By Sophia Crawford
PSU has so many meetings, clubs, scholar conversations, sporting events and more going on every single day. I get it my man it’s a lot! I get it! I do! That’s why your friendly neighborhood blogger is here for you to create the ultimate, end-all, Thanos-sized list of how to find everything to do at PSU.
Also, it’s Bill Hader day! Well, his birthday is in June, but every day is Bill Hader day in my house, so in celebration of Bill Hader day, I will honor each Portland State student life resource listed below with a Bill Hader scene. This is your reward for educating yourself on everything your school makes available to you. Ur welcome :3 What does Bill Hader have to do with PSU, though? Nothing. Except the writer of this article just watched a 30 minute compilation of Bill Hader on SNL and needs an outlet to release all this Bill Hader-ness in their system. And the writer is a PSU student, so, fine, I guess that’s the connection. Haders gonna hade.
- HINT: As always, I’ve included a comprehensive list of all the mentioned resources at the bottom as a reminder. But no peeking without reading. I’m watching. 😐😑😐
Connect
This super friendly database holds over 100 student life activities (currently a whopping 117, to be exact), such as events from student clubs, Greek life, and PSU departments. Campus Rec is hosting a women-only safe space swimming session, PSU has a few scholarship application informationals, and the Vikings Robotics Society has a meeting coming up.
Check out Connect for more events!
BILL HADER DAY: Connect like how Bill Hader connected to Paul Rudd in this SNL: Kissing Family scene.
Student Organizations
The Student Activities and Leadership Programs (SALP) is there to encourage you to get involved through student government (ASPSU, aka Associated Students of PSU), student clubs, student media, and/or volunteering opportunities. There are media groups like the KPSU radio, Sub Basement TV Studios (SBS), Pathos Literary Magazine, or clubs like Anthropology Student Association, Anime club, or volunteering orgs like the Student Sustainability Center. Also, the Portland State Programming Board (PSPB) is a “student-run program that promotes community, pride and tradition at PSU, such as through events like Midnight Breakfast & Midterm Stress Relief.”
BILL HADER DAY: But if you go to Midnight Breakfast, pretty please do not annunciate your “P”s.
PSU Calendar
This calendar is updated often by the wonderful PSU admins to help you get informed about Academic-oriented events, such as artistic exhibitions and scholar conversations. There’s a Geology Seminar Series , and the next session is Jan 26, where Nate Klema from University of Oregon will discuss “Pacific NW Tectonics”, and LOOSE BODY: A Survey of Ephemera from the Art and Social Practice Archive is a “small collection that documents social, collaborative, and community-based artwork coming from artists connected to the PSU Art and Social Practice MFA program and local and national artist projects”.
Check out the Calendar for more events!
BILL HADER DAY: A calendar timeline of Bill Hader explaining why Bill Hader is hella famous.
Campus Rec
It’s across from the Urban Center Building and offers in-person as well as virtual fitness options. This place has everything: a climbing center and FREE gear, an indoor track, a weight room, outdoor trips and FREE gear, an indoor pool, and more. You need to be a member to access these rec spaces, but remember that all PSU students enrolled in at least one credit and paying PSU tuition and fees are automatically Campus Rec members. For the Climbing Center you’ll first need to watch or go to an orientation — you can find specific requirements by choosing the activity you’re interested in.
Check out Campus Rec for more info!
BILL HADER DAY: When you be on that treadmill and those beads of sweat start fallin’ from your temple, nothing can break that concentration. But sometimes even the most focused of folks gotta break character at some point…
Virtual Viking
This weekly email newsletter about recent and upcoming events at PSU announces things like scholarships, changing building hours (like the library because of Omicron), updates on resourceful PSU blog articles (you might’ve recently seen a link to a Best student deals and discounts page *wink wink*), or upcoming basketball, football, or volleyball matches. So actually read this thing, and I don’t mean skim it or *star* the email to read later (because you’re gonna forget about it). All @pdx.edu student emails automatically receive it, and others can subscribe, too!
BILL HADER DAY: Many departments have game nights (like Bingo!) that are advertised in Virtual Viking, so if Bill Hader can join a game night, so can you.
Cultural Centers
The Cultural Resource Centers Leadership Team has put together a calendar of events on their website, such as a Zoom session on January 26 that will explore the topic of diasporic longing through a poetry workshop called “Diaspora Feels”. You can join or just come to occasional sessions from the Pacific Islander, Asian, Asian American Student Center, the Native American Student Programs, the Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian Initiative, La Casa Latina Student Center, the Pan-African Commons, or the Multicultural student center.
Check out the calendar and groups for more info!
NOT BILL HADER DAY: I do like me some Bill Hader, man, I do, but there do be a lot of hella good BIPOC comedians out there that, I gotta say, get me rolling-on-the-floor-laughing.
Department & Major Newsletters
When you confirm a major in Banweb, you should see newsletters from that department in your @pdx.edu inbox. If not, email your advisor or do a Google search for “[insert major or department] newsletter psu pdx” to find out how to sign up for those weekly emails. The School of Film Office frequently announces new internships, open festival submissions, film-related gigs, scholarships for film students, and info sessions.
BILL HADER DAY: Reading department memos is important… otherwise, bad things happen… (is this Bill Hader? No. But I gave you Adam Driver so stop complaining.)
Campus Housing & Events
PSU Housing has so many activities for residents, such as VikNights, which offers the chance to explore the Portland Metro and experience “must-do” activities in the city for free or cheap. Previous excursions have included going to professional sporting events, viewing blockbuster movies, and going to the coast or Multnomah Falls. You can sign up for an event through the Housing Portal. Check out these other resources if you’re a student thinking about staying at campus housing or are a resident but want more info on what Housing has to offer!
BILL HADER DAY: Going to VikNights on the weekend? Make it SPICY with the one-and-only Stefon on Weekend Update.
Athletics
There are several events going on every week with PSU Athletics, and they are often promoted in Virtual Viking (another reason to actually read the newsletter)! The schedules, rosters, and sports news are available for all to see, and you can even sign up for notifications to get updates on our Portland State Vikings. To support them, you can watch men’s basketball, women’s basketball, volleyball, and football, and don’t forget: Your PSU ID card is your FREE ticket to every Portland State home event!
BILL HADER DAY: It seems the PSU women’s golf team might have some stiff competition with these two in town…
TL;DR
Summary List of Resources:
Portland State Connect
Student Organizations
PSU Calendar
Campus Rec
Virtual Viking
Cultural Centers
Department & Major Newsletters
Campus Housing & Events
Athletics
You’re probably paying for these resources, anyway. Might as well use ’em and boost dat resume or discover a relaxing hobby, you know?
About Sophia: I’m a Portland State Junior from the suburbs majoring in Economics and in love with my college. I’m interested in economic reform and Scandinavian welfare systems, and am also a huge movie buff. Ok, so, I was required to say that, now let’s get to the hard-hitting reality: everything I write on here is cryptically about Timothée Chalamet, so pls comment about it under my articles (but don’t tell my boss, I might get fired lol). Connect with me on LinkedIn.