The University's decision to discontinue the sale of bottled water was not a surprise to many on campus, but the timing was. "This was my decision to step up the timetable," said Bon Appétit general manager Kirk Mustain. "To me, this is a stake in the ground in terms of sustainability.
Water. Over 71 percent of the world is covered in it. Yet, it is more precious than gold and more sought after than oil. On March 26 to 28, UP will host a conference called Confluences: Water and Justice to bring attention to the growing water crisis the world faces and answer questions such as "Where do we get our water?" and "How do others get their water?" So, what is the Water Conference? The Water Conference is three days of discussing and investigating a range of issues as they relate to water, including environmental justice, protection, science, business, theology, business, history, law and the Native American perspective.
Junior Ryan Livingston sat, looking somewhere between determined and miserable, clutching two inches of doughy crust in his hands. A student dressed in a full-body purple man suit and sporting a white headband was rubbing his shoulders saying, "C'mon, Ryan, you can do this!" Patrons who had long since finished their food looked on in fascination.
Students flooded into the Commons Terrace Room on Monday evening to kick off Black History Month with the 21st National African American Read-In, sponsored by Black Student Union. "The purpose of this event is to bring African American voices to life, to inspire hearts and minds," said Bethany Sills, UP's multi-cultural coordinator.
Courses at UP are escaping the confines of the classroom and the printed page and making their way to the good old World Wide Web, in part because of a student-driven campaign to raise more awareness about Moodle. Moodle is the name of the course management system software implemented at the University almost five years ago.
Students will be able to dine in or get food to go at the new Commons come fall. Bon Appétit will be offering multiple ethnic cuisines and grill options, as well as a new point system that will allow students to save money at The Commons. Meal plans will run on a declining balance system, meaning students put money on their account and pay item by item, Bon Appétit Manager Kirk Mustain said at the ASUP Senate meeting on Jan.
Following a five-year trend, UP's admissions office is again overflowing with applicants for fall 2010. UP received 11,382 applications, over 2,000 more applicants than last year, making this an all-time high for applicants. "It says a lot about University of Portland's reputation," said Jason McDonald, dean of Admissions.