OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
Open search box
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 is providing random COVID-19 TRACE OSU testing by invitation for students, faculty and staff Monday-Thursday weekly on the Corvallis campus and Monday-Thursday every other week on the OSU-Cascades campuses and at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. Free parking will be provided to those working remotely to come to the Corvallis campus for testing. Testing will continue throughout fall term. Here is a link to enroll. For additional information: https://trace.oregonstate.edu/osu
NEW! Timely Teaching Tips: Wondering how you can create instructional media to engage your students? Learn new techniques to use in your remote or blended teaching by attending a Blending Your Teaching with Instructional Media workshop. CTL and Academic Technology invite instructors and GTAs to a one-hour workshop: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, or 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18.
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.
But in a paper that year in Science, Alison Galvani, of Yale University, and Jan Medlock, now at Oregon State University, argued that we could actually prevent more people from getting sick and dying from H1N1 and other flus if instead of simply trying to protect those facing the greatest dangers, we vaccinated those most likely to transmit the viruses. “Children 5 to 19 are responsible for most transmission and for the spread of infection to their parents’ age groups,” they wrote.
Scholz worked as a veterinarian in Mill City and Madras before joining ODA in 2012. He has bachelor's degrees in animal science and bio-resource research, a doctorate of veterinary medicine and master's degree in public health in epidemiology, all from Oregon State University.
Oregon State University has been ranked the best school for veterans in Oregon by College Factual in their latest Best Colleges for Veterans ranking. This is out of 25 colleges in the state that offer four-year degrees. The school has achieved this ranking for at least two years in a row.
The great pandemic and resulting quarantine of 2020 haven’t been all bad for writer Lori Tobias of Newport. For starters, Oregon State University Press published her memoir, “Storm Beat: A Journalist Reports from the Oregon Coast,” in September.
TRACE OSU is providing random COVID-19 testing by invitation for around 1,000 students, staff and faculty per week at its Corvallis and Bend campuses and at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. Kristin Rifai says, “As an employee of the Global Hemp Innovation Center at OSU and a member of the Corvallis community, I want to do my part to support the efforts of the TRACE project to detect and decrease the spread of COVID-19.” 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
University Budget Conversation: On Thursday, Nov. 5 from noon to 1 p.m., the Office of Budget and Resource Planning will hold another University Budget Conversation via Zoom. This week’s topic is Budget Planning in Uncertain Times. The Budget Conversation sessions are limited to 60 minutes with the initial 15-20 minutes spent on presentation of the topic, leaving time for discussion and Q&A. To register for this webinar click here. More information about University Budget Conversations is located on the Office of Budget and Resource Planning website. If you have questions, please contact Sherm Bloomer for more information.
TRIAD: The OSU TRIAD Club’s programs will be online and free this term with all welcome. The second program of the term will be Thursday, Nov. 5, noon to 1 p.m.: Christopher Stout, School of Public Policy, “History and influence of the Black Lives Matter movement,” https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/97143657364?pwd=VE4vaWV5WnBqb0llaGU0V3d3NXNjQT09 Password: 758283. Contact Janice Nave-Abele at janice.nave-abele@oregonstate.edu for more information. Call 812-219-4232 if you have issues with the Zoom link.
LinkedIn Best Practices webcast: Learn how to harness a powerful (and free) online tool to launch your career in “LinkedIn Best Practices – Part II,” Thursday, Nov. 5, from noon to 1 p.m. Alumni presenters Lori Rush, ’78, and Nick Polini, ’15, teach you everything you need to know about using LinkedIn. Students and alumni can register for free. This event is part of Winning in Life After College, presented by the OSU Alumni Association in partnership with the Career Development Center. A recording of the LinkedIn Part I webcast is available to watch online. osualum.com/winning
Do you have a business idea but need some help? The OSU Advantage Accelerator is offering Iterate, a free virtual class for researchers, entrepreneurs and prospective entrepreneurs who have a business idea or technology that could become a sellable product or service but aren't sure what to do next. Come learn how to create a value proposition, find and understand your market, and more. Iterate consists of four workshops that build on each other: Nov. 5 and Nov. 12, all from 3-4:30 p.m. Learn more and register: https://advantage.oregonstate.edu/advantage-accelerator/programs/iterate
NEW! EMT Water Quality Toxicologist Candidate Seminar: Manuel Garcia-Jaramillo: Thursday, Nov. 5, 3:45-4:45 p.m. Zoom: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/91521013749 The password is: 553037. The meeting ID is: 915 2101 3749
Where do we go from here: Battle ground or sacred ground? Join us for an intergenerational conversation and collective reflection with justice and equity leaders of the Oregon State University community. Remaining connected has never been more important and necessary in these times. The panel discussion is intended as a moment to gather and reflect, allow for critical conversations to emerge, and center care as we make meaning of the election amidst multiple pandemics. Thursday, Nov. 5, 4-5:30 p.m. The event is a collaboration among colleagues in Student Experiences & Engagement (SEE), Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), the Office of Institutional Diversity (OID) and more. Register: https://beav.es/criticalconvos
Winning in Life After College: Tap into a network of resources for every stage of education or career. Students and alumni can register for virtual events curated by the OSU Alumni Association in partnership with the Career Development Center. Participants will learn best practices for LinkedIn Thursday, Nov. 5; hear from the “OSU Now and Forever” alumni panel Thursday, Nov. 19; and join in the all-Regional Connections event Thursday, Dec. 3. osualum.com/winning
NEW! Vistas and Vineyards 2020 Juried Art Show opening reception: Vistas and Vineyards is celebrating 31 years of painting outdoors and they are sharing their work with the community. 34 member artists will display 94 works of art painted en plein air. Join us for the opening reception on Thursday, Nov. 12 in the Giustina Gallery at The LaSells Stewart Center. Reservations are required. We are hosting three reservation time slots at 5, 6 or 7 p.m. Space is limited. The exhibit runs Nov. 5-Dec. 15. More information including reception registration and gallery hours.
University Budget Committee: The University Budget Committee (UBC) will meet this Friday, Nov. 6 from 2-3:30 p.m., via Zoom. The UBC is OSU’s advisory body to the Provost for recommendations on tuition rates, budget priorities and budget policies. The committee will discuss projections and planning relevant to developing budget recommendations for 2021-22. Members of the university community are welcome to join the meetings as observers. If you are interested in joining as an observer you may register for the webinar here. Future meeting times and locations can be found at https://fa.oregonstate.edu/budget/university-budget-committee/ubc-meeting-schedule.
U.S. 20 Safety Upgrades (Albany to Corvallis) Online Open House: ODOT is holding an online open house from Oct. 19-Nov. 15 to share information and gather comments from the public regarding safety improvements along U.S. 20 between North Albany and Corvallis. A U.S. 20 Highway Safety Study recommended a variety of safety improvements along this corridor, which ODOT is planning to construct in phases. More information can be found at the U.S. 20 Safety Upgrades project page.
NEW! Applied Economics Seminar: Friday, Nov. 6, from 2:30-4 p.m. Professor Jordan Suter, Colorado State University, will present "Tradeoffs in the Design of Subsidies for Groundwater Conservation" via Zoom. Details, including dial-in information, here.
NEW! Crop and Soil Science: The Department of Crop and Soil Science Fall Seminar Series continues Monday, Nov. 9, at 4 p.m., with a presentation titled “Leveraging metagenomics to understand the microbial world underfoot” by Xinda Lu, who is currently a postdoctoral scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His research focuses on the structure and interactions of soil microbial community, and their contributions to ecosystem processes, with a particular interest in nitrogen cycling. Zoom link: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/93662337230?pwd=MFFKdXVPazNjODBiZ0RDelR0TmV1Zz09
NEW! Are You IN(clusive) Read, Reflect, Reform: The Center for Teaching & Learning fall book will conclude on Nov. 20 at 11:30, with a special guest speaker: Cyndi Kernahan, author of “Teaching About Race and Racism in the College Classroom - Notes from a White Professor” via Zoom Webinar. The session will be followed by a group discussion of Beverly Daniel Tatum’s book “Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in The Cafeteria.” It is recommended you view her recording about her book and/or her interview on YouTube. Please register.
Introduction to Process Mapping: The university is a complex system, and it is easy for faculty, staff and students alike to become lost and fatigued in a maze of procedures and routine tasks. Process mapping is a practical framework to examine how we do things and identify ways to improve our work. Using these techniques, you can redesign processes and streamline work to better support the students, faculty, community members and others you work with. It's also helpful for adapting processes to the remote learning and working environment. Join us to learn the basics of process mapping, practice your skills on an example university process, and leave with templates and additional resources. Part of the Fall 2020 FYI Friday series, Nov. 6, 9-10 a.m. via Zoom. Registration required.
POC student discussion: As part of the Center for Teaching & Learning’s RRR book club, CTL's student staff will be hosting a POC Student Discussion hosted by Dharma Mirza. Dharma will discuss the RRR books and contextualize the materials through her experience as a student of color and as an anti-racist community educator. Friday, Nov. 6, noon to 1 p.m., via Zoom https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/96273290664?pwd=Vms4L2pEVXAzTy91bFBneFU5Z05mZz09 Live Captioning will be provided, for any accessibility requests please contact Dharma Mirza at mirzak@oregonstate.edu.
Anthropology lecture: The Oregon State University Anthropology Lecture Series features Eliza Williamson from Washington University in St. Louis, speaking on “Emergent afterlives: Zika, COVID-19, and ethnography after the outbreak,” on Nov. 6. The fall series continues through Dec. 4 and is free and open to all. It will feature national and international guest speakers giving 30-45 minute lectures via Zoom. All events will start at noon. To join a virtual lecture, please enter Zoom meeting ID 918 8649 8232 with password 8c574f.
Epidemiology/suicide seminar: Kimberly K. Repp, Ph.D., MPH, supervisor, Washington County Public Health Division, and adjunct faculty in Pacific University’s MPH program, will present “If you want to save lives, start with the dead: Reducing suicides through shoe leather epidemiology.” Friday, Nov. 6, 1-2 p.m. Co-sponsored by the CPHHS Epidemiology Program. The seminar will be presented via Zoom; find details at https://health.oregonstate.edu/seminars.
PERS - All About OPSRP Webinar: Saturday, Nov. 7, from 8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. PERS online webinar geared toward faculty and staff who are PERS OPSRP members at any point in their career. Topics covered: OPSRP membership details and benefits, retirement eligibility, OPSRP benefit estimate, retirement processes, the Individual Account Program and member resources. To register, visit the PERS website here. Questions? Contact Retirement@oregonstate.edu.
Move Beyond “Veteran Friendly” Rhetoric: "Implement Systemic Initiatives to Embrace Military Culture and Foster A Supportive Community for Veterans and Military-affiliated Students," Nov. 9, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. An interactive webinar where expert presenters share the support strategies and initiatives — such as the successful Green Zone — they have implemented on their campus. These programs have moved them beyond talking the talk to walking the talk. They are meeting and exceeding the unique academic, social and career goals of their veterans and military-affiliated students — and so can you. To register: https://paperclipcomm.adobeconnect.com/veteran11920. For instructions on how to log in and receive materials, contact William Elfering at William.Elfering@oregonstate.edu.
Department of Horticulture seminar series: Join the Fall 2020 Seminar Series Mondays at noon via Zoom. Nov. 9, at noon: Ernst Cebert, Xianyan Kuang and R. Srinivasa Mentreddy, Alabama A&M, will present, “Investigation of new crops for Alabama and the Southeast U.S. Industrial Hemp, Miscanthus, Tumeric, Basil, and beyond.” The event is free and open to the public. Please register for the Zoom meeting in advance: https://beav.es/oQL. Once you register, a password will be emailed to you in advance of the meeting.
Provost’s Lecture Series: Henry Louis Gates, Jr. rescheduled: Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s lecture titled “The Collapse of Reconstruction and The Roots of White Supremacy” will be held on Nov. 9, 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. The Provost’s Lecture Series is a partnership of the Office of the Provost and the OSU Foundation to bring renowned thinkers and leaders to OSU to engage the University and community on topics of significance. A second Provost’s Lecture featuring Mae C. Jemison will be held on Feb. 4, 2021. Visit this page to register to attend.
PFLA search advocate overview: Please join us for this month’s event hosted by the Professional Faculty Leadership Association, “Search Advocate Program Overview,” Nov. 12, noon to 1 p.m., via Zoom. Learn more about how this program enhances equity, validity and diversity in university hiring (presented by Anne Gilles – Program Director). For more information about the event and how to register click here.
Under the Orange Light: The Faculty Senate Executive Committee presents an Under the Orange Light seminar focused on the outcome of the 2020 election on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. Join us for an interactive presentation led by political science professors Christopher Stout, Rorie Solberg and David Bernell, and moderated by Erika McCalpine. The event is open to alumni, current students, faculty, staff and community members. No pre-registration required. https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/94237494277
Blending Your Teaching with Instructional Media Workshops: Harness the power of instructional media. Discover ways to create media and learn effective practices for remote and blended teaching. CTL and Academic Technology invite instructors and GTAs to a one-hour workshop: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, or 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. Info: Faculty Media Center. Register: https://beav.es/oRc
Home buying workshop: OSU employees who are interested in learning more about home buying and financing can attend a special workshop with Advantage Home Plus on Nov. 17 at noon. Register here. The workshop will cover: benefits and risks of owning a home, how to qualify for home financing, down payment assistance and other loan programs, how to improve your credit score and how interest rates can impact purchasing power. To learn more about this benefit in general go to the Employee Benefits website here.
Procurement Virtual Training Classes: Procurement is offering three virtual training classes the week of Nov. 16. These Zoom sessions will be presented as follows: Procurement Standards and Resources, Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 3-4 p.m.; Informal Procurements, Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon; and Federal Purchases Under Uniform Guidance, Friday, Nov. 20, from 10-11 a.m. For more information and to register for the sessions, please visit https://fa.oregonstate.edu/pacs/training-support under Self-Directed Trainings and Virtual Trainings.
NEW! Virtual Mind Spa: The Mind Spa at CAPS is closed during fall term, but you can set up your own Mind Spa at home. Visit our Virtual Mind Spa to experience a variety of ways to relax and recharge including tips on setting up a mini Mind Spa in your house, guided meditations, yoga practices, relaxation techniques, self-care ideas, identity-based resources and more. This site is a work in progress and we would love to hear from you. Email tess.websterhenry@oregonstate.edu your recommendations for content.
NEW! New Document Search In BennyBuy: Beginning Nov. 9, the Document Search tool will be changing in BennyBuy as the result of a software update. Please see the updated tip sheet titled “New Document Search” in the Tip Sheet Library for guidance on using the New Document Search.
Faculty member for the Board of Trustees: The OSU Faculty Senate Executive Committee is soliciting nominations and applications for the Faculty Member position on the OSU Board of Trustees. This is a two-year position beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2023. Those eligible to apply include all faculty who are eligible to be elected to the Faculty Senate (academic, research and professional faculty), with the exception of administrators who hold an Executive Level 1, 2 or 3 position (Dean or above). Applications are due on Nov. 20, 2020. The role, responsibilities, time commitment and application/nomination process are outlined at https://senate.oregonstate.edu/sites/senate.oregonstate.edu/files/bot_letter.pdf. Questions? Contact Faculty Senate President Dwaine Plaza at dplaza@oregonstate.edu.
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.
Health & Safety: The University Health & Safety Committee wants to promote health and safety by providing the following information related to new challenges we face this flu season with the COVID-19 pandemic at https://www.saif.com/safety-and-health/meet-donna-mask-our-newest-flu-fighting-superhero.html. 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.
Surplus property guidelines: Fiscal Policy 03-110-207 Surplus Property Sales has been revised to provide clear guidelines & processes associated with sales of OSU surplus property. This policy consolidates two old FIS policies for Surplus Sales (FIS 102-06 & 206) and two PRO policies (PRO 211 Surplus & PRO 804 Surplus Property). The new policy is posted on the FPP website. Please contact the Fiscal Policy Coordinator for your Business Center or the Policy Steward listed on this policy with any questions.
Advancing diversity, equity and inclusion: Oregon State University is committed to building a more equitable and inclusive community. As part of this university-wide commitment, the OSU Foundation and OSU Alumni Association – in partnership with Provost Ed Feser and Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer Charlene Alexander – have launched an effort to inspire giving and engagement in support of impactful programs now and in the future for students, faculty and staff of color and other underrepresented groups. Learn more.
Naval ROTC Toys for Tots Drive: For three months each year during the Christmas season, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation leads communities in collecting and distributing toys for children in need. Unfortunately, NROTC will NOT be collecting donations this year due to current restrictions, but you can still help bring joy and hope to less fortunate children this Christmas season by donating through this link.
Affordable learning grant RFP now open: Faculty can now submit proposals for funding to adopt, adapt or author an open textbook through OSU’s Open Educational Resources Unit. This grant supports faculty who make learning more affordable for students by implementing no-cost, high-quality OER in their courses. More information on the grant application and related workshops will be shared soon. The proposal submission deadline is Nov. 30. Questions? Send an email to Stefanie Buck, OER director.
Digital display for the Navy ROTC Armory: https://beav.es/armory A digital interpretive display has been created featuring the Navy ROTC Armory, which was removed as part of the Washington Way Improvement Project. The Navy ROTC Armory holds many fond memories for the midshipmen and officers of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program and the digital display celebrates the last of the Quonset huts located on the Corvallis campus.
Computational Biology Camp (virtual/online) for those entering grades 7-9: Come to the “dry lab” and see how scientists use computers to learn about biology. After all, not all scientific research is done in experimental laboratories. DNA molecules are too small to study with a microscope, but we can see them in detail with the help of computers. In this camp, you’ll get to contribute to the world’s scientific knowledge by playing fun computer games to solve structural puzzles about real RNA and protein molecules. After learning some Python programming by writing text-based games, you’ll have the skills to become “molecular architects” and build proteins by using their genetic codes. You’ll also learn many other ways that computers help scientists solve the world’s mysteries. No prior programming knowledge required. Nov. 14, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and Nov. 15, 12:30-3:30 p.m. $130. Needs-based scholarship available. To register, go to: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/stemacademy
Walk With Ease Exercise Program Offered through OSU Extension: (Eugene, Oregon) – Lane County residents are invited to join Oregon State University Extension Service for Walk With Ease, a free 6-week fitness program. This program is proven to reduce pain, build confidence in being active and improve overall health. Participants will attend a weekly Zoom meeting, receive a free Walk with Ease guidebook and learn how to be more physically active. This class requires the use of either a smartphone or a computer with internet connection. Mondays at 10 a.m., Nov. 9-Dec. 14. Registration: https://beav.es/obu Thursdays at 2 p.m., Nov. 12-Dec. 17. Registration: https://beav.es/oLP
The Nature of Isolation: In today's video, Cooper Young shares "At Home, to Escape the Virus" and "Summer Mornings," two poems written during the pandemic. The Nature of Isolation presented by the Spring Creek Project is a month-long series that features writing, art and music from contributors throughout the U.S. and around the world. Watch today's video. OSU's Spring Creek Project is housed in the College of Liberal Arts.
Major change to Orchard Avenue: NW Orchard Avenue closed between NW 30th and NW 27th Streets starting Monday, Oct. 26. As part of the Cordley Hall renovation and the construction of the North District Utility Plant, NW Orchard Avenue between NW 30th and NW 27th Streets will be closed starting Monday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Nov. 20. Please view the online map for detailed closure area information. Once it reopens, NW Orchard Avenue will be a one-way street, eastbound only, for the duration of the Cordley Hall renovation. For questions or comments on this closure, contact Construction Manager Jason Lundy at 541-270-0193.
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” ~ Helen Keller.
Corvallis: Rain today, high of 60, low of 45. Rain tomorrow.
Central Oregon: Chance of rain today, high of 62, low of 31. Chance of rain and snow tomorrow.
Newport: Rain today, high of 59, low of 44. Rain likely tomorrow.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/
