How to Share to University-wide Event Calendars
Syndication
The Syndication system in the pdx.edu website management system is how you add events to PSU's online calendar. All syndicated content is created in a single site, Syndication, then imported to individual sites based on tags. Do not create an event on your individual department site as it will not appear on any calendar but yours.
If you do not have access to Syndication, ask your department’s website manager to add your event to Syndication. If you have been granted access to the university’s syndication system, follow the steps listed in the pdx.edu Support Resources guide. (Be sure to first visit PSU’s online calendar to make sure your event has not already been added by a colleague.)
Important tips for adding events that will be successful in Syndication:
- In the Cost / Admission field: If the event is free and open to the public, write "Free and open to the public." If the event is limited to PSU community members, specify that.
- In the Image field: Use an image with the dimensions 455 x 325 pixels. (Canva is a great free tool that allows you to create custom size images. See Canva section in this guide for more information about Canva and how to request a PSU Canva Pro account.) Whenever possible, use a strong, compelling image with no text.
- For the Content Hub Tag: This is the tag that determines the sites (academic units, schools, colleges, and campus offices such as Research) where the content will import; the tag itself is not visible to the public.
- If alumni are an audience you are interested in attracting, make sure to add the CH - Alumni tag
- To add your event to the main PSU calendar, make sure you add the "CH - Top Level" tag.
- Important: When sharing out your event link, make sure you are not using a link that starts with "drupal-admin.web.wdt.pdx.edu/syndication." Instead, grab your link from pdx.edu/events or your individual site. Note that it can often take up to two hours for your tagged event to be imported to your individual site.
Example of event post on syndicationPSU Connect Events Calendar
The PSU Connect calendar is used by student groups and partners affiliated with the Student Academic Leadership Program. Any campus department or organization can post to it. Ask SALP for assistance if your group or organization does not already have a PSU Connect account.
Use Your Department’s Website
If your department does not have an Events page or section, consider asking your department’s website manager to add a featured content block to the department’s home page to advertise your event (with a link to the event on Syndication).
You can always share the Syndicated event link with partners and other departments who might be interested in sharing it with their audiences.
Don’t forget: Avoid repeating the complete event information on multiple web pages. Creating and linking to a single syndicated event listing on the Events Calendar is the best practice.
Find out who your department’s website manager is by checking the Site Owner Listing spreadsheet, managed by OIT.
Campus Newsletters
Currently
Portland State’s faculty and staff newsletter, Currently, is sent via email each week during the academic year. Submit news items by email. See the Currently schedule for due dates. Please be aware that if your item is not time sensitive, it may be moved to a week with more space. Although Currently typically publishes on Mondays, we also publish a Wednesday edition as necessary.
Items are limited to 80 words and, when possible, should include a horizontal image (600 x 400 pixels) and a link for more information. Items accepted for publication will be edited for style, clarity and length. Remember to avoid images with text.
Virtual Viking
Virtual Viking is the weekly student e-newsletter distributed to all PSU students on Mondays. The newsletter is published in the fall, winter and spring of each academic school year. To submit an announcement, please email the following to by noon Tuesday before the week of publication:
- Provide short copy about your announcement or event. A maximum of 70 words or 2-3 sentences is encouraged.
- Include a website link to your announcement. A pdx.edu syndicated link is preferred.
- Attach a picture in JPG format; avoid images with text. Please do not send your event poster as it will not be used.
PSU Alumni Association Newsletter
If alumni are a main audience for your event, you can submit events to be featured in the PSU Alumni Association’s e-newsletter by emailing your event info.
-> Learn more about Email Marketing
Other Campus Communications Venues
Inside Portland State
Inside Portland State is a blog about life at Oregon's top urban research university, featuring students, faculty, staff, and alumni and aimed at a student audience. Posts are published 1-2 times a week. Contact the blog manager with story ideas or comments. We also welcome guest blog post submissions.
Campus TV Screens
There are a variety of opportunities to promote your event on campus using campus TV screens. Each building/department will have different requirements for using their TVs for promotional purposes as well as design specs. Please refer to the TV display specs document for specific requirements based on department.
Campus Bulletin Boards
Event posters can be placed around campus. These should only be placed on bulletin boards designated for campus items such as those in the lobbies of Fariborz Maseeh Hall, Karl Miller Center and Smith Memorial Student Union (see list of postering locations below for recommendations).
Many departments have bulletin boards outside or near their offices. Always ask a representative before posting on these as they are often designated for specific information and projects.
Do not tape posters to the exteriors of buildings, light posts or staple them to trees.
If you have to use tape, use painters’ tape, not packing tape or Scotch tape, which can damage surfaces.
Vanguard Student Newspaper
PSU Vanguard is Portland State’s student-run newspaper. If you would like advance or on-site coverage of your event, be sure to reach out to the appropriate editor at least three weeks in advance with the details (what, when, where, why, your visuals, a description of the event and why they should let their readers know about it, who they could interview, and so on). Know that there is no guarantee that they will write about your event, but it doesn’t hurt to try.
Reserving Victor E. Viking
Victor E. Viking loves attending events on campus, but his schedule is quite busy. To request a Victor appearance, please fill out the Appearance Request Form on the Athletics website at least four weeks prior to your event. All requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis based on availability. Completion of the form does not guarantee a visit, but someone from Athletics will reach out within seven business days with updates on your event request.