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Today in the News Media is a synopsis of some of the most prominent coverage of OSU people and programs. Inclusion of any item constitutes neither an endorsement nor a critique, but rather is intended only to make the OSU community aware of significant items in the media. For more about this section, see: https://today.oregonstate.edu/email/submission-guidelines
"Think about (an employee of) a burger restaurant working at the fry station," said Bill Smart, who teaches collaborative robotics at Oregon State University. "There's a timer on the fry station which makes it more reliable and takes some load off the employee."
Oregon State University researchers will lead a team of scientists and engineers on a three-year, $1.5 million project to develop and test a team of robots that could travel under ice shelves and collect critical measurements about the extent of ice cavities and surrounding ocean properties.
Revenue for Oregon State University’s athletics could decline by as much as 44% in fiscal year 2025 following the departure of multiple other schools from the Pac-12, college officials said.
Oregon Sea Grant and the Oregon State University Extension Service have hired a water resources specialist. Miranda Gray, who started Sept. 12, is based at the Extension office in Gold Beach.
Oregon State University has won the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute’s (PCI’s) 2023 Engineering Design Competition, also known as the Big Beam Competition. The national competition teaches college students important structural engineering skills in an applied learning environment which will benefit them in their future professions.
Home game: Laura Blackwell of the Honors College says, “I took this photo on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the first home game where we defeated UC Davis. It was a beautiful day and gave us the most beautiful sunset.” We are accepting photo submissions at osutoday@oregonstate.edu.
NEW! Timely Teaching Tips: Are you new to using Canvas? Join Academic Technologies staff at 10 a.m. on Sep. 28 to learn about finding your courses, setting notification preferences, uploading content, adjusting navigation, student view, publishing your course and posting announcements. Register for this 30-minute Zoom workshop.
Free ZAP and 529 Bike Registration: 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sept. 27, McNary Dining Hall and Sept. 28, Marketplace West. Join a community of a thousand bike riders in the ZAP Oregon State biking rewards program and enjoy timely biking information and automatic tracking of your bike commute stats. ZAP riders can also win bike gear and goodies. Register your bike with the 529 project to increase chances of getting it back if it is stolen.
WRPM Seminar Series: Abigail Tomasek from Crop and Soil Science will present “Successes and Opportunities for University Extension in Agricultural Water Resources," at 4 p.m. Sept. 27 in Burt 193 or on Zoom. Reach out to Gradwater.Support@oregonstate.edu for Zoom details.
Speed Friending: Make new friends fast. The event will feature four-minute lightning rounds so participants can meet as many people as possible. Stay after the lightning rounds to have some pizza and play games with your new friends. 6 p.m., Sept. 27 in the MU Ballroom. Presented by ASOSU and CAPS. Contact tess.websterhenry@oregonstate.edu with questions or to facilitate extra credit. Register here: https://events.oregonstate.edu/event/speed_friending_7151.
NEW! Eyes to the skies: Heading to the game on Friday? Watch the skies after the national anthem, as the “Garudas” of Electronic Attack Squadron 134 (VAQ-134) from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, perform a flyby of two Navy EA-18G Growler Jets over the stadium. The jets will be approaching from the Southeast at 1,000 feet and 300 knots in support of Willamette Valley Navy Week. The pilots and electronic warfare officers will land in Eugene and should return to Reser Stadium by halftime to watch the rest of the game. A big thanks in advance to LCDR Alexander “Groot” Smart, Capt. Dawson “Banana” Saia (USAF), LT Thomas “Purdy” Craig, and LT Seth “Salt-E” Murphy-Sweet for volunteering to make this possible.
NEW! Fall Bike Challenge: OSU's Fall Bike Challenge runs from Oct. 1-31. Teams of four to 10 riders compete to see who can ride the most during the month of October.
Health Center Open House: Student Health Services has a new home but still provides the same student-centered care as offered at the Plageman Building for the past 87 years. Students are invited to tour the new Health Center from 3-5 p.m., Sept. 28 at 850 SW 26th St. (next to Reser Stadium). Join us for light refreshments, a passport to services in the building and free ice cream from the Beaver Classic Truck.
OSUAA Tailgate Town | Home vs. Utah: Ready to get your game face on? Enjoy food, fun and friends while you tailgate at the CH2M HILL Alumni Center. Come by and enjoy photo booths, student-made ice cream and indoor yard games like cornhole, giant Jenga and lawn checkers. 3 p.m., Sept. 29. Free admission. Learn more.
Football tickets: Oregon State Athletics is offering a ticket opportunity for OSU faculty and staff for the Sept. 29 game against Utah (a 6 p.m. kickoff). To purchase tickets for $20, click here.
PEBB’s Virtual Benefits Fair: Register to visit vendor specific rooms and booths to learn about PEBB’s benefit plans for 2024 Oct. 1-31. Both on-demand and live content will be available. To learn more, register here.
Corvallis Campus Benefits Fair: Visit with healthcare and retirement savings providers. Representatives from Moda, Kaiser, Providence, VSP, Willamette Dental, The Standard, PERS, Social Security, Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) and OSU program representatives will also be available, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Oct. 3 in the MU Horizon Room. Many of the vendors are hosting workshops during the day as well. Times, topics and additional information can be found on this website.
Flu shot clinics: OSU is hosting two flu shot clinics this fall for faculty, staff and students on the Corvallis campus on Oct. 3 and Oct. 17. Participants can sign up in the Fred Meyer portal. Please note that the insurance section is required in the portal. View the registration instructions and portal access. When registering, make sure to click on the location OSU Faculty, Staff Student Flu Shot Clinic only. Kaiser members are not able to receive their flu shots at the OSU clinics but can find options here: www.kp.org/flu. OSU Cascades is hosting a flu shot clinic from noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 5 in the Ray Hall Atrium. Flu vaccines will be given on a first come first serve basis. More details will be posted on Ben Beavs Central. OSU Medical Insurance Plans also cover flu shot clinics at many pharmacies or at medical appointments. Go to this website to learn more. Questions? Please contact employee.pebbbenefits@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-2805.
College of Pharmacy Open House: Discover how OSU’s College of Pharmacy can support your academic journey towards a Pharm.D. Speak with current students and faculty, tour the campus and more. The open house will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 7 at the Pharmacy building. Click here to RSVP and reach out to us at pharmacy@oregonstate.edu.
Bend Cascades Campus Benefits Fair: Vendors from our retirement programs, PEBB plans and health and wellness programs will be in attendance. Vendors will be in multiple places on the Cascades campus, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Oct. 19.
NEW! Anthropology lecture series: Shane Macfarlan, associate professor of anthropology at the University of Utah, will discuss how ecological constraints in the Baja California peninsula have impacted human population dynamics and culture processes over the last several hundred years. Macfarlan will speak from noon to 12:50 p.m. on Sept. 29 in Strand Hall 111.
NEW! Virtual Accelerate program: It’s time to accelerate your startup, technology and/or business idea. The OSU Advantage Accelerator is offering a virtual Accelerate program starting this October. In just nine weeks, streamline your value proposition, get to market faster and validate your product-market fit. The Accelerate program is open to OSU researchers, students, staff and 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 Oct. 10. Learn more and apply here: https://advantage.oregonstate.edu/advantage-accelerator/programs/accelerate.
NEW! Ask Alumni Live Panel with BIPOC professionals: Alumni professionals share how to navigate your identity and career at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 24. The OSU Alumni Association and School of Language, Culture, and Society bring a diverse panel of alumni together to share stories about their experiences in the workplace. Register, plus watch free Ask Alumni on-demand webcasts at ForOregonState.org/AskAlumni.
HMSC Research Seminar: Matt Hawkyard with the Aquaculture Research Institute at the University of Maine will be giving a seminar entitled “Supporting sustainable finfish aquaculture in the US through advancements in fish nutrition and feed technology,” 3:30 p.m., Sept. 28, in person at HMSC’s GVMSB Auditorium or online. Zoom link or call +1-971-247-1195 Meeting ID: 945 5573 115. Click here for more information.
Paid family and medical leave: The Standard is administering OSU’s equivalent plan for Oregon Paid Family and Medical Leave (OPFML). An information sessions are scheduled for employees to learn more about this leave option in October. There will be Zoom and live options (MU 109) at 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., Oct. 3. Additional Information about applying for OPFML leave through The Standard is located here. Please contact fmla@oregonstate.edu for questions related to OSU processes.
Crossroads Conversation: Crossroads Conversation School for Women invites international women to join us this fall for English conversation classes. In volunteer-taught classes, students will explore other cultures, practice English and develop friendships. This term we are offering both in-person classes (for students of all levels) and an online class (for intermediate and advanced English learners). Priority registration deadline is Sept. 26; in-person classes begin Oct. 3 and our online class begins Oct. 10. For more details and registration information go to https://www.facebook.com/CrossroadsConversationSchool or contact Kara Hanson at crossroadsconversationschool@gmail.com.
Attend an info session about the Ecampus Research Fellows Program: Learn how you can receive up to $25,000 in funding for a research project related to hybrid and online education. Info sessions about the Ecampus Research Fellows Program will be held at 1 p.m., Oct. 3 and 11 a.m., Oct. 6 via Zoom. These sessions are open to full-time instructional faculty of all ranks who want to learn more about the program, as well as those interested in applying this year. Applications will be due Nov. 1. To register for an info session or ask questions, please contact Naomi Aguiar, associate director of research.
Rebbeca Rutstein visiting artist lecture: Multidisciplinary artist and ocean explorer Rebecca Rutstein will be giving a lecture in Newport on Oct. 11, with a catered reception at 5:15 p.m. and artist talk at 5:45 p.m. The event, co-presented by PRAx and Hatfield Marine Science Center, will take place in the Gladys Valley Marine Science Building lobby.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): The popular, evidence-based, eight-week course created by Jon Kabat-Zinn will be offered starting Oct. 17 at OSU’s Contemplative Practice Center, 648 SW Second St. in downtown Corvallis. Evening sessions 6-8:30 p.m. will be guided by Catherine Polan Orzech. Public: $450; faculty/staff: $400; students $350. Scholarship funds available for undergraduate students. Pre-registration required.
NEW! OSU Fall Construction update: The rate of new project starts is slowing down after a very busy summer, but many construction sites around campus will continue to be active through the 2023-2024 school year. Get a complete update on fall construction work and stay informed by subscribing to Campus Notifications for information on closures, detours, power outages and more.
NEW! Reduced in-person HR hours Friday: University Human Resources (UHR) will be open for reduced hours for in-person assistance on Friday, Sept. 29. This is due to significant parking lot closures related to the Friday evening football game. In-person assistance will be available from 8 a.m. to noon at UHR offices in Kerr and University Plaza. UHR employees will be available for remote consultation and assistance from 1-5 p.m. that day but our on-campus offices will be closed during the afternoon.
NEW! $15K of funding available: The OSU Advantage Accelerator is currently seeking applications 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. Each project may be awarded up to $15,000 and should span nine months or less, beginning in October 2023. Proposals are due by 5 p.m., Sept. 29. Learn more and apply: https://advantage.oregonstate.edu/advantage-accelerator/funding-opportunities/aid-fund.
NEW! Metabolic Research Study: We are examining how insulin release is triggered by tasting carbohydrates. Participants must be healthy, non-smokers and non-diabetic, aged 18-45. The study will involve having blood drawn before and after tasting carbohydrate samples. Email taste.study@oregonstate.edu for more information. Study name: Oral Glucose Sensing; PI: Juyun Lim.
Friday home game: At 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, Oregon State will host the University of Utah in a nationally televised football game. This may bring traffic congestion and parking challenges. OSU students and employees can help lessen the congestion by altering travel to and from the Corvallis campus that day, saving time, minimizing hassle and improving university and fan experience. For a list of options see: https://today.oregonstate.edu/story/friday-home-game-will-impact-corvallis-campus.
Decorate a tree for CoF event: Colleges, campus units and local businesses are invited to decorate a tree to be auctioned off at this year's CoF Holiday Art & Craft Fair: Bobbin’ Through the Woods event. Trees will be provided; your unit would just be in charge of providing decoration and sprucing up the tree. Proceeds will benefit Rootstock and we will give 10% of our earnings from the tree auction to the Basic Needs Center. If you are interested in participating, please complete our online survey by Oct. 20. For more information: Rootstock@oregonstate.edu.
Instructors: Request Fall Course Reserves Now. Help make sure students can find their textbooks at the library. Submit a new request to OSU Libraries & Press each term. OSULP will prioritize electronic resources. We will accept personal and department copies of material, as well as purchase a new copy on request. More info at beav.es/course-reserves.
New LBCC Corvallis Route: Beginning Sept. 25, a new Beaver Bus route will serve both the OSU Corvallis and the LBCC Corvallis campuses Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. The Beaver Bus is a free shuttle service at OSU. It is helpful for getting around campus and now for travel between LBCC Corvallis and OSU. For all routes, use the Beaver Bus tracker to view route maps, to find your nearest Beaver Bus stop, to see where the bus is in real time and to view important service notifications. Please send questions to transportation@oregonstate.edu.
International Education Week is Nov 14-18: Each year in the third week of November, Oregon State University celebrates International Education Week. If your unit has existing events planned fall term which connect to the theme of international exchange and global engagement, or if you would like to plan an event during this week for your unit to celebrate OSU’s global achievements, impacts and community, please provide details via this webform by Oct. 6 for inclusion in centralized marketing materials. For questions, contact Global.Engagement@oregonstate.edu.
Advantage Accelerator: The Advantage Accelerator is offering drop-in office hours every Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at our campus office in Kerr 322A. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or have general questions about our programs and resources, our team is happy to provide valuable assistance and support. No appointment is necessary.
Mid-Month Emergency Preparedness Topic: Suspicious Object. Bomb threats, suspicious objects and bombs are meant to disrupt normal activities and cause fear in populations. With pre-planning, you can remain calm and be knowledgeable of what to do in order to part of an effective response. Download a copy of the Bomb Threat Checklist and keep by your phone. English and Spanish versions of this bulletin can be found here: https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-topics/suspicious-objects-and-bomb-threats.
Active Shooter training: OSU Emergency Management offers in-department active shooter training. The 45-minute in-person presentation teaches OSU’s Run.Hide.Fight response to an active threat. To schedule a session for your team, email emergency@oregonstate.edu.
OSU Homecoming reunions: It’s time to reconnect, reminisce and reunite with classmates and campus. All classes are welcome — and alumni with class years ending in three (1953-2023), it’s your special year. View the schedule of fun reunion activities taking place from Oct. 13-14 at ForOregonState.org/Reunions.
Homecoming Events Schedule — Add your events today: The 2023 Homecoming and Alumni Reunions event schedule is live. Join us for a weekend of celebration with an annular solar eclipse, Fall Family Weekend, alumni reunions for classes ending in 3 and Homecoming tailgaters and celebrations. Are your unit or department’s Homecoming events listed on the schedule? If not, please email Kate.Sanders@osualum.com with a short description of your event, date, time and link to your website.
Registration to present at the Fall Virtual Showcase (FVS): Open now through Oct. 11. FVS is a virtual, asynchronous opportunity for OSU undergraduates to share their research and creative projects with the OSU community Oct. 23-25. Undergraduates from all academic disciplines, in all years of study and at all stages of work are invited to present. We will have an in-person kickoff event in the MU from 5-6 p.m. on Oct. 23. Visit the FVS website to view additional information, including registration details for attendees. For questions, contact officeofursa@oregonstate.edu.
Student Legacy Park: As part of the Student Legacy Park Resurfacing project, the SLP fields and tennis courts will be reopening beginning Sept. 26. While the fields and tennis courts will be available for use, other areas within the park will remain closed through Oct. 6. The parking areas and sidewalk on SW Washington Way will remain closed through Oct. 6 along with the basketball courts. While the entry points to the park along Washington Way will remain closed, access to the park will be available from SW 26th St., SW Intramural Lane and SW 30th St. ADA parking spaces will be available on 26th St. in front of Dixon Recreation Center and on Intramural Lane.
Parking Space Closures in the Richardson & Dryden Parking Lots: As part of the 2023 Parking Maintenance project, multiple parking spaces in the Richardson and Dryden parking lots will be closed from Sept. 26-29 to allow for landscaping work. The parking lots will remain open during this project. Other possible impacts include noise, dust and mud near the worksite. For questions or comments on this closure, contact Construction Manager Derek Bennett at (541) 609-6111.
Traffic change on SW 26th St. to improve safety: Southwest 26th St. stretching from SW Jefferson Way north to NW Orchard Avenue has been changed from two-way vehicle traffic to one-way, northbound traffic only. The street has been updated with new signage, designated north and south bicycle lanes and other street markings designed to clarify and enhance the pedestrian and bicyclist priority zone. This change supports a more safe and comfortable campus that prioritizes pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users and minimizes conflicts between vehicles and people, especially during class change times and implements a key recommendation in OSU’s Transportation Plan and the city’s Transportation System Plan.
“I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary. I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was. Likewise, I never imagined that home might be something I would miss.” ~ Ransom Riggs
Corvallis: Showers and breezy today, high of 66, low of 49. Showers tomorrow.
Central Oregon: Rain likely today, high of 54, low of 38. Mostly sunny Thursday.
Newport: Showers and breezy today, high of 65, low of 48. Showers likely tomorrow.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr