Things Every New Pilot Should Know

From where to go when you’re not feeling well to how to join an intramural soccer team — learn about the resources available to UP students.

All month, UP is releasing articles and videos to help the Class of 2020 hit the ground running when they move in. See all of them here.

University of Portland offers a lot more to our students than just classes. Here are several campus resources that every Pilot should know about!

Shepard Academic Resource Center

The Shepard Academic Resource Center strives to be the trusted resource for all students, families, faculty, and staff interested in seeking guidance on the academic experience.

It is available to help students understand and navigate UP’s culture, processes, and procedures; empower students to solve problems; enhance each student’s academic preparedness skills; help undeclared students with decisions regarding majors; and to target students who have the potential to not return and provide assistance with the transition.

Some of the services provided by the Shepard Academic Resource Center are listed below.

• Learning Commons. Students can access peer mentors to assist with writing, mathematics, languages, chemistry, presentations, and group dynamics.
• Accessible Education Services serves over 200 students with disabilities each semester through accommodations such as extended time on exams, housing accommodations, assistive technology, and other individually-tailored accommodations, according to student need. The types of disabilities represented among our student population include learning disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, psychiatric disabilities, vision and hearing impairments, and chronic health and mobility impairments. (Formerly Office for Students with Disabilities.)
• First-Year Programs are specifically for our first-year students as they make the transition from high school to college. These programs — the First-Year Workshop and Academic Peer Mentors — are designed to address the core needs of a student new to the college setting, including academics, social, and emotional experiences.
• Learning Assistance Counselor Br. Thomas Giumenta, C.S.C. is available to assist students in developing learning strategies and skills. Many students find the demands of college level academic work to be greater than anticipated, and it is important for students to prepare themselves for the level of work required. Students work with the learning assistance counselor to develop and refine the skills and tools necessary to best meet the student’s needs.

Health and Counseling Center

The UP Health and Counseling Center strives to advance the mission of the University by providing excellent service from our holistic model of care. Our educational, clinical, counseling, and disability services aim for optimal balance between access to care and effectiveness of services. We honor and welcome members of the University community in all their diversity.

Some of the services provided by the UP Health and Counseling Center are listed below.

• Health Care. The University offers primary health care to students and campus clergy. There is no charge for these services, regardless of health-care insurance status. There may be a cost if medications, lab tests, or other supplies are needed. Health services include illness/injury care, wellness/preventative care, health education, and referral to specialists as needed.
• Mental Health Counseling. Mental health counseling is available at no cost to students. Staff members have experience working with diverse people on a wide range of concerns. Your counselor will work with you individually to determine the goals, duration, and best methods of counseling. We also offer cognitive testing services for ADHD and learning disabilities, and nutritional counseling.
• SAFE Advocate Network. SAFE Advocates are supportive, caring faculty and staff members committed to providing confidential support and resources to members of the UP community who have been impacted by violence, including sexual harassment, stalking, dating violence, and sexual assault. Conversations with advocates remain confidential.
• Nutrition. Part of transitioning to your college career is learning to eat on your own, without the structure of home or a consistent schedule. Whether you’re eating on or off campus, it’s up to you to decide when and what to eat. Some students decide to replicate their usual diets from home, while others make changes that may result in weight gain or weight loss. Sometimes students struggle with eating disorders or disordered eating. Whatever the nutritional challenges you might have, there is help available on campus.

Rec Services

The Beauchamp Recreation and Wellness Center opened to the community last August. The 72,000-square foot facility includes a cardio training space, a strength and weight training area, three studios for exercise/spin classes, three gymnasiums, a rock wall, a suspended track, and an outdoor pursuits area/bike shop.

All enrolled students, undergraduate and graduate, will have access to the center free of charge. During the academic year, Rec Services provides programs throughout the week including fitness classes, weight training, yoga, rock climbing, swimming (in Howard Hall), outdoor trips, and a bike shop.

Rec Services also offers intramural sports, including softball, kickball, flag football, basketball, ultimate (frisbee), soccer, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, and golf.

Green Dot

University of Portland is a community committed to preventing and responding to violence effectively. Green Dot is our prevention strategy which gives every one of us the opportunity to reduce power-based personal violence in our community and help keep each other safe.

Food Service

UP’s dining options are provided by Bon Appétit Management Co. — founded by UP alumnus Fedele Bauccio ’64, MBA ’66. Meal points are not required to eat on campus: anyone can use cash or credit/debit cards for payment as well.

Bon Appétit believes in serving only the freshest food, prepared from scratch and using authentic ingredients. Bon Appétit also strongly believes in food that is created in a socially responsible manner, and has pledged to take a stand on many issues surrounding our food supply — from choosing organic and local food sources to helping ensure responsible working and environmental conditions from food providers.

The primary dining facility on campus is Bauccio Commons, while The Anchor and the newly remodeled Pilot House provide additional options.

Click here for more information about dining services at UP.

Public Safety

The Public Safety Department exists to serve the campus community by maintaining a safe, secure, and enjoyable campus environment for all members of the University community and its guests.

Public Safety is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and is available to assist students with any issues regarding safety, transportation regulations, emergency preparedness, environmental policies, and building/room access.

Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry strives to empower all members of the University of Portland community to grow in their faith lives and find personal transformation as a result of their time at UP.

Although we operate out of the Catholic, Holy Cross tradition, we welcome people of all faiths and denominations, including those who do not identify with any specific religious faith. Our commitment is to meet each individual and accompany them on the journey of faith.

The teaching and example of Jesus and the Tradition of the Church encourage us to minister with students, faculty, staff, and alumni, rather than exclusively to them. This means much of our programming is student-developed and student-led. Leadership development is key to faith formation at UP. Additionally, we look to form welcoming, loving communities that promote personal integration, social justice, and moral fortitude.

Click here to learn more about resources offered by Campus Ministry, including Mass, spiritual retreats, Bible study groups, and much more.

Moreau Center

The Moreau Center offers students the opportunity to serve local, domestic, and international communities while developing the skills, knowledge, and habits to improve the world through hope, compassion, and solidarity.

Programs include service-immersion trips to the US/Mexico border, Nicaragua, and East Africa; food justice and urban policy immersions in the Portland area; and a wide variety of local volunteer options.

In addition, every residence hall has a SJC (Service and Justice Coordinator). These student leaders plan monthly volunteer opportunities and promote social justice and volunteerism and support residence hall communities.

Learn more about our various opportunities for service and leadership here.

Residence Life

Residence Life coordinates housing for over 1,900 members of the UP student, staff, and faculty community in traditional residence halls, two apartment-style halls for upper-class students, and over 40 University-owned off-campus houses.

Living on campus, in one of our residence halls, connects you to the vibrant life of the University. The close-knit, supportive residence hall community offers students a place to live and work that distinctly enhances their college experience by putting them at the center of everything: classes and labs, the library, recreational facilities, campus ministry, volunteer service opportunities, and more.

The Office of Residence Life provides student Residence Assistants (RAs) and hall staff members (Hall Directors and Assistant Hall Directors) in every residence hall, and is available to assist with any issues regarding housing and campus policies.

Residence Life also coordinates online and on-paper listings for roommates needed and available apartments/houses for rent in the area.