Access & Equity
The OHSU-PSU School of Public Health understands that fostering a diverse and inclusive environment is vitally important to our mission. We believe that a welcoming climate improves our teaching and our research, and is critical to our societal goal of ensuring that everybody has the opportunity to benefit from good health and to live to their full potential, across the nation and around the world.
SPH Student Emergency Fund
The OHSU-PSU School of Public Health Student Emergency Fund has been created to provide limited emergency financial assistance to currently enrolled SPH students who are experiencing unanticipated financial hardship resulting from emergency or crisis situations.
PSU CARE Program
The PSU CARE program connects students with resources when they are experiencing distress. All currently enrolled and recently enrolled students, as well as parents and families, and faculty, staff, and advisors are welcome to connect with CARE and request assistance on behalf of students. In addition to responding to crises, CARE helps support students before problems arise or issues become more complicated. Issues CARE can help address include but are not limited to
- Suicidal ideation or attempts
- Activities or events that may impact the campus and/or surrounding community
- Activities or events that may impact a student’s ability to stay in school
- Medical emergencies and communicating with faculty
- Food and/or housing insecurity
- Mental health challenges
To connect with CARE or schedule an appointment, contact askdos@pdx.edu or call 503-725-4422.
If you need an immediate 24/7 response, call 503-725-4404 (Campus Public Safety Office) and/or 911.
If you have a concern that does not require immediate attention, submit a CARE Referral and the team will follow up with you within two business days. Note: If you submit a referral outside business hours of M-F, 8am.-5pm. or during a university observed holiday, it will be reviewed within the following two business days.
Other Emergency Funds
Portland State University offers short-term financial assistance to students during times of crisis by providing financial support where a clear need exists.
PSU General Student Emergency Fund
In addition to the General Student Emergency Fund, there are funds that are retained and managed in many of the schools, colleges, and resource centers. These funds are available for enrolled students who participate in those programs. Please contact these departments directly in order to learn more about the availability of these funds. Consult the PSU Emergency Fund Information page for more information.
Please note that, if awarded, some hardship funds are taxable.
The PSU Landing At FUMC
The PSU Landing at FUMC is a collaborative effort between Portland State University, First United Methodist Church and community members that provides temporary, safe-haven housing in the to PSU students navigating severe housing insecurity or homelessness. No religious activity occurs in the Landing, which offers hot showers, laundry, secured storage, stable WiFi and study space, visually private sleeping pods, and other resources 7 nights/week with meals.
If you know of a PSU student, or are a PSU student, who is navigating housing insecurity or experiencing homelessness, contact PSU’s Dean of Student Life’s CARE Program to make a referral or learn how to register for a space at the Landing.
You can call the Dean of Student Life Office at 503-725-4422 or you can email the CARE Program and Student Life Office at askdos@pdx.edu.
For a student in crisis, you can also make a direct referral to the CARE Program using their Referral Form.
In-person volunteer roles are currently open for students and student groups. To find out more, visit the website: https://fumcpdx.org/landing/
PSU’s Committee For Improving Food Security (CISFS)
CISFS seeks to improve students’ access to affordable, nutritious, culturally relevant food. The Free Food Market is a partnership between the CISFS and the Oregon Food Bank that brings FREE fresh produce and other food items to PSU students and the greater PSU community.
- Free Food Market is held every month on the second Monday, downtown on the South Park Blocks, near Shattuck Hall
- Food distribution begins at 9:30am
- Food distribution ends at 11:00am
- BRING YOUR REUSABLE SHOPPING BAG. Bags are not supplied and items can get heavy.
The committee also maintains a list of on-and off-campus food resources.
OHSU Food Assistance and Basic Needs
As a part of Student Health and Wellness, the Food Resource Center provides free groceries, fresh produce and hygiene items to OHSU students in the Portland area. All students are welcome.
We’re here to help you find campus and community resources so you can thrive at OHSU.
OHSU student food resourcesPSU Basic Needs Hub
The Basic Needs Hub provides students with one place to stop for all concerns related to providing for basic needs support. Our mission is to connect PSU students to resources in the moment of need so students can focus on academics, career goals, and interpersonal relationships.