Austin De Dios

Fall semester to be almost exclusively online

University President Fr. Mark Poorman announced in an email Thursday night that  "nearly all classes" in University of Portland’s fall semester will be exclusively online, citing the rise in COVID-19 infections in Oregon and around the country as the cause. The email also mentioned Oregon Governor Kate Brown’s announcement of new coronavirus-related metrics for reopening schools, which have led to school districts to delay in-person instruction. 

UP faculty and staff petition for transparency from outside investigation

A petition with 289 signatures from faculty and staff was sent to University President Fr. Mark Poorman and the Board of Regents in an email July 7. The petition was supporting the allegations in the opinion piece written by Vice President for Human Resources and Director of Title IX Sandy Chung, which recounted instances of racism and sexism amongst University of Portland administration. 

University of Portland to receive more than $2 million from the federal government in COVID relief funds

The University of Portland will receive $2,672,004 in federal aid via the CARES Act, with at least half of that required to go to emergency student cash grants for expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the U.S. Department of Education. 

Students file for unemployment as COVID-19 forces layoffs

The economic shock wave caused by the coronavirus pandemic has rocked the nation, and in the last four weeks, unemployment claims shot up to more than 17 million. Students who have lost their jobs to coronavirus complications are dealing with an uncertain future, and some have decided to join the millions of other Americans filing for unemployment. 

Mental health resources available during COVID-19 pandemic

For students struggling with their mental health during these uncertain and changing times, there are still resources available to help. Active Minds is hosting virtual meetings every Wednesday night at 7:15 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST) via Zoom, and the Health and Counseling Center (HCC) is still offering appointments over the phone at 503-943-7134. They are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST. 

Residence Life approves over 300 students to stay on campus

University of Portland students living in the dorms faced a devastating reality on Thursday, March 12 when they were told they had to leave campus unless their application to stay was approved by Residence Life. Of the 501 applications submitted, 333 were approved, according to Director of Residence Life Andrew Weingarten. 

Graduation date pushed back for junior nursing majors

Junior nursing majors will not be able to graduate in May of 2021 due to complications caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Their expected graduation date has been pushed to August of the same year. The news was sent in an email on March 27 from the Dean of the School of Nursing Casey Shillam.

Tuition increases 4.1% for 2020-21 academic year

Full-time undergraduate tuition is increasing from $47,478 to $49,424 for the 2020-21 academic year, a 4.1% increase. 

Club funds to carry over into fall semester

As the COVID-19 pandemic brings the University of Portland and the world to a grinding halt, the Associated Students of University of Portland (ASUP) passed a bill allowing all current club and organization funds to carry into the fall semester of 2020. 

E-Scholars change travel plans amid coronavirus concerns

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread, the University of Portland’s Entrepreneur Scholars program will be changing its international business trip for this spring. Originally, students in the program were going to go to South Korea and Japan, but due to the growing risk COVID-19 poses in those countries, UP has decided to send the E-Scholars to Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand instead.