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COVID testing: Oregon State University, in collaboration with Willamette Valley Toxicology, is providing on-site COVID-19 testing. OSU employees and students, regardless of vaccination status, are welcome to obtain a test at one of these locations: Corvallis: The LaSells Stewart Center: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Student Experience Center: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (For staff wanting to get a test voluntarily, please make sure to have registered for a lab dash account prior to coming to test in order to save time: https://labdash.net/.) Bend: Ray Hall 302, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.
Vaccine compliance: Effective Sept. 15, Oregon State University requires employees and students who work, learn or engage with others in-person as part of their job duties to be fully vaccinated from COVID-19. OSU employees and students who are required to comply and who meet an exemption not to be vaccinated, will be required to test for COVID-19 weekly until further notice.
Face coverings now required in OSU indoor settings.
NEW! Timely Teaching Tips: Want to learn how to create and use media in your teaching? The Faculty Media Center and Center for Teaching and Learning invite all faculty and GTAs to a one-hour Zoom workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m., or on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. Register for Intro to Media for Teaching.
Today in the News Media is a synopsis of some of the most prominent coverage of OSU people and programs. Inclusion of any item constitutes neither an endorsement nor a critique, but rather is intended only to make the OSU community aware of significant items in the media. Content appearing includes timely news and feature stories from broadcast, print and online sources. Occasionally, opinion pieces and first-person columns appearing in mainstream media outlets that are written by faculty members and pertain to their academic or professional expertise may be included based on their unique, informative value, timeliness and space constraints. It is not the policy of OSU Today to include Letters to the Editor. Occasionally, articles highlighted in OSU Today may either be subscription-only or behind a paywall if a maximum number of articles has been reached that month. Many subscription-only publications, like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, can be accessed by anyone with an OSU email account through the search function on the OSU Libraries home page, which grants free access to many publications. See https://library.oregonstate.edu/ and click on 1Search.
Ashley Thompson, an assistant professor of horticulture at Oregon State University, says extreme heat can cause cherries and other fruits to “literally cook on the tree.” In addition, plants experiencing heat stress will produce a terminal bud and stop growing when temperatures start approaching 100 degrees and beyond.
Microbiology researchers at Oregon State University have shed new light on the mechanisms of carbon cycling in the ocean, using a novel approach to track which microbes are consuming different types of organic carbon produced by common phytoplankton species.
ODFW planned the integration program for two years and collaborated with other agencies, such as Portland General Electric. Walczak will collaborate with geneticists from Oregon State University to publish a paper on the program.
An Oregon State University student’s work is being showcased in this year’s edition of the Portland Film Festival. The documentary short, which details the story of a Nisqually tribal leader’s history of activism, was produced by OSU junior Caleb Jacobson.
K-9 Penny was sent to Oregon State University to see a canine cardiac specialist. They were able to conduct tests not available at K-9 Penny's local veterinarian. They also found her heart defect but did not feel it was as bad as first suspected.
Peek-a-buffalo: A new Oregon State University study on foot-and-mouth disease among buffalo in South Africa could help explain how certain extremely contagious pathogens are able to persist and reach endemic stage in a population, long after they’ve burned through their initial pool of susceptible hosts. Here, an adult buffalo cow peers over the fence at the Satara capture corrals (photo credit Brian Dugovich). For more on the story: https://beav.es/UcV.
COVID-19 vaccines: For information about vaccines in the Benton County, visit this website. OSU-Cascades students, faculty and staff can learn where to find vaccines in Central Oregon here. Check your local public health authority websites for more information. You can also visit the Oregon Health Authority: Get Vaccinated Oregon website and the CDC VaccineFinder for vaccinations anywhere in the U.S. Go to COVID-19 information for links to OSU, local, state and federal resources; and updates on the latest federal travel restrictions.
Board of Trustees: The OSU Board will meet from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, in the Horizon Room of the Memorial Union. The board will consider items recommended for action by its committees, the board’s 2022 work plan and the preliminary timeline and process for the next presidential search. The board also will hear a report and host a panel discussion with faculty and others on the university’s efforts to advance equity, inclusion and social justice. The agendas and meeting materials will be posted as they are available at http://oregonstate.edu/leadership/trustees/meetings. Members of the public may view the meetings and retreat at https://leadership.oregonstate.edu/trustees/osu-board-trustees-video-stream.
FYI Friday – Employee Benefits & Work Life Resources: October is open enrollment month. Join us to learn about OSU employee benefits – including PEBB and Graduate health plans, retirement plans, protected leave information, the Beyond Benefits Employee Assistance Program and Work Life programs. This presentation is geared towards Benefits-Eligible Employees, including classified staff, professional faculty, academic faculty, post-doc scholars and graduate assistants. Part of the Fall 2021 FYI Friday series; Friday, Oct. 8, 10-11 a.m. via Zoom. Registration required.
Music à la Carte: Cameron O'Connor, guitar, and Victoria Wolff, cello. OSU faculty, staff and students are invited to take a midday break in the Memorial Union Lounge for "Takes Two to Tango," a recital by OSU guitar instructor Cameron O'Connor and cellist Victoria Wolff. The program will include works by Franz Schubert, Manuel De Falla, and Astor Piazolla. Friday, Oct. 8, noon to 12:45 p.m. Those who do not work on campus may watch the livestream on YouTube.
Money at Work: Friday, Oct. 8, noon. Register for these workshops with TIAA here.
OSUsed Store Public Sales: The OSUsed Store carries furniture, computers, household items, office supplies and more at 644 SW 13th St. Public sales are open to all shoppers Friday, noon to 3 p.m.; details here. Staff may shop for their department Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; details here.
Meat lab: The Clark Meat Lab retail store is open Fridays from noon to 5:30 p.m. Product offerings include beef, pork and lamb retail cuts, fresh and cooked sausages, bacon, snack sticks, jerky, Beaver Classic cheese and honey, and even dog treats. The store is located at 3260 S.W. Campus Way, behind the Motor Pool. For more information contact Nathan.Parker@oregonstate.edu or call 541-737-1927.
The 2021 Campbell Lecture: "Motor competence, a building block that supports healthy developmental trajectories in children," presented by Professor Leah E. Robinson from the University of Michigan, will be held from 1-2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, in HFC 115 and online. This lecture is hosted by the Hallie E. Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families. Learn more.
Prospective student open house: Beaver Open House, an open house program for prospective students, will be held in The LaSells Stewart Center and the Memorial Union on Friday, Oct. 8. There will be approximately 900+ guests on campus, which may impact parking and retail food locations. Please welcome the guests while they are on campus.
Happiness Festival: ASOSU is co-sponsoring The Happiness Festival, a celebration of people’s passions, beliefs and values. In this festival, our goal is to inspire people to step out of their comfort zones, pursue their passion, and perform their best to achieve their goals and dreams. The event will consist of two parts: inspiration and entertainment. Friday, Oct. 8 from 5-8:30 p.m. in the SEC plaza.
Tap into the OSU spirit at a pregame party in Pullman: Rally with Beaver fans in Cougar Country. The OSU Alumni Association welcomes you to a no-host gathering at Paradise Creek Brewery Trailside Taproom, Saturday, Oct. 9, at 10:30 a.m. Then cheer on the football team as they play Washington State. Catch the details.
Griggs celebration: Lawrence Griggs, ’78, will be the honored on the Wall of Legacy at the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center, and a physical student success center will be named in his honor in the Memorial Union. Please join us in honoring his enormous impact during a hybrid (in-person and online) presentation and celebration on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. Click here to register. Consider adding a video tribute or typed message to share how Larry impacted you. Email Terrance Harris with any questions.
NEW! OSU Album Club: Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys. Album Club returns this fall in the remote meeting format to safely and conveniently connect campus and community in discussing some of the greatest music albums of all time. Join host Bob Santelli as we listen to and delve deep into the story of The Beach Boys 11th studio album, "Pet Sounds." Free and open to all. Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Register.
NEW! College of Science Diversity Action Plan Launch: Come help launch the CoS Strategic Diversity Action Plan. We’ll have an overview of the Strategic Diversity Action Plan followed by small group discussions. Only OSU students will be in attendance. Masks required to be worn except for when eating or drinking. Oct. 12, MU Ballroom, 5-6 p.m. RSVP at beav.es/US3.
NEW! The High Kings to perform at The LaSells Stewart Center: The High Kings are platinum-selling international artists who have sold out shows in Ireland and the U.S. The High Kings are noted for their rousing acoustic flavor of Celtic music they label “Folk and Roll.” Thursday, Oct. 14, at 6:30 p.m. More information including how to purchase tickets.
NEW! The Emerald City Jazz Kings — I'm Glad There Is You: The song stylings of Johnny Hartman and Lena Horne. The Emerald City Jazz Kings, led by Glenn Griffith and featuring Shedd veterans Siri Vik and Bill Hulings, present the rich and diverse songbooks of jazz vocalist Johnny Hartman and legendary Hollywood entertainer Lena Horne. Saturday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. at The LaSells Stewart Center. More information including how to purchase tickets.
NEW! Celebrate OSU’s finest at the 2021 Black and Orange Awards: Join the OSU community online and honor eight outstanding Beavers whose service, creative leadership and distinguished careers have strengthened Oregon State's reputation and programs. Listen to their inspiring stories, then share your congratulations during interactive receptions following the main program. Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. Register at ForOregonState.org/BlackAndOrange.
100 Reasons to Stay Alive: When times get hard, it is important to be reminded of all of the beautiful things that life has to offer. 100 Reasons to Stay Alive is a walk-through, interactive exhibit of some of the reasons life is beautiful. We hope the exhibit will inspire you to think about your personal reasons and the meaning they hold for you. Visit this year’s exhibit: The Valley Library Lawn, daily from Monday, Oct. 11 to Friday, Oct. 15. Inspire: Share your reason and be featured on the event website and in future exhibits: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0J6zhRafdR8vOYe. For additional information contact Tessie Webster-Henry at tess.websterhenry@oregonstate.edu.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Please join us on Oct. 11 at 5 p.m. for Indigenous Peoples' Day 2021. Our featured speaker this year is Buddy Lane, OSU alumni and Cultural Education Director for the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. We are also joined by Steven Paul from the First Indigenous Nations Society and Corvallis Mayor Biff Traber. Register at: https://beav.es/UGG. For accommodations related to a disability, please contact Luhui.Whitebear@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-9036. Sponsored by the Kaku-Ixt Mana Ina Haws in partnership with the City of Corvallis.
Employees can sign up today for the flu shot clinic scheduled at the Corvallis campus Oct. 19: It will be located in the MU Ballroom. When you sign up you must enter your insurance information in the portal. It will state it is optional but for the OSU employee clinic it is not optional. If you do not provide this your appointment time may be delayed up to an hour. Detailed information regarding how to sign up in the Kroger portal can be found at the OSU Flu Shot Clinic Website here.
October Flu Shot Clinics: Flu shot clinics are scheduled for OSU faculty, staff and students this October at various locations. The Flu Shot Clinic Sign-up portal is now open and working for the Corvallis flu shot clinic at the MU Ballroom. Detailed instructions are located on the HR Website here. Beginning Oct. 5, employees can sign up for the Oct. 19 clinic at: www.krogerhealth.com/partnerscheduling. You must enter your insurance information in the portal. It will state it is optional but for OSU employees it is not optional. If you do not provide this your appointment time may be delayed. The last day to schedule for Oct. 19 is Oct. 13. In Newport, OSU employees in the Newport area can access a flu shot clinic on Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon at Hatfield Marine Science Center. For more information, please contact Shannon Reed at Shannon.Reed@oregonstate.edu. This year Kaiser members can attend the flu shot clinics in Newport hosted by Fred Meyer/Kroger. In Bend, Cascades campus in Bend is hosting a COVID vaccine and flu shot clinic COVID-19 vaccine clinic Oct. 12 and 13. Employees can choose to receive their flu shot or COVID-19 vaccine or both. More information is pending in the next two weeks. Please contact Stefanie Maerki with questions at stefanie.maerki@osucascades.edu. Additionally, Kaiser Permanente, Yoda Health, Providence Health Plan and PacificSource Plan members can contact their medical plan providers for ways to receive a flu shot. Questions? Please contact employee.benefits@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-2805.
NEW! Strategies for Communicating STEM/STEAM Online Professional Development: Learn best practices to engage learners of all ages in public spaces. Seven-week online course from the College of Education. Register through Oct. 10. Learn more.
NEW! Learning Experience Design (LXD) Tools and Trends Online Professional Development: Learn to make the most of the full array of online tools – design tools, collaboration platforms, podcasting and more – to develop robust online learning experiences. Six-week online course from the College of Education. Register through Oct. 10. Learn more.
NEW! Maximize Social Security in Your Retirement Strategy: If you want to understand important Social Security claiming strategies: Learn about strategies for claiming your Social Security benefit and how it fits with other income sources to create your retirement paycheck. Oct. 11, 11 a.m. Register now. Hosted by Fidelity.
NEW! Department of Integrative Biology Seminar: Dr. Amy Angert, professor, University of British Columbia, will present a seminar, "Variation in Local Adaptation Over Time," on Monday, Oct. 11 at 4 p.m. via Zoom: https://beav.es/IBFallSeminar. The seminar is free and open to the public. For more information (including dial-in information) and to view the entire Integrative Biology Department Spring Seminar Series lineup, please go to http://ib.oregonstate.edu/smnrs. Accommodations for disabilities may be made by contacting 541-737-3705 or bowlinst@oregonstate.edu.
NEW! CTL Tuesday Teaching + Tech Talks: "Trauma-Informed College Teaching: Prepare, Respond, Restore," with Jeff Kenny, Ph.D. Increasing numbers of students are participating in higher education with complex trauma histories. Trauma history complicates our assumptions about the theory and practice of adult learning. This workshop will provide resources and skill building to prepare for, respond to and recover from expressions of trauma in the college classroom. For more information see https://ctl.oregonstate.edu/sparkshops. Zoom sessions: Oct 12, 10-11:50 a.m. Get the Zoom link: https://beav.es/UJj.
NEW! Faculty & Staff Mind-Body Practice Group: Contemplative Studies and CAPS will offer simple, guided practices for grounding, relief and clarity amidst a busy day. Mindfulness, yoga and more inspire sessions, which are suitable for bodies and abilities of every kind. Join in-person at Dixon Lodge or via Zoom. Tuesdays 12:15-12:45 p.m.; begins Oct. 12. Registration required. https://beav.es/UxY.
NEW! Introduction to PERS — Tier One and Tier Two more than 3 years to retirement: This presentation is ideal for Tier One/Tier Two members with more than three years to PERS retirement. Topics include a look at available resources, information about Online Member Services estimates, a review of retirement timelines, an explanation of working after retirement rules, detailed information regarding the Individual Account Program (IAP) and other information you may find useful as you move toward retirement. Oct, 12, 3-5 p.m. Register here for this workshop.
NEW! Visual Design for E-Learning Online Professional Development: Learn visual design essentials for online learning with this six-week course from the College of Education. Register through Oct. 17.
NEW! Crucial Conversations: Crucial Conversations is a 10-hour course that teaches skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high-stakes, emotional or risky topics at all levels of your organization. By learning how to speak and be heard (and encouraging others to do the same), you’ll surface the best ideas, make the highest-quality decisions and then act on your decisions with unity and commitment. This program consists of a series of five live, online sessions on Tuesdays, 9-11 a.m., Oct. 19-Nov. 16. There is a $100 fee to attend Crucial Conversations. Learn more and register here.
NEW! MEDICARE 101 virtual webinar: Join the OSU Retirement Association on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 3 p.m. for Medicare 101 with Dr. Wayne Kradjan, Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus, College of Pharmacy. Dr. Kradjan will give an overview of the definitions of the parts of Medicare, enrollment deadlines for Medicare, deferral for people who have employer health plans, Medigap plans, Advantage Plans, prescription drug plans and options available from PERS. Register today. For questions, contact osura@oregonstate.edu.
Accessibility Basics for the Web: Learn how to make websites accessible to people with disabilities. We'll also discuss OSU policy on Information Technology Accessibility. All are welcome; employees with website responsibilities are encouraged if they have not attended yet. Register for a session, offered Oct. 11, Nov. 17, Feb. 3, Mar. 24, Apr. 18 or May 22.
Teaching workshop on using informal writing to promote active learning: Sarah Tinker Perrault, WIC Director, will give a 50-minute interactive workshop on how to use informal writing to enhance student learning in all disciplinary areas and at all levels (lower division through graduate classes). The workshop will take place via Zoom (register for a link) on Monday, Oct. 11, from noon to 12:50 p.m.
Science Pub: The Oregon State University Science Pub on Monday, Oct. 11 will focus on how science fiction like Star Trek movies and television programs may strengthen hope for building a better future when the world seems overcome with crises. The virtual event, a joint effort of Oregon State University in Corvallis and OSU-Cascades in Bend, will feature a talk by Jose-Antonio Orosco, a professor of philosophy at Oregon State. His presentation is titled: “To Boldy Go: Why Scientists and Social Justice Warriors Need Star Trek.” The free Science Pub will run from 6-7:30 p.m. The event will be broadcast on YouTube Live. Registration is required and can be completed at https://beav.es/Upe.
NEW! Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: There has been a recent overhaul of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. All OSU employees count as public service employees and would qualify for PSLF as long as they are working full-time. Some items may be time sensitive. https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/fact-sheet-public-service-loan-forgiveness-pslf-program-overhaul. Contact Lois DeGhetto, assistant director, Office of Financial Aid, at Lois.DeGhetto@oregonstate.edu if you have questions.
Opening the Conversation: Taking on Life After Cancer Together. Researchers at Oregon State University are working to evaluate a program that will help young adult breast and gynecologic cancer survivors and their partners communicate about and cope with relationship concerns after cancer. You and your partner will be randomly assigned to one of two programs, with 4-5 weekly sessions that will be delivered by a trained counselor via Zoom. You will learn skills to cope with and improve your relationship health after cancer. To be eligible for our study, you must have a history of breast or gynecologic cancer diagnosed between the ages of 18-39, and within 6 months to five years ago. We invite couples with any sexual orientation and gender identity to participate. This study is funded by the American Cancer Society. Go to https://health.oregonstate.edu/research/programs/survivorship/oc or email ayahealth@oregonstate.edu for more information. This study is being conducted by the OSU College of Public Health and Human Sciences. The principal investigator is Jessica R. Gorman.
Join a Conversation on Student Success: The Academic Success Center & Writing Center publish "The Success Kitchen" 1-2 times a term. It includes staff and student perspectives on success topics, interviews with campus partners, highlights of collaborations, and strategies and tools. Sign up by Tuesday, Oct. 12 to receive the next issue of "The Success Kitchen."
Coming Oct. 27, a call for proposals for the Affordable Learning Grant: OSU’s Affordable Learning Grant provides funding to adapt, adopt or author open educational resources, such as textbooks. An open textbook is licensed under an open copyright license and made freely available online for students, faculty and members of the public to use. Want to learn more? Join a workshop on the grant proposal process. For more information, contact Stefanie Buck.
The sounds of fire safety: It is important to understand the different sounds your fire safety devices are telling you. When you hear three loud, continuous beeps, that means smoke or fire. Get out and dial 9-1-1. When you hear four loud, continuous beeps, that means carbon monoxide is detected. Get out and dial 9-1-1. Chirping that happens every 30-60 seconds means to replace the battery or the device itself. Also, smoke detectors must be replaced after 10 years regardless of how they function. Reference website: https://www.nfpa.org/Events/Events/Fire-Prevention-Week/About.
Stone Soup: Sign up to volunteer at Stone Soup Kitchen, providing meals to the homeless. WestM organizes volunteer shifts for Tuesdays during Fall, Winter and Spring terms. WestM coordinates volunteers from the OSU community (students, gaculty, staff, alumni, etc.) for these shifts. Stone Soup provides a hot meal 365 days a year to hungry people in Corvallis. Volunteers are currently needed. Online signup and information for Tuesdays is available at westm.org/stone-soup. Other days of the week can be found at stonesoupcorvallis.org.
Seeking participants for lactose intolerance research study: Are you lactose intolerant and interested in learning more about it? Consider participating in the research study that investigates the effects of prebiotics on the gut microbiome in lactose-intolerant individuals. Participants may receive up to $300 for the time committed to the study and information about their health. Follow this link to learn more about the study and how to get involved.
Notice of Availability: In compliance with the Clery Act, Oregon State University published the 2021 Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports for the Corvallis campus, OSU-Cascades campus, Hatfield Marine Science Center, and OSU at EOU. Included are important safety/security policies, fire safety practices, helpful university and local resources, crime prevention programs, and crime and fire statistics for the previous three calendar years. Paper copies are provided upon request. The reports are available without charge.
Harrison Blvd resurfacing: As part of the 2021-22 Street Resurfacing Project along NW Harrison Boulevard, changes to access on NW Harrison Boulevard will remain in effect as follows: Oct. 1-12, Harrison Boulevard daytime closure, open overnight (Circle to 29th), and open on the weekends. The existing detour that utilizes 29th, and Grant will be expanded to include Witham and Circle. Detours will be signed. 35th Street at Harrison Boulevard will be closed during the daytime to allow the grinding and paving to occur. A traffic detour for the closure of 35th Street at Harrison will be Western to 15th to Harrison. This project is managed by the city of Corvallis. For questions or comments on this closure, contact Project Manager Josh Bjornstedt.
“The trees are in their autumn beauty, The woodland paths are dry, Under the October twilight the water Mirrors a still sky.” ~ William Butler Yeats
Corvallis: Slight chance of rain and patchy fog today, high of 62, low of 43. Partly sunny Saturday, rain Sunday.
Central Oregon: Mostly sunny today, high of 59, low of 34. Sunny Saturday, chance of rain Sunday.
Newport: Chance of rain, high of 63, low of 47. Mostly cloudy Saturday, rain Sunday.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/