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COVER DESIGN BY WHITNEY MCPHIE PHOTO BY ALYSSA ANDERSON
EDITORIAL
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Kat Leon
MANAGING EDITOR
Brad Le
NEWS EDITOR
Zoë Buhrmaster* (out until Fall)
CO-NEWS EDITOR
Alyssa Anderson
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
Macie Harreld
SCIENCE & TECH EDITOR
Cameron Rodriguez
SPORTS EDITOR
Laura Kowall
OPINION EDITOR
Nick Gatlin
PHOTO EDITOR
Alberto Alonso Pujazon Bogani
ONLINE MEDIA MANAGER
Sam Johnson
COPY CHIEF
Isabel Zerr
CONTRIBUTORS
Amber Finnegan
PRODUCTION & DESIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Whitney McPhie
TECHNOLOGY & WEBSITE TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANTS
George Olson
Hongzu Pan
Sara Ray
ADVISING & ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR OF STUDENT MEDIA
Reaz Mahmood
STUDENT MEDIA ACCOUNTANT
Maria Dominguez
STUDENT MEDIA TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR
Rae Fickle
To contact Portland State Vanguard, email editor@psuvanguard.com
MISSION STATEMENT
Vanguard’s mission is to serve the Portland State community with timely, accurate, comprehensive and critical content while upholding high journalistic standards. In the process, we aim to enrich our staff with quality, hands-on journalism education and a number of skills highly valued in today’s job market.
ABOUT Vanguard, established in 1946, is published weekly as an independent student newspaper governed by the PSU Student Media Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers and do not necessarily represent the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. Find us online 24/7 at psuvanguard.com
For Vanguard, I pride myself on producing high-quality photos for our news stories and sharing them with the PSU community. I truly believe that a good photo can invoke emotions and paint a picture to make someone experience something without having to be there.
Vanguard is always looking for more contributors—including photo contributors. If you’re interested in working with me and for Vanguard, you can expect to receive photo assignments for articles throughout the term which require in-house photography. This includes on-campus sights and events, as well as assignments dealing with local issues.
Some photo experience is preferred but is not required. You are welcome to use your own photography equipment, but we also have some equipment available for contributors to use. We would love to see you apply and work with you soon!
In the past, Portland State Vanguard ran a column called “Crime Blotter,” which published reports of alleged criminal activity on campus. This column went against Vanguard’s values, so the editorial team has removed “Crime Blotter” articles from our website and will no longer publish the column going forward.
We’d like to take some time to explain this decision, as we do not typically remove articles from our site after publication. This isn’t a decision we made lightly, and we owe it to readers to explain and lay out our policy for the future.
First and foremost, “Crime Blotter” was harmful to the community. The column was essentially a list of arrests and other police activity on campus. It was based entirely on arrest reports and police records, broadcasting the worst moments of people who hadn’t received a conviction for any crime. The column often included graphic and personal details about arrestees and typically published their full name.
Previously, Vanguard policy was to “identify individuals accused or convicted of crimes by their full name in News articles.”
Moving forward, we’re changing this policy. “In reporting, revealing the full names of individuals accused or convicted of crimes should be limited to cases where ongoing safety risks are apparent and/or reporting on the incident provides an important and clear benefit to the community,” the new policy states.
“Vanguard editorial team bears the responsibility of determining the appropriateness of such naming while also considering the potential power dynamics involved. For example, it is important to expose individuals who have abused their positions of power, but it could be detrimental to identify a student who was using drugs.”
This follows the Associated Press, who decided in 2021 to stop naming suspects in minor crime stories. At the time, John Daniszewski—Associated Press’ vice president for standards—explained how journalists writing crime stories must “consider first whether the story is worthy of our news report, and if distributing it is indeed useful to our members and customers.”
Vanguard agrees, which is why we’re changing course on “Crime Blotter.” Naming criminal suspects—many of whom later had charges dropped—caused harm to community members, and it didn’t serve a reasonable journalistic purpose.
Future reports on public figures, individuals in positions of power, public safety and other situations may warrant exceptions. However, generally speaking, we will avoid naming individuals accused of or convicted of crimes, unless there is a compelling reason to do so.
Additionally, “Crime Blotter” was bad journalism. As mentioned above, it was based entirely on statements provided by the police with no outside sources or attempts to follow up with the accused individuals. Vanguard makes an effort to critically evalu-
ate claims made by those in authority and provide coverage which is as wide-ranging and even-handed as possible. Unfortunately, that was not the case here.
We take the decision to remove these articles from our website seriously, as we usually keep Vanguard articles online for as long as possible to keep with journalistic standards and maintain a historic record. In this case, the harm incurred by keeping these articles up outweighs any potential benefits.
Search engines made these articles easy to find, and some individuals who were mentioned in the column requested Vanguard remove their names. The column made it difficult for them to live their lives, as an arrest report might be the first item that appeared when one searched their name.
“Everyone makes mistakes, and [I] happened to make a few at the wrong place and wrong time…” one commenter wrote. “This has hurt my growth as a person in society trying to blend in.”
As our mission statement says, Vanguard seeks to provide the PSU community with fair, balanced, timely and comprehensive news and information. “Crime Blotter” did not meet that standard, and it’s something we hope to correct.
Vanguard is committed to journalistic ethics, and we hold ourselves to a standard of media as a public good. Sometimes we make mistakes, and in those cases we will do our best to repair any harm done and learn from the experience as we move forward.
After an impressive season, Portland State’s women’s soccer team returns to the challenge of improving upon that success. The season thus far has proved challenging, with only one win in their first four matches. Nevertheless, the team is working to elevate its play and record.
The team’s Head Coach Katie Burton—who has been instrumental in transforming the women’s soccer program at PSU— is no stranger to challenges. She acknowledged that the team’s 1-3-0 start may not be ideal, but she believes the journey is more important than the destination.
“Our winter and spring seasons this year were the start of our momentum building, as they are each year,” stated Coach Burton when reflecting on the team’s progress.
Coach Burton recovered from back surgery during the spring season and credited Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Coach Maureen “Mo” Whitney and the players for their progress.
One notable aspect of the team’s performance is their commitment to enhancing team chemistry and establishing elevated standards. “Recruiting players that fit our style of play has made a big difference in our [team] success,” Coach Burton stated. The team’s emphasis on recruiting players who are aligned with their strategy has contributed significantly to its progress.
Elle Frazier—the midfielder and forward—has significantly contributed to the team’s offense and expressed determination to elevate her game. “I think I want to put the ball in the back of the net more,” she said. Her background as a finalist for the 2021 Prep Female Soccer Player of the Year at the Oregon Sports Awards speaks volumes about her potential as a game-changer.
Frazier’s connection to Portland and the team’s dynamic energy were significant factors in her decision to join PSU. “Portland’s my hometown,” she said. “So, that was, that was a big one. I wanted my family and friends to be able to come to all my games.” The positive atmosphere which the coaching staff and her teammates created also played a crucial role in her choice.
The team’s impressive offensive efforts—such as their 31 shots on goal in a recent match against Pacific University—demonstrate their potential. Frazier credits this to their collective energy and synergy. “Just knowing that we’re working for each other, continually making movements and playing off each other, and just continuing to bring a bunch of energy up top,” she explained. Collaborating effectively on the field is crucial to their offensive prowess.
This tactical evolution under the guidance of Coach Burton and Assistant Coach Whitney marks a significant turning point for the team. The traditional 4-3-3 formation—which is commonly used in soccer—gave way to the 4-4-2, a formation renowned for its balance and defensive solidity.
The transition to the 4-4-2 formation represents a strategic choice aimed at providing the team with greater control and stability on the field. In this setup, the team deploys two banks of four players with two forwards leading the charge. The additional midfielder in the formation contributes to a more compact defensive unit, making it challenging for opponents to penetrate.
Hailey Green—a stalwart in the team’s backline and defensive player—emphasized the trust and teamwork which underpins their defensive strategy. “Communicating throughout the whole game... trusting each other in our abilities,” she said. This trust extends to the defenders and the goalkeepers, creating a formidable barrier against the opposing attack.
Green’s experience as a student athlete required her to develop skills in balancing academics and sports. She encourages her younger teammates to take advantage of the resources available to student-athletes, including academic counselors and tutors. Her commitment to academics and athletics has set an example for the team.
The team’s 1-3-0 start might not be the dream beginning they had hoped for, but Coach Burton emphasized that building a successful season takes time. The 10-day break between matches provides an opportunity to reflect and refine their strategies.
“Knowing how to work with each other and creating good chemistry is the focus during this break,” Frazier said.
Coach Burton added that they will continue to “work as hard as we can” and explore each other’s strengths.
Their recent match against Pacific University showcased not only their offensive prowess but also their impressive defensive abilities. Holding the opponent to just two shots on goal in the first half speaks to their defensive strategy and trust in their defenders and goalkeepers.
Despite the early-season challenges, the PSU women’s soccer team remains confident and resolute. “We want to do good this year, and especially the seniors,” said Frazier, speaking for the entire team. “This is our last year to really do something.” The determination to make their final year count is what fuels their motivation to overcome obstacles and reach their goals.
The team believes they have the ingredients for success as they continue to work diligently on the field and in the classroom. Coach Burton’s emphasis on building momentum, Frazier’s goalscoring ambitions and Green’s trust in their defensive strategies all contribute to the collective vision of a victorious season. Early setbacks serve as stepping stones on the path to success for the PSU women’s soccer team, and their unwavering dedication positions them to overcome adversity and achieve new heights in the 2023 season.
Members and supporters of People Organizing for Philippine Solidarity (POPS) and Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle (Friends-FFPS) marched on Aug. 26 from SW Park Ave. and SW Montgomery St. to on SW Broadway and Montgomery. It was in support of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ (NDFP) movement.
They protested the ongoing United-Statesbacked war crimes, which were reportedly sanctioned by the fascist Marcos Regime and U.S imperialists, who recently signed a deal to build five nuclear reactors on the Philippine coast.
The march happened on the anniversary of the Pugadlawin—the day in 1896 when Filipinos tore up their community tax certificates to pro test the Spanish government’s colonization. The march culminated in dropping a banner rule, which is primarily dictated late state terrorism and war crimes against
the people,” a POPS Instagram post stated.
The post explained how the Marcos’ antipeople policies have attracted foreign corporations like NuScale Power Corporation , which is based in Portland and has recently struck a $7 billion deal to build small modular reactors (SMRs) in the Philippines. Five SMRs will be built along the Philippine coast facing the South China Sea. This will place the Filipino people in a dangerous position amid the U.S.’s escalating inter-imperialist conflict with China and expose them to the risks associated with these SMRs
In a speech before the march, POPS member Emily Konkel explained how President Marcos has ramped up fascist attacks against the Filipino people.
“In recent years, Marcos has increased collaboration with the U.S. military, has fur-
ther exacerbated inflation rates, jobs remain scarce and Filipinos are forced to find work overseas,” Konkel said. “There were 104 recorded political killings in the Philippines in the Marcos Jr. regime’s first year alone, and the youngest victim was only 14 years old. All of these atrocities continue as Marcos also focuses on further endangering the Filipino people by allowing corporate schemes, like their alliance with NuScale.”
According to Konkel, one member of NuScale’s board of directors is also a founding member of APEC—a forum where heads of state and corporate leaders gather to “make decisions that have major repercussions on workers all over the world by decreasing environmental and labor regulations, increasing free trade, and purposefully ignoring the voice of the people.” The APEC heads of state
will gather this November in San Francisco, and Konkel urged supporters to join them there and confront them.
“We invite you to join us in confronting the enemy, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a puppet of U.S. imperialism,” Konkel said. “In POPS, we believe that the National Democratic Revolution is the solution to liberate the Filipino people. The National Democratic Front of the Philippines, or NDFP, is fighting for the Filipino masses and this National Democratic Revolution. We support the militant revolutionaries fighting for liberation in the Philippines and recognize their struggle as a just means of obtaining liberation.”
Tiffany Ganir—an academic and career advisor at Portland State and attendee of the march—explained how institutions such as PSU play a role in overseas struggles. “At PSU,
the School of Business partners with weapons manufacturers like Boeing,” Ganir said. “Boeing has an internship program that funnels interns into the supply chain management, and interns don’t necessarily know that. I know they’re part of a neoliberal system where they’re helping this company function, but they’re also contributing to… the U.S. war of aggression.”
Ganir said that she expects marches like this one to educate people about the current situation in the Philippines. She believes that only a few individuals are well-informed about the challenges faced by the Filipino people today.
“People don’t know much about what’s happening in the Philippines,” Ganir said. “We see a lot of propaganda that doesn’t tell the full story, but we have people [in the PSU community] that are actively trying to spread aware -
ness. We have partnerships—not just with the Portland community, but also with the PSU community, students, staff and faculty—who are actively supporting our efforts.”
Sam Butler—a PSU student studying urban and public affairs and a member of the Cuba Solidarity Club—said it is important to him to participate in acts of international solidarity like the Aug. 26 march.
“Struggles in the Philippines and other areas relate to struggles we have here in the United States,” Butler explained. “In the Philippines, obviously it’s… more immediately violent and urgent, but it is ultimately similar struggles in some ways. They’re essentially fighting rich people, imperialists, and war machines. Those sort of things that are important to us [in the U.S.] as well. It’s nice to show solidarity with people all over the world.”
American cultural and political hegemony is part and parcel of a nation founded on imperial colonization, a foundation upon which it has never stopped expanding. From Operation Condor to the nuclear testing on the Marshallese people, the displacement of millions during the war on terror and the ongoing colonialism waged on United States territories—like Puerto Rico and Guam—the U.S. empire ceaselessly prioritizes territorial and capital expansion over humanity.
Today, U.S. imperialism and concerns about human rights violations once again intersect with the growing alliance between U.S. and Filipino governments and corporations.
Pervasive political corruption in the Philippines persists as remnants of Ferdinand Marcos’ two decades of violent military dictatorship—including extrajudicial killings, exploitative labor laws maintaining systemic poverty and the detainment of human rights advocates, journalists and protestors. Current President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. is the son of Marcos Sr.
“Peasant farmers that work from dawn to dusk often have to rent tools with typical interest rates of 150%; up to two-thirds of the farmer’s crop is taken from them by greedy landlords,” stated Izzy Fawson—an organizer with People Organizing for Philippine Solidarity (POPS)—about working conditions in the Philippines.
“These conditions force people into poverty, into deeper debt, and ultimately, to their demise,” Fawson stated. “This is due to U.S.-backed Filipino politicians making policies that allow, and even enforce, these conditions. After all, U.S. corporations need labor to be as cheap as possible.”
Nike, Coca-Cola and Comcast are a few U.S. conglomerates profiting from cheap labor in the Philippines, exploiting the country’s unjust minimum wage of about $10 per day
In May of this year, another U.S. foreign investment project caused concerns regarding further exploitation of the Filipino people. The Oregon corporation Nuscale Power plans to build small modular reactors (SMRs) in the Philippines, which is a $7.5 billion investment.
While SMRs act as a greener alternative to fossil fuels, many proponents cite the cost of long-term maintenance and the risks of nuclear energy for the local population and environment.
SMRs technology “is more wasteful than traditional nuclear power technology, more than twice as expensive as solar and
wind (which the Philippines has in abundance), and can be used for nuclear arms proliferation or for depleted uranium to coat bullets,” stated Sam Miller, a member of POPS and the U.S. coordinator for Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle (Friends-FFPS).
Miller expressed another concern that “the placement of the SMRs, along the coast facing China, implies to us that it will actually be used to further inflame inter-imperialist tensions between the U.S. and China, putting the Filipino people in the crosshairs of any conflict there.”
The authorities have also sanctioned military operations. In February, the Philippines agreed to the U.S. construction of four new military bases on the islands in addition to the five preexisting bases.
Filipinos and their allies have formed organized resistance groups in response to the sale of Filipino land and sovereignty to U.S. military expansionism and corporate interests.
“The oppression, exploitation, human rights violations, and environmental degradation in The Philippines were shocking to me, but what is more important to me is the ongoing resistance,” Miller stated.
POPS, FFPS, the Portland Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, the Kalikasan Solidarity Organization and Anakbayan Portland represent local organizations which stand in solidarity with the Filipino resistance for freedom and equity.
“It’s this struggle for national and social liberation that shows what is possible when people come together against oppression and exploitation and for a world where the majority of people are no longer exploited by the top 1% of billionaires,” Miller stated.
In this way, the Filipino struggle is not unrelated to the fight against capitalistic exploitation everywhere. “The workers of the U.S. are not the enemy of the Filipino people; our interests are intimately interwoven,” Fawson stated.
Parallels between economic and social inequity systems in the Philippines and the U.S. are interrelated and abundant.
Tiffany Ganir, PSU alumna and academic and career advisor, identified a “heightening of neoliberalism in public services from our healthcare to educational institutions, like PSU.
The essence of neoliberalism is the prioritization of PROFIT over PEOPLE, and in this case running our educational institution as a business.”
Ganir cited PSU’s budgetary failures—such as the merger of
the daycare centers, nonrenewal of adjunct contracts and the hiring freeze which understaffed student services—as indicators of the institution’s backward moral compass.
Additionally, Ganir recognized the school of business’s partnership with Boeing as representative of a harmful profitover-people mentality, considering how Boeing is a weapons manufacturing company responsible for perpetuating war crimes against civilians in the Middle East and as producers of surveillance technology to increase deportations along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Even within higher education—with our ideals of tolerance, peace and equity—U.S. military interests and corporate greed dictate the curriculum and resources which serve—or fail to serve—our university community.
“The issues that are facing the Philippines are caused by the same forces that create issues for Americans. Big businesses and the U.S. government want more profit,” Fawson stated.
The U.S. has always entrenched itself in conflicts and capitalistic ventures all over the world. Behind the scenes, U.S. political and economic elite propagate the cultural ideology necessary for this expansionism.
“The ruling class perpetuates a culture of chauvinism, individualism, and exceptionalism,” Fawson stated. “This culture continues the racist, misogynist, and paternalistic attitudes that ultimately serve to enrich the ultra-wealthy and to divide the struggle of the working class in the U.S. from the struggle of the people in the Philippines.”
“This culture serves the ruling class by justifying the hyperexploitation of Filipino workers and migrants, military and economic occupation of the Philippines, and the sex trade that preys on Filipino women,” Fawson stated.
The systemic injustices manifested in the Philippines are rooted in U.S. hegemony and a dominant culture of exploitation.
“Marcos Jr. is leading, just like his father Marcos Sr., with the corruption of pocketing money and neoliberal policies,” Ganir stated. “So until we get rid of the hold of U.S. imperialism and bureaucrat capitalists, we won’t get to see the Filipino people truly be free.”
“We should see that the Filipino people’s interests are intimately bound to ours,” stated Miller, “That a solid blow against U.S. imperialism and for liberation in the Philippines is a net positive for the majority of the world’s people.”
Beavers once thrived in Oregon, but their abundance became a casualty of the fur trade. Due to their previous domination of the land, many species of birds, fish and vegetation coevolved with them as a part of the ecosystem in the area.
“Over millennia, [species] adapted to living in beaver-dominated landscapes and much of North America was shaped by beaver activity and beaver presence, and it turns out that… landscapes that we see in many places have been shaped by beavers but are no longer inhabited by beavers,” said Dr. Jennifer Morse, Portland State professor of environmental science and management.
Beavers are well known for creating dams, which change the shape and condition of streams, ponds and watersheds. This can benefit species of the ecosystems of which they are a part.
“Beavers are a natural part of ecosystems, [so much so that] they’re frequently called ‘ecosystem engineers’ because they have an outsized influence through their behaviors and actions on the ecosystem,” Dr. Morse said. “So they can create a pond where there was not. They can change the direction of water flow. They can create habitat for different types of vegetation and animals.”
Ecosystem engineers play an influential role and are often seen as a signifier of a healthy ecosystem, maintaining the habitat for other species that might be considered more endangered.
After the fur trade significantly diminished the beaver population in Oregon, some people took on the role of creating their own dams to fit urban and agricultural developments like water storage and irrigation.
Now, we are seeing a social shift around water management which includes dam removals. Jenna Walsh—water resource engineer at River Design Group (RDG)—spoke on the importance of dam removal and river restoration leading to “progress towards balance with the environment.”
Although dam removal is one step, there is a long process to increase the health of rivers and natural watersheds. “Now we
have stronger regulations, but legacy effects still need to be cleaned up,” Walsh said. “Smaller dams that were used for old mills for lumber and grain are often just left there.”
Legacy impacts, including the fur trade, weakened the habitats by hunting beaver, stifling vital water systems with abandoned dams and dumping pollutants into waterways. With an ecological focus, more sustainable solutions include the creation of ecosystems and habitats that involve adaptation to the influence of beavers. Even without the desire to have beavers in an area, when restoring riparian habitats—aka plant habitats along riverbanks—beavers might see restoration of their favorite food source and ultimately be attracted.
“People in urban and suburban areas have to make decisions about how to adapt to the presence and effects of... beaver activity,” Dr. Morse said. “Do you try to embrace the presence of beavers or do you try to trap them and remove them and fight them? Every practitioner [involved in restoration] that I've talked to says that this fight is futile because they're very persistent.”
Walsh had similar experiences. “Beavers show up when you are hoping they won’t—when you are planting vegetation, and it’s all just one buffet,” she said. “It’s always something that needs to be considered.”
This revitalization of waterways involves unpredictability and needed trust in changing the ecosystem, which is healthier in the long term but also a shift in how we view nature. For these
habitats to be alive, they need to be able to change and shift how they operate to fit the life that lives there.
Sustainable and resilient ecosystems involve beavers, but those habitats are vital when they involve water, which people greatly depend on. “As humans, we benefit greatly from… healthier ecosystems here in Portland,” Dr. Morse said. “For example, our drinking water depends on the health of the Bull Run watershed.”
These watersheds include wetlands and floodplains, which will be more necessary as climate change gives more drastic conditions of water flows.
“One of [climate change’s] effects is altering the water cycle, intensifying droughts in some places, increasing floods in other places, making the hydrologic cycle less predictable,” Dr. Morse said. “And one thing is beavers and their presence in the landscape and holding water on the landscape… could provide water for longer periods of time, prevent more flooding downstream and maybe even help with groundwater recharge.”
Dams in the right places lead to a healthy ecosystem, in part because it improves groundwater in watersheds. “Beavers aren't trying to build dams on the Columbia or the Willamette River,” Dr. Morse said. “Those are really huge rivers. Beavers are trying to build dams on smaller streams where they can… affect or slow down the flow of water. In those settings is where there might be more of a chance for groundwater recharge. Basically, the longer water has an opportunity to stay in one place, the more likelihood there is for that water... to have the force to push down into the groundwater. If that volume of water is moving through quickly, it’s not likely to have the same opportunity to infiltrate.” Beyond the discussion of beavers, there is the importance of healthy wetlands which are crucial for many factors, including flood resistance. However, they have been on a global decline Oregon has lost 38% of its original wetlands, with an estimated 57% loss in the Willamette Valley. “Beaver habitat is wetlands,” Walsh said. “Creating and maintaining bodies of water is just a piece of why they are so important.”
DIG IN: ESTABLISH A NEW CAMPUS GARDEN!
SMSU Gardens in the Park Blocks
Sept. 22, 11:00 a.m.
Free
Beginning of a series of events establishing a new garden and greenspace on campus
VICTORS HOUSE PARTY
South Park Blocks
Sept. 22, 5:30 p.m.
Free
Welcoming party to find out more about some of the events that will be held on campus. Enjoy free food and live music.
Smith Ballroom
Sept. 23, 6:00 p.m.
Free (tips encouraged)
Kick off the school year at the annual Viking Days Drag Show. Featuring Portland treasure—Poison Waters—and other amazing drag artists.
PSU BASIC NEEDS HUB
SMSU Suite 435
Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Free for students
Helps students access resources such as funds, food, housing, employment, childcare and health support
PSU FOOD PANTRY
1704 SW Broadway (temporary location)
Tues–Thur, 12–4 p.m. Free for students
Access to free groceries in a welcoming, equitable, trauma-informed way. Must be enrolled in at least one credit for summer or fall.
WELCOME HOME COALITION
Location Varies
Hours Vary Free
Get involved in advocating for housing justice. Opportunities to learn about housing insecurity and support solutions from those with lived experiences.
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY SPACE
730 SW 10th Ave. Suite 111 (entrance on SW 9th Ave.)
Mon–Fri, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Free
Multnomah County official cooling center with access to free technology, internet, limited books and events
ENERGY FUND
Varying Locations
Mon–Fri, hours vary Free
Provides energy bill assistance to low-income Oregonians to support household stability
HYGIENE4ALL HUB
SE MLK Blvd. and SE Belmont St. (under Morrison Bridge)
Hours vary Free
Provides access to showers, toilets, trash drop-off and a clothing and bedding exchange
SHAC MIND SPA
UCB Suite 310
Mon–Fri (by appointment)
Free for students
Solo space to experience biofeedback, light therapy, meditation, massages, relaxation and more. Must be enrolled in at least five credits for summer or fall.
MINDFUL MEANDERINGS
Listen on Spotify Available 24/7 Free
PSU-produced podcast about being mindful while outside, practicing gratitude, finding joy and being in the moment
TELUS HEALTH STUDENT SUPPORT
Download on App Store or Google Play
Available 24/7 Free
Connecting students with free, confidential mental health and wellbeing support
WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY VIDEO SERIES
Watch on Youtube
Available 24/7 Free
PSU Campus Recreation Center staff videos about topics ranging from Leave No Trace and plant identification to hiking spots and land acknowledgments
BORP ONLINE FITNESS STUDIO
Watch on Zoom
Mon–Sat, hours vary Free
Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program’s (BORP) virtual exercise classes for people with physical disabilities
COSMIC KIDS YOGA
Watch on Youtube Available 24/7 Free
Using fun and popular stories to get kids engaged in a calm, relaxing, mindful workout