OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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COVID-19 website: To facilitate the ongoing sharing of information about the virus, Oregon State University has added a link on the OSU homepage to a page that provides detailed and up-to-date COVID-19 information; links to OSU, local, state and federal resources; and updates on the latest federal travel restrictions.
TRACE OSU testing: TRACE OSU is providing random COVID-19 testing by invitation at its Corvallis and Bend campuses and at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. Testing will take place in Corvallis in the Memorial Union Ballroom and at Reser ticket booths, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In Newport, testing will be provided every other week beginning Jan. 19, Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. At OSU-Cascades, testing will be provided every other week beginning Jan. 19, Monday, through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Please join the effort to build a safer and healthier Oregon State University community. To enroll and for more information: https://trace.oregonstate.edu/osu
NEW! Timely Teaching Tips: Do your students say they have difficulties finding particular content, assignments or other important course information in your Canvas course sites? Basic and intermediate Canvas users will find many useful strategies and tips — directly from OSU faculty — in the recently recorded workshop on Designing Your Canvas Site for an Improved Student Experience: https://beav.es/J3R.
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.
Samaritan Health Services and Benton County are teaming up to provide mass COVID-19 vaccinations at Reser Stadium on the Oregon State University campus Tuesday and Wednesday.
Heather Knight is an engineer, “social roboticist” and one of 13 core faculty in Oregon State University’s robotics program. One day in late October, she was shocked to find the campus crawling with a fleet of autonomous, six-wheeled vehicles made by Starship Robotics. The San Francisco-based company had contracted with the campus dining service to provide contactless delivery. “We’re at the point where not even the people in robotics know there are going to be robots on campus,” she adds.
We’ve passed the winter solstice and that means we’re on the way to spring and the gardening season. If you’ve got questions, turn to Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool from Oregon State University’s Extension Service.
In an effort to discuss the pressing issues surrounding our nation, Oregon State University opened the floor to several experts Thursday evening, in an online panel titled: “Divided States of America: Sedition, the Inauguration, and the Unfolding Crisis in American Democracy.” (see also KLCC)
Paul Kopperman, a professor of history at Oregon State University, has been on the Holocaust Memorial Committee at OSU since 1987 and its chair since 1994, and has helped organize all 33 editions of the annual OSU Holocaust Memorial Week. Kopperman believes the curriculum put forward by CSD to be strong, but he did have a few material suggestions for the district. Specifically, he suggested adding the book Number the Stars by Lois Lowry to the K-4 curriculum, as well as the film “Weapons of the Spirit” for middle and high schoolers.
TRACE OSU: Library technician Kristin Swetland says, “I enrolled because I want to contribute to the awesome research OSU is doing trying to keep us all safer. And free testing which is nice since I work at a public service desk.” Please join the effort to build a safer and healthier Oregon State University community. To enroll and for more information: https://trace.oregonstate.edu/osu
When Wildfire Hits: One Community's Journey to Recovery: Last summer’s wildfire events impacted many Oregonians. These events reminded us of how important it is to plan and be prepared for wildfire. Planning and preparing for wildfire can feel like a massive endeavor. What can we do? Who can help? How do we continue to build wildfire adapted and prepared communities? For this webinar, we invited our neighbors from southwest Colorado to tell us their story. Join us and learn how one community was affected by wildfires in 2002 and their journey to come together, rebuild and take the action needed to save their lives and property from wildfire and the impact their actions had on wildfires in their neighborhoods since. Jan. 25, 3 p.m. Zoom link: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QENKvwSZQEeEC0Kp60Q_QA
School of Psychological Science’s Winter Colloquium Series: Dustin Calvillo, California State University San Marcos, will speak Jan. 25, 4 p.m. via Zoom. His primary research interest is in memory distortions, particularly those resulting from misinformation. Zoom link can be obtained by emailing Kristen.macuga@oregonstate.edu. Upcoming talks: Jonathan Kelly of Iowa State University, Feb. 22 and Assoc. Professor Erica D. Musser of Florida International University on March 8.
NEW! COVID-19 vaccination clinics for Phase 1a groups only: Mass COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be offered this week by Samaritan Health Services and the Benton County Health Department at Reser Stadium in collaboration with Oregon State University. Vaccinations will be available on Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Wednesday Jan. 27, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. for limited individuals from Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties in the state of Oregon’s Phase 1a groups, as required by the Oregon Health Authority. Interested individuals must complete a short needs-assessment survey prior to scheduling vaccine appointments. The survey is available online in English at bit.ly/BentonCoGov-Vaccine1a and in Spanish at bit.ly/BentonCoGov-Vacunas1a. Vaccinations will take place on the stadium’s east concourse adjacent to gates A, B and C on Parker Plaza. Free parking will be available for vaccination clinic patients only in clearly marked areas of the Reser Stadium parking lot located at Southwest Western Boulevard and Southwest 26th Street across from the LaSells Stewart Center on the OSU campus. During the vaccination clinic, this parking area will be closed to OSU commuter parking. OSU permit holders may park in any open lot within their permitted zone, including C zone spaces located to the west of Reser Stadium, which can be accessed from the entrance on Southwest 30th Street. Up-to-date information may be found at samhealth.org/COVIDVaccine. The best resource for coronavirus vaccine distribution phases, frequently asked questions and more may be found at the Oregon Health Authority website at https://covidvaccine.oregon.gov/.
NEW! Event Planners (virtual) Symposium: University Events will host presentations with Jen Humphreys from the COVID Continuity Management Team, Martha Smith with Accessibility, and Donna Williams and Mark Jacobson from Conference Services on Jan. 27 at 9:30 a.m. Register at https://oregonstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIsdOmorDksGd2T5pIgu4iu0qtwK1cnxYp6. Learn about tools for producing better virtual events and things to consider as we look into the future for in-person events.
NEW! Winter Career Fairs: Registration is now open. The OSU Winter Career Fair Series as well as Speed Mock Interviews are virtual, using Handshake. Click the fair link below to register and sign up for to speak with employers like Fast Enterprises, Cintas, Techtronic Industries, Build Group and many more. Feb. 9, Speed Mock Interviews; Feb. 10, Civil and Construction Engineering Fair; Feb. 17, Winter Career Fair; Feb. 18, Non-Profit & Public Service Fair; Feb. 23, Food Science and Technology Fair. For more information about virtual fairs, please visit: career.oregonstate.edu/virtual-fairs
NEW! Webcast | Virtual Paint Night: Get creative, socialize and unwind at the second edition of Virtual Paint Night, hosted by the OSU Alumni Association and the College of Liberal Arts and open to all skill levels. With guidance from Portland-based artist Kaitlyn Carr-Kiprotich, ’16, attendees will paint Oregon’s iconic Haystack Rock, a state landmark. Friday, Feb. 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Engage with fellow Beavers at this event, which is free for OSUAA members and $10 for non-members. Art supply list is provided at registration. Register here.
In Memoriam: In Memoriam is an inaugural event for OSU, to annually honor those from the university community that have passed away in the previous academic year, will take place on Thursday, Jan. 28, 5:30 p.m. and honor recently deceased students, staff, faculty, alumni and others who made an impact within the university. The event will take place virtually as a livestream broadcast via live.oregonstate.edu and will feature poetry, live music and activities for reflection and healing along with guest speakers to honor the deceased. Additional information is available by emailing Jon.Dorbolo@oregonstate.edu.
Celebration of Women in Engineering: Feb. 10-11. In recognition of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the College of Engineering at Oregon State University invites you to celebrate the achievements of our faculty and alumnae. Featuring live panels, a film premiere, a live networking session and more. This completely virtual event is free and open to the public. Complete info and registration at https://expo.engr.oregonstate.edu/wie
NEW! Beyond Benefits EAP Employee Portal Overview: Have you wondered how to use the Beyond Benefits EAP Portal? This webinar is for you. It will cover how to navigate the employee portal Guidance Resources Online to find our EAP resources. Register in advance for this meeting here. Jan. 26, 1:30 p.m. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
NEW! Investment webinars: The Maps Credit Union CFS investment team is conducting a Weekly Webinar Series on a variety of investment topics that include current market updates. This is one way to educate yourself without leaving the comfort and safety of your own home. Tuesday, Jan. 26, 5:30 pm., Wealth Transfer - Take Charge of Your Legacy. These are not OSU events but are tailored to OSU clients and during normal circumstances are held on campus. There is no charge.
NEW! Water Resources Engineering Winter Seminar Series: “Natural Capital and Water” with Steve Polasky from University of Minnesota, Department of Applied Economics. Presented by the Water Resources Graduate Program. Wednesday, Jan. 27 from noon to 1 p.m. Free and open to all. To join, use Zoom link https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/93467362981?pwd=NHdvU3I1by9rZ1haODNZMW94ZXZPQT09. The password is: WRESeminar
NEW! Public health career webcast Jan. 27: Careers in public health rank among the highest in job satisfaction. Look into the possibilities of a career change by attending a free career webcast presented by the OSU Alumni Association. "New Year, New Job: Careers in Public Health" is Wednesday, Jan. 27, at noon via Zoom. Industry experts Tonya Johnson, a faculty member at OSU; Kimberly Ward Barowicz, ’11; and Jessica Barker, ’18, share where to look and how to land a new job, followed by an interactive Q&A. The series offers guidance for students and alumni entering the workforce, changing fields or advancing a career during these challenging times. Register and find additional resources at osualum.com/careerwebcasts.
NEW! College of Liberal Arts Dean's Forum: Wednesday, Jan. 27, 3-4:30 p.m. via Zoom. Passcode: 185951
NEW! Alumni making a difference – CLA Changemakers webcast: There are Oregon State alumni passionately advancing justice and equity in every field. Join the OSU Changemakers webcast series for inspiring conversations with Beavers, hosted monthly by CLA Professor Susan Shaw. Part two of the series kicks off Jan. 27, and features alumni cultivating youth literacy, empowering Oregon’s farmworkers and creating pathways to economic prosperity. Learn more and register at osualum.com/Changemakers.
NEW! Creating partnerships for prosperity – CLA Changemakers webcast: Meghan Barp, ’06, breaks barriers — not just for herself, but for her community of 50,000+ in South Carolina. Learn how the president and CEO of United Way of Greenville County became the first woman to lead the organization in its nearly 100-year history, where she convenes her community to address the issues that matter most. Join a conversation with Barp Jan. 27 at osualum.com/Changemakers, presented by the College of Liberal Arts and the OSU Alumni Association.
NEW! “Teaching Truth and Trust in an Era of Digital Dissensus.” Are conspiracy theorists and anti-maskers anti-fact? Are confirmation bias and ideological bubbles inevitable? Or is there a deeper dynamic at play? Mike Caulfield, director of blended and networked learning at WSU Vancouver and nationally recognized digital literacy expert, will discuss our current “digital dissensus” and how our approach to education may be making problems worse. Jan. 29, 10-11:30 a.m. Co-sponsors: OSU’s Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC), Library Faculty Association Seminar Series, and Writing Program (SWLF). More information and registration.
NEW! Undergraduate Assessment Workshop- Making Meaning Across Modalities: Student Learning Assessment for Programs with Multiple Locations and Delivery Methods. Many OSU academic programs are now delivered through Corvallis campus, Cascades campus and/or Ecampus. Join APA in looking at how newly required student learning data from all modalities can create a more complex, nuanced, and useful data story. All programs are welcome to join the Making Meaning workshop, as general APA data analysis methods will be discussed. Wednesday, Feb. 17, 10-11 a.m., with discussion period to follow. Register here. Contact tamara.belknap@oregonstate.edu for more information.
Strategies for Being Effective in Times of Uncertainty: A high level of uncertainty in organizations will affect each of us differently. Some people thrive in ambiguity, while others are dominated by feelings of anxiety, fear, and doubt which can impact clear thinking and productivity. This class will provide 8 strategies with practical ideas and applications to increase effectiveness in challenging, uncertain times. Tuesday Jan. 26, 8-9 a.m. via Zoom. Registration required.
Managing People Through Change: If progress requires change, why can change be so difficult? Understanding how the change process impacts us is important to directing change efforts. Several change models will be integrated. As a participant, you will learn what to expect in the cycle of change and how to work with each phase to ease transitions for yourself and others. Recommended for managers and leaders. Tuesday Jan. 26, 9:30-11:30 a.m. via Zoom. Registration required.
CTL’s Tuesday Teaching + Tech Talks: Teaching Modalities & Effective Practices. Cub Kahn (CTL), Tasha Biesinger and Marc Cholewczynski (AT). "My course modality is listed as____. Now what?" Learn to apply effective practices of blended and remote teaching through key pedagogy, Canvas features and other OSU classroom technology. This workshop will be facilitated on Jan. 26 at 10 a.m. via Zoom: beav.es/ZOOMT4 *Password: CTL
Leadership Workshop: Personal Values & Leadership: In this impactful and motivational 1.5-hour workshop, students will explore their personal values as a way to gain clarity and direction in their life and leadership. Students can join Community Engagement & Leadership (CEL) Tuesday, Jan. 26, 4-5:30 p.m. for this workshop on Zoom. Register for details. No experience or requirements necessary to attend. Questions? Contact cel@oregonstate.edu.
6 Leadership Concept to Embrace Now: Leadership and management are distinct, yet related skill sets. Six interrelated leadership concepts will be shared for managers and leaders to consider. Various articles will be referenced in which some of these concepts were obtained. The objective is for you to determine which ideas you need to embrace now to move your units forward. Target audience: leaders and managers. Wednesday Jan. 27, 8-10 a.m. via Zoom. Registration required.
Creating partnerships for prosperity – CLA Changemakers webcast: Meghan Barp, ’06, breaks barriers — not just for herself, but for her community of 50,000+ in South Carolina. Learn how the president and CEO of United Way of Greenville County became the first woman to lead the organization in its nearly 100-year history, where she convenes her community to address the issues that matter most. Join a conversation with Barp on Jan. 27, 5 p.m. at osualum.com/Changemakers, presented by the College of Liberal Arts and the OSU Alumni Association.
Choose Your Attitude: Emotions tend to vacillate in the COVID-19 environment. Maintaining a favorable perspective and managing emotions is important. Understand the relationship between your attitude, your beliefs and your behaviors, and learn about the “Wallenda Factor” and how self-fulfilling prophecy effects outcomes. Wednesday Jan. 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Registration required.
Innovation to Market — Funding & Training Opportunities: OSU faculty and graduate student researchers are invited to join the OSU Advantage office on Wednesday, Jan. 27 for a 1-hour virtual event (offered once in the morning and once in the afternoon) that will describe funding and training opportunities that support innovation and entrepreneurship at the federal, state and OSU levels. At this event, you will also learn how to apply for a special $5,000 Innovation Award available from the Office for Commercialization and Corporate Development (OCCD). Register here for a Zoom link: https://lnkd.in/gXJnKgM
Social Justice Education Initiative workshops are happening now, including NEW Tier Two workshops: The SJEI is a foundational professional development program for all faculty, staff and graduate students. Join your colleagues to begin, or expand, your equity and inclusion journey. See the schedule and register for remote Tier One Platform workshops here. See the schedule and register for remote Tier Two Next Level workshops here. Interested in this work for your unit? Contact SJEI director Jane Waite for further information: jane.waite@oregonstate.edu
January 2021 Learning & Development Workshops: University Human Resource’s Learning and Development team is presenting a variety of online professional development workshops in January, including: Strategies for Being Effective in Times of Uncertainty; Managing People Through Change; Stretch Goals: Taking Performance to the Next Level; Six Leadership Concepts to Embrace Now; and Choose Your Attitude. View and register for upcoming workshops here.
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 is a series of five (5) live, online sessions on Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m Feb. 10 through March 10. There is a $100 fee to attend Crucial Conversations; advanced registration is required. Learn more and register.
Trees to Tap: Forest Management and Drinking Water Virtual Conference: Join us for key findings from the recent Trees to Tap Science Review, and connect research findings with management actions for the future of Oregon’s drinking water. March 11 (afternoon) and March 12 (morning) via Zoom. Free but registration required. For more information please visit beav.es/out.
NEW! Student Learning Experience Survey Pilot: Join the Faculty Senate in testing out alternatives to the existing electronic Student Evaluation of Teaching (eSET) survey. Fall term showed success in gathering a different kind of valuable information from students about courses. This term, the Advancement of Teaching Committee is seeking 10-25% of all teaching faculty and instructors to participate. All courses eligible for eSET are eligible for the pilot surveys. Contact robin.pappas@oregonstate.edu for more information or sign up here.
NEW! ASOSU elections: The 2020-2021 ASOSU elections candidacy form has been extended to Thursday, Jan. 28, 11:59 p.m. This is an amazing opportunity for students to gain substantial experience in advocacy, work alongside OSU administration and student government and become more involved in campus leadership. For more information about the campaign timeline and more detailed information click HERE. Any questions, please email asosu.elections@oregonstate.edu or asosu.vp@oregonstate.edu.
Apply for the $5k Innovation Day Award by Feb. 5: OSU faculty members are invited to submit a 1-page idea pitch to the OSU Advantage office for the chance to receive a $5k award. The idea pitch should answer a commercial question in the faculty member’s research such as “With this proof, I can confirm that I have unique innovative technology” or “I can confirm which industry will be interested in the outcome of this research.” Attendance at the Jan. 27 “Innovation to Market” virtual event is required to be eligible to submit. More information is here: https://lnkd.in/gXJnKgM
Faculty Staff Fitness: OSU’s Faculty Staff Fitness Program has in-person, remote synchronous, and asynchronous offerings in Winter 2021. Our in-person offerings will be via Zoom or on hold until we can return to campus. Zoom synchronous class options will be Tuesday/Thursday 7 a.m. and noon. Weight Training and a 100% Zoom Cardio Intervals 30 minute class Monday/Wednesday at noon for a midday boost. We also have our Online FSF program with over 300 classes and 20 styles in a completely online, asynchronous format (https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/online) for $35 for 12 weeks. For more information and to register, see https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/schedule/winter. There will also be a virtual 6-week RECHARGE Wellness Challenge to get you off to 2021 with the right steps starting Jan. 24. Grab a friend, family member, or a work teammate to keep the support going during the New Year. Details can be found at https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/recharge.
Fiscal policy: Fiscal Policy 03-110-206 Parking Permits & Fines has been revised to provide clear guidelines for parking on OSU campuses. This policy consolidates several old FIS policies (FIS 101-02 Parking Fines, FIS 205 Parking Permits & FIS 410-20 Payment of Fines). The new policy and related FAQs can be accessed on the FPP website. Contact the Fiscal Policy Coordinator for your Business Center or the Policy Steward listed on this policy with any questions.
“Every story I create, creates me. I write to create myself.” – Octavia E. Butler
Corvallis: Chance of showers today, high of 42, low of 32. Slight chance of rain and snow Tuesday.
Central Oregon: Partly sunny, high of 34, low of 17. Mostly sunny and then snow likely Tuesday.
Newport: Chance of showers today, high of 44, low of 34. Slight chance of rain and snow Tuesday.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/