The catastrophic “now” that this moment inhabits has created a dynamic within the student body that is terrifying and isolating, a new normal that has taken students away from their…
Fall classes at PSU will be mostly remote
Portland State President Stephen Percy announced in a letter to the PSU community on July 30 the university is planning for a mostly remote fall term. “I have heard…
To wear or not to wear
Face masks—one of the most visible precautions of the current pandemic—have also become a sign of one’s political affiliation, according to articles by NPR, OPB and The Oregonian. However,…
Russian, Chinese state-backed hackers accused of targeting COVID-19 research
Security services from the United States, United Kingdom and Canada reported in July a collection of organisations currently working to develop a coronavirus vaccine have been the victims of hacks…
A novel financial aid process for a novel virus
Portland State’s Financial Aid Office sent an email to students on July 10 alerting them of an upcoming appeals process regarding awards for the 2020–21 school year. Designed to help…
This Week Around the World
July 13 Johannesburg, South Africa: Zindziswa Mandela, the daughter of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, died at the age of 59 in a hospital in Johannesburg. While the cause of…
Students need relief: beyond the CARES Act
Oregon must decide whether students are important by considering the major financial hurdles that COVID-19 presents. With the current pandemic suggesting no abatement in the offing, it is extremely likely…
Brazilian president contracts COVID-19
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro tested positive for COVID-19 on July 7, after months of dismissing the virus as a “little flu” while his country’s death toll of nearly 68,000 rose…
With backyard astronomy, the sky’s the distance
It is understandable to want to go outside now and it is a realistic desire to want to do things with people—anything. COVID-19 has all but shut down venues of…
The Aladdin Theater in Portland, Oregon on April 7. Image courtesy of Aladdin Theater Facebook page.
John Prine’s “Souvenirs”
Although three months have passed since John Prine died of COVID-19 on April 7, the pandemic has only gotten worse. Prine’s work frequently grappled with loneliness and isolation, and his…
Hill to Hall June 29–July 6
June 30: Oregon extends coronavirus emergency proclamation Oregon Governor Kate Brown has extended the COVID-19 state of emergency for 60 days. The state of emergency declaration is the legal…