OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
Open search box
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. For more about this section, see: https://today.oregonstate.edu/email/submission-guidelines.
Lauren Gwin, who helped found the Oregon State University Center for Small Farms and Community Food Systems in 2013, has been named the organization’s director.
“This is an important first step in understanding how a community of snakes is organized in the wild,” says Gordon Burghardt, an ecologist at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who was not involved in the research. Other experts agree: “This is a big deal,” says integrative biologist Robert Mason of Oregon State University. “It’s a whole new avenue of research that I don’t think people have really given any thought to.”
Scientists at Oregon State University recently sequenced the chia genome, as detailed in a paper published Wednesday in Frontiers in Plant Science. The team wasn’t the first to do so. But it was the first to take a deep dive into the genetics behind the crop’s nutritional properties—and make a case for why chia seeds may be one solution to the world’s hunger and nutrition crisis, in addition to climate change.
The whales nearly went extinct because of whaling, but now they’re apparently hitting a ceiling on how many the ocean ecosystem can actually support. The whales have experienced several significant population declines (15-25% drops) and recoveries over the past few decades. In fact, we’re in one of these cycles right now. Using long-term population data, researchers at Oregon State University, and Cascadia Research Collective and SeaLife Response, Rehabilitation, and Research in Washington have figured out the root cause of the booms and busts: conditions in the Arctic Ocean.
Some coral species can be resilient to marine heat waves by “remembering” how they lived through previous ones, research by Oregon State University scientists suggests.
Washington State University and Oregon State University have won full control of the Pac-12 athletic conference after a decision Friday from Washington's highest court. (see also KEZI)
We've had so many great submissions pouring into our inbox that we're a little overstuffed with images, so over break we'll be sharing more than one photo at a time. First up we have Green and Gold: Christine Meiwes, office specialist, shared this image she took at the corner of 30th and Campus Qay next to Wiegand Hall.
Celestial reflection: Next, Amy Timshel, assistant to the department head, says, “I stopped on my morning commute to take this photo of the sunrise. This is a pond alongside Highway 99W.”
Prismacolor: And finally, Gosia Wojtas, graduate program specialist, says “This colorful tree I saw on SW Jefferson Way reminded me to say ‘thank you’ to all the OSU groundskeepers and facilities for keeping our campus ever so beautiful in all the seasons.” We are accepting photo submissions at osutoday@oregonstate.edu.
NEW! Timely Teaching Tips: Creating educational media for use in the classroom or on Canvas in an upcoming course? See Using Media from Learn@OregonState. Looking for media training or equipment to borrow? Need to consult with experts on video or audio recording? Check out the Media Hub, a one-stop resource for OSU faculty, staff and students.
Charitable Fund Drive: Don’t miss your chance to give. The Charitable Fund Drive is still open and you have until Dec. 31 to make a difference. Remember, last year's donations won't roll over automatically, but you can easily replicate them once you log in. Don't delay; pledge now at https://www.ipledgeonline.org/_cfduniversities/. These organizations rely on your support, now more than ever. Your pledge is truly appreciated.
Cheng Shi Ph.D. defense: A presentation of Shi's dissertation, titled “Chemical Data Mining for Environmental and Ecosystem Forensics," takes place at 11 a.m., Dec. 18, in Gilmore Hall 207. Shi is earning his Ph.D. in Biological & Ecological Engineering with Gerrad Jones. Please contact the BEE Department at sam.christopher@oregonstate.edu with questions, for the Zoom link or for accommodations for disabilities.
Navigating Parental Shame and Guilt: This gathering will offer a space for parents to talk about what it’s like to navigate feelings of guilt and shame during the holidays. We will also discuss strategies for setting realistic expectations and self-care strategies. It is intended for people in a parenting or caretaking role. Noon, Dec. 18. To access and sign up for Lyra Gatherings go to learn.lyrahealth.com passcode: #osu445. You can sign up for an upcoming gathering in Lyra Learn.
NEW! Caring for Aging Loved Ones: How Tech Helps Older Adults and Gives Caregivers Peace of Mind. We will discuss how caregivers can use technology to help reduce stress and gain peace of mind when caring for older parents. Everything from home safety to medication reminders to virtual social activities and more – let tech take some of the worry out of caregiving. 10 a.m., Dec. 20. Register today.
NEW! Succeed at Work: The Science of Goal-Setting. This webinar examines goal-setting as a brain function. We will look at how the brain works and create an awareness of the mental process, making it easier for us to create new habits in relation to goal-setting. 10 a.m., Dec. 21. Register today.
Classified staff union membership meeting: Classified staff are welcome to attend our union’s monthly meeting for updates on bargaining & other happenings. This meeting is hybrid. Noon to 12:30 p.m., Dec. 21. If attending online, registration in advance is required. In-person attendees can join us for lunch in Memorial Union Room 211. Email for accommodations.
NEW! Confident Parenting – Bullying: How to Protect Your Child. This webinar provides information on recognizing the signs of bullying and how to prevent or cope with it. We will cover types of bullying, talking with children, signs your child may be being bullied and what to do if you suspect your child is bullying others. 10 a.m., Dec. 27. Register today.
NEW! Your Healthy Lifestyle: The Importance of Self-Care. Participants will learn how to care for themselves while dealing with everyday challenges and issues, including learning about the pillars of health that will help with self-care. 10 a.m., Dec. 28. Register today.
OSUAA Tailgate Town at the Sun Bowl: Join Oregon State’s official bowl tailgate when the Beavs face off against Notre Dame at the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Get tailgate tickets to enjoy food and drinks, giveaways, music, photo ops and fun activities with fellow Beavs at Glory Field before kickoff. 9:30 a.m., Dec. 29.
NEW! Surprise, AZ Baseball Tailgate: Beaver Baseball is on deck for another epic weekend at the Sanderson Ford Surprise Baseball Classic. Join OSUAA for the OSU vs. Minnesota ballgame and a pregame tailgate from 9:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 17. It will be a home run with great food, drinks, freebies and special guests. A game ticket is required to attend. Registration is coming soon.
Day of service: The Dr. MLK Day of Service will take place on Jan. 13. This event is an opportunity to honor Dr. King’s legacy through volunteer service. A light breakfast, snacks and hot lunch will be provided to participants. Check-in and meals will be held in the Horizon Room of the Memorial Union. Project times and locations vary; see the registration page for details. Community Engagement & Leadership will provide transportation to and from service projects. Register here: beav.es/cel.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration: Registrations for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Peace Breakfast and Keynote are now open. The annual Peace Breakfast is at 9 a.m. Jan. 15. The keynote featuring Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor is at 7 p.m. Jan. 31. Here is a full list of events.
NEW! Winter Classes at Marigold: On Jan. 8, Marigold: The OSU Center for Contemplative Practice begins a new term of weekly classes, including gentle and flow yoga, mindfulness meditation, Buddhist Sadhana, exploring consciousness and body poetry. Instructors weave contemplative philosophy and movement in welcoming classes that strengthen the body, soothe the mind and enliven the spirit. Check out the class schedule, purchase passes or apply for an OSU Undergraduate Scholarship. Contact us.
NEW! Gearing Up for Gardening: Come to the Corvallis-Benton County Library to hear free gardening tips from local experts. Whether you’re a novice or a long-time gardener you’re bound to learn something new. The talks are from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Jan. 9-Feb. 27 (except Jan. 22). Go to www.bentonmg.org to see the schedule and topics. The talks are co-sponsored by the Benton County Master Gardener Association and the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library.
NEW! Suicide prevention training in Portland: Become a certified "Question, Persuade, Refer Gatekeeper" this Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Recognize the signs and learn how to help people who may be at risk. This free training is hosted by the College of Health and OSU Extension’s Family and Community Health program. 10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 15, Food Innovation Center in Portland. Register for free.
NEW! Start the New Year with less stress with OSU Extension in Redmond: The Stress Less with Mindfulness series introduces participants to the experience of mindfulness to reduce stress. The series of four two-hour lessons starts at 9:30 a.m., Jan. 23 at the OSU Extension/Deschutes County office. Registration is required at https://extension.oregonstate.edu/county/deschutes/events Class size is limited.
NEW! Insights Into Gardening: A day-long series of classes for gardeners of all abilities sponsored by the Benton County Master Gardener Association. Choose from 16 classes offered in four sessions, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Feb. 10 at The LaSells Stewart Center. Registration opens Jan. 2. Go to www.bentonmg.org/iig for more information and online registration. Classes fill quickly. Cost is $45.
FourSight Mindset Reveal Workshop: How do you approach a challenge? FourSight Mindset Reveal is a new workshop presented by the Office of University Human Resources that dives deep into the way that we solve problems together. This engaging workshop helps people learn more about their own mindset, learn appreciation for how colleagues work, and together be able create a stronger team environment and reach more creative solutions. In the spirit of professional development, University Human Resources is excited to offer this new two-hour workshop to OSU employees on a monthly basis starting this Spring. View upcoming workshops and enroll here. In response to increasing material costs, the registration fee for this program will be adjusted to $55 as of Jan. 1.
Mindful Self Compassion 10-week Program: Kate Gallagher will guide a 10-week mindful self compassion program starting Jan. 10 at the Marigold Center. MSC is an empirically supported method that improves mood, relationships, resilience and reduces harsh self-criticism. Registration is open and the cost is $400 for educators; $450 for the public. Scholarships are available for OSU undergraduates. Contact with questions.
Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue: Learn skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high-stakes, emotional, or risky topics. Discover how to speak and be heard (and how to encourage others to do the same), surface the best ideas, make the highest-quality decisions, and act on your decisions with unity and commitment. View dates for Winter 2024 course via Zoom and register here. In response to increasing material costs, the registration fee for this program will be adjusted to $255 as of Jan. 1.
NEW! Comprehensive student health insurance is available: Enrollment is open through Monday, Jan. 22. Domestic, Ecampus and PharmD students can easily sign up for the OSU Student Health Insurance Plan from PacificSource. The plan provides access to a vast network of local and nationwide care providers. Questions: osustudent.insurance@oregonstate.edu.
NEW! FYI Friday proposals: Office of Human Resources Learning & Development is now accepting FYI Friday presentation proposals for Winter and Spring 2024. Does your unit have a new or existing service, process, system, policy or research you want to share with the campus community? Consider FYI Friday as your venue. FYI Friday is a program where campus partners are invited to present what they’re working on to a broad audience of professional faculty, academic faculty and classified staff. Presentations can be anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours in length; it’s up to you. Learn more about the requirements and application process. Feel free to reach out to hr.training@oregonstate.edu with any questions, or for assistance with your application.
NEW! Pedestrian experiment: The OSU School of Civil and Construction Engineering is seeking participants for a study examining how people use intersections. Participants must be at least 18 years old, have normal or corrected-to-normal vision (glasses and contacts are OK), and feel comfortable walking approximately 1 mile total. Participation involves walking three adjacent intersections wearing eye tracking glasses and a time commitment of approximately one hour. Please contact Amy Wyman by email at wymana@oregonstate.edu.
NEW! Mid-Month Emergency Preparedness Topic: Preparedness Planning. Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Consider specific needs in your household, know how you will contact one another and practice your plan. English and Spanish versions of this bulletin can be found here: https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-topics/preparedness-planning.
EXTENDED! Deadline Extended! Call for Applications: Career Champions: The deadline for applications for the winter 2024 Career Champions program for teaching faculty and instructors has been extended to accommodate for winter break/holiday travel. Career Champions provides educators with tangible ways to incorporate career connection into the classroom, while tackling issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Applications are due Jan. 2. Cohort meets Thursdays 3-4 p.m. on Zoom weeks 3-8 of winter term. Direct questions to Brenna Gomez.
NEW! 25 Year Club: Congratulations to Shelby Filley, professor, regional livestock & forage specialist, for being inducted into the 25 Year Club at OSU. You can read more about their time at OSU and others inducted into the club by clicking on their name. Congratulations and thank you for your service.
Invest in OSU solar projects: The OSU Sustainability Office, Corvallis Sustainability Coalition and Oregon Clean Power Co-op invite OSU faculty, staff and others to invest in rooftop solar on the Beth Ray Center, Milam Hall and Richardson Hall. Minimum investment is $1,000 and you choose your rate (1%-4% APR). See more info for the first project, the Beth Ray Center. For questions or to invest, email info@oregoncleanpower.coop or brandon.trelstad@oregonstate.edu by Dec. 29.
New OSUAA member discount: OSU Alumni Association members now receive exclusive monthly offers, best price guarantees, free enrollment in Dell Rewards (3% back and free expedited shipping) and more through the Dell Member Purchase Program (MPP). You can learn more about this and all the benefits of OSUAA membership at ForOregonState.org/Benefits.
OSU Employees: Did you know you can find learning and development opportunities with the Training Portal? The OSU Training Portal is available to faculty and staff, and located in your my.oregonstate.edu dashboard, by clicking the “Training” tab in the top right corner. Discover and search for trainings, webinars and more – all geared towards OSU employees. Bookmark https://my.oregonstate.edu/employee/training so you can return to it often. Do you have an upcoming learning opportunity geared towards OSU employees? Reach out to hr.training@oregonstate.edu to learn how to add your event to the portal.
LinkedIn Learning is available to OSU faculty, staff and students – for free: Leverage this online learning library to hone your soft skills, your technical and business acumen, and to meet your learning and development goals. Use it to supplement your curricula. Curate content to support your programs and initiatives. Click here for step-by-step instructions for how to get started, and here for tips and tricks. Be sure to check out our curated collections and toolkit for supervisors.
New Employees: This virtual session is to orient new faculty and staff to the university. Join us to learn about the terms of your employment, employee benefits, retirement programs and work-life resources. You will also be introduced to the Equal Opportunity & Access, Insurance Risk Management and University Ombuds teams. Union informational sessions for employees represented by Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and United Academics of Oregon State University (UAOSU) are presented afterwards. Offered monthly. Registration is required.
Speaker funding available: Planning any speaker events for winter term? Start thinking about funding now: The President’s Commission on the Status of Women has money available for campus groups to engage speakers (virtually or in person) whose message supports PCOSW’s mission of advancing gender equity at OSU. Sponsorship averages $500 depending on the number of requests. To apply, fill out this form. For more information on PCOSW, visit our website.
Seeking Community Input on Monroe Avenue Use: OSU is partnering with the city of Corvallis to explore ways of increasing safety and comfort for pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles on NW Monroe Avenue between 14th and 26th streets. Community input is being requested through a use survey and an online mapping tool designed to map areas of Monroe Avenue where there are safety concerns, missing elements and favored places. The survey and the mapping tool are available until Dec. 31. A community open house will follow to discuss findings and review design concepts.
HR website has new look: The Office of University Human Resources (UHR) website has a fresh look with the new Drupal 10 platform. Stay tuned for dynamic changes in 2024 that will elevate your experience -- check out the FAQ page to learn more. UHR extends sincere appreciation to the University Information Technology Digital Experience team, the DFA IT team and the University Marketing and Relations team for their partnership and support in this project.
HR offices holiday schedule: UHR Offices will be closed Dec. 25; open 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 26-29; and closed Jan. 1. If appointment times are needed between noon and 5 p.m., during this time of reduced operations, please reach out to the appropriate HR team at least 24 hours in advance and they will arrange to meet with you. If you are not sure whom to contact, please reach out to our AskHR team at AskHR@oregonstate.edu.
Apply for funding: The OSU Women's Giving Circle is excited to announce the opening of grant applications for OSU programs and student groups to fund innovative projects with funding needs up to $10,000. It is easy to apply. Learn more about the grant application process and eligibility criteria on our website or contact Celina Anderson at the OSU Foundation for details. Apply for a WGC grant by Jan. 9.
This email only lists new or recently updated job postings. For a full list of current job postings for OSU Today, go to: http://today.oregonstate.edu/email/jobs To apply for the below positions, visit jobs.oregonstate.edu unless otherwise specified.
NEW! Procurement, Contracts & Materials Management invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), Purchasing Analyst 1. This customer service-oriented position is part of the Construction Contracts Administration unit. Posting #P04546CT. Full consideration Jan. 5. Closes Jan. 12.
NEW! Washington Way Improvement Project: Multiple projects will be starting and ending in the area over the next few weeks and months. Washington Way between 26th and 30th streets will be closed for construction starting Dec. 18 and continuing through the winter and spring 2024 terms. Construction activity between 17th and 26th St. will be finishing up over the next few weeks, depending on the weather. This section of Washington Way is expected to reopen by Jan. 5. The two-way cycle track will also be opening and a separate Campus Notification will follow regarding the traffic pattern change in the area. Between Dec. 18-Jan. 5, Washington Way will be closed from 17th to 30th Street. The north sidewalk will be closed. The multi-use path on the south side of Washington Way will be open for pedestrians. In addition, the intersection at 26th St. and Washington Way will be closed Dec. 18-29. The intersection will be closed in all directions. The sidewalks will be closed on both sides of 26th Street from Washington Way to Dixon Recreation Center.
NEW! New Cycle Track & Traffic Pattern Change Coming to Washington Way: SW Washington Way between 17th – 26th St. is scheduled to reopen on Jan. 8. Major improvements include relocation of the roadway further away from the railroad tracks, wider sidewalks, lighting improvements and the opening of Corvallis’s first dedicated cycle track, which allows for two-way bicycle traffic completely separated from the road and sidewalk. The Washington Way cycle track will eventually extend from 15th St. to 35th St., but with only one section opening in January, there will be temporary pavement markings directing bicyclists traveling east to cross traffic at SW Benton Place and rejoin the existing bicycle lane on the south side of Washington Way. An official Campus Notification will be posted in January once the cycle track opens.
NEW! Jefferson Way: As part of work for the Memorial Union Roof and Gutter Renewal project, SW Jefferson Way between SW 26th Street and SW Benton Place will be closed to vehicle traffic Dec. 18-22 from 6 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. In addition, the sidewalk on the north side of SW Jefferson Way, directly south of the Memorial Union, will be closed. Pedestrians will be diverted to the sidewalk on the south side of SW Jefferson Way. (View map)
Johnson Hall: As part of early work for the Jen-Hsun & Lori Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex project, sidewalks on the north, south and east sides of Johnson Hall will be closed to pedestrians from Dec. 18-Jan. 5. (View map)
26th Street: As part of the LaSells Stewart Center Mechanical & Roof Renewal project, the northbound lane of SW 26th Street will be closed on Dec. 18 to allow for crane activity. The closure will extend from SW Western Boulevard to SW Washington Way. Flaggers will be present in the area to direct southbound traffic on 26th Street. A section of the east sidewalk on 26th Street will be closed from Western Blvd. to the CH2M Hill Alumni Center. Pedestrians may use the west sidewalk as a detour. (View map)
Orchard Ave: As part of the Jen-Hsun & Lori Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex project, the intersection at SW 26th Street and NW Orchard Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic on Dec. 18-19 for construction activity. The north-south crosswalk on Orchard Avenue will be closed for pedestrians. The sidewalks in the area will remain open, except for a section of sidewalk on the east side of the intersection, directly in front of Johnson Hall. The loading dock north of Johnson Hall will be closed except for pre-arranged deliveries. The concrete walkway on the south side of Johnson Hall will also be closed. Bike lanes in the area will be closed. (View map)
Campus Way: As part of the Withycombe Hall Renovation project, SW Campus Way will be closed between SW 30th Street and the Agriculture & Life Sciences Building from Dec. 11-Jan. 6. Emergency access and pre-arranged access to the East Greenhouses will be maintained during this closure. The north sidewalk in this section of Campus Way will be closed. The south sidewalk and the south side of the brick walkway near ALS will remain open for pedestrians. (View map)
Kerr parking lot: As part of the Kerr Administration South Parking Lot Improvement project, the Kerr south parking lot closure has been extended until Jan. 8 to finish construction activities, including lighting installation, paving and striping. This includes the closure of the west sidewalk. ADA access is available on the east side of the building.
Stadium Avenue: As part of the Bloss Hall Renovation project, a section SW Stadium Avenue, located between CH2M Hill Alumni Center and Bloss Hall, will be closed from Wednesday, Nov. 29 through Friday, Jan. 5. Multiple parking spaces in the Bloss Hall West parking lot (bordering Stadium Ave.) will also be closed. In addition, the sidewalk on the west side of Bloss Hall will be closed. Other possible impacts include noise, dust and mud near the work site. (View map)
"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." ~ Hal Borland
Corvallis: Rainy all week, highs in the 50s, lows in the 40s.
Central Oregon: Rain this week, highs in the upper 40s, lows in the 30s.
Newport: Rainy all week, highs in the 50s, lows in the 40s.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr
