Hello everyone and happy Wednesday. I hope you are having a wonderful week. 

Reminder: Distinguished Faculty Lecture: Scholar of the Year - Dr. John Meyer

Please join us tonight, Wednesday, February 28, 2024, from 5 pm-7 pm in Goodwin Forum, (NHE102).

A synopsis of Dr. Meyer’s topic is as follows:

Our climate crisis often feels very new, but is in some ways, as Kyle Powys Whyte has argued, “unprecedentedly old.” It has prompted many calls for a more sustainable society. But what could that mean and how might it be pursued? Does it require more deference to experts? Or more power to “the people?” In this talk, I argue that questions like these are inescapably political and that answers reflect differences in underlying values and visions of a good life. One goal of environmental political theory – my field of study – is to surface these values as a basis for imagining more deeply resonant strategies for social change.

Social Justice Summit / Institutional Anti-Racism Action Plan Community Open Forum

The Institutional Anti-Racism Action Plan (IARAP) Task Force invites all faculty, staff, and students to join a facilitated dialogue about social justice and anti-racism at the Social Justice Summit IARAP Community Open Forum on Monday, March 4, from 12 to 1:30 pm in the Goodwin Forum. Please contact ODEI for special accommodations. Lunch is provided. 

Philosophy Forum and 30th Annual Social Justice Summit Keynote: Revolutionary Care and Inclusive Excellence

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI), the Social Justice, Equity, and Inclusion Center (SJEIC), and the Philosophy Department invite all faculty, students, and staff to the Philosophy Forum and SJS Keynote on Wednesday, March 6, from 5:30 to 7 pm in the Great Hall to learn about the ethics of care. Ethics of care is a core aspect of campus DEI efforts, aiming to transform educational experiences through nurturing interpersonal relationships and promoting a collective, caring community ethos. This approach, drawing from feminist theory and focusing on intentional, responsive actions, seeks to humanize interactions and foster a campus environment where every member feels valued and supported. Maurice Hamington is a Professor of Philosophy and Affiliate Faculty of Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Portland State University. He writes about the theory and application of feminist care ethics.

University Resources and Planning Committee (URPC) Divisional Priorities Updates and  Open Forum Information

The URPC is working in partnership with university leadership to be informed about divisional/area priorities as well as reduction planning in each area so that the URPC can provide the most informed budget recommendation in support of broad university priorities. During March, the URPC will be holding additional meetings to provide space for these updates. URPC meetings are open to the campus community and the schedule of updates is as follows:

Friday, March 8, 2024

• 1:00 pm-1:30 pm- President’s office (Chief of Staff Mark Johnson)

• 1:30 pm-2 pm- Advancement (Vice President Frank Whitlatch)

• 2:00 -2:30 pm- Athletics (Executive Director of Athletics Nick Pettit)

• 2:30 pm-3 pm- University Wide- (Executive Director of Budget Amber Blakeslee)

Friday, March 22, 2024

• 1:00 pm-1:45 pm- Academic Affairs- Instructional (Provost Jenn Capps)

• 1:45 pm-2:30 pm- Administration and Finance (Interim Vice President Carla Ho’a)

Friday, March 29, 2024

• 1:00 pm-1:45 pm- Enrollment Management and Student Success (Vice President Chrissy Holliday)

• 1:45 pm-2:30 pm- Academic Affairs- Non-Instructional (Provost Jenn Capps)

The presentations will be divided into two parts. Part one will be information provided by the VP or executive director. Part two will be set aside for questions Seated members of URPC will be given priority to ask questions. Guests who zoom in will be provided an opportunity to ask questions if time allows by recognizing a senator. Zoom information will be offered a few days before each meeting. 

Also, as a reminder, URPC will hold a Spring Open Forum on Monday, March 25, 2024, from 1:00 pm-2:30 pm in the Great Hall. The goal of the Open Forum will be to share information about planning and strategy to address budget reductions and solicit feedback that may inform the URPC budget recommendation to the President at the conclusion of the semester. Refreshments will be provided.

Thanks and have a great rest of your week.

Jenn Capps

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