08-18-2014

Building Community: Serving to Learn, August 30

August 25, 2014

On Saturday, August 30, University of Portland first-year students will be uniquely immersed in the three hallmarks of our University: Teaching and Learning, Faith and Formation, and Service and Leadership. Faculty and staff members are asked to consider being a part of this endeavor by participating in the ninth annual Building Community: Serving to Learn program. Senior student Megan Lester is organizing this half day of community service and discussion for all first-year students, in coordination with the Shepard Freshman Resource Center and the Moreau Center.

As University community members, faculty and staff often go beyond the boundaries of classrooms and offices in their investment in the lives of students. This generosity is one of the unique advantages that students experience at the University of Portland. By giving time on August 30 to work alongside students and serve as a facilitator for a group students after their experience faculty and staff will be fulfilling a vital part of the University’s mission. More information and a signup form can be found at http://tinyurl.com/k8o5utu. The day’s schedule is as follows:

8:15 am: Meet at the Tennis Center/Breakfast
8:45-9 a.m.: Send-off to designated sites
12-1:15 p.m.: Return to campus, pick up lunch, discussion in small groups
1:15-1:45 p.m.: Closing ceremony.

For more information contact Brenda Greiner, freshman center, at 7895 or greiner@up.edu.

UP prepares to welcome largest freshman class in its history

August 18, 2014

University of Portland will welcome the largest class in school history this week when the Class of 2018 arrives on campus for Orientation. Approximately 1,090 new freshmen are expected to begin classes this fall, and the University’s total overall registered full-time undergraduate students is about 170 more than last year at this time.

“The University of Portland’s reputation continues to get stronger and stronger,” said dean of admissions Jason McDonald. “More applicants have allowed us to be more selective, and we’ve seen our academic profile and geographical diversity increase.”

The UP Class of 2018 is also highly academically accomplished, with an approximate average SAT score of 1193 and average high school GPA of 3.61. The class also is diverse in geography – 53 percent of the class hails from outside Oregon and Washington, including 26 percent from California and 9 percent from Hawaii – and in ethnicity, with 38 percent of the class identifying as minority.

Some pre-Orientation activities begin on Tuesday, August 19. International students will participate in the three-day Ohana program, and more than 100 incoming freshmen will participate in the annual Service Plunge August 19-21. They will volunteer at Cesar Chavez School, Harper’s Playground, Friends of Trees, Open Meadow School, SCRAP, King-MLK School, Astor K-8 School, Penninsula School, and United Village/Rebuilding Center.

The bulk of the freshman class and new transfer students arrive on Thursday, August 21, when they move into their residence halls. Orientation activities continue throughout the weekend.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend the President’s Welcome at 9 a.m. on Friday, August 22, as well as the Opening Mass at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 23. A “Where to Be, and When” schedule is available on the student activities website.

For more information, contact Jeromy Koffler, student activities, koffler@up.edu.

21 new faculty join UP in 2014

August 17, 2014

The University of Portland is pleased to welcome 21 new faculty members this fall. New faculty will participate in a two-day orientation program August 18 and 19 to learn more about the University’s educational philosophy and organizational culture and learn about services and support systems available to ensure faculty and student success. Each new faculty member has been assigned a mentor with whom they will meet regularly during their first year at UP. New faculty for 2014-2015 include:

Aarti Arora – Communication Studies
Christina Astorga – Theology
Michelle Collazo – Nursing
Teri Grimmer – Business
Sean Kavanaugh – Athletics
Alison Knoedler – Athletics
Matthias Kullowatz – Mathematics
Gregory May – Psychological Sciences
Kala Mayer – Nursing
Jen McDaneld – English
Jeffrey Meiser – Political Science
Susan Murray – Biology
Col. Scott Peel – AFROTC
Nicole Ralston – Education
Sruthi Rothenfluch – Philosophy
Jane Scott – Library
Amber Vermeesch – Nursing
Cpt. Brice Virell – AFROTC
Shazib Vijlee – Engineering
Valerie Walters – Chemistry
Wilfred Wu – Business

University names three Title IX deputy coordinators

August 17, 2014

The University of Portland is committed to ensuring equal access to education in an environment free from discrimination, including sexual harassment and interpersonal violence. Anyone impacted by violence is encouraged to contact the Title IX coordinator, Bryn M. Sopko. The Title IX resources will now include representation for students, faculty and staff. Beginning immediately, the new Title IX deputy coordinators will be:

For students: Rev. John J. Donato, C.S.C., associate vice president for student development (donato@up.edu)
For faculty: Matt Baasten, associate provost and Graduate School dean (baasten@up.edu)
For staff: Stacey Watanabe, human resources employee relations and training manager (watanabe@up.edu)

As a reminder, all inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations may be referred to the University’s Title IX coordinator, Title IX deputy coordinators, or to the assistant secretary for civil rights of the Department of Education. The University’s Title IX coordinator is Bryn M. Sopko, director of human resources, 8987 or sopko@up.edu. For further information, please review the Title IX homepage: http://www.up.edu/titleix.

Scheduling Library Sessions for Fall Courses

August 17, 2014

As professors prepare for Fall semester, now is a great time to schedule library instruction for the best choice of dates and times. Librarians will work with faculty to tailor sessions to the students’ research needs. Classes typically meet in the Clark Library’s classroom on the upper floor. The library has laptops that students can use, or students can use their own wireless-enabled devices, to gain hands-on experience. To schedule instruction, contact Stephanie Michel at 7418 or michel@up.edu.

Museum offers orientation to UP campus

August 17, 2014

The staff of the University Archives and Museum welcome all new faces to the University of Portland campus. To help new and returning faculty, staff and students navigate their way around, they have put together a brief orientation to campus on the museum blog. View the post at https://wordpress.up.edu/museum/orientation-at-the-university-of-portland-campus/. For more information contact Carolyn Connolly, museumcCoordinator, 8038 or piatz@up.edu.