UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

05-18-2020

Summer Offerings From the Learning Commons

The Learning Commons invites all students to connect with peer tutors, writing assistants, and speech and presentation consultants as an effective learning strategy for greater success in their college courses. Working with our tutors also makes your online learning experience at UP more social. This summer, we offer students the following online tutoring programs in Microsoft Teams:

  • Math Resource Center: Simply send an email to mathtutor@up.edu to request a math tutoring appointment.Provide two or three good days and times to meet.
  • Writing Center: We have five writing assistants ready to support UP students during the summer term. Students can send an email request to writing@up.edu. Please include two to three good days and times to meet.
  • Language Studio: Students can access language tutor hotlines at frenchtutor@up.edu and spanishtutor@up.edu.
  • Natural Sciences Center: Students can request biology, chemistry, and physics tutoring appointments at biotutor@up.edu, chemtutor@up.edu, or physicstutor@up.edu.
  • Speech & Presentation Lab: Students can improve online presentation skills by requesting an appointment at speech@up.edu.

Students can find strategies for learning online at the college level by clicking here.

The Learning Commons’ virtual tutoring takes place on the Microsoft Teams platform which is available through the University’s Office 365 MyApps at this link.

To support the success of their virtual tutoring appointments student can take the following steps:

  • Use a laptop or tablet with a camera and microphone.
  • Become familiar with the Office 365 MyApps and search for the Teams app. Go to an introductory video on joining a meeting in Teams at this link.
  • If possible, download the Microsoft Teams app on their device.
  • Schedule appointments 48 hours in advance, if possible.

All questions regarding the Learning Commons’ virtual tutoring program can be directed to Jeffrey White, Learning Commons, at white@up.edu.

Virtual Writing Assistance Available All Summer

While the in-person Writing Center will remain closed until further notice, virtual writing assistance is available for all students taking courses at UP this summer. If you’re teaching a summer course, especially one involving writing, will you let your students know about this service? One-on-one sessions with our experienced writing assistants will happen via video, by way of Teams + Google Docs. Our goal is to not just to inspire better papers, but to empower students to become better writers.

To make an appointment, students can simply email writing@up.edu and a writing assistant will get back to them within 24 hours (we do not use the scheduler at WCOnline in summer). Another option we are piloting for summer courses is to offer faculty the option of a “Dedicated Writing Assistant” for their course. Dedicated writing assistants will meet with faculty members to learn about the course’s writing assignments and then be available for students seeking assistance with those assignments.

Please contact Writing Center director Molly Hiro (hiro@up.edu) if you’d like to learn more about this option.

Recreational Services Virtual Fitness Summer Schedule

Recreational services will start its virtual fitness summer schedule on Wednesday, May 13, with eight classes offered each week including: Plyometrics, Yoga, HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), and Zumba. Join the fitness fun! To join the virtual fitness MS Team, email Kaitlin Bourne at bourne@up.edu.

Monday:
  • 12:15 pm – Yoga Works with Kaitlin
  • 5:30 pm – Plyometrics Plus with Lauren
  • No classes on Memorial Day, Monday May 25
Tuesday:
  • 12:15 pm – HIIT with Brie
Wednesday:
  • 12:15 pm – Zumba with Brady
  • 5:30 pm – Plyometrics Plus with Lauren
Thursday:
  • 12:15 pm – HIIT with Brie
Friday:
  • 9:00 am – Yoga Works with Kaitlin
Saturday:
  • 11:15 am – HIIT with Brie
For more information go to http://www.up.edu/recservices.

UP #GivingTuesdayNow Results: Thank You!

Last week UP joined #GivingTuesdayNow in its global day of giving. Over 395 UP donors gave more than $200,000 and unlocked $25,000 in challenge gifts. We would like to especially thank UP employees for participating—at least 65 took this opportunity to support UP’s mission. Through this outpouring of support, UP can respond to the new and extraordinary needs of students as they prepare for their return in the fall. Thank you who participated in the success of this great day!

Residence Hall Students Raise $5,563 for Holy Cross Missions

Residence hall students raised $5,563 for Holy Cross Missions through their fundraisers and signature events this year, according to director Andrew Weingarten. Each residence hall partners annually with the Holy Cross Mission Center in Notre Dame, IN to adopt a particular mission. Our students take opportunities to learn about their hall’s mission and raise funds through a variety of annual signature hall events.

Christie Hall has proudly dedicated their fundraising work for the past few years to benefit the Holy Cross Schools in Plaisance and Pilate, Haiti. These schools serve the communities in these towns by educating youth in the area. Christie Hall’s signature fundraising event, Christie Pub, dates back to 1980 and continues today as an annual talent show for Christie residents. Each year a new keepsake root beer mug is designed by students and hall staff honoring the tradition in Christie Hall of coming together and enjoying each other’s company.

Kenna Hall dedicated their fundraising work this past year to the St. Marianne Cope’s Young Women’s project, which supports and funds young women’s education in Bangladesh. Kenna Canvas was a night for residents and students from other halls to come receive a painting lesson from Fr. Mark Ghyselinck, C.S.C.

Some of the halls will create new activities and events from time to time. This past year Fields Hall held their first Glow Run which was a nighttime 5K run followed by a large Bingo game. Through this event they raised money for La Fuente, a project in Chile to feed elderly persons of very limited means.

For more information contact residence life at x7205 or reslife@up.edu.

Clark Library and Summer Session

The Clark Library has sent a welcome announcement to summer students about the Virtual Clark Library and our Remote Library Services. We are also introducing a new way for students ​and staff to suggest items for purchase. This complements a program designed in spring in which the library purchased print and eBooks based on Interlibrary Loan requests that could not be filled due to the pandemic. The print books were shipped directly to the requesters and will be added to our collection when they are returned later. Faculty should continue to send any purchase suggestions to their liaison librarian.

Marie Jobes: Farewell and Good Luck!

Marie Jobes, development, is leaving UP to take on her new role at nonprofit Girls Inc. Marie started in development after graduating from UP and significantly grew student giving. She constantly brought fresh ideas and optimistic energy to Annual Giving Team projects.  Even in her last few weeks at UP, Marie has been determined to wrap up projects with strong attention to detail and to always put her best foot forward every step of the way.

Marie’s last day was Thursday, May 14. She requested a quiet departure, but you can join in recognizing her by sending a personal note or leaving her a message on kudoboard at this link.

Best wishes, Marie. You will be missed.