All faculty and staff and families are welcome to enjoy a performance by the critically acclaimed Portland Taiko drumming troupe on Saturday, February 15, at 7 p.m., in Buckley Center Auditorium. Portland Taiko blends the tradition of Japanese taiko drumming with a sense of Asian American identity, creativity, and empowerment. Since its founding in 1994, the group has headlined at arts festivals and concert halls, and has performed at hundreds of community events and school assemblies. Don’t miss this memorable show!
For questions or ADA accommodation requests, please contact Jeromy Koffler or Bryan Dennis, student activities, at x7470 or stuact@up.edu.
The University will soon welcome approximately 800 participants in the inaugural Family Weekend for first-year and sophomore students. Parents and family members will arrive on Friday afternoon, February 14, complete their registration at the UP bookstore, and are welcome to attend a full slate of academic showcases and social events throughout the weekend.
The planning process for Fall 2020 new student orientation programs and activities is underway, according to Jeromy Koffler, student activities. Any suggestions, recommendations, proposals, requests, or other “we should really do that!” ideas will be gratefully accepted by Koffler (
All are welcome to join student activities in celebrating their annual Día de Muertos event, a night full of cultural celebration with authentic cuisine, educational performances, sugar skull decorating, music, and so much more, on Friday, November 1, at 6 p.m., in Bauccio Commons. Family members and the public are free to attend. To showcase a photo of a loved one for display the altar please email Stephen at 
In the vein of last year’s Story Slam event, the Brian Doyle Humor Project will offer the No Talent Show on Friday, October 25, at 7 p.m., in Mago Hunt Center Recital Hall. Humor Project participant Georgia Paulk ’21 explains: “It resembles a talent show, which is a celebration of different peoples’ skills in a performance environment. This will be that, with a few twists. We’ve all seen the best musicians, dancers, and athletes out there, but I know there are more talents out there. I want to see the zaniest fitted sheet folding, improvised beatboxing, or maybe even just doing some creative orange peeling. If you’re even slightly good at something, this is your chance to show it off. I’m looking for participants that aren’t afraid to get up there and have fun.”
Inspired by the University’s Holy Cross values of hospitality and community, and in response to frequent requests from family members, the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations and the Office of Student Activities are partnering to expand opportunities for parents and family members to experience life on campus with their students. Traditionally this has been the focus of Junior Parents and Families weekend. Beginning with the 2019-2010 academic year, UP will offer Junior and Senior Family Weekend in the fall semester (November 1–3, 2019) and First-Year and Sophomore Family Weekend in the spring semester (February 14–16, 2020).
Faculty and staff members have probably seen Eco-Action stickers put up by the College Ecology Club and ASUP Committee on Sustainability, located in the academic buildings and the Bauccio Commons hallways and bathrooms. If you find yourself wondering, “So what in the heck is Eco-Action, anyway?,” you can find out more in 
Please come for a taste of paradise at the Hawaii Club 43rd Annual Lu’au on Saturday, March 23, at the Chiles Center. Doors open at 4 p.m. and dinner will be served at 5:30, with entertainment to follow at 7 p.m. This year’s theme is “E alu like no ka pono o ke Ao,” which translates to “coming together for the betterment of our world.” We hope to share with the community the idea of coming together from different backgrounds and working towards a common goal.
The planning process for Fall 2019 new student Orientation programs and activities is underway, according to Jeromy Koffler, student activities. Any suggestions, recommendations, proposals, requests, or other “we should really do that!” ideas will be gratefully accepted by Koffler (