Spring20_Mag_Combined_WEB_single_pages

THE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS has unfolded on our campus the way it has in communities across our nation and our world: in the words of Ernest Hemingway, “Gradually, then suddenly.” We had to respond quickly when it became apparent the virus was spreading across the Northwest. Working with Gov. Kate Brown and presidents of other universities, we made the decision in mid-March that all courses would be offered remotely for the entire spring term in order to keep our students, faculty and staff as safe as possible. As always, our students are foremost in my mind and the minds of my colleagues. They deserve a high-quality education, and we are working tirelessly to provide it in a virtual learning environment. Remote learning is a new term for many of us. It describes the strategy of moving content designed for face-to-face teaching to a digital format. PSU is well-positioned to be a leader with our existing tools and capabilities, and more of them under development. Our talented faculty is rising to the challenge with characteristic innovation, enthusiasm and a willingness to put students first. This goes beyond making sure students can attend classes remotely; we are also working to find new ways to continue offering supports, like tutoring and advising, that they usually get in person. Sometimes when things are shaken up—and we scramble to respond— amazing things happen! I anticipate that this shift will lead to profound learning experiences. We realize that many of our alumni have their own questions about the crisis or are searching for a way to help students in need. Please visit letknowledgeserve.org/resilience to read perspectives from PSU researchers responding to this moment in history. On this page, you can also find information on making a gift to the PSU Resilience Fund —a new philanthropic fund established to help address critical needs across campus in the wake of the coronavirus. Many PSU students are particularly vulnerable and may be facing new pressures during this time. Areas of urgent need include emergency funds for students, basic needs support, and resources for remote teaching and learning. Every gift to this important fund is deeply appreciated. After all, we’re all in this together. I wish you good health. Thank you for being a part of PSU. Sincerely, Stephen Percy Interim President, Portland State University SPRING 2020 VOL. 34// NO. 2 EDITOR Scholle McFarland GRADUATE ASSISTANT Jennifer Ladwig COPY EDITOR Martha Wagner CREATIVE DIRECTOR Brett Forman DESIGNERS Evan Kirkley, James Wilson PHOTOGRAPHERS So-Min Cotik, NashCO VIDEOGRAPHERS Spencer Rutledge, Peter Simon LET TERS TO THE EDITOR Portland State Magazine University Communications P.O. Box 751 Portland, OR 97207-0751 psumag@pdx.edu ADDRESS CHANGES Please go to the website pdx.edu/alumni/contact or call 503-725-4948 PSU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Mary Coniglio, Interim Executive Director Simon Benson House 1803 SW Park Ave. Portland, OR 972011 503-725-4948 alum@pdx.edu PSU BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ben Berry Sho Dozono ’69 Gregory Hinckley Thomas J. Imeson Margaret D. Kirkpatrick Yves Labissiere Antonio Leiva Irving Levin Pete Nickerson Judith Ramaley Lisa Sablan Peter W. Stott HD ’11 Wally Van Valkenburg Christine Vernier Stephen Percy portland state MAGAZINE from the president Portland State Magazine is published three times a year, during fall, winter and spring terms. Contents may be reprinted only by permission of the editor. Portland State University is an affirmative action / equal opportunity institution. OUR CAMPUS IN THE TIME OF COVID-19