UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

Issues

Inclusive Description in the Clark Library Catalog

Did you know that even the way books are described can show historical bias? Our library catalog contains many of these examples, either through problematic descriptions of a book’s subject or the deliberate omission of historically marginalized topics, such as LGBTQIA+ themes. Bonnie Parks(Collection Technology Librarian) recently completed a sabbatical project focused on researching and updating these terms to provide more equitable access and make our catalog more inclusive for faculty and student study and scholarship. (Read more).

BetterMynd Teletherapy for Students

University of Portland has partnered with BetterMynd, an online therapy platform, to offer each active student access to 5 free teletherapy sessions from a diverse network of licensed mental health counselors. Teletherapy sessions are available during the day, at night, and on weekends, so students can get support that works with their schedules. (Read more).

2024 Excellence in Service Award—Call for Nominations (Due Feb. 23)

The service award seeks to identify and recognize faculty members that enhance the UP community, professional communities, and/or the world community through their service and leadership work with students, colleagues, and community members. Recipients of the awards are honored at the Faculty Gala in May. (Read more.)

Service of Prayer & Light (Jan. 23)

A Service of Prayer & Light will be held on Tuesday, January 23, at 4 p.m. in the Chapel of Christ the Teacher. This service is intended to reflect the diversity of faiths and cultures that make University of Portland a strong and vibrant place. We will share the light of candles with one another as a symbol of the faith, hope, charity, compassion, and care that unite the UP community. We will also distribute cards of gratitude and affirmation that community members may send to fellow Pilots throughout the semester. (Read more.)

Green Dot Faculty & Staff Overview (Jan. 26)

Please join us for a Professional Development opportunity focused on contributing to a safe and healthy campus for all. The Green Dot Faculty and Staff Overview (70-minute training) focuses on addressing issues related to gender and sexual violence on campus. (Read More)

2024-25 FAFSA Online Application is Now Open

The Department of Education has announced that the 2024-25 FAFSA is open 24/7. The 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened intermittently on December 31, 2023, with limited hours of access during their “soft launch.” While there are still a few known implementation issues, the application is now working for most students/families. (Read More)

Join the Alternative Grading Collaborative

Dear colleagues, how many of you have ever wondered if grading really, truly reflects student learning? How many of you have wondered if there is a better way? If the answers to these questions are ones you’d like to explore in a supportive community, please consider joining the nascent, grassroots, UP Alternative Grading Collaborative that sprung up in the summer of 2023, met this fall for lunch, and hosted a day-long workshop before the start of the spring 2024 semester. (Read more.)

Techtalk: January 2024 Zoom Announcement

Welcome back everyone, we are glad to be back with all of you for the new year! Please visit the Techtalk blog to see our first Zoom update of 2024, as well as a variety of other posts. We’ll be adding more on various subjects as the ice thaws so check back throughout the month for more interesting topics). (Read more.)

New to The Bluff—Abby McMahon, Registrar

The Office of the Provost is pleased to announce that Abigail McMahon has been appointed the University of Portland’s Registrar, effective January 1, 2024. Abby is well prepared for her new duties, as she has advanced through a series of roles within the Registrar’s office since 2013. (Read more.)