Here's a brief update on the work of the Activation Teams.
Building Systems and Facilities Management
Renovation work will begin in April, as well as removal of vines and building cleaning. Painting, new carpets and minor repair work will begin in the Library and Learning Center on April 17. Building names have been approved by UO leadership and will be incorporated into campus wayfinding signage and maps. Campus signs and banners have been approved with the UO brand. An initial landscaping plan has been developed by Campus Planning and Facilities Management. Improvements to landscaping will start this spring in specific areas around campus.
Information Technology
IT is in the process of procuring a redundant internet connection between Link Oregon (our state-wide network) and the new campus which will allow us to seamlessly access the UO network and services in Eugene. Fiber optic cable installation begins in mid-May with new networking equipment installation starting in June 2023. Classroom AV equipment to enable high-flex connectivity has been ordered and is starting to arrive. Installation will begin this summer.
Library
In March, the seventh shipment to Better World Books was picked up. Between it and five recycling shipments, the library team has sent off over 102,000 items to donate or recycle. Shelving has been assessed for the new UO Portland Library collection and current projections have our new library with close to 3,000 linear feet of shelving. For comparison, our current library in the White Stag Block has 983 linear feet of shelving for about 800 linear feet of collections (12,609 books and journals). The new library will have shelving for an initial collection of 26,000 items with capacity to grow 30 percent more to 34,000 items. We plan to add around 4,000 children’s books, 3,000 popular reading items (including 600 from Knight Library), and around 7,000 items from the former Concordia Library general collection across relevant research and general interest subject areas.
Advancement/Community Engagement/Communications
The third Community Connections event is scheduled for April 12, from 4:30-6 p.m. The UO Portland website will get a refresh to incorporate student/residential life and campus operational information for the new campus.
Housing and Dining
The first director of University Housing for UO Portland has been hired and will start in April. The library café lease has been awarded to a local coffee vendor and will be announced soon.
Safety and Risk Services
Two new community service officers have been selected from a competitive pool of applicants and will be announced once the background check process is completed. A national search for a director of campus security is being led by search firm Spelman Johnson with an initial candidate pool expected in April and interviews scheduled in May.
Student Services
The leadership team from the Division of Student Life visited UO Portland in March to help brainstorm student recreation and programming opportunities on the northeast campus. The activation team is working to identify student health and counseling services for academic year 2-24-25 when UO Portland moves all programs from Old Town to the new campus.
Event Services
The event team is working on an inventory of event and other spaces on the new campus that can be scheduled in the upcoming academic year and beyond. They are also working with architecture firms to help plan the design and construction of future event spaces on the new campus.
Future of White Stag and Naito
The White Stag Block is on the market for sale or lease. The Naito space is also available for lease. Colliers is representing both properties.