UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Issues

“Reading Hour”—A Chance to Unplug and Connect (Dec. 6)

Are you living under the tyranny of the “to do” list? Want to reclaim a bit of your humanity in the midst of the daily grind? Interested in connecting with others for casual conversation? If so, The Reading Hour is for you. 

DB Lounge—Friday, December 6, 4-5 p.m.

All are welcome—students, staff, faculty, friends!

In a world that seems increasingly defined by productivity, optimization, and the devices that tether us to those practices, the simple act of picking up a book and carving out an hour to read with no agenda feels radical. Reclaim your relationship to reading and spontaneous conversation with this no-tech, low-key event put on by the Public Research Fellows. Read alongside friends, meet some new people, and enjoy hot cocoa and holiday cookies. There will be time for quiet reading as well as discussing and socializing with others. 

Don’t Miss the Staff/Faculty Holiday Thirst Friday! (Dec. 6)

All faculty and staff are invited to enjoy laughter, libations, small bites and great conversations at this Garaventa Center casual, no agenda social! Bring someone who’s never been for extra credit.

 December 6, Franz Hall 3rd Floor, 4-6 p.m. 

For more information or questions contact Shannon Mayer (mayers@up.edu) or Peter Walsh, CSC, (walshp@up.edu). ADA compliant event.

Santa’s Workshop (Dec. 7)

Bring the kids to The Bluff on Saturday, December 7, for an afternoon in Santa’s Workshop! Everyone will be able to write a letter to Santa and have a photo taken with him. There will also be craft building activities and opportunities to participate in service projects for our community. Help celebrate the spirit of the season!

The Workshop will be hosted in Bauccio Commons from 2-5 p.m.

Please RSVP at the link below if you would like to attend.

RSVP for Santa’s Workshop

Advent Vespers Concert (Dec. 7)

University of Portland Performing & Fine Arts Department presents:

Advent Vespers Concert

Our signature concert event of the year featuring the University of Portland Singers, Bel Canto, Chamber Choir and Chamber Orchestra.

  • Saturday, December 7, 2024 | 8:00 p.m.
  • St. Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception – 1716 NW Davis Street, Portland

Admission is free, but reservations are required. Please submit your reservation at the link below.

Advent Vespers Reservations

New Faculty/Staff Directory Photos (Dec. 10)

Are you a new or current faculty or staff member who has not yet had their professional headshot taken for the UP Directory?  

The Department of Marketing and External Web Services has scheduled a professional photographer on Tuesday, December 10, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 

These headshots will also be available to you for personal and professional use.

Please fill out this form to sign up for a five-minute headshot session. We will get back to you as soon as we can with your assigned time. 

*** If you know of any new staff or faculty members that will be arriving on campus, we encourage you to proactively schedule a time for them to take their Directory photo. *** 

Smartsheet Access Ending (Dec. 11)

The Department of Marketing and Web Services has opted to end the licensing of Smartsheet effective December 11, 2024.

If you are a registered user within UP’s Smartsheet account, please ensure that you transfer any assets that you wish to retain from Smartsheet before this date.

Please note that you will still be able to access the free version of Smartsheet.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact us Dhara Brown (brownd@up.edu)

Columbia Employee Store Passes for Faculty & Staff (Dec. 22)

Click to open invitation

University of Portland Faculty and Staff invitation is valid November 22-December 22! The store is stocked with the latest products from our family of brands: Columbia, SOREL, Mountain Hardwear, and prAna—items are marked at Employee Store pricing

It’s Golden Ticket Time – Save 20% off select styles plus an additional 10% on your entire purchase!

For store access, please provide your digital invite (printed or shown on your mobile device) + proof of affiliation.

Invitees can bring up to four additional guests with each visit (children under 18 don’t count towards the guest limit).

This offer is for employee store access only (not valid online).

This is your final invite of 2024 – it’s a great time for some winter and holiday shopping!

January Book Club: “Mind Over Monsters” (Jan. 8)

The College of Arts and Sciences in collaboration with the Center for Teaching and Learning invite you to join your colleagues on January 8, 2025 from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. for a discussion of Sarah Rose Cavanaugh’s book Mind over Monsters: Supporting Youth Mental Health with Compassionate Challenge. 

Statistics in recent years indicate that mental health problems have been rising among youth, which can impact access and persistence in higher education. Cavanagh, a professor and psychologist, employs pedagogical, neuroscientific, and psychological research to frame an approach we can use in the classroom: compassionate challenge. “When we employ this approach, learning is undergirded by compassion. We guide students into practices that encourage challenge and help them face their fears in an encouraging, safe, and playful way.” 

Please email ctl@up.edu to get your name on the list for both a free copy of the book and to join the discussion.

Co-organized by Allie Stewart, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, and Terry Favero, Director of the CTL. This project is partly funded by the HHMI IE3 Grant and CAS.

Teaching and Scholarship Awards—Call for Nominations (Jan. 24)

The Committee on Teaching and Scholarship (TAS) is accepting nominations for the 2025 Faculty Teaching Award and Faculty Scholarship Award. Self-nominate or nominate someone by sending a simple “I nominate X person” to TAS@up.edu by January 24.

Nominees will be contacted, and their supporting materials will be due March 17. Visit the Teaching and Scholarship Awards site on Moodle for more info regarding the nomination process, award criteria, and supporting materials required for nomination. 

Please contact TAS chair Buck Taylor at tas@up.edu with questions.