FAQs

Most instruction will remain online during the Spring 2021 Semester. A limited number of laboratory, clinical, and experiential courses will be conducted in-person. Residence halls will re-open in a de-densified format. First Year students will be given on-campus housing priority, followed by returning students. Single occupancy rooms are recommended, but double occupancy will also be permitted upon request.

We understand that some members of the community will question the decision to give on-campus housing priority to First Year students. At UP, we regard shared residency as critical to forming community and creating bonds among students. We believe that First Year students should have the opportunity to do so.

The COVID-19 Steering Committee and campus leadership identified several factors that permit the University to resume de-densified on-campus residency in the Spring that were not present in the Fall. First, COVID-19 testing turnaround times are much shorter now than they were in late Summer/early Fall. Rapid turnaround times are critical to successfully controlling the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) and tests are now more stable than they were in late Summer/early Fall. Finally, the University has closely studied how other institutions of higher education have promoted the health and safety of community members and has learned from their experiences.

The Office of Residence Life will provide more information about on-campus housing by October 19. We thank students and families for their patience as on-campus housing plans are finalized.

The Health & Counseling Center (hcc@up.edu) is available to provide further details on the University’s COVID-19 testing protocol.

We learned a great deal about the abilities of our faculty and staff to pivot quickly last March when we moved to online instruction. We also made significant investments in innovative academic technology.  Our summer classes were taught remotely as well.  Because of that experience, we expect seamless delivery of classroom instruction by our faculty utilizing the full capacity of the curriculum and technology resources at their disposal.  Teleworking policies developed since March for staff will remain in effect.

Students with special circumstances or unusual hardships will be allowed to live on campus while receiving online instruction.  Additionally, students enrolled in intensive clinical courses that are being conducted in-person will be permitted to live in residence halls.  Those allowances will be determined on a case-by-case basis.  For those who do remain on campus, there will be access to a limited number of support services.

If you feel you have a compelling need to live on-campus in Fall 2020, you are asked to fill out this online request form.

The University’s residence halls will generally remained closed during the coming semester. Students who are enrolled in the limited number of courses that will be held in-person may apply to live on-campus. Additionally, a limited number of students with compelling needs will be permitted to live in residence halls. All students have received information on these matters from the Office of Residence. Contact Residence Life at reslife@up.edu for more information.

A limited number of students with compelling needs will be permitted to live in residence halls. All students have received information on these matters from the Office of Residence. Contact Residence Life at reslife@up.edu for more information.

The University will work to honor the same roommate assignments when possible.

Currently, the CDC does not endorse baseline testing for colleges and universities. Students will, however, be able to receive COVID-19 testing via the University’s Health & Counseling Center when necessary.

The Office of Residence Life is currently working on plans for staggered move-ins. More information will be shared as soon as it is available.

(updated 7/7/2020)

If a student residing on campus tests positive for COVID-19, has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or suspects that they have been exposed to someone likely to test positive for COVID-19, they should contact the Health & Counseling Center of their residence hall staff immediately. The HCC has procedures in place for testing, contact tracing, isolation/quarantine, care, and support.

The Health & Counseling Center has developed a public health campaign entitled “Pilots Prevent” to assist community members in adopting best practices to limit the spread of COVID-19. The University is closely monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, the Multnomah County Health Department, and others. Generally, residence halls, academic spaces, and dining facilities will be de-densified. Masks will be required in all common spaces and physical distancing guidelines will be observed. Hand hygiene will be promoted and on-campus spaces will be subject to enhanced cleaning procedures.

The Health & Counseling Center will be available for testing on campus, as well as to connect students with local resources for testing should that be a better option for them.

We know that many students and their families are facing financial uncertainty at this time and will have questions about tuition rates. Even though UP is moving to a remote learning model, we will continue to put the learning experience of students first. It is important to remember that tuition pays for only 67% of the costs of a UP education. The University receives the remaining 33% through philanthropic support, endowment funding, and auxiliary revenue (e.g., room and board, rentals, events, etc.). We project that these sources of revenue will diminish significantly in the months ahead. We also note that many of the University’s costs will not decrease as we move to a remote learning model. For these reasons, and because we plan to provide the same excellent teaching and formation that are hallmarks of the University of Portland experience, the published tuition rates for the 2020–21 academic year will remain the same.

The financial impact of this decision is still being determined.  Throughout the pandemic, UP leadership has studied a range of potential cost savings and spending reductions, in case they were needed.

University of Portland offers emergency financial assistance to students who have experienced a financial emergency or unanticipated expenses that cause financial hardship through the Presidential Hope Fund. The goal is to cover expenses that affect a student’s ability to stay in college and complete their education. Emergency funding is not intended to provide ongoing relief of recurring expenses or as a consistent supplement for educational purposes. Awards typically range from $100-$1,000.

University of Portland has been allocated $2,672,004 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, which provides financial support to higher education institutions for covering expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Fifty percent of these funds in the amount of $1,336,002, will be provided to eligible students who have incurred expenses such as child care, food/meals, housing, technology or travel expenses. Funds will be split evenly among all eligible students who apply.

For more information, including determining eligibility for receipt of funds, please see the CARES Act community message dated May 19.

The deadline to submit a certification application is September 15, 2020. This deadline is final.

Our current projects are all at different construction stages around campus, including some that are nearly complete.  Those projects will be allowed to finish.  We are currently evaluating all other capital projects to determine how or if they should progress.

We know that many students and their families question why the University cannot lower its tuition rates. The University has been widely recognized for its high value in providing excellent instruction at a price lower than most of our peer institutions, while simultaneously providing generous levels of institutional financial aid to students. As noted in Father Poorman’s message, tuition covers only 67% of the costs of a UP education and many of these fixed costs are unaffected by a move to a remote learning model. The University has already engaged in significant cost-reduction efforts to bring our operational costs down to offset increased student scholarships and financial aid; and significant additional cost-cutting will be required due to the closure of our residence halls. Even with these measures, the University will be operating at a substantial financial loss in the coming year. This is not a question of preserving a positive bottom line, but rather of moderating losses and helping to ensure that UP can continue to fulfill its mission. For these reasons, the 2020–21 tuition rates must remain the same.

Yes, your financial aid cost of attendance can be increased to include the cost of purchasing a computer, laptop, tablet, or other technology necessary to participate in classes. In general an increase to your costs will result in eligibility for additional loans, not scholarships or grants. However, if your loan eligibility has been exhausted we will look for other resources to assist you. To request an increase to your cost of attendance, complete a 2020-21 Cost of Attendance Increase Request Form, available in the Financial Aid section of the PilotsUP Portal. You will need to include a receipt with your request.

The University will conduct nearly all classes exclusively in an online format. Certain course required in some accredited programs, such as those involving intensive clinical, lab, experiential, or similar work, may be held in-person. Further information on these courses will be provided by individual programs/majors.

Students will need a computer, a camera and microphone, and headphones or headset. For further technology details, please see the Information Services guide for student computing requirements.

Generally, yes. For more information, please contact the Office of Admissions at 503.943.7147 and/or admissions@up.edu.

If you defer for a semester, the spring portion of your financial aid will still be available to you with the exception of the Oregon Opportunity Grant.

If you defer for a full year: merit scholarships, Anchor Awards and UP Oregon Success Awards will still be available. Federal, state, and UP Grant aid will be based on the results of your 2021-22 FAFSA application, available October 1, 2020. Direct Loan and Federal Work-Study eligibility would also be determined by the 2021-22 FAFSA. Named endowed scholarships and Pilots First Year Launch Awards will be forfeited.

Yes, a returning student may take a Leave of Absence for up to one year. If the Leave of Absence is filed by the end of the first week of classes (Aug. 28), students will receive a full tuition refund. A student who would like to take a Leave of Absence should contact their associate dean or program counselor to begin the process.

If you take a leave of absence for a semester, the spring portion of your financial aid will still be available to you with the exception of the Oregon Opportunity Grant.

If you take a leave of absence for a year, generally, your institutional financial aid (all merit scholarships/UP Grants/UP Oregon Success Awards/Anchor Awards) will still be available to you, with the exception of named endowed scholarships and potentially departmental scholarships. Federal, state, and UP Opportunity Grant aid will be based on the results of your 2021-22 FAFSA application, available October 1, 2020. Direct Loan and Federal Work-Study eligibility would also be determined by the 2021-22 FAFSA.

The UP Bookstore is still here and working to get you your fall books. Simply place an order on the UP Bookstore website. Shipping is free with a $49 order minimum. Please keep in mind that UPS does not deliver to a PO Box, so make sure you enter a valid street address.

You should order your books as soon as possible. Even though the UP Bookstore is shipping daily, transit times will vary based on your location. Ordering early will also help with any unexpected shipping delays or inclement weather.

If you have already placed an order to be picked up, and you do not live locally, simply call or email the Bookstore and someone will assist you in updating your order. You may contact the Bookstore at 503.943.7125 and/or sm796@bncollege.com.

No. The Bookstore is currently open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. These hours may change so please check our website for current hours. You are able to pick up your order once you receive the final confirmation email. Please be aware that your email account may automatically filter emails from the UP Bookstore. Be sure to set your account to accept emails from the Bookstore and check your spam file for any missed emails.  

We are requesting all customers wear a mask and practice social distancing while inside the Bookstore.

Yes, used and rental books are available. Please order early for your best chance at used books.

You can contact the UP Bookstore directly at 503.943.7125 or via email at sm796@bncollege.com.

Generally, no. All employees are to continue teleworking unless and until they are instructed otherwise by their supervisor, dean, and/or the Office of Human Resources.

The University is unsure as to when employees can begin returning to on-campus work. UP will contact employees with further information as soon as there is any change in the current policy regarding telework.

Currently, the CDC does not endorse baseline testing for colleges and universities. Faculty and staff who have questions about COVID-19 testing are encouraged to contact their own healthcare provider and/or the Multnomah County Health Department.

If a member of the faculty or staff tests positive for COVID-19, has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or suspects that they have been exposed to someone who is likely to test positive for COVID-19, they should seek appropriate medical care and contact their supervisor, dean, and/or the Office of Human Resources immediately. They should not come onto campus unless and until they are permitted to do so by their supervisor, Dean, and/or the Office of Human Resources.

Currently, you are not required to self-quarantine after flying if you have taken appropriate precautions and you are not exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms. While transiting airports and traveling by plane, you should practice good hand hygiene, adhere to physical distancing guidelines, and wear a face mask/covering. Also, before flying, you should assess your own health and determine if you have any potential COVID-19 symptoms. If you feel unwell or have any symptoms, you should not fly. It is also recommended that you limit your exposure to others for the 14-day period after flying as much as possible.

Close contacts are people who have been within 6 feet of a person infected with COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes without wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). 

A person with COVID-19 can spread the virus up to two days before their symptoms started until they are self-isolated from others. If you were within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes without proper PPE, you may be considered a close contact. Someone without symptoms is considered infectious for up to ten days before their test date.

Quarantining is designed to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent the spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms.