UPbeat

News for and about University of Portland faculty and staff.

physical plant

Campus Changes: Praying Hands Memorial Trees

The physical plant grounds crew has been working this past week to remove five trees near the Praying Hands Memorial, after it was deemed too risky to allow them to remain in place. The trees were dead or dying due to leakage from a major (and aging) underground steam line, according to longtime UP arborist […]

New Senior Grounds Manager: Nathan Hale

Nathan Hale has been hired to serve in the newly created position of senior grounds manager, according to Andre Hutchinson, physical plant. The care and maintenance of the campus grounds is of paramount importance as the physical appearance of campus often forms visitors’ first impressions. With the development of the River Campus, the grounds staff […]

Key Position Filled in Physical Plant

Physical plant director André Hutchinson has announced the hiring of a second locksmith, Matt Nantz, to work in the University locksmith shop. Nantz and his wife recently relocated to Portland from Ann Arbor, Michigan, where Matt worked in the locksmith trade for approximately 10 years, including work experience at the University of Michigan. He joins […]

UP Sustainability Efforts Recognized by PGE

Physical plant director André Hutchinson reports that the University of Portland was recently recognized in Portland General Electric (PGE) regional advertising for our ongoing participation in PGE’s Clean Wind Renewable Power program. Every year, UP self-directs the maximum amount of its public purpose charge toward the purchase of Clean Wind power. In 2013, the University […]

Campus Main Entry Update

The main Willamette Boulevard entry will be open to incoming traffic at all times during this summer’s repaving project. The entrance drive is currently a one-way gravel road on the left side of the drive. At the end of the entrance, drivers may turn into the main parking lot or go left to access other […]

Aaaaaaargh!

Faculty, staff, and students are reminded that the bluff area on campus is perhaps the world’s most efficient breeding ground for poison oak, an innocent-looking plant that causes intense itching, swelling, and oozing blisters on the skin of those unfortunate enough to brush against it, or to pet a dog which has recently rolled in […]

Portsmouth Avenue Entrance Closure, Detour

The campus road that runs from Portsmouth Avenue (the “back entrance” onto campus) toward Bauccio Commons will be temporarily closed due to maintenance and repairs on the underground steam and condensate lines that provide heat to most campus buildings, according to Andre Hutchinson, physical plant. Traffic will be temporarily detoured around the back side of […]

UP Awarded Silver Status for Clean Wind Power

Physical plant director André Hutchinson announced that the University of Portland has been awarded Silver status for 2013 as result of its ongoing participation in Portland General Electric’s Clean Wind Renewable Power program. Every year, UP self-directs the maximum amount of its public purpose charge toward the purchase of Clean Wind power. In 2013, UP […]