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President's Office

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

University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., wrote the following message for all UP community members on Friday, July 17. The message can also be found on the Back to The Bluff webpage using this link.

Dear University of Portland Faculty and Staff,

I hope that this email finds you and your loved ones safe and well. My purpose for writing to you today is simple: to check in and provide several updates as we prepare for the Fall Semester.

Earlier today, I sent a comprehensive email to all UP students and their families. I am now sending that very same email to you, with some additional information that pertains specifically to our faculty and staff.

I acknowledge that much of the information below relates only to the student experience at UP and may not appear immediately useful to employees. However, because we are a community with a mission to serve students, I feel it necessary for all faculty and staff to receive this email, review its contents, and be made aware of our plans to support students during the Fall Semester. I recognize that this message is lengthy. However, as you know, our present circumstances are complex and there is so much information that we must share with you.

First, I wish to acknowledge the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in hotspots throughout the country. This upward trend is deeply concerning. We pray for all who continue to be impacted by this pandemic and we extend our immeasurable gratitude to the health care professionals and essential workers who are on the front lines.

The University is closely monitoring developments and continues to review guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, the Multnomah County Health Department, and others. Know that as we move forward we will continue to be guided by data and the advice we receive from public health authorities. As our understanding of COVID-19 continues to evolve, so too will our plans for the Fall Semester.

Second, I once again express my gratitude to all members of our University community for your dedication to our institution, for the compassion and care you have shown for one another, and for the continuing flexibility you have exhibited. This pandemic has upended our personal and professional lives. It has caused heartache, stress, and pain. Despite these challenges, you continually rise to meet the headwinds we face. Your creativity, determination, and patience inspire me and give me confidence that we will eventually emerge from this pandemic stronger than before. To our faculty and staff, I offer my deepest appreciation.

Below, I share an overview of where our plans stand as of now. In the spirit of transparency, I stress that these plans are subject to change. We are evaluating conditions and trends, both locally and nationally, on a daily basis. The University will keep you updated in the event that major modifications to these plans are necessary. Further announcements will be provided in the weeks ahead as the Fall Semester approaches. We thank you in advance for your flexibility and understanding.

Academics

We plan to deliver courses in the fall via a hybrid format. This means that most classes will be offered both in-person (in de-densified classrooms optimized for physical distancing) and online. Certain classes with high enrollment will be subdivided into smaller sections with cohorts of students attending in-person instruction on certain days and attending virtually on other days. Students are advised of the possibility that some of their courses may be taught fully online with no in-person instruction. Some members of the faculty have requested to teach all of their courses fully online, and the University is working to accommodate those requests. More information about each student’s courses and their modes of instruction will be provided as we approach the new semester.

In the event that a student feels unwell or is subject to quarantine or isolation, they will not attend classes in-person and will, instead, attend virtually if they are able. We further understand that some students may have underlying health conditions or other reasons for seeking to take all of their courses online. Such students should follow the instructions below:

Undergraduate students who have underlying health conditions that prevent them from attending in-person classes may apply for a COVID-19 accommodation by contacting Accessible Education Services at aes@up.edu.

Undergraduate students who may have other reasons for requesting to take their courses fully online should contact the associate dean’s office of their college or school.

Graduate students who wish to take their courses online should contact their respective department or school.

For more information, please visit the Academics section on our Back to The Bluff website.

Campus Life and Dining

Currently, we plan to reopen residence halls in the fall. All residential students have received information about housing assignments and move-in procedures from the Office of Residence Life. Additional information regarding life in our residence halls has recently been posted to the Residence Life page on our Back to The Bluff website.

Students will have access to our dining facilities for their meals. While seating will be limited, all meals will be packaged in a way that permits students to make their selections and take food to go. The University will coordinate outdoor seating areas for dining and for other social programs and activities.

The on-campus experience will feel very different once our semester begins. Per state mandates, both large-scale events and even smaller gatherings may be canceled or modified. All community members will be expected to abide by our face mask/covering requirements, physical distancing rules, and more. However, individuals across campus will work tirelessly to give students the best experience possible under the circumstances.

For more information, please explore the Campus Environment pages on our Back to The Bluff website.

Health and Safety

We know that all members of our community—including faculty and staff—are keenly interested in how we will keep our campus environment safe when the semester begins. We have already developed most of our plans on matters such as face masks/coverings, de-densification, and cleaning, and we are nearing the completion of plans relating to symptom monitoring and other matters.

COVID-19 Testing

The University of Portland will conduct COVID-19 testing of students when medically indicated. Tests will be administered by Health & Counseling Center staff at a designated on-campus COVID-19 clinic. The tests will then be sent to a third-party laboratory for interpretation. Currently, UP does not plan to conduct asymptomatic baseline testing of all community members prior to the start of the Fall 2020 semester. At this time, such testing is not recommended by public health authorities.

COVID-19 testing for students is covered at 100% by insurance companies due to the CARES Act. Visits to the Health & Counseling Center remain free of cost. Additional point of care tests (e.g., tests for strep throat, flu, etc.) and medications will be offered at an out-of-pocket cost. Lab work, imaging, prescriptions, and off-campus evaluation costs are subject to insurance coverage.

Faculty and staff with questions about how they may be tested for COVID-19 should contact their health care provider or visit the Multnomah County Health Department’s COVID-19 testing website.

Symptom Monitoring

All faculty, staff, and students will be required to complete a daily health screening questionnaire prior to leaving their home/residence hall for the day or coming to work. Students will begin these symptom screenings two weeks prior to their arrival on campus, and will have their symptoms screened once they arrive. Based upon the results of these daily health screenings, students will be referred to the Health & Counseling Center, their primary care provider, or urgent care/emergency department. Students that report symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will be advised to quarantine until they receive evaluation from a health care provider. If a student who lives on-campus tests positive, they will be moved to a residence hall isolation wing on-campus.

Faculty and staff who report symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will be instructed to remain home and seek appropriate medical care. Any individual who feels ill or reports symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should stay away from campus.

Quarantine and Isolation for Students

The University is prepared to support students who are directed to quarantine and isolate.

Students in quarantine will complete daily symptom check-ins for review by Health & Counseling Center staff. Academic accommodations and support (e.g., meals, toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc.) will be provided to all students in quarantine by the University’s COVID Case Management Team. Students will be removed from quarantine based on the recommendations of the Health & Counseling Center and Multnomah County Health Department.

On-campus students who are required to isolate will be moved to an on-campus residence hall isolation wing. They will receive services and support from the COVID-19 Case Management Team, including meals, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and other essentials. They will be removed from isolation based on the recommendations of the Health & Counseling Center and Multnomah County Health Authority.

Off-campus students will be advised to quarantine or isolate in their own homes. These students will also receive support from the COVID-19 Case Management Team. Housing may be provided to students who are unable to safely quarantine or isolate within their home.

Contact Tracing

The Multnomah County Health Department is primarily responsible for COVID-19 contact tracing in all of Multnomah County, including the UP campus. The University’s COVID-19 Case Management Team and Health & Counseling Center will assist the Health Department in their contact tracing efforts by providing information and support.

Faculty and Staff

The University’s policy regarding remote work is still in effect. This means that most employees must continue to work remotely unless they are instructed otherwise. Any employee who must work on-campus must adhere to all health and safety practices, including the proper use of a face mask/covering and compliance with physical distancing guidelines.

Any employee who feels unwell, who tests positive for COVID-19, or who believes they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should stay away from campus until directed otherwise. If employees are in any doubt about whether they should come to campus, they should stay where they are and seek further guidance from either the Office of Human Resources (staff) or the Office of the Provost (faculty).

Staff with additional questions and/or requests for COVID-19 work accommodations should contact their supervisor as well as the Office of Human Resources at hr@up.edu. Faculty with additional questions and/or requests for COVID-19 work accommodations should contact Kathleen Staten in the Office of the Provost at staten@up.edu.

For more information, please visit the Health and Safety pages on our Back to The Bluff website.

Orientation

During Orientation, each student (including both First-Year students and returning students will participate in “academic walk-throughs” of their class schedule. This will prepare them for their academic experience and mode of instruction for the coming semester. While we are deeply disappointed that we cannot host families for our Orientation activities, the processes that we have adopted are designed to promote the health and safety of all community members.

Financial Information

UP remains committed to providing a quality education informed by our Holy Cross tradition, whether delivered in-person, via a hybrid format, or online. Even in ordinary years, tuition does not cover the full cost of education at UP, and the University’s costs will not diminish even if instruction is delivered in an alternate format. Thus, UP will continue to charge its published rates for tuition and fees during the Fall Semester.

In the event that the University directs students to return to their homes from the residence halls, prorated reimbursements of room and board costs will be provided.

The COVID-19 pandemic may be impacting some families in unexpected ways. If your family is experiencing financial hardship, please email the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@up.edu. While we cannot guarantee changes in students’ financial aid packages, there may be other ways in which we can assist.

Contingencies

The course of the pandemic could change at any time and public health mandates could be modified with little notice. As such, flexibility will be key. We cannot rule out the possibility that UP will need to pivot rapidly to all-online instruction and direct students to vacate residence halls in the Fall Semester. Should such an event occur, we will work to assist students as they return home and make arrangements for students who have compelling reasons to remain in on-campus residence halls.

Many teams across campus are developing various contingency plans. As always, we will endeavor to communicate with you as quickly and transparently as possible if our plans must change. We also understand that uncertainty and rapid changes in plans may result in stress and hardship for many of our students, faculty, staff, and their families. UP will aim to be as flexible and accommodating as possible in the event that our plans must change.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I want to offer a brief reflection on the principles that have guided UP thus far and the principles that we will continue to adhere to as we move forward. At UP, we take this pandemic seriously. The inconveniences that are caused by wearing face masks, modifying our professional and social lives, and making sacrifices pale in comparison to the importance of fighting this pandemic and protecting the most vulnerable among us. If we are to ever beat COVID-19, we must act as one. We must recognize that the efforts we undertake now are not just for our own health and safety, but indeed for the health and safety of our fellow community members.

UP has always been a place characterized by care, concern, and compassion. Now more than ever, we must deploy these trademark UP values as we prepare for our Fall Semester and hope for brighter days ahead.

Along with members of the Holy Cross community here at UP, I am praying for you and your loved ones. May God continue to bless you and all who call UP home.

Sincerely,

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

President

 

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

Message to UP Community: Reflecting on Juneteenth, Back To The Bluff Preparations

University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., shared the following message with the UP community on Friday, June 19:

Dear UP Community Members,

I pray that this message finds you and your loved ones safe and well. I hope that you will join me in reflecting on today’s celebration of Juneteenth and praying that our nation may know peace, justice, and healing.

One month ago, I wrote to you about our plans for a return to in-person instruction and on-campus residentiality for the Fall 2020 Semester. In the weeks that have followed my message, teams across the University have worked tirelessly to develop procedures and protocols for our new academic year this August.

Today, I’m excited to share our Back to The Bluff website with you. This website will be a hub of information and resources for the Fall Semester. I encourage you to return to the site often as many of our protocols are still in development and our understanding of COVID-19 continues to evolve.

Our return to campus this August will look and feel different than semesters past. All community members will be required to wear face masks in public settings. Physical distancing will be necessary. Classrooms and residence halls will be de-densified. Testing, contact tracing, quarantining, and isolation will be aspects of our new reality. But I’m confident that the things that make UP so special – our warmth, our community, our care for one another – will enable us to thrive despite the challenges we face.

Once again, please know of my prayers your continued health and safety. On behalf of all of us at the University of Portland, we can’t wait to welcome you Back to The Bluff this August!

A Message to the UP Community: Following Up On Town Hall, Committing to Action

The following message was sent via email to the University community on Friday, June 12:

Dear Members of the University of Portland Community,

We hope that this email finds you and your loved ones safe and well.

As UP’s leaders, we write to you today in follow-up to our message of Monday, June 1. In the weeks that have followed the death of George Floyd on a street in Minneapolis, we have listened to the voices of many who have shared their experiences of pain, trauma, and discrimination. We have listened to the voices of people who boldly proclaim that Black Lives Matter amidst a stream of structures and systems that emphatically signal to them that they do not. We have listened to the voices of people in our own UP community – especially the voices of African Americans and other people of color – as they have shared their dismay, anguish, and exhaustion with a lived experience in which their God-given human dignity is denied. We have heard these voices.

Let there be no doubt about where we stand as a Catholic, Holy Cross institution. At the University of Portland, we affirm that Black Lives Matter, we stand in solidarity with our Black community members, and we commit ourselves to the cause of anti-racism. To do anything less would be to shirk our responsibilities and betray our calling as people of faith.

Many in our community rightly demand action. As an institution of higher education, we wield some of the most powerful tools in the fight against racism, discrimination, and bigotry. We believe with deep conviction that true, lasting change comes from teaching, research, service, and formation – endeavors at which UP excels. We also believe with deep conviction that such true, lasting change cannot merely be “top down.” Indeed, it is incumbent upon each one of us, whether we are an administrative leader, a faculty member, a staff member, or a student, to examine our positionality, consider our privilege, take stock of our talents, and leverage them to bring about a more just, peaceful, and compassionate world.

Members of our community rightly ask, “what can we do?” At an institutional level, we invite you to explore this PilotsUP website and the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion website which provide useful resources and address many of the steps that UP has taken, and continues to take, to combat systemic racism. We list representative examples of ongoing initiatives and announce some new initiatives here:

  • We will redouble our efforts to establish a major and minor in Ethnic Studies within three to five years and will resume our national search for an Ethnic Studies faculty member.
  • We will implement training modules on issues of institutional racism and implicit bias that will be mandatory for all students, faculty, and staff.
  • We will strengthen efforts to recruit and retain faculty, staff, and students from underrepresented groups. Such efforts will include the continued implementation of industry best practices when it comes to faculty search committees, outreach to high schools and organizations that serve prospective students from underrepresented backgrounds, and enhancements to on-campus services that promote the well-being and success of community members of color.
  • We will further empower the President’s Advisory Commission on Inclusion to collaborate with the Office of International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion on initiatives, programming, and events that will center the voices and lived experiences of people of color, and support such efforts with increased funding.
  • We will implement the University’s revitalized Core Curriculum beginning in 2021. This new curriculum features two “habits of heart and mind,” Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, and the Common Good and Global and Historical Consciousness, that have a clear nexus to issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding. We commit to issuing additional grants for innovative course development within these habits.
  • We will place renewed focus on scholarship programs that widen access to UP among underrepresented groups, such as the Davis Scholars, SHE-CAN, and the various scholarships established by UP community members.
  • We will use the coming year’s ReadUP program as a platform for all students, faculty, and staff to read and discuss a literary work that addresses issues of racism.
  • We will continue to invest in and promote existing University organizations that promote inter-cultural awareness, engagement, and empathy, such as the Collaborative for International Studies & Global Outreach (CISGO).
  • We commit to strengthening the University’s relationships with community organizations at the vanguard of advocacy for historically marginalized populations, such as the NAACP, Urban League, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
  • We will continue to sponsor signature events that present our community with the chance to engage deeply in issues of racism, inclusion, and cultural humility, such as MLK Day ON, Faculty Development Day, and Staff Development Day.
While these efforts will help us to live out our ideals, we acknowledge that they won’t, in and of themselves, be sufficient. Your perspectives, insights, and recommendations as UP community members are valued and appreciated. Please direct them to the Office of International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion at oiedi@up.edu.
Healing the wounds of our broken world won’t happen overnight. However, with intentionality and full community buy-in, UP can live more deeply into its aspiration of being a beacon of hope from The Bluff. We thank you in advance for your contributions as individuals and as members of the UP community to these efforts.
Sincerely,
Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., Ph.D., President
Thomas G. Greene, Ed.D., Provost
Herbert A. Medina, Ph.D., Incoming Provost
Eduardo R. Contreras, Ed.D., Assistant Provost for International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion

 

Herbert Medina Named as New UP Provost

Following a wide-ranging national search, Herbert A. Medina, currently dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, has been appointed to the role of Provost effective July 1. The search for Thomas Greene’s successor attracted more than 300 applicants.

Medina has served as dean and professor of mathematics since 2018. His leadership of CAS has been marked by devotion to student well-being and success, dedication to faculty support and development, and unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. He has been a champion of experiential learning, directed the study and development of new academic programs, and has already played an important role in faculty and staff searches at the University.

An exemplary teacher-scholar, Medina is rightly beloved by his students and has earned widespread recognition for his research in functional analysis, wavelets, and polynomial approximations. He is deeply committed to the University’s Catholic and Holy Cross mission and its call for all community members to be engaged in the work of social justice, radical hospitality, and advancement of the Catholic intellectual tradition. As a leader and a colleague, Medina’s style is communicative, transparent, collaborative, compassionate, and humbly confident.

Prior to joining UP, Medina enjoyed a highly successful 26-year career as a professor and administrative leader at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He was associate dean of LMU’s Frank R. Seaver College of Science and Engineering before his appointment as CAS dean at UP. He holds a B.S. in mathematics and computer science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a M.A. and Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley.

For more information contact the president’s office at x7105 or simek@up.edu.

Latest Message to UP Community from Fr. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C.

Dear UP Students, Faculty, Staff, and Families:

I pray that this message finds you and your loved ones well.

The current circumstances are unprecedented and challenging. Our human family has experienced tremendous suffering, loss, doubt, and disruption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In times like these, I find myself thinking of a refrain derived from the Constitutions of Holy Cross: we are called to be “people with hope to bring.”

Hope can seem distant and detached from reality in times of difficulty. But at UP, hope is an essential part of our DNA. It is in this very spirit of hope that I write to you with information about UP’s intention to safely return to in-person instruction, face-to-face working conditions, and campus activity and residentiality.

In my video message on April 27, I shared our goal of resuming in-person instruction in the Fall Semester. For the past several weeks, UP leadership and staff have been working to design and implement multi-level, comprehensive strategies for the resumption of University operations.  Three inter-divisional task forces have been assembled to formulate and execute operational resumption activities. These task forces and their assignments are as follows:

  • Academics – All matters related to the provision of instruction and academic services.
  • Campus Life – All matters related to campus activity, residentiality, and community welfare.
  • Operations – All matters related to management of the University’s physical spaces and technology infrastructure.

In addition to these task forces, intra-departmental teams in areas such as Financial Affairs, Human Resources, and Athletics are conducting important operational resumption work.

I have directed the leadership of these task forces and teams to abide by four guiding principles in their work: (1) maximize the health, safety, and wellbeing of all community members; (2) act in a mission-consistent, data-informed manner; (3) promote continuity of University services; and, (4) communicate with community members quickly and clearly. I thank them for the work that they have accomplished and the work that is to come.

As of today, we intend to commence our Fall Semester on Monday, August 17. Residence halls and on-campus dining facilities will open on this date. Staggered move-ins will occur during the early part of this week. Mandatory orientation sessions and coursework introductions will take place for all students. Further guidance on this period, including specific arrival instructions for on-campus residents, will be provided over the course of the summer months. Students and families should wait for further instructions prior to making travel plans and other arrangements for their return to campus during the first half of the week of August 17. We will begin in-person class instruction for the Fall Semester on Monday, August 24.

We will also make the following modifications to the academic calendar for fall 2020:

  • We will forgo a traditional Fall Break in October. Doing so will permit us to achieve the necessary hours of instruction while reducing the likelihood that community members will leave, become exposed to infectious agents at their destinations, and bring those agents with them upon their return to UP.
  • In-person instruction will end on Wednesday, November 25, in advance of our Thanksgiving Break. Students will leave campus and will not return for the remainder of the Fall Semester. We will undertake efforts to make students’ departure from campus safe and orderly.
  • Beginning Monday, November 30, and concluding Thursday, December 3, final exams will be administered online.

In addition to these changes to the academic calendar, we will also have to make modifications to the campus experience. We will adhere to strict health and safety protocols, including social distancing; de-densification of residence halls, academic buildings, and other campus spaces; testing; contact tracing; frequent cleaning; and the wearing of face masks. We will prepare for the potential need to isolate or quarantine residential students who test positive or may have been exposed to COVID-19. Health and safety protocols for faculty and staff will also be implemented. Additionally, we must be prepared for the possibility of a severe new outbreak of COVID-19. Unfortunately, we cannot rule out the need to quickly return to virtual instruction or make further modifications to the academic calendar.

There are many variables still beyond our control, including directives from local, state, and national health authorities that could potentially cause us to reconsider our plans. But we shall proceed in a spirit of hope that, with current positive trends around testing and treatment, as well as the ingenuity and determination of many across campus, we will be able to safely resume University operations.

There will be multiple communications from the University throughout the coming months to keep you informed of our planning and to instruct you on key steps to be taken by UP students and parents. University employees will receive further guidance from the Office of Human Resources on telework and other work-related conditions. I know that you have many questions, and we thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we roll out our plans over the coming months.

Along with the Holy Cross Community here at UP, I am praying for your continued health and safety, as well as all who are on the front lines of this pandemic. I pray also in thanksgiving for UP’s dedicated faculty and staff, resilient students, supportive families, and faith-filled mission.

Sincerely,

Fr. Mark Poorman, C.S.C.
University President

 

Plans Underway For Fall 2020 Term

Though many key restrictions across the state of Oregon in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are currently still in place, the University of Portland is planning for an in-person start to the fall 2020 term, according to University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C. In a video message distributed to faculty, staff, and current students, Fr. Poorman also shared that UP is planning to hold an in-person graduation ceremony for the current senior class as soon as feasible on a future date. As previously announced, still confered degrees from the 2019-2020 academic year on Sunday, May 3, with a virtual Commencement.

Specifically, to the graduating Class of 2020, Father Poorman asked that they keep their graduation caps and gowns for a future in-person ceremony, and added “We’re not ready to set the date yet for the ceremony. We’re awaiting guidance from public health authorities; and we want to find a date that will work for the highest-possible participation among community members.”

As the pandemic began to spread this spring, UP transitioned to online instruction by faculty to all students on March 18; and set its May 3 virtual Commencement in compliance with national and state restrictions on public gatherings. Other University facilities and administrative offices are still being managed by select personnel on site, with all other staff working remotely.

Information and updates about Sunday’s virtual commencement ceremony are available at: http://www.up.edu/commencement.

Finalists For University Provost: Please Participate in Virtual Forums

University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., has announced the final stages of the search for the next provost. From a field of over 300 interested individuals, the Provost Search Committee has worked diligently to select the following three finalists for the provost position:

  • Herbert A. Medina, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Portland
  • Elizabeth A. Throop, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs at Frostburg State University
  • Brian D. Till, Ph.D., former dean of the College of Business Administration at Marquette University

Due to travel restrictions and social distancing guidelines, in-person interaction with finalists cannot take place. The Search Committee and Fr. Poorman have determined that thetask of selecting UP’s next provost can, and should, continue.

All members of the University community are invited to participate in a series of virtual forums with our finalists using the Zoom platform. During these forums, participants will hear directly from our finalists and will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in dialogue. The following schedule has been established for  community member forums:

  • Monday, May 4 (Elizabeth A. Throop)
    • Forum for Students: 12 PM to 1 PM
    • Forum for Non-Academic Staff: 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM
    • Forum for Faculty and Academic Staff: 4 PM to 5:30 PM
  • Monday, May 11 (Herbert A. Medina)
    • Forum for Students: 12 PM to 1 PM
    • Forum for Non-Academic Staff: 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM
    • Forum for Faculty and Academic Staff: 4 PM to 5:30 PM
  • Thursday, May 14 (Brian D. Till)
    • Forum for Students: 12 PM to 1 PM
    • Forum for Non-Academic Staff: 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM
    • Forum for Faculty and Academic Staff: 4 PM to 5:30 PM

These forums will be recorded for later viewing. Videos of each forum will be posted to the Provost Search Portal (discussed below). In addition to these open forums, each finalist will participate in a series of interviews with smaller groups of students, faculty, and staff.

Finally, the University has created a comprehensive Provost Search Portal on PilotsUP. All students, faculty, and staff have access to the Portal, which contains:

  • Links to the finalists’ CVs;
  • Zoom links for each of the Community Member Forums noted above;
  • A form enabling you to share questions you would like our finalists to answer during their respective forums;
  • The University’s Equal Opportunity Statement, which all are asked to read prior to taking part in forums; and,
  • Finalist Evaluation Forms allowing you to provide feedback on our finalists.

For more information contact the president’s office at x7101 or simek@up.edu.

A Message From Fr. Mark, April 2

The following message was shared with faculty and staff by University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C., on Thursday, April 2:

Dear Staff and Faculty Colleagues:

If my recent experiences are like yours, the past few weeks have been filled with challenge and concern.  Nearly every person across the globe has been touched by the COVID-19 pandemic, including everyone who is part of our UP community.

When challenging times arise, I remind myself to pause and identify gifts for which I can be grateful.  Over the past few weeks, I find myself constantly returning to my gratitude for you, our staff and faculty.  Despite the challenges in your own lives, you’ve continued to serve our mission and our students.  You’ve exhibited tremendous creativity, flexibility, and grace.  You’ve helped us to retain what’s so distinct about UP, even amid unsettled times.  For your extraordinary efforts, please know of my gratitude and the gratitude of those we serve.

With this message, I’ll summarize where we’ve been and share where we’ll be going.  I recognize that this email is lengthy, but I thank you for reading it in its entirety. First, to recap, in the past few weeks:

  • We’ve maintained our strong commitment to students.  Most students have returned home, and we continue to support approximately 140 students who remain on campus.
  • We’ve transitioned to online education.  This required a considerable amount of adjustment.  However, students and faculty are becoming increasingly familiar with the instructional technology we’re now using, and UP’s approach to personalized education will continue notwithstanding this change in how it’s delivered.
  • Most staff have transitioned to teleworking, and they’ve done so with trademark expertise, adaptability, and ingenuity.
  • We’ve made the exceptionally difficult decision to cancel in-person Commencement.  As I write this note to you, a cross-divisional effort is underway to plan an online Commencement that makes the best use of available technology.
  • We’ve donated personal protective equipment to the health care providers at Providence Health & Services.  As many of you know, Providence operates some of the busiest emergency departments in the Portland area and its doctors, nurses, and other health-care professionals are on the front lines of this pandemic in our community.  Providence is a longstanding partner to UP and our School of Nursing, and I’m glad that we’ve taken steps to help keep its providers and patients safe.

Having shared this summary, I’d like to provide an overview of where we intend to go.  As I do so, I note that the University’s financial standing is sound.  We conduct scenario planning and we practice strict budget adherence to prepare ourselves for business disruptions.  Nevertheless, the economic ramifications of COVID-19 have been unprecedented.  We’re still unsure as to how this pandemic will impact enrollment, endowment performance, and the overall health of the global economy.  We don’t know when we’ll be able to return to normal.  These variables are subject to rapid change, and many of the factors contributing to the uncertainty of present times are simply beyond our control.

What remains within our control, however, are steps we can take now to protect our faculty and staff while safeguarding our ability to advance our institutional mission.  While we hope for the best, we’re preparing for difficult times ahead and we’re taking necessary action now to put UP in the best possible position.  As noted, summer enrollment, first-year enrollment in the fall, student retention, endowment performance, and the overall health of the economy may impact University finances.  For a smaller, tuition-dependent institution like ours, we must all work with a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration to weather the present challenges.

The goal I have established for UP is to maintain the employment of all University employees.  This is our top priority.  We know that livelihoods and families depend on this, and our people are critical to our success as an institution.  I understand that layoffs are currently a part of the national conversation.  I recognize the stress and anxiety that many are facing when it comes to this issue.  Before even considering options like layoffs, UP will evaluate all other available strategies, such as a freeze on salary increases, reductions in work hours, and other budget measures.

In an effort to be as transparent as possible, the points below detail the belt-tightening strategies we’ll employ in order to achieve our goals and limit discretionary spending:

  • The University will impose a freeze on hiring until at least September 30, 2020.  Exceptions will be granted on a case-by-case basis by the Budget Working Group, the group that is normally tasked with position approval.
  • No business travel, conference attendance, or expenditure of professional development funds will be allowed during the summer months.  This includes faculty travel to academic conferences.  Some rare exceptions to this rule may occur.
  • New capital expenditures will be limited to those required for the safe operation of campus or subject to a legal mandate.
  • No overtime will be permitted for hourly staff, with exceptions evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
  • All divisions and offices across campus will maintain their ongoing strict adherence to budgets.
  • UP will continue to work with higher education trade associations and elected officials to seek support for higher ed institutions and their employees.
  • In the future, staff hours may vary or be reduced due to specific job needs.  However, if changes in work hours occur, this will happen no sooner than May 15.  Staff hours are not changing at this time.

No final determinations have been made with respect to faculty and staff salary increases for the coming year.  I emphasize that these belt-tightening strategies are intended to put our University in the best-possible position moving forward.

When I reflect on the history of UP, I am struck by numerous occasions in which the institution faced threats to its continued operations.  On each occasion, faculty and staff displayed creativity, unity, resilience, and devotion to our community on The Bluff.  The present times call upon all of us, collectively as faculty and staff, to do the same.  With collaboration, discipline, and concern for one another, UP will endeavor to succeed in the present turbulence.  Together, we’ll strive to pursue the same things we’ve pursued for the past 119 years: teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership.

Be assured that the Holy Cross Community and I are praying for you and your loved ones.  Please also know of my deep gratitude for all that you do on behalf of our University and its mission.

Sincerely,

Father Mark

For more information or questions contact the president’s office at x7101 or simek@up.edu.

A Message From Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C.

The following message was sent to the entire University of Portland community on Friday, March 20, by University president Rev. Mark L. Poorman, C.S.C.:

I pray that this message finds you safe, healthy, and weathering the current challenges as best you can.

I write today to make two difficult announcements. It was my fervent hope that making these announcements would not have been necessary. However, developments in the past days and hours necessitate my communication of these deeply disappointing decisions.

First, the University will not return to in-person instruction during the Spring 2020 semester. Online instruction will continue through the end of the semester.  In the coming days, the Office of the Provost will provide further details on the academic implications of this decision.  For students who reside on-campus, the Office of Residence Life will be in touch soon with additional information on move-out and the retrieval of belongings. Students who are currently residing in on-campus residence halls will be permitted to remain through the end of the semester if they so choose. Our Residence Life team will be flexible, understanding, and accommodating with all residential students in the weeks and months ahead.

Second, the University will not hold in-person Commencement Exercises this May. The Office of the Provost is developing plans for an online Commencement and will communicate those plans as they are developed. Traditional Commencement Weekend activities such as the ROTC Commissioning, Nurses’ Pinning, and Baccalaureate Mass will either be canceled or held in a virtual format.

Some may be wondering why the University has waited until today to make these decisions. Others may feel that the University is making these decisions too rapidly. I, personally, understand both of these perspectives. Throughout this process, the University has endeavored to make decisions that are data-informed and consistent with our mission. As we’ve coordinated with public health officials, communicated with students and faculty, and learned more about how the COVID-19 pandemic is progressing, we’ve determined that now is the prudent time to make the decisions I communicate today.

As I stated in my video message from this past Tuesday, I know that this pandemic has upended plans. We know how much you treasure being on The Bluff.  Your disappointment is our disappointment, and I’m truly heartbroken.  The tough decisions we’ve made are rooted in our desire to keep members of the UP community safe and do our part as an institution to stem the tide of this pandemic.

Please know that I am praying for you, your loved ones, and all who are being impacted by this pandemic.  May God bless you and keep you during these trying times.

Sincerely,

Fr. Mark

 

PLEASE NOTE: Coronavirus Message from Fr. Poorman, March 12

Dear University of Portland Students, Faculty, Staff, and Parents,

I write to provide you with an update on the University of Portland’s ongoing response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. I recognize that this communication is lengthy. However, it contains critically important information and I thank you in advance for reading it in its entirety.

The health and safety of UP community members remain our top priorities. Since the onset of the outbreak, leaders from across campus have continuously evaluated and implemented measures to promote the well-being of students, faculty, and staff. Their goals have been threefold: (1) reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure among community members; (2) assist community members who have been impacted by the outbreak; and, (3) promote continuity of our University’s academic programs and operations. Throughout our University’s decision-making process, we have considered guidance from public health authorities, members of our Health & Counseling Center team, and best practices in higher education. We have endeavored to make decisions that are data-informed and consistent with our mission. I want to thank all across campus for their tireless, timely, and transparent efforts in responding to this challenge.

In recent days, with the continued spread of COVID-19 in the United States (including in the Greater Portland area), we have determined that additional steps are now necessary to accomplish the three goals stated above. I note that no member of our University community has tested positive for COVID-19. Nevertheless, we believe that the following actions are prudent in light of recent local, state, national, and global developments.

Transition to Online Instruction: The University will initiate a transition to online instruction. This transition will occur as follows. Beginning Monday, March 16th, all face-to-face classroom instruction will be suspended. No classes will be held on Monday, March 16th, and Tuesday, March 17th, in order to allow for faculty online class preparations and student travel. Beginning Wednesday, March 18th, all courses will begin to be held online until further notice. Provost Thomas Greene will send guidance later today to all students, faculty, and staff concerning implementation of this transition. Additional academic updates, as well as information on the resumption of in-person instruction, will be provided as appropriate.

Student Room and Board: We encourage students to return to their permanent addresses while this virtual learning environment is in effect. We appreciate that, for many students, returning to their permanent addresses may present a significant hardship. Other student may have specific, compelling reasons to remain on the UP campus. Residence Halls will remain open and key services, including on-campus dining, will be available. Vice President for Student Affairs Father John Donato, C.S.C., will send guidance to students later today regarding further matters relevant to services and support.

Faculty/Staff: For now, the University campus remains open and will operate under a normal schedule for faculty and staff, including business functions and employee working hours. Vice President for Human Resources Sandy Chung will send additional information on flexible work options in the coming days, and Provost Thomas Greene will have further information for faculty members.

Large University Events: In accordance with recently-issued directives from state and local authorities, several signature University events which attract large crowds will be canceled. This includes, but is not limited to, Founders’ Day, the Scholarship Luncheon, Weekend on The Bluff, Rock The Bluff, the “We Are Portland” Student-Athlete Awards Dinner, and the Hawaiian Luau. Attendance at UP on-campus athletic events will generally be restricted to student-athletes, officials, essential staff, and credentialed media; however, all are encouraged to visit the University’s Athletics webpage for further details. Individuals with questions about whether a particular event has been canceled should contact event organizers for further information. At present, there are no plans to cancel the University’s Commencement Exercises in May.

Small Events, Gatherings, and Lectures Sponsored by Departments, Clubs, and Organizations: Smaller events, gatherings, and lectures sponsored by departments, clubs, and organizations will be canceled or postponed until further notice. Smaller events may be allowed to take place on an exceptional basis with advance written approval from the Provost and/or a University Vice President.

Travel: All University-sponsored and/or -reimbursed travel must either be canceled or postponed until further notice, unless a written exception is granted by the Provost and/or a University Vice President. This does not apply to community members who are currently abroad and are traveling back to the United States. Personal travel to international locations is strongly discouraged.

The above-referenced communications from Provost Thomas Greene, Vice President for Student Affairs Father John Donato, C.S.C., and Vice President for Human Resources Sandy Chung, as well as additional information concerning the University’s COVID-19 response, will be posted to the University’s coronavirus webpage as it becomes available. We appreciate your patience and flexibility as resources are added to this webpage over the course of the coming days.

These are difficult times, and I invite you to join me in praying for all who have been impacted around the world by the COVID-19 outbreak. I also ask that you join me in praying for our University of Portland community and for all who labor in support of the safety and well-being of our Pilot students, faculty, and staff. I am confident that through action, resilience, and God’s grace, we will emerge from these present challenges.

As a University guided by the Congregation of Holy Cross, we are called to be people “with hope to bring.” May we now unite in a spirit of hope and an abiding confidence in the value and indispensability of our sacred mission.

Sincerely,
Father Mark

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