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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: OSU has invited all OSU students to be tested through TRACE-OSU the week after spring break. All students living in the residence halls are required to be tested within the first three days of spring term. Prevalence testing for university faculty and staff will be offered in Corvallis and at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport by TRACE-OSU, the week after spring break. Employees working on-site at OSU-Cascades in Bend can be tested on March 30 and 31. 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.
Timely Teaching Tips: Looking for OSU diversity, equity and inclusion events to link to your teaching? See the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Events calendar for April to find activities that you and your students can participate in to broaden and deepen your course curriculum.
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.
Oregon State University researchers broadcast marbled murrelet calls in mature forests and found that the threatened seabirds’ choice of breeding locations is strongly influenced by whether they hear other murrelets in the area.
An ongoing Oregon State University project monitoring the presence of coronavirus in wastewater samples throughout Oregon detected the presence of the B.1.1.7 strain, known commonly as the UK variant, in Grants Pass earlier this month.
A panel of experts from Oregon State University took up pieces of that question Tuesday in a forum addressing questions about the next steps for getting the population vaccinated, what it might take to travel internationally this summer and what lessons we can all take away from the COVID-19 crisis.
Holocaust Memorial Week will be observed virtually at Oregon State University next week, after last year's event was canceled due to the pandemic.
New research co-authored by Oregon State University researcher Dustin Herb says that the environment where grain is grown can affect flavors in products, such as whiskey. The research could be used for more than just whiskey production, though. Herb says any business — from farmers to bakeries — that use grains such as barley can use it to market their product and find a spot in the marketplace. And one regional distillery is already finding success with this path.
In speaking with Oregon State’s veterinary college dean, Dr. Susan Tornquist, and with other deans and veterinary faculty, I’ve learned that they have great empathy for their students. They also miss the interaction. The deans have had to increase to unheard-of levels the amount and frequency of communication to veterinary school families. Communicating with people you routinely saw in hallways or classrooms is not easy. What’s much more challenging is ensuring that everybody is on the same page when they rarely cross paths.
Researchers from UC Santa Barbara, Oregon State University, The University of Manchester, and ETH Zurich have examined SARS-CoV-2’s vulnerability to sunlight, concluding that there could be another mechanism at play aside from RNA inactivation by UV-B rays.
Oregon State University's Extension Service is getting a head start, offering "Fire Aware. Fire Prepared" webinars on alternate Wednesdays through the spring. The sessions deal with ways individuals, groups, and entire communities can prepare for fires.
Bee time: Class in beekeeping at Oregon Agricultural College, 1912. Courtesy OSU Special Collections & Archives.
Dinsmore retirement: Mark Dinsmore has worked in OSUIT for more than 20 years and is now retiring. Dinsmore works in Academic Technology and has engaged with faculty, staff and students all across the university. April 1, 3-4 p.m. via Zoom: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/5419150260?pwd=QXhIWFFtYnhRdVZGQi9WVmNjMEMzUT09. For additional information contact Jon.Dorbolo@oregonstate.edu.
HMSC Research Seminar: Ryan Mueller, Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, will be giving a seminar titled “Partitioning of Phytoplankton Organic Matter by the Marine Microbial Loop,” Thursday, April 1, at 3:30 p.m. Zoom link. Password: 972587 or call +1-971-247-1195 Meeting ID: 945 5573 115. Click here for more information.
NEW! Graduate Health Plan Q&A: The Oregon State University Office of Human Resource is hosting a graduate health plan Q&A session for graduate assistants and graduate fellows on April 15 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Learn more about the grad health plan and get questions answered. Email gradhealth@oregonstate.edu for more information.
Board of Trustees: The OSU Board will meet Friday, April 2, from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. to consider tuition rates, mandatory fees and student incidental fees for the 2021-22 academic year. The board will also discuss the timeline and a proposed process for the appointment of an interim president and discuss a scope of work for a review of due diligence efforts related to the 2019 presidential search. The board also will a hear an update on the 2021 Oregon legislative session and consider updates to the current list of major university research centers. As part of its agenda, the board also will hold an executive session pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(e) to conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to negotiate real property transactions. Options for joining the meeting and instructions for providing comment during the board meeting are located under “Meeting Details” at this webpage. Committees of the board will also meet via remote conferencing services on April 1. Agendas and meeting materials will be posted as they are available at http://oregonstate.edu/leadership/trustees/meetings. For accommodations: 541-737-3449 or lauren.skousen@oregonstate.edu at least 48 hours in advance.
BEavers HERE NOW: Enjoy a different 15 minute guided meditation each week. Benefits of mediation include stress reduction, better sleep, sharper concentration, anxiety management and happier relationships. Sessions take place every Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. Register at: https://beav.es/JEF.
Quarterly Meeting of the President’s Commission on the Status of Black Faculty and Staff Affairs: This newly formed commission will meet on Thursday, April 15, 10-11:30 a.m., via Zoom. Participants will learn of the Commission’s charge, upcoming initiatives, and will have the opportunity to get involved with committee work. Register here to attend (required).
NEW! Fungus Among Us Virtual Lecture Series - The Fungus That Heals: The College of Forestry Student Ambassadors present the second event in this series, joined by Brock Binder of High Quality Dispensary and licensed psychologists Kimberly Wolk Golletz an Daniel V. Golletz. Together, they will discuss the science and future of psilocybin-assisted therapy as treatment for mental health disorders, the recently passed Oregon Measure 109, and answer your questions. This virtual event is Monday, April 5, at 4 p.m. To register, head to https://www.forestry.oregonstate.edu/fungus.
NEW! Holocaust Memorial Week Talk: Marion Blumenthal Lazan, Survival. In the late 1930’s, the Blumenthal family escaped Nazi Germany and settled in The Netherlands. However, in 1942 they were seized and deported to the first in a series of concentration camps, which would include Bergen-Belsen, one of the most notorious and deadly symbols of the last phase of World War II. Well-known for her Holocaust memoir “Four Perfect Pebbles,” Marion Blumenthal Lazan will speak about her experiences and lessons learned during the Holocaust. Presented by the College of Liberal Arts and the School of History, Philosophy and Religion. Monday, April 5, 7 p.m. via Zoom. Free, open to all. Register.
NEW! University Press celebration: Since 1961, the Oregon State University Press has been publishing award-winning books on the Pacific Northwest, the American West and the Pacific world. Coinciding with our 60th anniversary, the status of OSU Press as Oregon's preeminent university press was reaffirmed by the judges of the Oregon Book Awards, who named three OSU Press books as finalists in 2021: Abalone: The Remarkable History and Uncertain Future of California's Iconic Shellfish by Ann Vileisis of Port Orford; The Mountains of Paris: How Awe and Wonder Rewrote My Life by David Oates of Portland; and Persistent Callings: Seasons of Work and Identity on the Oregon Coast by Joseph E. Taylor III of Portland. The winners will be announced on Sunday, May 2, on Oregon Public Radio. To celebrate all three finalists and help take the edge off the suspense, Christopher McKnight Nichols, director of Oregon State University's Center for the Humanities, will moderate a happy hour discussion with the authors. Tuesday, April 27, 6 p.m. Registration link: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwtdeihrDouG9FNfcgoCMF2OBmmP0_wN91y.
NEW! Register for the virtual Ecampus Faculty Forum: Join your OSU faculty and staff peers virtually to discuss online teaching excellence, innovative teaching methods and faculty experiences in online course development. Held May 4-5 online via Zoom, the Faculty Forum will showcase faculty members sharing their expertise in interactive panel presentations. The keynote speaker is Thomas J. Tobin, a distance teaching and learning expert from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Events on May 4-5 will begin at noon. View the full agenda and register today.
NEW! Kognito: Recognizing and Supporting Students in Distress Training for Staff, Faculty and Student Assistants: OSU students today face increasing pressures that can lead to emotional distress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and even thoughts of suicide. This is never more true than now with the additional stressors of police brutality, racism and a global pandemic. Faculty, staff and the student assistants we employ may be in the best position to notice when a student needs additional support. Visit beav.es/Zzp to access the faculty/staff online training so you can recognize and support OSU students in distress. Student assistants should visit: beav.es/ZD3. For questions contact Tessie Webster-Henry: tess.websterhenry@oregonstate.edu.
Research in Environmental Health Sciences Seminar Series: Perry Hystad, associate professor, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, will give a seminar titled “New Technologies to Measure Environmental Exposures and Influences on Human Health,” April 2, 3-4 p.m., https://bit.ly/3vitsoC. Passcode: 218039.
DAM Good Growth: Explore self-care and personal growth through CAPS's mental health engagement series centered around practices from the field of positive psychology. Each week will feature an online self-paced challenge, fun activities, community Zoom session and other surprises. Contact tess.websterhenry@oregonstate.edu to coordinate extra credit for student attendance. Faculty and staff are welcome too, but not eligible for any incentives or prizes. Register at: beav.es/oxo.
WorldOregon Speaker Series: limited tickets available. The Office of Global affairs has announced the last of the lineup for the 21st Annual International Speaker Series, streaming live online. This year's theme: Changing Course. Tom Colicchio, acclaimed restauranteur and Top Chef lead judge, is featured April 7 with "Hunger, Food, & Human Rights." To attend one of these events, or for questions, email the Office of Global Affairs.
OMSI-OSU Virtual Workshops: The College of Science and OMSI offer opportunities for members of the OSU community (OSU faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students engaged in research) to build and hone their science communication skills. We are offering a workshop on April 8, 3-4:30 p.m., “Controversial Subjects: Don't avoid tackling controversial issues anymore.” In this workshop we'll learn and practice strategies for writing and talking about controversial topics in a productive and hopeful way. Subjects include: framing, the power of metaphor, explanatory chains and solutions. Registration closes April 6. Register/learn more at: https://omsi.edu/science-communication-services.
OSU Science on Tap | Wine Off the Vine in Oregon and Italy: The OSU Alumni Association is pairing two popular programs for one splendid evening. Learn about the sensory science of wine from OSU Fermentation Science program’s Elizabeth Tomasino at Wine Off the Vine in Oregon and Italy Thursday, April 15, at 5:30 p.m. Be part of the live virtual tasting and discussion of wine from Oregon and Italy. Then hear how you can experience the region on Alumni Group Travel’s upcoming tour, Flavors of Northern Italy, departing September 2021. To receive a recommended wine list, register for free at osualum.com/SOTwine.
Faculty Staff Fitness: OSU Faculty Staff Fitness has fitness offerings to keep you moving Spring 2021 and registration is open. Check out our in-person, remote synchronous and remote asynchronous offerings at https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/schedule/spring. Our in-person offerings will be via Zoom or meet with the 6-person maximum until we can return to campus with the OHA Risk Designation changes. 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 more than 300 classes and 20 styles in a completely online, asynchronous format (https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/online) for $35 for 12 weeks.
STEM academy: Registration for STEM Academy's virtual AWSEM Club for 5th-7th graders is open. AWSEM=Advocates for Women in Science, Engineering, and Math. The club will meet on Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m., from April 21-May 19. Topics: Math & Art, Computer Science, Earthquake Engineering, DNA and Environmental Science. For more information or to register, go to: https://stemacademy.oregonstate.edu/awsem-club.
This spring, it’s time to ACCELERATE your startup, technology, and/or business idea: The OSU Advantage Accelerator is offering a virtual Accelerate program starting this April. In just 10 weeks, streamline your value proposition, get to market faster, and validate your product-market fit. The Accelerate program is open to OSU researchers, students and staff, and members of the Corvallis community who intend to start or grow an entrepreneurial venture and can qualify teams to receive NSF i-Corps funds. The fun starts April 13. Learn more and apply here: https://advantage.oregonstate.edu/advantage-accelerator/programs/accelerate.
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 Thursdays, 9-11 a.m. April 15 through May 13. There is a $100 fee to attend Crucial Conversations. Learn more and register here.
Save the date: Department of Integrative Biology GSA Seminar. Lauren Esposito, assistant curator, Schlinger Chair of Arachnology, California Academy of Sciences and co-founder of 500 Queer Scientists, will present a seminar, "'Scorpiomics' Leveraging New Data To Decipher the Ecology and Evolution of Arachnids," Friday, April 16 at 11 a.m. Registration is required: https://beav.es/Scorpiomics. The seminar is free and open to the public. Accommodations for disabilities may be made by contacting 541-737-2993 or bowlinst@oregonstate.edu.
Distinguished professors: OSU’s 2021 University Distinguished Professors will deliver Zoom lectures on their scholarship. Richard Settersten, University Distinguished Professor of Human Development will give a lecture on May 5 at 5:30 p.m. (register here) and Julia Jones, University Distinguished Professor of Geography will give a lecture on May 6 at 5:30 p.m. (register here). The title of University Distinguished Professor is awarded to current OSU faculty members who have achieved national and international distinction for their contributions in research and creative work, teaching and mentoring, public engagement, and service. Professors Jones and Settersten are outstanding examples of OSU’s highest academic honor.
NEW! Center for Teaching & Learning Consultations: Whether you want to learn more about a core area of pedagogy, discuss a pedagogical challenge or share a classroom victory, our staff are ready for you. To schedule a 1-on-1 teaching consultation contact CTL@oregonstate.edu. All meetings are confidential and formative. While we are ready to help with general course design, and revision of assignments, assessments and syllabi, we are also ready to engage with you on issues that develop during the term and need immediate attention.
NEW! Updates to University Policies & Standards: Please visit the University Policy & Standards page to learn about recent policy updates: http://policy.oregonstate.edu/whats-new. This page is updated frequently with new developments, so we encourage you to check back regularly. Also, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter here.
NEW! Oregon Book Awards: The Oregon Book Award finalists were announced on Monday, March 29. Of the 35 finalists, three are published by Oregon State University Press: Abalone: The Remarkable History and Uncertain Future of California's Iconic Shellfish by Ann Vileisis of Port Orford; The Mountains of Paris: How Awe and Wonder Rewrote My Life by David Oates of Portland; and Persistent Callings: Seasons of Work and Identity on the Oregon Coast by Joseph E. Taylor III of Portland. The winners will be announced on Sunday, May 2, on Oregon Public Radio. https://www.pdxmonthly.com/arts-and-culture/2021/03/literary-arts-announces-2021-oregon-book-award-finalists.
NEW! Monthly Emergency Preparedness Topic: Workplace Violence. Every day, we see workplace violence on the news. However, reports and statistical analysis of workplace violence document the low probability of injury or death due to violence. Still, being prepared and knowing how to respond to violence in the workplace is important in case it should occur. This month’s poster can be downloaded at: https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-topics/hostile-intruderworkplace-violence.
University Health & Safety Committee: The University Health & Safety Committee wants to promote health and safety by providing the following information regarding safe use of utility knives at https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Programs/T2/TailgateTalks/UtilityKnifeSafety.PDF. You can also access OSU’s University Health & Safety Committee online at http://ehs.oregonstate.edu/uhsc, including past meeting minutes, information on how to contact a committee member and a link to report safety concerns online.
2021 Advocacy Challenge: Join OSU alumni and friends and Beaver Caucus advocates in the first-ever OSU-UO Advocacy Challenge. Now through April 16, OSU and UO are challenging their alumni and friends to show Salem who has the loudest advocates, as we support a joint effort for funding for higher education. Learn more at https://thebeavercaucus.org/2021-advocacy-challenge.
Recreational Sports Advisory Board: Recreational Sports Advisory Board is looking for graduate and undergraduate students for the 2021/2022 academic year. You need to be an on-campus, fee-paying student to apply. The time commitment is up to 2 hours a month. Apply now by clicking this link: https://recsports.oregonstate.edu/about/governance/recreational-sports-advisory-board. Applications close Wednesday, April 7. Have questions? Contact Jasmine Womack at jasmine.womack@oregonstate.edu for more information.
Public Health Insider | Navigating life one year into the pandemic: In April and May, the Public Health Insider webcast series returns to address public health concerns we face collectively as we begin to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Join College of Public Health and Human Sciences faculty to explore the impacts of resuming in-person schooling, alleviating everyday stress and creating an ergonomic space at home that supports your health and well-being.
Seeking participants age 30-55 years for a metabolic research study: The Insulin and Muscle Fat Metabolism study is being conducted by Sean Newsom, Ph.D., and Matt Robinson, Ph.D. Participants may receive up to $225 for time committed to the study and information about their health. To learn more about the study and how to get involved, please email us at tmr.lab@oregonstate.edu.
CFP — 2021-22 OSU Humanities Research Fellowships: The OSU Center for the Humanities is now accepting applications for 2021-2022 Faculty Research Fellowships. The deadline to submit proposals is Monday, April 26. Find application forms, instructions and information about awards online at https://humanities.oregonstate.edu/fellowship-program.
Send a supportive message to the Class of 2021: In spite of the unexpected obstacles of the past year, the newest Beaver grads are about to cross the graduation finish line. Voice your encouragement, advice and congratulations as they begin to build their future. It takes just a few minutes but creates a big impact for brand-new alumni. Use the BEaver KIND submission form to send your short note through May 31 at osualum.com/Congrats.
Class of 2021 webpage: Life after college doesn’t mean life without the support of Beaver Nation. The Class of 2021 webpage, curated by the OSU Alumni Association, offers OSU grads everything needed for life after college: messages of inspiration from alumni, personal and professional connections and webcasts to build life and career skills — all in one place. Visit and share osualum.com/ClassOf2021 to celebrate the triumphs of Beaver grads with the OSU community.
OSU Community Hub: Managed by the Family Resource Center, this free platform is where Beaver families can connect, learn and share. Introduce yourself and get to know other Oregon State employees through this new resource; ask questions to your colleagues about child care, caregiving and community resources; and join interest groups to connect with those who share similar experiences.
Key pick-up counter service relocated to ID Center: The service counter for picking up keys from the Access, Lock and Key Shop has been relocated to the university ID Center, located in the Memorial Union. The key pick-up process will not change and an OSU ID will be required to receive keys. Learn more about the change in key counter service at https://beav.es/J75. Send questions to keyshop@oregonstate.edu.
Working with Students in Distress: Faculty and staff may be the first to notice a student is struggling and may be in the best position to reach out with care and concern. The Office of Student Life, in collaboration with Counseling and Psychological Services, developed a CARE folder, which is intended to provide you with resources and referral information that we hope you find valuable. Simply click on this link and you will be directed to login to Box to access these resources. We recommend you bookmark this link for easy access on your phone, laptop or tablet.
Visualize Your Bibliography Competition: The OSU Libraries and Press invite currently enrolled graduate students to enter this year’s Visualize Your Bibliography Competition. Submissions should creatively display 20+ sources used in a thesis, dissertation or other scholarly work. Displays might range from a series of erasure poems made for each source to a multimedia timeline of your sources. Prizes: 1st: $750, 2nd: $500, 3rd: $250. Deadline: April 1. For questions, contact colleen.johnson@oregonstate.edu.
Nominations open: The President’s Commission on the Status of Women, Office of Institutional Diversity, Office of the Provost and OSU Athletics are accepting nominations for the Breaking Barriers awards. All OSU community members whose work advances gender equity in alignment with the award categories are eligible. Categories include Breaking Barriers in Education, Breaking Barriers in Research, Breaking Barriers in Athletics, the PCOSW Community Builder and the Harriet "Hattie" Redmond awards. Learn more and submit nominations at beav.es/Jby. Nominations close Tuesday, April 6. For questions, contact pcosw@oregonstate.edu.
Campus Way: As part of a construction project at the RAIL 244 facility, this is an informational campus-wide notification to inform pedestrian path users about the potential for increased vehicle traffic along Campus Way between SW 35th Street and SW 53rd Street (view map) from March 4 through June 15. Vehicles will be traveling to and from the RAIL facility and the Building 244 construction site. The general contractor for the project will post signs at key points for the duration of the project. For questions or comments on this closure, please contact Construction Manager Amy Keene at 541-214-1038.
Motor Pool Canopy Construction Project work: As part of the Motor Pool Canopy Construction Project, a new canopy is being built at the fuel island north of the Motor Pool Building. Fencing will go up around the area, and work will start on Tuesday, March 2 and continue through Friday, April 2 (view map). Staging will occur in the parking lot west of the Motor Pool Building. For questions or comments on this closure, contact OSU Infrastructure Project Manager Aaron Collett at 541-207-2780.
“A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool." ~ William Shakespeare
Corvallis: Sunny today, high of 65, low of 35. Partly sunny Friday.
Central Oregon: Sunny, high of 66, low of 37. Mostly sunny Friday.
Newport: Patchy fog and then partly sunny, high of 55, low of 36. Partly sunny tomorrow.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/
