we believe that the following actions are prudent in light of recent local, state, national, and global developments.

Transition to Online Instruction: The University will initiate a transition to online instruction. This transition will occur as follows. Beginning Monday, March 16th, all face-to-face classroom instruction will be suspended. No classes will be held on Monday, March 16th, and Tuesday, March 17th, in order to allow for faculty online class preparations and student travel. Beginning Wednesday, March 18th, all courses will begin to be held online until further notice. Provost Thomas Greene will send guidance later today to all students, faculty, and staff concerning implementation of this transition. Additional academic updates, as well as information on the resumption of in-person instruction, will be provided as appropriate.

Student Room and Board: We encourage students to return to their permanent addresses while this virtual learning environment is in effect. We appreciate that, for many students, returning to their permanent addresses may present a significant hardship. Other student may have specific, compelling reasons to remain on the UP campus. Residence Halls will remain open and key services, including on-campus dining, will be available. Vice President for Student Affairs Father John Donato, C.S.C., will send guidance to students later today regarding further matters relevant to services and support.

Faculty/Staff: For now, the University campus remains open and will operate under a normal schedule for faculty and staff, including business functions and employee working hours. Vice President for Human Resources Sandy Chung will send additional information on flexible work options in the coming days, and Provost Thomas Greene will have further information for faculty members.

Large University Events: In accordance with recently-issued directives from state and local authorities, several signature University events which attract large crowds will be canceled. This includes, but is not limited to, Founders’ Day, the Scholarship Luncheon, Weekend on The Bluff, Rock The Bluff, the “We Are Portland” Student-Athlete Awards Dinner, and the Hawaiian Luau. Attendance at UP on-campus athletic events will generally be restricted to student-athletes, officials, essential staff, and credentialed media; however, all are encouraged to visit the University’s Athletics webpage for further details. Individuals with questions about whether a particular event has been canceled should contact event organizers for further information. At present, there are no plans to cancel the University’s Commencement Exercises in May.

Small Events, Gatherings, and Lectures Sponsored by Departments, Clubs, and Organizations: Smaller events, gatherings, and lectures sponsored by departments, clubs, and organizations will be canceled or postponed until further notice. Smaller events may be allowed to take place on an exceptional basis with advance written approval from the Provost and/or a University Vice President.

Travel: All University-sponsored and/or -reimbursed travel must either be canceled or postponed until further notice, unless a written exception is granted by the Provost and/or a University Vice President. This does not apply to community members who are currently abroad and are traveling back to the United States. Personal travel to international locations is strongly discouraged.

The above-referenced communications from Provost Thomas Greene, Vice President for Student Affairs Father John Donato, C.S.C., and Vice President for Human Resources Sandy Chung, as well as additional information concerning the University’s COVID-19 response, will be posted to the University’s coronavirus webpage as it becomes available. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as resources are added to this webpage over the course of the coming days.

These are difficult times, and I invite you to join me in praying for all who have been impacted around the world by the COVID-19 outbreak. I also ask that you join me in praying for our University of Portland community and for all who labor in support of the safety and well-being of our Pilot students, faculty, and staff. I am confident that through action, resilience, and God’s grace, we will emerge from these present challenges.

As a University guided by the Congregation of Holy Cross, we are called to be people “with hope to bring.” May we now unite in a spirit of hope and an abiding confidence in the value and indispensability of our sacred mission.

Sincerely,
Father Mark

Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C.
President

 

Human Resources Coronavirus Updates, Directives for March 13

The following information was shared with the campus community by Sandy Chung, Human Resources, on Friday morning, March 13:

Dear staff colleagues,

With the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, this is a time of uncertainty and stress for all of us. On behalf of UP’s leadership, I want you to know that we care about you, your families, and our communities. Our goal is to work together, support each other, and navigate this situation as a united campus. As a community of care and support, we can handle anything that comes our way.

An important goal is to prevent and slow the spread of the Coronavirus. In support of this, the University requests that departments and units work on the following:

  • The University encourages supervisors and employees to work together to determine those employees who can work from home, full-time or part-time, on a temporary basis while we respond to the Coronavirus situation. Please carefully review and follow the COVID Telework Policy and the COVID Telework Agreement Form, which are attached at this link (Human Resources Policy – COVID TeleWork Policy for Staff Employees – Final – 3.13.20). These documents will also be uploaded to www.up.edu/hr and the Human Resources section of PilotsUP. The COVID Telework policy does not cover employees who are requesting telework because: they may have been exposed to the Coronavirus, they have been diagnosed with the Coronavirus, they are quarantined due to the Coronavirus, they have childcare or family care difficulties related to the Coronavirus, or they or a family member is more vulnerable to the Coronavirus due to a health situation. Employees in these situations should work directly with Human Resources at hr@up.edu or (503) 943-8484. The COVID Telework policy does not apply to student employees. My goal is to get you guidance about student employees by Monday, March 16, 2020.
  • For employees who need to come to campus to do their job duties, we ask that supervisors and employees work together to create social distancing measures as possible and reasonable. This can include things like changing work spaces to create more distance and lessening in-person meetings.
  • Please remember that all University-sponsored and/or reimbursed travel must either be canceled or postponed until further notice, unless a written exception is granted by the Provost and/or a University Vice President.

To support UP and our communities, each of us needs to do our part, and how each of us contributes may be different. Please know that we cannot treat everyone the same; for example, some positions will require that work be done on campus and cannot be approved for telework. However, we can treat everyone in our community with care and support, with fairness and equity.

If you need help navigating personal or work situations – related to the Coronavirus, illness, childcare or family care, stress, and other situations – I encourage you to reach out to Human Resources (hr@up.edu, 503-943-8484) or to the confidential, free Employee Assistance Program (www.up.edu/hr/benefits/eap.html).

Also, please support the non-UP communities that you are engaged with. This includes acting responsibly with social distancing measures like not going to large gatherings of people. For some of us, this may also mean checking in with our K-12 schools, which will be closed the next two weeks; there will be families and children who will need food or other forms of support.

Please remember that the University is uploading Coronavirus resources and FAQs at www.up.edu/coronavirus and in the Human Resources section of PilotsUP.

Thank you everyone. Please take care of yourself, your families, and each other.

Sandy S. Chung

Vice President for Human Resources & Title IX Coordinator for Compliance

University of Portland | 504 Waldschmidt Hall

5000 N. Willamette Blvd. | Portland, OR 97203-5798

T 503.943.8987 | chung@up.edu

COVID-19 and Your Retirement Account: Webinar on March 19

All employees are welcome to to join a webinar on “The Impact of COVID-19 on Your Retirement Plan” on Thursday, March 19, at 9 a.m., according to Human Resources. Register using this link. Those who register can access a recorded version of the webinar within a few days of the presentation.

The spreading COVID-19 pandemic is materially impacting nearly every aspect of life. Some industries are facing immediate reductions in revenue, hours worked, and even headcount, while others are pressed with staff addressing the increased demand created by the pandemic. Additionally, markets are experiencing rarely seen levels of daily volatility. Participants are worried about this volatility and most providers have pulled back educators to reduce the likelihood of community spread. Last, many recordkeeper partners have moved to remote workers during this time. How can plan sponsors ensure critical deadlines are met in the current environment?

In this webinar, leaders from the firm’s Investment Committee, Technical Services Committee, and Vendor Services Committee will cover:

  • Current Market Conditions Brought About by COVID-19
  • Tips for Addressing Participant Concerns About Market Volatility
  • Impact of Reduced Hours / Headcount on Plan Operation
  • Plan Document Compliance
  • Viable Tools to Conserve Cash During the Outbreak
  • Importance of Fiduciary Continuity
  • Partnering with Your Service Provider and Upcoming Deadlines

Again, this webinar will be recorded and available to all registrants within a few days of the presentation.

For more information contact  lindsey.knopik@multnomahgroup.com or hr@up.edu.

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.

Laptop Web Browsing Protection – Umbrella Roaming Client 

Starting Friday, March 13, information services will be installing a new piece of software on University-owned laptops. This software is called Cisco Umbrella Roaming client, a light-weight client which protects internet browsing and filters malicious content from being accessible on your laptop.

All equipment currently connected to the University’s network is already being protected with Cisco Umbrella and we want to extend that protection to University-owned laptops when they are being used remotely.  

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the UP Help Desk at help@up.edu or x7000. 

Beauchamp Center Closing Until Further Notice

Out of an abundance of caution, and in conjunction with state guidelines on public gatherings, the athletics office is closing the Beauchamp Recreation & Wellness Center this morning (Thursday, March 12) until further notice. We will take this time to thoroughly deep clean the building in preparation for reopening at a later date.

For more information please contact athletics at x7117 or leykam@up.edu.