Portland State University is committed to creating a workplace environment that supports its community members in balancing their professional and personal lives. Embodied within this commitment is the understanding of the connection and interdependence between the workplace, family, and personal lives; successful satisfaction in one setting may contribute to success and satisfaction in the other setting.
To support our community members, we have built a comprehensive collection of links to organizations at PSU and in the Portland community representing resources to help us all integrate balance and wellness into our lives.
Work/Life Policy
New to Portland? Welcome!
We hope the resources below will assist you in your transition to the Portland area. The following neighborhood, real estate, transportation, and community information are just a few of the many resources available to support you. Please speak with your hiring department if you need any additional help. Welcome to the area!
Relocation Resources
Lactation Spaces and Resources
Portland State University has designated certain private locations as suitable for lactating parents under ORS 653.007 who are expressing milk by manual or mechanical means. The following links provide a list of locations, as well as a guide for Employee’s Breastfeeding and Working.
Lactation Rooms on Campus
Employee’s Guide to Breastfeeding and Working
Lactation Breaks
Additionally, The Resource Center for Students with Children, located in SMSU 462, has lactation kits that are free to students and $30 for staff and faculty.
Childcare and Children-Specific Resources
Childcare
Helen Gordon Child Development Center: Portland State University’s full-day infant/toddler and preschool program, serving 200 children aged four months to five years. A waitlist application should be submitted as soon as possible.
Little Vikings: Flexible, on-campus childcare for a few hours at a time. Reserved and walk-in care is available during extended hours, and parents only pay for the limited care that they need. Little Vikings serves children aged six weeks to twelve years.
Baby Vikings: Baby Vikings has four full time childcare spaces available and four spaces reserved for short-term or drop in care for children ages 6 weeks to 2 years old. Baby Vikings is open from 7:45am–5:30pm Monday through Friday and is open to students, staff and faculty
ASPSU Children’s Center: Located on the first floor of SMSU, and offers full or partial childcare for children aged one to six on an hourly basis. Call for more information and enrollment. (503) 725-2273
Canopy EAP: Canopy EAP, PSU’s Employee Assistance Program provider, will help employees locate resources and information related to childcare and other necessary child-centered services.
The Resource Center for Students with Children: Offers access to a list of babysitters to students, faculty and staff. To receive the list of babysitters, please email sswc@pdx.edu.
Off-Campus Childcare: Contact the Resource Center for Students with Children for a list of off-campus childcare locations located in the Portland community.
Childcare Aware: Provides information about types of care, accreditation licensing, how to choose care, how to evaluate a provider, or assistance in locating a provider.
National Association for the Education of Young Children: Provides a list of NAEYC-accredited childcare providers, along with articles, books and brochures.
Children-Specific Resources
The Resource Center for Students with Children: Provides support for students and student employees managing the conflicting roles and responsibilities of school, work, and family. A select number of resources are also offered to faculty and staff. Please see below for more information.
RCSC Shop for Free: The Resource Center for Students with Children permits faculty and staff to participate in the biannual Shop for Free event. This is an opportunity to donate children’s clothing items to the clothes closet and pick up new items. The event occurs in the Fall and Spring, but donations are accepted throughout the year.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program: Provides information about safeguarding the health of low income women, infants and children.
Adoption
National Adoption Information Clearinghouse: Provides comprehensive information on adoption.
Elder Care
Institute on Aging: Provides information on quality of life issues for elders and their families, along with assistance, training and sponsorship of organizations for elders.
Canopy EAP: Canopy EAP, PSU’s Employee Assistance Program provider, will help employees locate resources and information related to eldercare and other necessary eldercare-centered services.
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP): Provides detailed information on issues related to aging and eldercare.
Social Security: Detailed information regarding aging and elder-related issues from the U.S. Social Security Administration.
Medicare: Comprehensive information on Medicare services.
Medicaid: Comprehensive information on Medicaid services.
Homeownership
Canopy EAP: Canopy EAP, PSU’s Employee Assistance Program provider, will help employees locate resources and information related to homeownership and other necessary services associated with buying a home.
Campus Activities
Weight-watchers at Work
Public Employees Benefit Board (PEBB) Publications: Provides publications with information on PEBB benefits and various wellness issues.
RCSC Family Friendly Spaces: The Resource Center for Students with Children has compiled a list of family-friendly spaces all over the PSU campus and surrounding community.
Bring Your Kids to Campus Day: This event is held in the spring, most commonly in April, and falls on a non-instructional day for Portland Public Schools. Ample information is posted on the Resource Center for Students with Children events page as the annual event draws nearer.
PSU Bike Hub: Bike Hub members, as well as the campus community, have access to services and rentals on campus. For more information about resources and events, visit the PSU Bike Hub homepage.
Viking Gameroom: This space offers billiards, bowling and gaming oriented for the traditional college student, but also for student families who want to relax and have fun together.
PSU Bookstore: The bookstore stocks a selection of seasonal gifts, trinkets, greeting cards, magazines, and health and beauty aids. PSU logo apparel is also available.
PSU Box Office: Provides ticket sales for PSU athletics and art events.
Free Food Market: In partnership with the Oregon Food Bank, the Free Food Market brings fresh fruits and vegetables to PSU students and the greater PSU community. The event is held on the second Monday of the month at noon outside of Shattuck Hall on the Park Blocks. The event will occur rain or shine, first-come/first-served. Quantities are limited to one kind of each vegetable or fruit per person, and participants must bring their own reusable bag.
Campus Recreation
Campus Rec: The campus recreation facility offers a faculty and staff membership rate with verification of employment status and a valid Portland State University ID. Campus Rec provides ample family-friendly activities such as family events, youth programming, and swimming lessons.
Family Events: For additional information on family-friendly events, please visit the events section of the Campus Rec website.
Outdoor Program Equipment Center: Opportunities to rent equipment for camping, climbing, skiing, rafting, water sports and more.
Youth Program/Youth Hours: Campus Rec members have the opportunity to participate with their children during youth hours. Youth programs/hours include the swimming pool, climbing center, courts, cardio/weights, track and Group X classes.
Youth Swimming Lessons: Youth swim lessons are offered fall, winter, and spring terms. Participants must register no later than the day before the class starts.
Family Swim: For pool use, families may participate together during open rec swim times. Please see the website for additional information.
Campus Diversity Resources
Commission on the Status of Women: The commission is committed to creating a campus climate that supports, encourages and values the full participation of all women within the PSU community.
Cultural Centers: Provides a forum for collaborative cultural, educational and social experiences at PSU and beyond.
Native American Center: A learning center to unite all communities.
Mittleman Jewish Community Center: Provides programming for individuals aged six weeks to one hundred years. The center is membership-based, and anyone can join regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or economic status.
PSU Women's Resource Center: The WRC seeks to empower women and to encourage their active and equal participation in all levels of the university community and in larger society.
Office of Diversity and Inclusion: A resource for information on several PSU networks and task forces, including the Interpersonal Violence Network, Safe Space Network, Sexual Harassment Task Force and the Sexual Diversity Task Force.
President’s Sexual and Gender Equality Task Force (SAGE): The task force is committed to creating a campus environment that supports and encourages full participation of sexual minorities in all aspects of campus life.
Faculty and Staff LGBTQ Resource Program.
Say Hey!: A reception to honor new professionals of color who have arrived in Oregon/SW Washington. If you are new, or know someone new, please visit the organization’s website for more information.
Portland Community Resources
Greater Portland YWCA: Corporate membership rates are available to PSU faculty and staff starting at $36/month.
Carshare Memberships: Great option for occasional car use. Companies and car options vary.
Oregon Zoo: The Oregon Zoo has exhibits, camps, classes, field trips and school programs. For more information, please visit the organization’s website and look under the “Discover” tab.
Find A Park: Metro has parks divided by type and location to meet all of your outdoor needs.
Portland Children’s Museum: The museum has exhibits, camps and classes. For more information and event details, please view the organization’s website.
Library Story times: Multnomah County Library has various story times for multiple ages. For more information on story time specifics and other events, please visit the library website.
Portland Family Fun: Information on local events for the entire family.
PDX Parent: Information on local, fun activities and resources for families.
Portland City Search: This tool provides a search option for Portland area restaurants, bars & nightlife, hotels, movies, spas & beauty, tickets & events, and the yellow pages.