Please take this survey to help us decide what food and drink options you'd like at the Union. The last day to take the survey is Friday, March 1st at 5:00 PM.
Click Here to take survey
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 09, 2009
Student Union Update
OHSU Graduate Students,
Despite a number of logistical and financial hurdles, the OHSU Student Union is indeed becoming a reality - and hopefully sooner than later. But before I present the "coming soon" survey to sample what you want for food and drink service at the union, I feel it is appropriate to provide a brief overview of the Union's history, its purpose, and its finances.
The Student Union was conceived as a place where students can relax, study, eat and drink, socialize, and host academic forums. This atmosphere is lacking on campus due to OHSU's unique physical isolation from Portland, as well as its lack of a large undergraduate component to the student base. With the advent of MARCH Wellness, the previous fitness center on campus was compelled to close, leaving the building ripe for invention. The University liked the idea of a Student Union and pledged financial support, along with the Student Council, to build a union. The union will be built in phases, with "Phase I" nearing a late winter/early spring 2009 completion.
Second, the finances. The money pledged by OHSU was done so 1-2 years ago so the current budget crisis of OHSU is not (largely) affecting Phase I since this phase is nearly complete, and since most of this money was already subtracted from the books before recent budgeting. Future phase completion, however, will likely be slowed. So far, OHSU has spent about 1.8 M on the building, with students contributing about 6% through the incidental fee. Phase I is possibly the most expensive phase due to necessary seismic upgrades and infrastructure rearrangements - actions that only have to be done once. That said, let's not fall into the trap of projecting costs for future projects (cough...the tram). But it is safe to say that current budget cuts will push Phase II and III well into the months/years ahead, which is completely understandable.
As for now, Phase I is nearing its completion. What does this mean for you? The Student Union will immediately feature an open-area, furnished lounge, aptly named "The Nucleus," with study space and food/drink service. In addition, an old racquetball court was converted into an impressive (seriously...it's impressive) "Media Room" with stadium-style seating designed for presentations, movies, and even PS3 gaming. We are still working out the details of how this media room will be reserved, but feel free to give it a gander upon the soon-to-be-scheduled open house.
Finally, I will be sending around a survey within the next couple of days to sample what students would like for food and drink services at the Student Union. The current plan is to provide something different from other places on campus without the need for a noisy kitchen or cafe. And yes, there is still the hope for providing beer, but this still has to be worked out. Stay tuned for other updates, most notably when you will have a chance to finally use and enjoy your student union.
You can contact me (Dustin Johnsen) with any questions you may have at johnsend@ohsu.edu, or make a public post on the GSO Your Space blog at http://ohsugso.blogspot.com. In the meantime, look for the food service survey soon...
Regards,
Student Union Committee,
-Dustin Johnsen, chair
-Nina Katovic
-Robert Gould
-Abhinav Sinha
Dustin Johnsen
President, Graduate Student Organization
OHSU Neuroscience Graduate Program
somgso@ohsu.edu
Despite a number of logistical and financial hurdles, the OHSU Student Union is indeed becoming a reality - and hopefully sooner than later. But before I present the "coming soon" survey to sample what you want for food and drink service at the union, I feel it is appropriate to provide a brief overview of the Union's history, its purpose, and its finances.
The Student Union was conceived as a place where students can relax, study, eat and drink, socialize, and host academic forums. This atmosphere is lacking on campus due to OHSU's unique physical isolation from Portland, as well as its lack of a large undergraduate component to the student base. With the advent of MARCH Wellness, the previous fitness center on campus was compelled to close, leaving the building ripe for invention. The University liked the idea of a Student Union and pledged financial support, along with the Student Council, to build a union. The union will be built in phases, with "Phase I" nearing a late winter/early spring 2009 completion.
Second, the finances. The money pledged by OHSU was done so 1-2 years ago so the current budget crisis of OHSU is not (largely) affecting Phase I since this phase is nearly complete, and since most of this money was already subtracted from the books before recent budgeting. Future phase completion, however, will likely be slowed. So far, OHSU has spent about 1.8 M on the building, with students contributing about 6% through the incidental fee. Phase I is possibly the most expensive phase due to necessary seismic upgrades and infrastructure rearrangements - actions that only have to be done once. That said, let's not fall into the trap of projecting costs for future projects (cough...the tram). But it is safe to say that current budget cuts will push Phase II and III well into the months/years ahead, which is completely understandable.
As for now, Phase I is nearing its completion. What does this mean for you? The Student Union will immediately feature an open-area, furnished lounge, aptly named "The Nucleus," with study space and food/drink service. In addition, an old racquetball court was converted into an impressive (seriously...it's impressive) "Media Room" with stadium-style seating designed for presentations, movies, and even PS3 gaming. We are still working out the details of how this media room will be reserved, but feel free to give it a gander upon the soon-to-be-scheduled open house.
Finally, I will be sending around a survey within the next couple of days to sample what students would like for food and drink services at the Student Union. The current plan is to provide something different from other places on campus without the need for a noisy kitchen or cafe. And yes, there is still the hope for providing beer, but this still has to be worked out. Stay tuned for other updates, most notably when you will have a chance to finally use and enjoy your student union.
You can contact me (Dustin Johnsen) with any questions you may have at johnsend@ohsu.edu, or make a public post on the GSO Your Space blog at http://ohsugso.blogspot.com. In the meantime, look for the food service survey soon...
Regards,
Student Union Committee,
-Dustin Johnsen, chair
-Nina Katovic
-Robert Gould
-Abhinav Sinha
Dustin Johnsen
President, Graduate Student Organization
OHSU Neuroscience Graduate Program
somgso@ohsu.edu
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Sunriver Check-in, Mt. Bachelor Discount
For those of you registered for the 2009 GSO Sunriver Trip, the instructions for your stay are below. To view the final housing arrangements, download this PDF: 2009 Sunriver Roster. Also, remember to properly equip your vehicle with chains and/or studded snow tires. If chains are required over the passes, the police can and do turn people around with a fine.
Instructions
1) Keys can be picked up at the Villiage Properties Management building, which is near the grocery store upon first entering Sunriver: map to Villiage Properties. The first person of each house to arrive is responsible to pick up all the keys for that house. If you arrive after 6:00 PM, you can pick up your keys by typing 4836A into the key box outside the Villiage Properties office. ...Yes, write that code down! If there are any further instructions about this procedure, Raymond Hickey will e-mail the designated house contacts directly.
2) Before checking out, please be courteous and leave the house nearly as you found it. You don't necessarily need to be mopping the floors and cleaning the glass, but don't leave the previous night's party for the staff to clean up. We like Sunriver, they like us - let's keep it that way.
2) Check-out is Monday, February 16th at 11:00 AM. Keys are to be returned to the same Village Properties Management building as upon your arrival.
There are many options for recreation at Sunriver besides nearby Mt. Bachelor. There are cross country ski trails, access to a fitness facility with a gym, a pool, and outdoor hot tubs, among other amenities. There is also a pub, The Owl's Nest, that hosts free live music Friday and Saturday night. For more information, visit the Sunriver website.
Mt. Bachelor Discount
I was able to score us a decent deal on lift tickets at Mt. Bachelor. This is the first year they've done this for us, so please don't abuse it! The discount is provided directly at the window so there is no need for advance purchases elsewhere. The multi-day passes are valid Friday the 13th through Monday the 16th.
You will need your OHSU ID and one other form of ID to receive the discount; discounts can be given only at the West Villiage ticket window (the larger, main lodge).
Single Day Lift Ticket: Friday = $49; Saturday, Sunday, Monday = $62 (vs. $69 holiday price)
Two-Day Lift Ticket: All days = $96 (vs. $131 holiday price)
Three-Day Lift Ticket: All days = $141 (vs. $193 holiday price)
Instructions
1) Keys can be picked up at the Villiage Properties Management building, which is near the grocery store upon first entering Sunriver: map to Villiage Properties. The first person of each house to arrive is responsible to pick up all the keys for that house. If you arrive after 6:00 PM, you can pick up your keys by typing 4836A into the key box outside the Villiage Properties office. ...Yes, write that code down! If there are any further instructions about this procedure, Raymond Hickey will e-mail the designated house contacts directly.
2) Before checking out, please be courteous and leave the house nearly as you found it. You don't necessarily need to be mopping the floors and cleaning the glass, but don't leave the previous night's party for the staff to clean up. We like Sunriver, they like us - let's keep it that way.
2) Check-out is Monday, February 16th at 11:00 AM. Keys are to be returned to the same Village Properties Management building as upon your arrival.
There are many options for recreation at Sunriver besides nearby Mt. Bachelor. There are cross country ski trails, access to a fitness facility with a gym, a pool, and outdoor hot tubs, among other amenities. There is also a pub, The Owl's Nest, that hosts free live music Friday and Saturday night. For more information, visit the Sunriver website.
Mt. Bachelor Discount
I was able to score us a decent deal on lift tickets at Mt. Bachelor. This is the first year they've done this for us, so please don't abuse it! The discount is provided directly at the window so there is no need for advance purchases elsewhere. The multi-day passes are valid Friday the 13th through Monday the 16th.
You will need your OHSU ID and one other form of ID to receive the discount; discounts can be given only at the West Villiage ticket window (the larger, main lodge).
Single Day Lift Ticket: Friday = $49; Saturday, Sunday, Monday = $62 (vs. $69 holiday price)
Two-Day Lift Ticket: All days = $96 (vs. $131 holiday price)
Three-Day Lift Ticket: All days = $141 (vs. $193 holiday price)
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Care to make Student Health better?
Please take this short survey to help the Student Health Advisory Committee make recommendations and changes:
Click Here for the survey.
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Click Here for the survey.
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