May 25, 2020
OAI guide gathers lessons learned for remote teaching
Zoom burnout is real. Student (and faculty) tech access is not universal. Teaching and learning from home — with family and so many other distractions — makes everything harder. Those are just a few of the lessons learned from this spring’s quick pivot to remote classes. But this time, you can plan ahead. If you’re gearing up for summer teaching, check out the Office of Academic Innovation’s new guide for tips and strategies for making next term go more smoothly.
Give your feedback on newly released task force reports
Interim President Stephen Percy and Portland State’s Office for Global Diversity & Inclusion released two task force reports from 2017, one on Asian-American, Asian and Pacific Islander student success and the other on African American, African, and Black student success. To help further guide diversity, equity and inclusion work across campus, PSU community members are encouraged to review the reports and provide any insight, feedback or suggestions using the Report Feedback Form.
Update your Zoom app by May 30
Older versions of the Zoom app will stop working May 30. To avoid last minute lock-outs, update yours to version 5.0 now by visiting the Zoom download center or, if your computer is managed by PSU, contacting the OIT helpdesk. This version includes crucial security updates, including a “Report User” button so Zoom can respond quickly to unauthorized attempts to enter the system. All hosts can also lock a meeting and remove participants. To learn more about new features, see 5 Things to Know About Zoom 5.0.
School of Architecture project wins Green Building award
Portland State University School of Architecture students and faculty received a first place Award of Distinction in the “Green Building” category from the Modular Building Institute for their design of a sustainable, affordable modular learning environment. The SAGE Classroom was recognized for offering multiple benefits over traditional portable classrooms, including significantly more natural light, improved ventilation and energy efficiency. The first is at Silverdale Elementary School in Bremerton, Washington (photo by Pacific Mobile). READ MORE.
Virtual choir sings “We Rise”
In case you missed it: Inspired by a sermon by First Unitarian minister Bill Sinkford, Professor Darrell Grant assembled a virtual choir “to come together in an expression of possibility for this season of rebirth” in response to the COVID-19 crisis. In this video, words from Sinkford’s sermon are juxtaposed with the song “We Rise” from Grant’s multi-movement piece, “Step by Step: The Ruby Bridges Suite.”
PSU in the news
The Associated Press took a look at Portland’s homeless tax initiative with input from Marisa Zapata of PSU’s Homelessness Research & Action Center, Daniel Rogers from the School of Business weighed in on McMenamins finance plans for the Oregonian and KOIN covered the creation of a COVID-19 resource map by PSU student Charles Ross.
Campus Well: SHAC COVID-19 resources; students talk about remote learning
The Student Health & Counseling Center (SHAC) has created a comprehensive webpage to help the PSU community navigate COVID-19. This resource page has a wide variety of mental health resources and information covering topics such as managing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and more. This week in Campus Well, we hear directly from students about the adjustment to remote learning and work. Interviews shed light on common struggles and highlight different approaches to dealing with these challenges.
