UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

2024-12-23

UPBeat Schedule

UPBeat will continue on an “every-other-week” schedule during Spring 2025.

Please send submissions to upbeat@up.edu by noon the Thursday prior to publication.

Feature Submission Guidelines:

  • Submissions should include a title and body copy that describes your feature, along with any pertinent links and contact information. For guidance on writing your submission, refer to our UP Writing Style Guide.
  • We strongly encourage the inclusion of companion graphics/images for submissions. The graphic should be square and no larger than 500 x 500 pixels in either JPEG or PNG format.
  • Individuals who submit information are responsible for the accuracy, timeliness, and reliability of submitted material.
  • Please do not include new submission requests in previous submission emails.
  • It may not be possible to publish all items received and we may not be able to facilitate requests to repeat submissions.
  • Flyers will not be accepted as submissions.
  • Web links may be provided for additional information, however individual offices and departments are responsible for hosting and maintaining them.
  • Please note that all submissions are subject to editing for content and style prior to publishing.

Spring 2025 Dates

  • January 6
  • January 20
  • February 3
  • February 17
  • March 3
  • March 17
  • March 31
  • April 14
  • April 28
  • May 12
  • May 26

2024 Past Issues

Questions? E-mail us at upbeat@up.edu and we will be happy to help you.

AI Faculty Sandbox (Jan. 10)

Join Terry Favero, CTL, and Hannah Highlander, CAS, for this two-part workshop focused on using AI to improve your teaching and student learning.

January 10, 10am-12pm. DB 234.

  • 10-11 a.m. Using AI tools to support better classroom, assignment, and Course Development
  • 11-12 pm. Using AI tools to support students as learners. 

Come for one or both hours!

Questions are welcome at ctl@up.edu

Spring 2025 Lunchtime Learning Sessions

Lunchtime sessions are created to foster continuous learning, collaboration, and personal growth through engaging, informal educational programs to learn about a specific topic or skill. Hear speakers from across the UP community as they cover a variety of subjects, such as leadership development, professional development, wellness, and much more. 

Click here for the complete 2025 list of Lunchtime Learning sessions.  

All sessions will be held in Franz Hall 120 from 12-1 p.m. 

Click the link if you’re interested in registering for one of the following three sessions https://uportland.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dioDtqt8La8qCvI

  • Wednesday, January 15 – Conflict Management: Mastering Workplace Disputes – Discover effective strategies for resolving workplace disputes and fostering a cohesive team environment.
  • Wednesday, February 19 – Active Listening: Connecting Through Communication – Discover the power of active listening to build stronger connections, enhance understanding, and improve workplace communication.
  • Wednesday, March 19 – Hiring Hacks for Staff Employees – Master techniques to identify, attract, and hire top talent, ensuring the right fit for your team.

Questions?  Please contact Justin Pfeifer at pfeifer@up.edu.

Spring 2025 Provost’s Initiative for Undergraduate Research Recipients; Summer Applications Now Open! (Due Feb. 16 by Midnight) 

The Office of the Provost is pleased to announce recipients of the Spring 2025 Provost’s Initiative for Undergraduate Research awards.  These faculty members have been selected to collaborate with and mentor undergraduates on a co-designed research experience during the 2025 spring semester: 

  • Claire Costin, Accounting: “The impact of a sense of belonging on attrition in the accounting profession” with Rachel Shimokawa
  • Ruth Dittrich, Economics: “Wildfire smoke in childcare settings” with Rowan Bierwirth and Autumn Hunter
  • Jacob Kimball, Biomedical and Electrical Engineering: “Verification of Custom Lower-body Negative Pressure Machine” with Kirill Averin, Mateus Chauvin, Ethan Falkner, Reilly O’Boyle, and Ryan Okasaki
  • Corey Pressman, Nursing and Health Innovations: “Consumerism as a Fundamental Cause of Public Health Issues with Cameron Wilder
  • Lizz Schallert, Social Work: Humane Conditions for Human Service Workers: Merits and Challenges of Worker-Organizing in the Nonprofit Sector with Chase Mello-Ferrone and Carson Shigo

Applications for Summer 2025 Provost’s Initiative for Undergraduate Research awards are available now on the Provost’s Initiative webpage.  Applications for Summer 2025 are due February 16 by Midnight. 

Home Purchase Opportunity Exclusively for University of Portland Employees

In an effort both to support the University’s strategic investment plans and to benefit our employees, the University is offering two of its residential properties for sale to interested faculty or staff employees.  These properties are located on Portsmouth Avenue between Willamette Blvd. and Harvard St. (6719 and 6727 Portsmouth Avenue), half a block from Lund Hall and the Chiles Center.

This opportunity will allow qualified employees to purchase the home at a pre-determined price (based upon an independent appraisal) under our Employee Home Loan Program with a $40,000 forgivable loan (the maximum loan for non-UP properties is $18,000).  This loan is forgiven over a period of seven (7) years of continuous employment and requires that this be your primary residence during the forgiveness period (details of the loan program can be found HERE).  The only other two caveats are that you must maintain the street appearance of the property and if, in the future, you decide to sell the property, University will be given the opportunity to buy back the property at an updated independently appraised price first.  The homes are being sold AS-IS.

If more than one employee is interested in purchasing a particular home, the choice will be made by a random drawing.

To qualify, employees must:

  • Be a full-time, benefited faculty or staff employee of the University of Portland for two or more consecutive years prior to December 31, 2024.
  • Qualify for the University home loan program, which means it must be their first purchase of a home within the North Portland area as defined in the UP Home Loan Program.
  • Be in good standing with their employment at the time of purchase (i.e., not placed on a performance improvement plan or under any current or pending disciplinary action within the past six months).

Important Dates:

  • Open House #1 (must show UP ID to enter – both houses will be open): Saturday, January 11, 2025 – (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
  • Open House #2 (must show UP ID to enter – both houses will be open): Saturday, January 18, 2025 – (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
  • Deadline to Indicate Interest: Thursday, February 27, 2025
  • Target Closing Date: Monday, March 31, 2025

The University will make both the home appraisal and the home inspection reports available to prospective buyers as well as the sale and purchase agreement, covenant of codes and restrictions (CC&R), and repurchase agreement.  A lender will likely require their own appraisal of the properties and the appraisals may or may not agree on value.

Property Details

6179-N-Portsmouth
Download PDF
6727-N-Portsmouth
Download PDF

Please refer all questions to homesales@up.edu. Thank you!

Get Involved with Student Wellness!

Have you been wondering how you can get involved to make our world a better place for future generations? Or maybe you just want to make UP a safer place for students, faculty, and staff to live, learn and work. We’ve got a few ideas for you!

  • Join the Interpersonal Violence Prevention Taskforce. This is a team of faculty, staff, and students that will meet 2 times each semester to discuss community concerns, create violence prevention curriculum, identify necessary interventions, and create avenues for enacting them across campus.
    • Our first meeting is on Monday, December 16 at 11:45 am-12:45 pm in Lower Level Orrico. Tea, cocoa and cookies will be provided.
  • Attend an upcoming Green Dot Faculty/Staff Overview to learn bystander intervention skills and be better prepared to do something when you see the warning signs of interpersonal violence.
    • Thursday, December 12 at 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
    • Monday, December 16 at 10:30-11:45 am
      • Both trainings will be held in Lower Level Orrico. Tea, cocoa and cookies will be provided. Email Erin Currie to let us know you will be joining us, or to request a more in-depth Bystander training or a Student Green Dot refresher.

Want to explore all of the support opportunities we offer? Learn about all of our Student Wellness Initiatives and how you can get involved.

Help Us Plan Guided Meditation for Next Semester

The Wellness Center needs your help for planning our guided meditation for next semester! We’re asking anyone interested in meditation to please fill out this availability survey to give us a better idea of times and locations that work best for our community.

Questions? Ideas? Reach out to us via email (wellness@up.edu) We appreciate your suggestions and feedback!

Faculty Scholarly Activity Reminder

Faculty members are reminded to load their scholarly activity on the portal in PilotsUP by May 31 each year. Data obtained through the portal is important as the University applies for grants, honors societies, etc. Faculty members also use their school’s report on the home tab of the Scholarly Activity Portal to send the data to their respective deans as a part of annual self-evaluation.

You can find the link to the Scholarly Activity Portal in the Academic menu of PilotsUP or at the button below.

Scholarly Activity Portal

For any questions about uses of the portal, please contact scholars@up.edu

Fire Alarm Testing

Campus buildings will undergo the annual fire alarm system testing and maintenance over winter break. Each building will be tested and will have a period of time when alarms are being activated. Building point persons have been notified.

If you plan to be working from our buildings during winter break and would like a full schedule please email ehs@up.edu