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: 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: Looking for updated resources and guidance on remote and blended teaching? Check the Teaching Faculty webpage. See the Need Help? page for support with Canvas, Zoom and other learning technologies.
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.
Beverly Law, an Oregon State University emeritus professor whose forestry research is referenced in the statement, has called the science used to justify logging “misinformation.” This is in part because these reports fail to account for harvest impacts on forest carbon. If the forests are allowed to grow, they can continue to accumulate live carbon for hundreds of years, as observed in the Pacific Northwest, Law says.
Oregon State University's project that helps find how widespread COVID-19 is in a community will soon expand across the nation.
University students and staff gave the Oregon and Washington versions of the notification app a trial run during November under the oversight of state health authorities. More than 6,500 members of the Oregon State University community enrolled in the first few weeks the app was available for beta testing. A University of Washington pilot project attracted more than 3,500 users before the app launched statewide this week. (see also KUOW)
Students at Oregon State University say they're frustrated with the grading policy this fall term, and they want it to change. They said instead of getting a typical letter grade, they want the choice to easily opt for a pass/no pass grading system for any of their classes.
Approximately 25 people took part in Tuesday’s forum, which was led by Soul Force Education, a diversity training group founded by Oregon State University officials Dorsette and Jonathan Stoll.
The new campus also includes larger collaborations outside of the university, like the new joint bioengineering doctoral program between the Knight Campus and Oregon State University’s College of Engineering. The program will provide students at both institutions access to courses, training workshops, facilities and faculty.
Alpenrose will soon bring on Portland breakfast restaurant Gravy—and yes, that means you'll only have to travel from couch to door to get your hands on owner Mark Greco's much-loved French toast. His dishes aren't yet on the website because he's been working on the menu with Oregon State University's Food Innovation Center.
When Netflix released Tiger King near the beginning of lockdown, Oregon State University animal surgeon Katy Townsend binge-watched the docu-series like the rest of us.
Today's photo: Dianna Fisher, instructor with the Environmental Science Graduate program, says, “The view out our window is always calming.” Now it's time to show us what you're doing to help cope with daily life and work in 2020. Take a photo and send it to osutoday@oregonstate.edu. Follow OSU Today on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/osutoday1/ and catch up on any photos you might have missed so far.
The Oregon Employees’ Charitable Fund Drive runs now through Dec. 31. It’s possible you already give to some of the over 750 charities listed; however, by giving as part of the CFD, you help show our neighbors-in-need that we state employees care about them. Please make your tax-deductible donation now: https://www.ipledgeonline.org/_cfduniversities/. The site has been populated with your name and OSU ID so login is easy. You can even replicate last year’s donation.
Department of Integrative Biology Ph.D. Defense Seminar: Erin Abernethy will present “Explorations into who is doing freshwater science and how we are altering waterscapes” on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Abernethy is completing her Ph.D. in Integrative Biology under the guidance of Dave Lytle. https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/99648280570.
Passcode: 953242
Beyond Benefits EAP Presents Managing Holiday Stress: Welcome to the holiday season – that whirlwind of gift-giving holidays, marketing blitzes, parties and family dinners and activities galore starting with Halloween, through Thanksgiving, Hanukah and Christmas and ending with New Year’s festivities. This workshop will allow participants to discuss some ways to manage your emotions and expectations, hear some suggestions for shopping and finances, learn about new travel considerations during this time, understand the importance of self-care during the holiday season and consider some new traditions that can make this holiday season a wonderful time. Dec. 2, 11 a.m. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6722758650228735248
Bioinformatics Users Group (BUG): “How tiny fruit flies travel long distances, i.e. Using machine vision, virtual reality and statistics to understand animal navigation.” Tim Warren (Tim Warren Lab, Botany & Plant Pathology), Wednesday, Dec. 2, at noon via Zoom. Register here. BUG consists of life scientists, bioinformaticians, computer scientists, mathematicians, engineers, statisticians and researchers of all types who meet to discuss topics related to these fields of study. Meetings are generally informal, consisting of discussions, interactive talks or short workshops. All are welcome. No experience needed to participate. For additional information, see https://cgrb.oregonstate.edu/bug
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. Wednesday, Dec. 2, noon, Economic Outlook (First Trust); Wednesday, Dec. 2, 3 p.m., PERS and Retirement Planning (OPSRP); Thursday, Dec. 3, noon, CD Alternatives - More Options Than You Think. This is one way to educate yourself without leaving the comfort and safety of your own home. These are not OSU events but are tailored to OSU clients and during normal circumstances are held on campus. There is no charge.
NEW! Blended Faculty Learning Community Showcase: Want to see how OSU faculty are applying effective blended teaching practices and educational technology? Join the Center for Teaching and Learning and Academic Technology for eight concise virtual presentations by faculty in Ag. Sci., Business, CCVM, CPHHS, Pharmacy and Science. Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2 p.m. at https://beav.es/otb.
Future of Food From the Sea Webinar & Panel: On Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 4 p.m. via Zoom, join the Marine Studies Initiative to learn about food from the sea, including wild fisheries, mariculture and seafood products. As global food demand rises, how much food can we expect the ocean to sustainably produce by 2050? Register for the event HERE and view more information about the event HERE.
Water Resources Policy & Management Virtual Seminar Series: “Diversity and inclusion in Water Resources professions” with Dresden Farrand from the American Water Resources Association. Presented by the Water Resources Graduate Program. Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 4-5 p.m. Free and open to all. To join, use Zoom meeting ID 919 2424 3079 (or CLICK HERE) with password ‘WRSeminar’.
NEW! University Budget Committee: The University Budget Committee (UBC) will meet this Friday, Dec. 4 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 and tuition 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.
NEW! Retirement celebration: A virtual retirement celebration will be held for Lisa Bogosian (Gillis), ECTU Buyer for OSU Extension, on Dec. 18, 4 p.m. Meeting link: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/92168040856?pwd=UmgwV2EyM3hiVDVQemY3VWFGQ3VwUT09 Password: 546920.
University Budget Conversation: The Office of Budget and Resource Planning will hold another University Budget Conversation via Zoom on Dec. 3 from noon to 1 p.m. 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.
Regional Connections: Relationships That Count: Meet up with Beavers from around the country in a virtual gathering where you can find support, make new friends or simply socialize. No matter what stage you’re at in your education or career, there’s a network of 200,000+ alumni available to help you succeed in school and post-college life. Thursday, Dec. 3, noon to 1 p.m. Registration: osualum.com/regionalconnections Contact: Yuliya Dennis, Yuliya.dennis@osualum.com, 541-737-8294.
Holiday concert webcast: Corvallis-OSU Symphony presents "A Holiday Encore" webcast featuring highlights from past holiday concert performances. Works include W.A. Mozart's "Coronation" Mass in C, KV. 317, Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" Op. 71a, and an assortment of polkas by Johann Strauss II. Free and open to all. The webcast publishes on Friday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. To view, visit: beav.es/oys.
2020 Oregon Stater Awards: Please join Oregon State University's College of Engineering for the 22nd anniversary of the Oregon Stater Awards to celebrate achievement at the frontiers of engineering and its profound impact on the profession and our world: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 5:30-6:30 p.m. The 2020 Oregon Stater Awards program will honor the Engineering Hall of Fame Award recipient: Anton Thomas Skoro, ’81 B.S. Construction Engineering Management. Skoro is receiving the Engineering Hall of Fame Award posthumously. Joan Skoro will be accepting the award on behalf of her late husband. Remarks provided by Scott A. Ashford, Kearney Dean of Engineering. Free and open to the public. Register here.
NEW! Department of Integrative Biology Ph.D. Defense Seminar: Will Fennie will present “Grow fast or die young: Influence of ocean conditions and larval growth on patterns of selective mortality and settlement variability of rockfishes” on Friday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Fennie is completing his Ph.D. in Integrative Biology under the guidance of Su Sponaugle. https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/94004435551. Passcode: 666883.
NEW! Retirement Readiness for PERS Tier 1 & Tier 2 Members Webinar: Saturday, Dec. 5, from 8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. PERS online webinar geared toward faculty and staff who are PERS Tier 1 and Tier 2 members retiring within three years. Topics covered: Individual Account Program, retirement eligibility, calculating the retirement benefit, review of benefit estimate, retirement option choices, variable account after retirement, work after retirement limitations, health insurance, cost-of-living adjustments, taxes and review of retirement application forms. To register, visit the PERS website here. Questions? Contact Retirement@oregonstate.edu.
NEW! Floor Monitor Training: Training for Floor Monitors and Building Managers on roles and responsibilities when evacuating their building. Training is the 2nd Wednesday of every month via Zoom. Sign up for Zoom Floor Monitor Training at: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1ZhCgowN8AukjPf
UPDATED! TRIAD: The OSU TRIAD Club’s programs are online and free this term, with all welcome. The next program of the term will be Thursday, Dec. 3 at noon: Jeffrey Bethel, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, “Tracking a pandemic: the OSU Trace project.” Zoom link: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/97430290363?pwd=ZVFYYXpZYzJuM09Zek1TTm9tNk53Zz09 Password: 248221.
End of Life Options: Managing Life's Closure with David Grube on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. via Zoom - Register today. We all die, but in the U.S., even before the pandemic, dying has become medicalized and complicated. Few of us realize that we not only have options at the end of life, but that it is important to consider our wishes and values and to discuss them with our family and loved ones. Advance directives outline these decisions. For more info or for accommodations for disabilities, contact osura@oregonstate.edu.
Wildfires Rising: Environment, Public Health and Economics in the State of Oregon. League of Women Voters of Corvallis hosts panelists Daniel López-Cevallos; Rep. Dan Rayfield, Oregon State House District 16; and Meg Krawchuk for a discussion on fire in Oregon. Thursday, Dec. 3, 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. Open to all. See: https://lwv.corvallis.or.us/event/%ef%bb%bfwildfires-rising-environment-public-health-and-economics-in-the-state-of-oregon/.
Overview of the Corvallis Campus Vision: Join us to learn about the Corvallis Campus Vision this Friday. The Corvallis Campus Vision will guide the development of Oregon State University’s physical campus in Corvallis over the next decade and beyond. The Vision for campus, which is based on shared values and guiding principles, is a place that would be safe, welcoming and inclusive while effectively supporting the university’s mission as expressed in Strategic Plan 4.0. We will share strategies that offer a cohesive and comprehensive view of future campus development that can be applied both to campus-wide perspectives and specific projects and locations. It provides a framework to align various long range planning efforts. Part of the Fall 2020 FYI Friday series. Dec. 4, 9-10 a.m. via Zoom. Registration required
Oregon Sea Grant Fellowships Webinar: Oregon Sea Grant is pleased to announce several upcoming paid fellowship opportunities in marine science and policy for graduate students. Please see our website for details and how to apply. Register here for a brief informational webinar on Friday, Dec. 4, 10-10:30 a.m. The Oregon Sea Grant Scholars program is committed to training and supporting a diverse ocean workforce that understands technical and social challenges facing coastal communities and the natural environment.
Anthropology lecture series: "Conflicts and Cooperation: Race, Place and Memory of New Orleans Afro-American Festivals" with Jiaju Li from the Chinese Academy of Social Science. Presented by the School of Language, Culture and Society. Free and open to all. Friday, Dec. 4 at noon. To join the virtual talk via Zoom, using meeting ID 918 8649 8232 with password 8c574f.
Department of Integrative Biology Ph.D. Defense Seminar: Paul Snyder will present “Effects of Diversity on Emerging Infectious Diseases of Amphibians” on Friday, Dec. 4 at noon via Zoom. Snyder is completing his Ph.D. in Integrative Biology under the guidance of Andrew Blaustein. https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/92839695002 Passcode: 378589.
Environmental epigenetics seminar: Andrea Baccarelli, Leon Hess Professor and director of the Laboratory of Precision Environmental Biosciences in the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, will present “Environmental epigenetics – integrating public health into precision medicine.” Friday, Dec. 4, 1-2 p.m. The seminar will be presented via Zoom; find details at https://health.oregonstate.edu/seminars.
Get to know Zoom with Media Services: Meeting vs. webinar? What to use? Dec. 4, 2-3 p.m. To register, go to https://beav.es/oFT. For more Zoom information from Media Services, including upcoming Zoom webinars, go to https://uit-at.oregonstate.edu/media-services-zoom/.
Department of Horticulture Seminar Series: Join the Fall 2020 Seminar Series Monday at noon via Zoom. Cody Copp, OSU Department of Horticulture, will present, “Grapevine Red Blotch Virus Alters Leaf Carbon Metabolism and Export in Vitis vinifera.” Dec. 7, noon.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.
Preventing Burnout During This Challenging Time – Hosted by Care.com: Executive Coach Lisa Abramson will teach you how to develop a more resilient mindset through five key strategies. She’ll share actionable strategies you can start using immediately to avoid burnout, “reset” and better cope with the stress of the holidays in the time of COVID-19. During this session, we’ll also actively practice some proven stress management techniques to help you re-center, refocus, and be more productive. Dec. 16, 9-10 a.m. Register here today. A recording and a PDF of the presentation will be shared with registrants following the webinar. If you are unable to attend at the scheduled time you can register and receive the PDF presentation and a recording to watch later. Questions? Please contact employee.benefits@oregonstate.edu.
NEW! Faculty-Senate Student Reps: Applications for Faculty Senate Student Representatives are now open. This is an initiative that enables students to participate in leadership roles by serving on faculty senate committees, while receiving training along the way. The position also provides one with the opportunity to develop skills in research, collaboration and critical thinking. The best part: Students will be paid for their time. Apply at https://asosu.oregonstate.edu/advocacy/join-up or contact Molly Chambers at molly.chambers@oregonstate.edu for questions.
Monthly Emergency Preparedness Topic — Flooding: Flooding occurs in Oregon due to our seasonal rainfall, summer fires, melting snow, new development and levee/dams. All influence how water is absorbed or directed downstream. Areas that have not flooded in the past may flood now due to changes that occurred somewhere else and caused a change in how the ground interacts with the water. This month’s poster can be downloaded at https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-topics/flood
Call for Proposals: Join a faculty learning community. The Center for Teaching & Learning and Academic Technology invite proposals to participate in the Winter ’21 Blended Faculty Learning Community. Group members will focus on enhancing their teaching by applying effective practices in blended learning and the use of educational technology. See Call for Proposals (https://beav.es/oju). Apply by Dec. 4.
Faculty Staff Fitness: OSU’s Faculty Staff Fitness is offering a variety of options for you over winter break and winter term. Winter break options are open for registration. Winter term registrations open Dec. 1. Remote, asynchronous Online FSF classes will be available Nov. 30-Jan. 4 for $20 and Jan. 4-March 29 for $35, https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/online. Classes in person, on campus will be back in action with distancing and safety measures starting Jan. 4 and can be accessed at https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/schedule/winter. You will also find on our winter schedule some synchronous Zoom options this winter. Do you need additional guidance to stay on track for the new year? Join our 6-week RECHARGE wellness challenge. Details can be found at https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/recharge.
UPDATED! 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 Dec. 16. Questions? Send an email to Stefanie Buck, OER director.
ADA30 Celebratory Symposium: The OSU Americans with Disabilities Act 30th (ADA30) Anniversary Committee is presently accepting proposals for the ADA30 Celebratory Symposium to be held remotely in May 2021. Campus and community members are encouraged to submit proposals for workshops, posters, artist talks, and other session types on a wide array of disability-related topics by Dec. 1. For more information about ADA30 and the Symposium, including proposal submission details, please visit https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/ada30/.
New issue of The Messenger magazine from OSU Libraries and Press is available: The magazine highlights the new resources and services, accomplishments and ongoing efforts of the Libraries and Press, and this issue is about the strange but true history of OSU Libraries and Press. Along with some COVID info. This issue of The Messenger and others are available at https://library.oregonstate.edu/the-messenger-recent-issue.
Dialogue Facilitation Lab Winter 2021 Applications: Applications for the winter 2021 session of the Dialogue Facilitation Lab (DFL) are open. DFL is a professional learning seminar for teaching and professional faculty, staff and graduate assistants looking to integrate critical dialogue facilitation skills into their daily practice. For winter term 2021, the Office of Institutional Diversity continues DFL in an online format. Each cohort consists of 12-16 participants that include perspectives from diverse roles and disciplines. Click HERE to apply. The deadline to complete an application is Dec. 2, 5 p.m. Winter DFL 2021 sessions will take place on Wednesdays from 3-4:30 p.m. starting on Jan. 6, 2021.
$15K of Funding Available: The OSU Advantage Accelerator is currently seeking proposals that describe technology-based projects in any discipline that will move OSU-owned technologies closer to commercialization. Proposals should describe a project that requires $15,000 or less of funding to achieve an important milestone(s) connected to commercialization. Proposals can include expenses for activities related to customer discovery, prototyping, student time, research, commercialization plan development and more. Each project may be awarded up to $15,000 and should span 9 months or less, beginning in October 2020. Proposals are due no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16. Read the full RFP here: https://advantage.oregonstate.edu/advantage-accelerator/funding-opportunities/aid-fund
Gift Drive for OSU Kid’s Gift Closet: The Family Resource Center Kid’s Gift Closet helps provide gifts for children of OSU students during holidays and celebrations. Thanks to our generous sponsors, each year’s gift closet is a huge success and we have many grateful families. To minimize traffic to campus/our office, donations this year will take place via an Amazon registry that ships directly to FRC, or you can shop at the Toy Factory in downtown Corvallis and leave the gift in our donation box. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about this program, please contact erika.woosley@oregonstate.edu.
PCOSW scholarships: The President's Commission on the Status of Women (PCOSW) is offering scholarships to cover registration costs for the 2021 Oregon Women in Higher Education (OWHE) virtual conference. OSU faculty, professional faculty, staff, students and OSU community members are eligible to apply. The scholarship application deadline is Dec. 15. NOTE: Please DO NOT register for the OWHE conference if you are applying for a scholarship until you are approved. Once approved, you will be sent a promo code and special registration link to use to register with OWHE. PCOSW cannot reimburse people for registrations that have already been paid. For questions, contact pcosw@oregonstate.edu.
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 http://oregonstate.edu/jobs unless otherwise specified.
NEW! Veterinary Technician: OSU's Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital seeks one full-time, Certified Veterinary Technician for employment in our Veterinary Teaching Hospital Small Animal Surgical Service(s). The hospital is part of OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and provides excellent competitive salary and benefits. Posting #P02724CT. Closes Dec. 21.
"The color of springtime is in the flowers; the color of winter is in the imagination." ~ Terri Guillemets
Corvallis: Patchy fog and then sunny, high of 44, low of 33. Partly sunny tomorrow.
Central Oregon: Sunny today, high of 43, low of 21. Mostly sunny tomorrow.
Newport: Sunny today, high of 51, low of 39.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/