The planning process for the University’s fall 2014 new student orientation programs and activities is underway, according to Jeromy Koffler, student activities. Any suggestions, recommendations, proposals, requests, or other all-around “we should really do that!” ideas should be submitted to Koffler at koffler@up.edu or to Naveen Gudigantala, business administration, at gudigant@up.edu by Monday, March 31 to be considered.
Student Activities
Diversity Dialogues Week
The multicultural programs office presents Diversity Dialogues Week 2014, from Monday February 24 to Friday, February 28, according to Bethany Sills, student activities. Through a variety of events, this week celebrates, encourages discussion, and builds awareness about diversity, cultural difference, and social justice. For a detailed list of events, see www.up.edu/activities/diversity. For more information, contact Sills at sills@up.edu or 7470.
Juniors Set to Host Parents, Feb. 21-23
The Office of Student Activities and the Student Planning Committee are gearing up for the 17th Annual Junior Parents and Families Weekend, taking place on campus from February 21 to 23, according to Jeromy Koffler, student activities. Between 240 and 260 families are expected to participate, with approximately 750 overall attendees this year. Please join the junior class and student activities in welcoming our guests when they arrive. Information about various events can be found at up.edu/activities or by calling 7470.
Beacon Staffers Wanted
The Beacon, our award-winning student newspaper and website, is taking applications for all positions for the 2014-15 academic year, including reporters, photographers, graphic designers, editors, sports reporters, business and circulation managers, web content manager, and more. The application deadline is Thursday, February 13. For more information and an online application, go to www.upbeacon.com/jobs.
Dream UP: Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Jan. 20
All faculty, staff, and students are invited to join multicultural programs and the Moreau Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., in the Bauccio Commons. There will be opportunities to sign up for community service projects throughout spring 2014, plus a DJ, free t-shirts for individuals interested in community service, and other giveaways. Those who don’t have time to stop by can go to http://tinyurl.com/lmpjavc for service opportunities. For more information, contact Bethany Sills, student activities, at 7470 and mulitculturalprograms@up.edu, or Lindie Burgess, Moreau Center, at 7132 or moreaucenter@up.edu.
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, Dec. 2
All University community members, including alumni, families, and friends, are invited to gather in Bauccio Commons on Monday, December 2, at 7 p.m., for the 15th annual University of Portland Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Refreshments will be provided by ASUP. Contact Student Activities at 7470 or stuact@up.edu for more information.
Faculty and Staff: Join the Luau!
The University’s Hawaii Club will host its 38th annual Luau on March 22, 2014, and organizers would like to invite UP faculty and staff members to be a part of the night’s entertainment. Hawaiian dance practices will begin the week of January 19, 2014. Faculty and staff whose schedules don’t match times or dates can contact the Hawaii Club and they will do their best to accomodate them. All those interested are asked to e-mail Tiffany Harada at harada15@up.edu. Mahalo!
Day of the Dead Celebration
Día de los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”), Mexico’s colorful and festive holiday to honor departed loved ones, will be recreated on campus on Friday, November 1, 6-8 p.m., in St. Mary’s Student Center lounge, according to Bethany Sills, student activities. The celebration will include music, dance, arts and crafts, and snacks. All University community members (as well as neighbors) are invited to attend and participate in craft tables. Family members, including children are welcome. For more information contact Sills at 8198 or multiculturalprograms@up.edu.
Beacon Makes National Finals
The Beacon, the University’s weekly student-produced newspaper, is a finalist for the Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award, a national award considered for the past 86 years to be the most prestigious award in college media, according to Nancy Copic, student activities. The Beacon is among 22 colleges and universities whose newspaper are finalists, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston College, George Washington University, University of Oregon, Johns Hopkins, and more. The Associated Collegiate Press will announce this year’s Pacemaker winners at their convention in New Orleans on October 26. For more information contact Copic at 7470 or copic@up.edu.
National Win For The Beacon
Caitlin Yilek, who served as the 2011-2012 Beacon opinions editor, has won a national First Place Award for Editorial Writing in the Society of Professional Journalists’ Mark of Excellence Awards, for editorials she wrote for The Beacon. Two current Beacon staffers, Kate Stringer and Jackie Jeffers, are national finalists for Feature Writing and Sports Photography, respectively. The Beacon journalists competed in the “Small School” category, meaning colleges and universities with 5,000 or fewer students. Yilek, who graduated in 2012, won for her editorials titled “Where are all the women?,” “University disregards student media,” and “What has ASUP done for you?” She is now a copy editor at the 
in her home state of Minnesota. She will receive the award at the SPJ Excellence in Journalism convention in Anaheim, Calif.,in August. For more information contact Nancy Copic, student activities, at 7470 or copic@up.edu.