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President's Office

An Important Message Regarding the University of Portland’s COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for All Students and Employees

Dear University of Portland Community Members,

Approximately four months ago, the University of Portland established a COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force comprised of students, staff, and faculty and chaired by Dr. Casey Shillam, Dean of the School of Nursing. Among many other goals, the Task Force was asked to study whether UP community members should be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The Task Force took ample time to examine this issue closely. It considered important matters such as vaccine efficacy, equity in vaccine access, religious and/or medical exceptions to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement, and the impact that vaccination will have on the health and vibrancy of our campus community.

Ultimately, the Task Force concluded that widespread vaccination of students, staff, and faculty will advance the health of UP community members; promote the safety of our in-person, residential campus environment; and, contribute to the decline of the pandemic. The Task Force recommended that all UP community members be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. This recommendation was endorsed by the COVID-19 Steering Committee and approved by the President’s Leadership Cabinet.

Thus, we announce today that all University of Portland students, faculty, and staff will be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Employees must submit proof of vaccination no later than August 1, 2021. Students must submit proof of vaccination no later than September 1, 2021. As with other vaccination requirements, medical and/or non-medical (e.g., religious) exemptions from this policy may be requested consistent with Oregon and federal law.

We announce this requirement well in advance of the compliance deadlines so that community members can make a plan to get vaccinated and consult their medical provider, if necessary. In the coming weeks, more information will be shared with the community. Instructions on submitting proof of vaccination and requesting an exemption from the vaccination requirement will be provided. Additionally, the University will work to assist our community members experiencing barriers to receiving vaccinations, including our international students who may not have access to FDA-authorized vaccines prior to their return to The Bluff. We recognize that not all areas of the country or the world have equity in access to vaccines, and we commit to providing assistance to our students and employees. We appreciate your patience as further resources are developed and made available to the community.

As we have stated from the start of the pandemic, the health and well-being of UP community members must be our collective priority. We have adopted several measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and, thanks to your extraordinary efforts, the University has achieved great success in keeping COVID-19 case numbers low. The vaccination requirement we announce today is just the latest step we must take in our journey to keep one another safe as we return to the cherished in-person campus community that is so essential to our mission.

Sincerely,

Father Mark Poorman, C.S.C.
President

Dr. Herbert Medina
Provost

Father John Donato, C.S.C.
Vice President for Student Affairs and COVID-19 Steering Committee Co-Chair

Dr. Elise Moentmann
Associate Provost and COVID-19 Steering Committee Co-Chair

Jim Ravelli
Vice President for University Operations and COVID-19 Steering Committee Co-Chair

Dr. Casey Shillam
School of Nursing Dean and COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force Chair

Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., to Finish Tenure as University of Portland President in June After Nearly a Decade on Campus; Rev. James M. Lies, C.S.C., Named Interim President Effective July 1

After 10 years with the University of Portland (UP), including the last seven as its 20th president, Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., is stepping away from the presidency on June 30, 2021.  Poorman made the announcement last Thursday in a message to UP community members.  It was also announced by the UP Board of Regents that Rev. James (Jim) M. Lies, C.S.C., (pronounced LEASE) will serve as interim president effective July 1, 2021.

“After nearly 10 years on The Bluff – and after much prayer, discernment and consultation – I have decided to finish my tenure as University of Portland president after the conclusion of the academic year, at the end of June,” said Poorman in his message to the UP students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents.  “I have received permission from the Provincial Superior of the U.S. Province of Holy Cross to take a sabbatical prior to an anticipated return to teaching, writing, and pastoral ministry.”

Poorman added, “I step away from this role with tremendous gratitude for all that we have accomplished as a University community.  Thanks to God’s grace and the brilliance and dedication of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, benefactors, Regents and friends, UP is stronger now than at any point in its 120-year history.”

“We want to thank Father Mark for his ten years of dedicated service to the University of Portland community,” said Thomas Arndorfer, Chair of the UP Board of Regents.  “Not only has he provided academic leadership but also religious guidance during difficult times.  We wish him all the best as he plans for a return to teaching.  May God be with him in his future endeavors.”

Father Jim Lies will assume the UP interim president’s role after serving in the University of Notre Dame’s London Global Gateway for the past four years, most recently serving as the interim senior director for Academic Initiatives and Partnerships. He began his academic career here at UP where he served on the faculty and directed the Garaventa Center for Catholic Intellectual Life & American Culture, before being named vice president for mission at Stonehill College, another institution of the Congregation of Holy Cross in Easton, Massachusetts.

“Along with the President’s Leadership Cabinet and the Provost’s Council, I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition to our interim president,” said Poorman.  “Until then, there is still much to be done here on campus as we continue to navigate the challenges of COVID-19, further strengthen our University’s financial standing, assure a strong class of incoming first-year students, and prepare for a primarily in-person Fall 2021 Semester.  I look forward to continuing our efforts in these areas through the end of June.”

Latest Community Message From Fr. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C.

Dear University of Portland Community Members,

I write today with several important updates regarding plans for a primarily in-person Fall 2021 Semester, our mode of instruction for the Summer Sessions, a freeze on tuition and academic fees for the 2021–22 academic year, and this May’s Commencement exercises.

But first, I offer my gratitude to all UP community members who have helped to make the start of our semester such a success. Here on The Bluff, COVID-19 positivity is low, residential students and on-campus staff are following our Pilots Prevent health and safety strategies, in-person classes have begun, and spirits are high. Those learning, teaching, and working remotely continue to find new and creative ways to connect with one another and live out our mission, albeit at physical distance. This positive start is the result of dedication, ingenuity, and common concern—three hallmarks of the UP community. Our semester has only just begun and we still have a way to go. But if we work together and look out for one another, I am confident that this academic term will be a success.

Plans for a Primarily In-Person Fall 2021 Semester: With hope and optimism, I share that the University of Portland is planning to conduct a primarily in-person Fall 2021 Semester. Classes will once again mostly be held in-person in our academic buildings, residence halls will return to close-to-normal occupancy, and most campus programming and events will resume.

As we have stated since the outset of the pandemic, flexibility will be essential. In the months ahead, we will closely monitor trends in COVID-19 positivity and the impact of new virus variants. We will be prepared to pivot to alternative plans, if necessary. Further, it is highly likely that the fall semester will not look like a complete return to “normal.” Given the uncertainty surrounding vaccine availability and long-term public health guidelines, we anticipate that some courses and events will continue to be held virtually and other operations may be impacted.

Nevertheless, in light of all that we have learned over the past eleven months, we are confident that we can safely and effectively return to primarily in-person operations in the fall. The COVID-19 Steering Committee will provide updates on our plans in the coming weeks.

Summer Sessions: Very briefly, I note that final decisions regarding the instructional format for Summer Sessions I and II have not yet been made. Information regarding Summer Session I will be shared with the campus community by March 5.

Tuition and Academic Fee Freeze for the 2021–22 Academic Year:In the coming days, students and families will receive a letter from the University announcing that tuition and academic fees will remain unchanged for the 2021–22 academic year. While the University has faced financial challenges as result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are committed to making a UP education as affordable as possible. More information about tuition and fees for next year, as well as a comparison of UP’s costs relative to peer institutions, is provided in the letter that students and families will receive soon.

Commencement 2021: Our annual Commencement exercises will occur on May 9, 2021. The University has not made any decisions regarding the format of our ceremony. A committee of graduating seniors, faculty, and staff is currently studying this issue and will solicit feedback and perspective from the campus community, most especially those who are scheduled to graduate in May. The committee hopes to make a recommendation about Commencement 2021 by the end of February. At that time, we will also share information about the 2021 Commencement speaker and recipients of the Christus Magister Medal and honorary degrees. Regardless of format, we are committed to finding a meaningful and memorable way to honor UP’s Class of 2021 that complies with health restrictions and promotes the safety and well-being of our community.

I once again encourage you to visit our Pilots Prevent website and read our weekly Helping Pilots Prevent newsletter for the latest information on how the University is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please know of my gratitude for all that you have done to help UP navigate this time of challenge. As always, I am praying for you, your loved ones, and all who have been impacted by this pandemic.

Sincerely,

Rev. Mark L Poorman, C.S.C.
President

UP Pandemic Response: Looking Back, Looking Forward

It was not the fall semester that first-year students alongside sophomores, juniors and seniors hoped would happen just a few months ago. The same could also be said of faculty, staff, and even parents of students. But as final exams and a term gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic come to an end, leaders at UP have positive reflections and an optimistic outlook heading into the Christmas holidays and beyond.

The campus has been quiet since last March when the COVID-19 virus first exploded into a wave that sickened millions worldwide, and caused nearly 300,000 deaths in the United States alone. UP faculty and students pivoted to an entirely virtual curriculum; most staff began teleworking; and our beautiful campus emptied of nearly all activity. These challenges, though, triggered a response that University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., says was inspiring.

“I have deep admiration for how our community members responded when unprecedented difficulties redefined our University’s operations,” said Fr. Mark. “Despite the challenges we faced, a spirit of perseverance, optimism and shared responsibility arose within the UP community.  We focused energy and resources on all that we could accomplish, rather than the obstacles that stood in our way. Our successes are the result of working together and caring for one another. We’ll use all that we’ve learned as we prepare for what we anticipate will be a slightly more normal spring term. I’m deeply grateful to our students, faculty, staff, and families for their flexibility, creativity, and dedication to our University and its mission.”

UP is preparing to welcome more than 900 undergraduate students to its residence halls in late January with a tightly-managed arrival schedule. Classes for the entire enrollment of more than 4,000 students will still be primarily virtual, but some in-person courses taught by dozens of faculty members who volunteered to teach on campus will be offered to first-year students.

Robust COVID-19 prevention efforts are in place, including a campus health awareness campaign, screenings, surveillance testing, and contact tracing.  UP campus operations are reconfigured to meet federal guidelines, and state and local mandates for pandemic safety. Separate residence hall spaces have also been set aside for any isolation or quarantine needs.

“We have a lot of momentum coming out of this successful fall term and that sets the stage for an even more successful – and at the same time more challenging – spring semester.  Our faculty members are embracing this direction, and returning students are excited,” said University provost Herbert Medina. “Certainly, we would have preferred to have a more normal campus experience for all enrolled students regardless of academic classification. But several hundred first-year students will finally get a small taste of what a true collegiate experience is like.”

Many success stories surfaced this fall, especially faculty members who maximized technology and virtual instruction with their own creative ideas.  The lack of mass numbers of students living on campus along with no in-person fall classes recalibrated virtually all administrative and operational roles. But thanks to collaboration among essential and furloughed employees, UP maintained near-optimum daily campus functions, which has proven vital to all planning for next year.

Examples of some of the academic successes include:

  • Eric Anctil, School of Education: Applauded by students for unique ways that he generated a sense of connection and community among students, especially during the adjustments of being separated and trying to learn from remote locations.
  • Jordyn Wolfand, Shiley School of Engineering: Praised by students in an Introduction to Engineering class for creating at-home kits to build simple things and understand basic engineering concepts through hands-on learning.
  • David Turnbloom, theology: Received high marks from theology students for leveraging VoiceThread multimedia technology to engage and gather student reflections and share diverse perspectives.
  • Lora Looney, international languages & cultures: Developed especially effective methods for teaching Spanish courses remotely by sourcing ideas from national Spanish-language organizations to use with a project-based approach to the curriculum.

UP will close administrative operations for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays from December 24 through January 1. Classes for the Spring 2021 term will begin on Monday, January 25.

Update From Fr. Mark: Cost-Saving Adjustments, COVID Testing, Pilots Prevent Dashboard

Dear Colleagues,

As always, I pray that this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and well. Preparations for our Spring 2021 Semester are well underway, and I write now to provide an update on our work and preview some important communications that you will receive in the coming weeks.
Adjustments to Cost-Saving Strategies
The financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt by almost every individual, family, and organization across the country, and our University of Portland community is no different. We have been forced to make difficult decisions to promote the University’s financial stability, and I recognize the toll that these decisions have had on our faculty and staff. I will be forever grateful to individuals across the University for their sacrifice and dedication throughout one of the most challenging times in our institution’s history.
Thanks to the limited re-opening of residence halls next semester and other budgetary adjustments, I am pleased to report that we will be able to relax some of our cost-saving strategies and take other steps to lessen the financial burdens being placed on UP community members.
We intend to reverse the temporary faculty and staff salary reductions on December 31, as originally planned. Members of the University’s senior leadership team, however, have voluntarily agreed to a continued reduction in their pay. As the University’s operational needs change in the Spring 2021 Semester, many employees’ furloughs will be eliminated or reduced. Additionally, as stated in the open enrollment communications you have received from our Human Resources Benefits Team, most cost increases for UP-sponsored medical and dental insurance will be absorbed by the University, and most employees receiving coverage through UP will not see an increase in their monthly medical and dental insurance costs next year. For now, other cost-saving strategies (such as University contributions to retirement accounts and suspension of professional development budgets) will continue.
On Tuesday, November 17, Interim Vice President for Financial Affairs Eric Barger will send a message to all University employees with further information on these changes and several other matters related to the University’s finances.
COVID-19 Testing Protocol and “Pilots Prevent” Dashboard
Critical to the University’s success next semester will be our COVID-19 screening and testing protocol. As I announced in my October 2 message, our comprehensive preventative strategy has four components: baseline testing for all on-campus students and employees, ongoing screening, surveillance testing, and symptomatic testing. In the weeks that have followed my announcement, the University has further developed our protocols and selected an industry-leading third-party vendor to help us refine our plans and administer tests. Additionally, we have published our Pilots Prevent Dashboard to provide ongoing information on testing and the presence of COVID-19 on campus. Very soon, members of the University’s COVID-19 Steering Committee will provide much more detailed information on these plans to all community members.
Conclusion
We continue to closely monitor the course of the pandemic, and our prayers continue to be with all those who have been impacted. While we welcome recent developments in COVID-19 treatments and vaccinations, headlines also illustrate that the serious impacts of this pandemic are still far from over. We must remain nimble and responsive to conditions locally, regionally, and nationally. At this time, we have confidence that the protocols we have developed for next semester will help to keep our community safe while enabling us to advance our sacred mission of teaching and learning, faith and formation, and service and leadership.
I offer once again my gratitude to all in the community who are working tirelessly in support of the University we cherish. Along with the Holy Cross Community here at UP, I am praying for you, your loved ones, the brave health care workers on the frontlines, and all members of our global community as we navigate these extraordinarily challenging times. May we continue to move forward with a spirit of resolve, compassion, and hope.
God bless,
Father Mark

2021 Commencement Honorees: Nominations Welcome

The University of Portland invites nominations for the 2021 Commencement speaker(s), Christus Magister Medal recipient, and honorary degree recipients. All nominations should be emailed to University Provost Herbert Medina (medinah@up.edu) and Evan Leadem, President’s Office (leadem@up.edu) and should contain the following information:

  • Name of nominee.
  • A paragraph or two answering the following questions:
    • If a nominee for Commencement Speaker: Why would this nominee be an exceptional Commencement Speaker? What sort of message would this nominee deliver to the graduates of the University and their families?
    • If a nominee for Christus Magister Medal: How has this nominee evinced a vigorous spiritual life and an accomplished professional career in service to others? How has this nominee been a source of inspiration and consolation to the world? How has this nominee illustrated and enhanced the mission of the University of Portland?
    • If a nominee for Honorary Degree: How has this nominee contributed to the University’s values of teaching and learning, faith and formation, and service and leadership? What impact has this person had on his/her local community and/or the world? Is this a person that the University would like for its students and faculty to imitate in their own lives?
  • Any contact information for the nominee (if possible).
  • Any connection between the nominee and the University of Portland (if applicable).

For a list of past honorees, please use this link.

Latest COVID Updates From Fr. Mark

University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., sent the following message to the UP community on Friday, October 2, with updates on the University’s COVID response and plans:

I begin this message with a sentiment that I have expressed often in emails to the UP community: gratitude. I am grateful for your flexibility and understanding as we have navigated extraordinary challenges together as a University community. I am grateful for the optimism, ingenuity, and resolve with which you have approached remote learning and our University’s modified mode of operations. Most of all, however, I am grateful for how you have supported one another and maintained the close bonds that UP is known for despite the distance that separates us. For all that you have done and will continue to do, know of my heartfelt thanks.

Later today, I will write to UP students and families with news about a topic that is top-of-mind for many in our community: plans for the Spring 2021 Semester. Given the centrality of the student experience at UP, I now share my message to students and families with you, our employees. I have also included additional details that pertain specifically to faculty and staff, so I encourage you to review this message in its entirety.

Before providing details, I must once again emphasize that the course of the COVID-19 pandemic is ever-changing. As we have seen today in news out of Washington, D.C., COVID-19 continues to affect people across the country. We continue to pray for all who have been impacted by this pandemic and all who are on the frontlines. In light of shifting circumstances and the advice we receive from public health authorities, we may need to pivot rapidly. The patience and nimbleness you have demonstrated thus far will be more vital than ever in the coming months.

After consulting with the University’s COVID-19 Steering Committee, members of the Board of Regents, the Provost’s Council, the President’s Leadership Cabinet, and others, I am announcing the following mode of operations for the Spring 2021 Semester.

On-Campus Residency and Dining

At this time, we believe it is possible to welcome some residential students back to campus if we de-densify residence halls, implement a robust testing protocol, and abide by health and safety practices. Students will be welcomed to return and reside in single-occupancy rooms. Capacity on campus will be reduced, so it will be necessary to prioritize requests for housing. First-year students and students who are currently residing on campus will receive priority, followed by upper-class students with compelling needs to reside on campus. All room rates will be based on double-occupancy. First-year students are not required to reside on campus if they so choose.

We understand that some members of the community will question the decision to give on-campus housing priority to first-year students. At UP, we regard shared residency as critical to forming community and creating bonds among students. We believe that the first-year students should be given first opportunity to reside in residence halls and receive the foundational community experience enjoyed by students before them.

We are communicating to students that campus life next semester will be different from previous semesters. Large social gatherings will be strictly prohibited, off-campus travel will be strongly discouraged, and violations of health and safety protocols may result in discipline. The Division of Student Affairs will develop programming and activities for on-campus students that allow for community-building in a responsible way.

We are currently working with our partners at Bon Appétit Management Company on dining plans for next semester.

The Office of Residence Life will provide more information to students by October 19, 2020.

Instruction and Academic Calendar

Most instruction will remain online for the Spring 2021 Semester. A limited number of laboratory, clinical, and experiential courses will be held in-person. We are also exploring the possibility of offering first-year students who reside on or near campus an in-person academic experience; planning in this area is ongoing. The idea of allowing faculty who will be teaching introductory courses (especially courses in the Core) to opt-in to teach an in-person course for the first-year students is being discussed by various academic leaders, including the deans, associate deans, the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate, and the CAS Chairs. Overall, the idea has been well received, and more details will be forthcoming soon.

We plan to delay the start of the semester by two weeks, to Monday, January 25. Doing so will allow students who are moving to campus to have sufficient time to travel, undergo COVID-19 testing, and receive their test results. This delay will also provide faculty members more time to prepare Spring courses. Final exams will be administered from May 3 through May 6. Similar to other universities and colleges throughout the country, for the health and safety of the campus community, we will forgo the traditional full week of Spring Break. Rather, we will have two 2-day, mid-week pauses during the semester when classes will not be held. Also, the University will not hold classes on Friday, April 2 in recognition of Good Friday. Classes will be held on Easter Monday.

The Office of the Provost will provide more specific details about the academic calendar and registration for the Spring 2021 Semester by October 19, 2020.

In-Person Work for Employees

Due to the University’s return to limited on-campus residency next semester, some employees will be asked to return to on-campus work. More information will be provided by supervisors in the weeks ahead. Until employees hear otherwise, they should continue to work remotely to the maximum extent possible.

Testing, Vaccinations, and Health and Safety Protocols for Students

The University has developed a multi-faceted protocol for COVID-19 testing among students.

First, all students residing in on-campus residence halls will be tested at the start of the semester using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test. Currently, results are usually being received within 48 hours. Students will be instructed to limit their activity while awaiting their test results. If a student tests positive, they will be required to isolate in the University’s designated isolation residence hall.

Additionally, the University will conduct regular surveillance COVID-19 testing in two manners. First, samples of on-campus students will undergo rapid COVID-19 testing each week. These rapid tests typically provide results in approximately 15 minutes. Second, the University intends to regularly test residence hall wastewater for indications of COVID-19. Taken together, these strategies will help us gather critical data that can assist in mitigating the COVID-19 risk on campus.

Finally, the University will conduct symptomatic COVID-19 testing for all students, regardless of whether they reside on- or off-campus. PCR testing will be provided to students with COVID-19 symptoms, students who test positive during surveillance testing, and students who have been exposed to people with COVID-19.

The University is currently developing a dashboard that will provide information to community members about our COVID-19 testing results. This dashboard will go live in January. UP will also support Multnomah County’s contact tracing efforts, and surveillance testing strategies will be informed by the University’s own exposure tracking.

Further, the University has reserved an on-campus residence hall for isolation. Students in isolation will live in apartment-style accommodations with necessary amenities and close support from our COVID-19 case management team.

We are also strongly encouraging all students to receive an influenza vaccination prior to returning to campus. While getting a flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19, the vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death, and getting a flu vaccine can save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.

The health and safety protocols that were announced during the summer will be in effect for the Spring 2021 Semester. This includes mandatory mask wearing, social distancing requirements, and strict limitations on social gatherings. Additionally, students residing on-campus will be required to complete a daily health check and submit to surveillance testing when requested. Students will also be required to comply with all quarantine and isolation directives they receive from the Health & Counseling Center.

Testing, Vaccinations, and Health and Safety Protocols for Employees

The details of our approach to COVID-19 testing of employees are being finalized. More information will be provided as soon as it is available.

As with students, we are asking that all employees receive an influenza vaccination prior to returning to campus. While getting a flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19, the vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death, and getting a flu vaccine can save healthcare resources for the care of patients with COVID-19.The health and safety protocols that apply to students (e.g., mandatory mask wearing, social distancing, etc.) will also apply to employees.

Furloughs, Salary Reductions, and Benefit Changes

We do not yet know how next semester’s shift in operations will impact the University’s finances. We will gain a better sense for our financial standing once the semester draws closer. More information will be provided as soon as possible.

What Has Changed Since Late July?

In my message of July 30, I stated that the main considerations influencing our decision to deliver primarily remote instruction and keep the residence halls closed included the significant upward trends in infection rates over the summer months in Oregon and neighboring states, along with an increasing number of deaths from COVID-19. Likewise, the slow turn-around time in testing (10-12 days in July) was cause for concern.

While the pandemic has not dissipated as we would have hoped, we now believe that conditions will permit de-densified on-campus residency in the spring if we take additional health and safety precautions. While some recent spikes in infection rates have occurred, overall infection rates on the West Coast have flattened since late July. Also, testing turnaround times have improved dramatically. We are now able to receive PCR results in approximately 48 hours. Further, more accurate, less expensive, and more timely testing has been and is continuing to be developed.

Finally, UP has closely studied the experiences of other colleges and universities across the country. Our COVID-19 Steering Committee members have been in close contact with their counterparts at other institutions and have gained a sense for how to mitigate the risks of COVID-19. As we continue to develop and implement our plans for the Spring, we will remain in contact with colleagues from other colleges and universities.

Once again, however, I emphasize that the health and safety of our community members come first. If we determine that conditions no longer permit on-campus residency, we will be ready to pivot to a different mode of operations.

Conclusion

More detailed information on our plans for the Spring 2021 Semester are forthcoming from the Office of Residence Life, the Office of the Provost, and others by October 19. I thank you in advance for your patience. In the meantime, if you have questions, please direct them to coronavirus@up.edu.

Making a success of next semester will be our shared responsibility. All of us will have to make sacrifices and remain vigilant if we are to keep our fellow community members safe and successfully return to de-densified on-campus residency next semester. We have all seen vivid examples of what can happen if a university community fails to abide by health and safety protocols. I am confident, however, that our University of Portland community–a community filled with goodness, wisdom, grace, and care for one another–can succeed. I am confident that, as Pilots, we can unify around our shared desire for a successful semester and a University environment in which students, faculty, and staff feel safe.

I thank you in advance for your efforts to make these plans a success, and I thank you for your patience as we continue to communicate important information to the campus community in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

Father Mark

Outside Workers Take Note: Stay Home Tuesday, Sept. 15

The following message was shared by University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., concerning working conditions on Tuesday, September 15:

I pray that this message finds you and your families safe.

Due to continued poor air quality in Portland, our modified campus operations will remain in effect on, Tuesday, September 15. With limited exception, any employee whose work responsibilities require them to be outside are asked to stay at home tomorrow and not come to work. For such employees, tomorrow will be considered a paid holiday. Further, any in-person instruction/activity scheduled for tomorrow must be conducted indoors; no outdoor instruction/activities are permitted.

All employees are once again encouraged to consult the Oregon Health Authority’s Wildfire and Smoke website for additional information on staying safe.

Further updates on the University’s operating status will be provided as necessary. Along with the Holy Cross Community at UP, I am praying for you, your loved ones, and all who have been impacted by the wildfires.

A Message From Fr. Mark Poorman, C.S.C.: Gratitude, Interdependence, Hope

Dear UP Community Members,
For many years, University of Portland faculty, staff, and students have marked the beginning of a new academic year with our annual Convocation. This year, out of concern for the health and safety of UP community members and because of important restrictions on large gatherings, we are unable to come together for this time-honored event.
I hope, though, that you will take a moment to watch the brief video message at this link. I offer a reflection on the “liminal space” in which we find ourselves and highlight three virtues – gratitude, interdependence, and hope – that will help us to weather the storm we are currently facing and envision better days ahead.
I also encourage you to read the column I submitted to The Beacon earlier today addressing UP’s continued response to the COVID-19 pandemic and our ongoing efforts to become a more just and equitable University community. This column is comprehensive in its scope and provides timely updates on these important matters.
As you begin this new semester under extraordinary circumstances, know that I am praying for you, your health, and your success. I ask that you join me in praying for all who continue to be impacted by this pandemic and all who call UP home. 

Fall Semester 2020 to Take Place Online: A Difficult Decision

University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., shared the following message with the UP community on Thursday, July 30:

Dear Members of the University of Portland Community,

I write to share a very important update with you regarding our Fall 2020 Semester. As you know, our goal has been to resume in-person instruction and on-campus residency when our semester begins this August. So many individuals across our campus have been working tirelessly to make the preparations necessary for us to begin the semester in this way, and I know how much our students, faculty, and staff desire a return to campus.

Over the past several days, we have consulted with the chairs of our COVID-19 Task Forces, the President’s Leadership Cabinet, the Academic Deans, and the Chair and Vice Chair of the University’s Board of Regents. We have also considered the significant concerns expressed by hundreds of faculty, staff, and students about the safety of resuming on-campus operations this fall.

As a result of these consultations and considerations, I am announcing today that the Fall 2020 Semester will begin on August 24 with nearly all classes held exclusively online. Residence halls will remain closed with some limited exceptions. Most faculty and staff will continue to work remotely. We are hopeful that a return to in-person instruction for the Spring 2021 Semester will be possible. Of course, we will continue to monitor conditions to determine if such a return is safe and feasible.

Our Fall Semester will begin on August 24 and conclude on December 10. Fall Break will be held from October 12 to October 16. More specific information on our academic calendar will be shared with you in the near future.

The Present Conditions

Our priority has been, and always will be, the safety of community members.

We are deeply concerned about recent trends in the course of the pandemic. In Oregon, infection rates and the number of deaths attributable to COVID-19 are at unacceptably high levels. Additionally, many of our students reside in states that have experienced significant spikes in COVID-19 cases and deaths over the past several weeks, including California and Washington. At this time, public health authorities are advising against unnecessary travel far from home, and it is possible that more stringent travel and quarantine restrictions could be implemented in the weeks ahead. Furthermore, slow turnaround times in COVID-19 testing are hampering the ability to properly contain the virus.

Additionally, earlier this week, Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced new restrictions on public K-12 education throughout the state. Public schools in the greater Portland area will not resume in-person instruction until November at the earliest. Many parochial and private K-12 schools are following suit. These developments will have an impact on our faculty and staff and their families. Additionally, if public health authorities have determined that in-person instruction in K-12 schools is unsafe at this time, we feel that it is unwise to resume operation of a residential campus that draws students from around the country.

We have now reached the point at which a final decision must be made. With only three weeks remaining before the majority of students return to campus, now is the time to make this difficult decision. Doing so will prevent the need for significant preparation for the arrival of students, and instead allow us to invest our time and energy into developing new plans.

Remote Learning and Tuition

In-person instruction is at the core of who we are as a Holy Cross institution. I know that many of our students, families, and faculty members will be disappointed that most courses this fall will take place remotely.

However, since March we have made tremendous strides in our remote learning capabilities and have invested significantly in technology to enhance the virtual learning experience. All courses will continue to be taught to ensure that learning outcomes are met and students develop impactful relationships with faculty. We will continue to offer small class sizes and engaging discussion. The same high academic standards that you have come to expect from the University of Portland will be met this fall.

We know that many students and their families are facing financial uncertainty at this time and will have questions about tuition rates. Even though UP is moving to a remote learning model, we will continue to put the academic experience of students first. It is important to remember that tuition pays for only 67% of the costs of a UP education. The University receives the remaining 33% through philanthropic support, endowment funding, and auxiliary revenue (e.g., room and board, rentals, events, etc.). We project that these sources of revenue will diminish significantly in the months ahead. We also note that many of the University’s costs will not decrease as we move to a remote learning model. The University is doing its absolute best to maximize the number of students who can take a full range of courses and remain on-schedule for graduation. For these reasons, and because we plan to provide the same excellent teaching that is a hallmark of the University of Portland experience, the published tuition rates for the 2020–21 academic year will remain the same.

Exceptions and Other Matters

Certain courses required in some accredited programs, such as those involving intensive clinical, lab, experiential, or similar work, may be held in-person. Students who need to enroll in such courses may apply to live in on-campus residence halls. Further information will be provided by individual programs/majors.

Additionally, a limited number of students with compelling needs will be permitted to live in residence halls. Generally, students with academic technology needs, international students, and students experiencing housing insecurity and other hardships will be welcomed to live on the UP campus. The Office of Residence Life will be in touch with students shortly with further information.

Leases for UP-owned rental homes will be honored. However, students who wish to opt out of their leases will be permitted to do so.

Finally, decisions regarding UP Athletics and the state of our fall sports will be determined by West Coast Conference and NCAA leadership in the coming days.

The Road Ahead

I emphasize that this decision is made due to circumstances entirely beyond our control. Hundreds of employees have dedicated thousands of hours of work and immense creativity to develop our plans for the fall. I feel confident that we did all that we could to prepare for a successful in-person Fall Semester.

Fortunately, our planning efforts of these past four months will not go to waste. As I have noted, we have made great strides in how our faculty provide remote instruction. Our plans for “hybrid” course delivery and a de-densified campus will likely be put to use as we look forward to a day in which students can return to campus. In many ways, our recent planning process has demonstrated the great resolve and innovation of our community members.

Today’s message is the first of many you will receive in the days and weeks ahead. I ask that you monitor your email closely for forthcoming communications from the Office of the Provost, the Office of Residence Life, and numerous other offices on campus. Additionally, in the coming days, up.edu/coronavirus will become a central hub of information and resources as we approach the Fall Semester. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to implement this new direction for the Fall Semester.

Conclusion

This time is a difficult one for the University of Portland community. However, we have been in similar circumstances before. We have weathered immense challenges in our 119-year history and we have always emerged stronger. I know that with God’s grace, the abiding dedication of students, faculty, and staff, and a University-wide commitment to our sacred mission, we will make it through our present troubles.

As an institution guided by the Congregation of Holy Cross, we are called to be “people with hope to bring.” May we all continue to seek the wisdom, guidance, and embrace of God as we hope and work for better days ahead.

Sincerely,

Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C.
University President