The RAPS Sheet The newsletter of the Retirement Association of Portland State SEPTEMBER 2020 Retirement Association of Portland State Portland State University—RAPS Post Office Box 751 Portland OR 97207-0751 Campus Public Safety Building Second Floor, Room 212 SW Montgomery at Broadway Office Manager Samantha McKinlay Telephone: 503-725-3447 Email: rapsmail@pdx.edu Office hours: Suspended Campus mail: RAPS Web: www.pdx.edu/raps Board Members Co-Presidents Steve Brennan Pat Squire Secretary Brian Lewis Treasurer Ansel Johnson Members-at-Large Steven Brenner Nancy Eriksson Pati Sluys RAPS Sheet Editor Doug Swanson Website Editor Larry Sawyer RAPS Representative to Regional & National Retirement Associations Larry Sawyer Committees Awards Steve Brennan, Chair History Preservation Eileen Brennan, Chair Membership/Program Dawn White, Chair Scholarships Joan Shireman, Chair Social Nancy Eriksson, Chair President’s RAPS presentation set for September 11 PRESIDENT STEPHEN PERCY’S presentation to RAPS at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 11, will come to members through their computers, tablets, or smart phones via Zoom, a video conferencing platform. Information about accessing Zoom on electronic devices will be coming to RAPS members in advance of Percy’s presentation. The President’s Office will set up the Zoom meeting and RAPS will provide the link to “join” the meeting virtually. PANDEMIC KO’S MOST IN-PERSON CLASSES PSU sticks with remote learning BOXER MIKE TYSON once said that “everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.” In the past couple of weeks, universities around the country have discovered that the coronavirus pandemic hits hard and fast, leaving their reopening plans on the canvas. Leaders at UNC-Chapel Hill, Michigan State, Notre Dame and other schools have been forced into an about-face after their campuses exploded with COVID-19 cases only days after reopening. Students, it turns out, are much more social than distanced, resulting in reopenings being canceled or pushed back. Portland State, on the other hand, has spent the past few months rolling with the punches. After turning on a dime to remote learning for spring term, University leaders decided that for fall, they’d stick with what worked. After spring classes concluded, there was a “ton of discussion” over which way to go for fall term, said Christina Williams, director of media and public relations in the Office of University Communications. Initially, the plan, dubbed Flexible Fall Term, called for a variety of course formats, including traditional face-to-face instruction. “But as the summer went on, and COVID-19 cases increased, it became clear that we’d be mostly remote,” said Williams. Williams said that spring term went well, despite the speed of the switch from in-person to remote learning. This summer, training sessions were held for faculty and remote technical capabilities were improved, which should add up to a smooth fall term. And just as it did during spring and summer, the University will have continued on page 5
2 The RAPS Sheet September 2020 CO-PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Zooming right along for our immediate future YOU MIGHT THINK that headline is a reference to time passing quickly. No, it’s not. It’s what the immediate future will look like for RAPS members who attend our monthly general meetings: Zoom. Most of you have heard of Zoom and probably have used it occasionally. I wish I’d bought stock! It has turned out to be quite an effective communications tool when we can’t meet personally. In fact, we will be visiting with President Steve Percy on Friday, September 11, on Zoom. A recent survey conducted by RAPS asked members if they would attend our monthly meetings in person. It had a good response: 62 members took the time to reply. What the majority of you said was that you are not willing to meet in person right now. I hope that means that you will embrace Zoom over the next few months. I just came off a two-week “Summer Camp” with the American Association of University Women of Oregon. We held 10 Zoom sessions over two weeks, most in the evening and some on weekends. As it turned out, our members turned out! Our attendance at sessions ranged from 32 to 85, and we reached over 100 people, well above what we had when we met in person. The meetings ran around one hour, with speakers often staying longer for a Q-and-A period. The sessions were very effective, and most people felt they had a chance to express themselves, ask questions, and participate fully. I was surprised that the attendance level held steady during most meetings—those who started usually finished. I see Zoom meetings as opportunities to engage RAPS members. No parking and transportation hassles! Just tune in and join. You’ll be able to see your friends and colleagues and be at home in your casual attire. (Sweat pants sales seem to be booming!) Some survey respondents said they would like some basic training in Zoom, and the RAPS board will offer several How-to-Zoom sessions, with Eileen Brennan as our expert trainer. There are also numerous You Tube tutorials online, such as this one: https://www.bing.com/ videos/search?q=how+to+use+zoom&view=detail&mid= 49B846A540E4AB88CFB349B846A540E4AB88CFB3&FORM= VIRE In the meantime, many of you had suggestions in the survey about how to keep in touch during this difficult time, and I’m just going to highlight some of those ideas: Are you regularly conversing (checking in) with your friends and colleagues? Have you had a social distancing get togethers in your backyard or at another outdoor space? Are you keeping up with friends on Facebook or with some other social media tool? Heck, emails still work. I am looking forward to seeing you all in person, whenever that may be. But until then, we can Zoom together! See you on September 11. —Pat Squire A RAPS SURVEY conducted this summer revealed that many members prefer online meetings while the coronavirus pandemic rages. Sixty-two RAPS members responded to the survey, which was sent by email in late July. Only 12 (19 percent) indicated they would attend monthly meetings in person, while 53 (83 percent) preferred online meetings. Nine members expressed interest in Zoom training. RAPS’ monthly meetings are typically held on the third Thursday of the month—except in summer—and often feature expert speakers. Zoom is a video conferencing platform that allows dozens, even hundreds, of people to participate in a meeting. The survey also revealed what would trigger members’ in-person attendance at a RAPS meeting: Seven members said they would attend in-person when the University opens for some in-person classes. Twelve said when the county allows meetings for more than 50 people. Twenty said when the three metro counties are in Stage 3. Thirty-three said when there is a vaccine for COVID-19. Survey respondents also offered suggestions to better promote member connection and involvement for the coming year. Two members asked to have a formal moderator for Zoom member meetings. One suggested creating a video recording of the Zoom meetings. And a few indicated they would attend some Zoom member meetings, but not each month. ‘I’ll pass’ say most RAPSters to in-person meetings
3 The RAPS Sheet September 2020 RAPS Group Reports Book Group THE RAPS BOOK GROUP met on August 18, via Zoom, to discuss Hilary Mantel’s The Mirror and the Light, the third book in her trilogy examining the life of Thomas Cromwell. We had read the first two books some years ago, but our memories were vague about them. We were struck again by the intrigue of the court of Henry VIII, and by the complexity of relationships in that court. We were unable to unravel the circumstances that led to Cromwell’s downfall, having been led by the author into the complexities of international relations, as Cromwell himself was. We agreed that the writing was wonderful, poetic in places, and we agreed that the book was too long. September 15 will be our next meeting, to be held via Zoom, when we will discuss A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II by Sonia Purnell. This is the biography of a woman who became the head of a vast spy ring during World War II, and was important in the French Resistance. It has won multiple awards, and we expect it to be an interesting book to read and discuss. Our hope is that it will be less challenging than the August selection. Our selection for October is The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf; it was well reviewed and praised by a group member who has read it. We were saddened this month by the loss of Felicia Wirtz, who has been a contributing member of the group for many years. We will miss her greatly. Book Group meets the third Tuesday of each month, traditionally in the homes of various members. Currently we are using Zoom for our meetings and gradually becoming more comfortable with that format. Any RAPS member is welcome to join the group. —Joan Shireman Bridge and Hiking Groups BRIDGE GROUP AND HIKING GROUP activities have been suspended due to the coronavirus. Upcoming RAPS events OCTOBER Thursday, October 15 “Behind the Headlines: Reflections on PSU Magazine Cover Stories,” presented by recent PSU retirees Kathryn and John Kirkland. Kathryn is the former editor of PSU Magazine and PSU Currently; John was a staff writer in the Office of University Communications. Presented via Zoom. NOVEMBER Thursday, November 19 Bryce Henry, PSU’s archivist for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Archives (AECA), offers a PowerPoint presentation that includes images of the PSU campus taken over the course of several decades. Presented via Zoom. DECEMBER Thursday, December 10 Annual Holiday Brunch, held at St. Augustana Lutheran Church in NE Portland. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2021 The political scene and economic climate dominate the first two presentations of 2021. On Thursday, January 21, political science professor Christopher Shortell will discuss the outcome of the 2020 national presidential election, and on Thursday, February 18, Tom Potiowsky, retired economics professor and former economist for the state of Oregon, will bring RAPSters up to date on the state’s economy. The March meeting traditionally begins with a potluck lunch followed by a presentation by Christine Meadows, director of PSU’s opera program, and PSU opera students singing excerpts from the spring opera. Will there be a spring opera? We don’t know. An opera presentation on Thursday, March 18, is still on the schedule; a potluck seems unlikely at this point due to the coronavirus pandemic.
4 The RAPS Sheet September 2020 In memoriam: Patricia ‘Pat’ Byrd, 1923-2020 cocktails with her best friend. She drove cattle on horseback and rode dressage, doing flying changes down the center line with great delight. Reading was a passion, with her beloved pug in her lap. Ms. Byrd’s final resting place will be City View Cemetery, Salem. Remembrances may be made in her memory to the Cat Adoption Team, Sherwood, Oregon, and the Oregon Humane Society. PATRICIA “PAT” BYRD, who served Portland State for many years, died in Portland on August 14. She was 97 years old. Ms. Byrd was born in Salem, Oregon, on March 17, 1923. She held a Master of Library Science degree and was a Portland State librarian. She was known for her wickedly funny sense of humor and her love of the ballet, her dogs, cats, books, horses, and Sunday PSU Archives Digital Gallery 1967 In memoriam: Felicia P. Wirtz, 1924-2020 FELICIA P. WIRTZ, who was an active member of the Portland State community for many years, died on July 28 at the age of 96. Dr. Wirtz and her husband, John H. Wirtz, who was a biology professor at Portland State, sponsored an endowed scholarship through the PSU Foundation to provide financial assistance for music majors. The Wirtzes greatly enjoyed music, attended concerts throughout the region, and were particularly fond of music at Portland State, where they served for many years as ushers. The Wirtzes were volunteers for Chamber Music Northwest, Portland Chamber Orchestra, Friends of Chamber Music, Florestan Trio, Oregon Repertory Singers, Artist Repertory Theater, and the Portland Center for the Performing Arts. They also worked as ranger naturalists at Crater Lake National Park for five summers. Professor Wirtz, who served PSU for nearly three decades, died in 2003. Dr. Wirtz continued her involvement with Portland State after her husband’s death, including her involvement with RAPS. She hosted a Book Group discussion as recently as last year. Dr. Wirtz was born in Toledo, Ohio, on January 2, 1924, to Dr. John and Pauline Pietrykowski. She was educated at Ursuline Academy, then continued her education at the University of Toledo, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. She attended the Washington University school of medicine, then earned a master’s and Ph.D. in biology at Oregon State University. Her career positions included medical technician, research biochemist, herbarium assistant, biology teacher at both the high school and college levels, and real estate broker. No services were held due to the pandemic. The Wirtzes’ ashes are to be scattered together on Crater Lake National Park property. Memories may be shared at www.skylinememorialgardens.com.
5 The RAPS Sheet September 2020 laptops, portable wifi hotspots, and various tech accessories available for checkout during fall term. Other Oregon public universities will offer remote learning as well. The University of Oregon canceled its plan “for a responsible and safe return to in-person instruction” on August 26, announcing a turn to “primarily remote and online instruction.” Western Oregon University and Southern Oregon University announced most of their courses would be taught remotely or online. Eastern Oregon University described its fall courses as “online, in person, and in hybrid formats.” Oregon Institute of Technology will offer a “phased and gradual resumption.” Oregon State will be primarily online; its website says 90 percent of its courses will be taught remotely. In fact, according to statistics compiled by the College Crisis Initiative at Davidson College, which tracks how colleges are responding to the pandemic, as of August 21, 33 percent of the 2,958 colleges, community colleges, and universities on Davidson’s website plan to operate either fully or primarily online this fall. Only 22 percent will offer classes either fully or primarily in-person. (Find the College Crisis initiative here: https://collegecrisis.org) Finances are likely driving some colleges to reopen. In an article in USA Today on August 17, Terry Hartle, a senior vice president with the American Council on Education (ACE), said, “The sad fact is that many colleges are racing toward a financial cliff.” ACE put colleges’ losses in spring at more than $46 billion in increased student financial aid and lost revenue, according to the USA Today article. ACE, along with other college associations, told Congress that new costs to reopen campuses in fall could be as high as $73 billion. For Portland State, said Williams, responding to the pandemic has been “a huge financial hit.” The PSU Board of Trustees heard a budget update during its August 20 meeting that projected net tuition revenue for 2020-2021 will be down by 3.5 percent from 2019-2020. Net tuition revenue—which is tuition collected after applying remissions—represents about two-thirds of the University’s general fund revenue. Another piece of the budget pie is auxiliary businesses—housing, food, parking, and the University Place hotel—which saw a substantial downturn last spring. Looming financial cliffs aside, students and faculty alike seem hesitant to return to in-person instruction. According to Forbes, a SimpsonScarborough survey taken in July reported only 17 percent of returning students were willing to take all their classes in person. And as early as last June, Inside Higher Ed reported that faculty members at several colleges were expressing concern about the risks of traditional classroom instruction. Williams believes most Portland State faculty favor remote learning over the risk of being on campus during the pandemic. Whether a class is taught remotely or in person is largely up to the faculty member, she said. “Some courses really need that face-to-face interaction,” said Williams. “An art course, or a course that has lab work you just can’t do at home.” It’s not surprising that the wearing of masks is required during in-person classes—they’re required in all public spaces on campus—but PSU has also updated air filtration systems, classes will not be held back-to-back in the same room, and both masks and antiseptic wipes will be readily available. Rapid virus testing and contact tracing will be available through the Center for Student Health and Counseling. And if a student refused to wear a mask? “The class,” Williams said, “would not move forward.” The impact of the pandemic on fall term enrollment won’t be known until two weeks into the term, when figures are published, but Williams noted that PSU enrollment was down last fall “and we’re looking for it to be a bit down” this fall. Enrollment in fall 2019 was 26,017, a drop of 4.6 percent from 2018. That was not an anomaly; enrollment has declined 12.7 percent in the last decade. Portland State sticks with remote learning . . . continued from page 1 ‘The sad fact is that many colleges are racing toward a financial cliff,’ said an ACE official.
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