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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.
“The reasons that growers are using herbicides are, number one, for seedling survival,” said Chal Landgren, former Oregon State University Extension Service Christmas tree specialist and a longtime Christmas tree farmer.
PacWave South is the nation’s first grid-connected, pre-permitted wave energy test facility under development by Oregon State University and the U.S. Dept. of Energy. The $12-million PacWave South Underground Construction project will feature four subsea power cables for transmission of up to 5 MW of electric power from each of the test berths to the Utility Connection and Monitoring Facility (UCMF).
Two Oregon State University researchers have been named to the 2023 list compiled by research.com of the world’s best female scientists.
As an example of innovation, scientists at Oregon State University have commercialized a new dairy thickener called Ropy 352, which adds probiotic characteristics to certain products. The potential use of natural thickeners like cress seed gum is also being explored.
Kiri Wagstaff of the College of Engineering is working in Washington, D.C., this academic year, serving as an artificial intelligence expert in the office of Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona.
Top 10 Stories of 2023: 2023 has been a big year for Oregon State University, from groundbreaking research to record enrollment and navigating the ever-changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics. Here are the top 10 stories of the past year: https://today.oregonstate.edu/news/2023-top-10-stories.
NEW! Timely Teaching Tips: Looking ahead to next term? Want to learn how the OSU Libraries can support your teaching? Check out Instructor Support for information about making use of library guides and Canvas modules for your course, making course texts available through the library, using open educational resources (OER) or arranging a one-on-one consultation.
Charitable Fund Drive: Be the change you want to see. Don't underestimate the power of your pledge. The Charitable Fund Drive is your chance to be the catalyst for change. Your support can impact lives, uplift communities and drive progress for the causes that matter. Join us in making a real difference by pledging at https://www.ipledgeonline.org/_cfduniversities/. Your contribution matters.
Christy Berk Master of Public Policy defense: A presentation of Christy Berk's paper, titled: "From Hurdles to High-Speed: A Community Capital Framework approach to understanding barriers to broadband adoption and availability in North Carolina’s rural counties," takes place 9 a.m., Dec. 12 via Zoom. Contact the School of Public Policy at mike.terry@oregonstate.edu for Zoom access.
Running on Empty: Workplace Burnout. Join this gathering to share your experiences of workplace burnout and learn about how others are dealing with it. You’ll walk away from this session knowing how to respond to burnout in a healthy and meaningful way. 9 a.m., Dec. 12. To access and sign up for Lyra Gatherings go to learn.lyrahealth.com passcode: #osu445. You can sign up for an upcoming gathering in Lyra Learn. Note: Lyra Learn is a separate login from Lyra Health; for ease of use, sign up for Lyra Learn with your work email address.
Curbing Burnout: Your Guide to Prevention and Early Intervention. The "Curbing Burnout: Your Guide to Prevention and Early Intervention" workshop will review the individual and organizational factors that can mitigate risk for burnout, as well as specific strategies for communicating more effectively at work, managing job-related stress, and preventing work from intruding at home and in our relationships with loved ones. 10-11 a.m., Dec. 12. Register here.
Raising Children with Disabilities: Effectively Communicating. Communication is everywhere in nearly everything we do. This will offer insights, tips and tools for building and maintaining successful conversations to improve the results of communication in any relationship or setting you may find yourself. 10 a.m., Dec. 12. Register today.
Beaver Family Connections: Enjoy lunch and connect with other OSU parents and caregivers as we explore interesting topics and discussions related to child development, parenting and family health and well-being. No sign-up required. December’s topic: “Talk Saves Lives: Talking to Your Teen about Suicide” with AFSP Oregon. Noon to 1 p.m., Dec. 12, MU 207. See full 2023-2024 schedule for future dates and topics. For accommodations, please contact Cari Maes at 541-737-4906 or cari.maes@oregonstate.edu.
Surface Pressure: Managing Workplace Expectations. Join this gathering to talk more about the ways internal and external pressures to perform can impact mental health, as well as ways to take care of yourself in the midst of this pressure. Noon, Dec. 12. To access and sign up for Lyra Gatherings go to learn.lyrahealth.com passcode: #osu445. You can sign up for an upcoming gathering in Lyra Learn. Note: Lyra Learn is a separate login from Lyra Health; for ease of use, sign up for Lyra Learn with your work email address.
Adult & Higher Education Doctoral Information Session: You’re invited to learn about the College of Education’s Adult & Higher Education Ed.D. program: Noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 12. Please RSVP for the Zoom link and password. Contact AHE-Lead@oregonstate.edu for questions or accommodation requests.
Winter Storytelling: Indigenous Stories of Place. Join members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde for an evening of storytelling in many forms including family stories, Ikanum (creation stories), contemporary stories, and readings. Some will be told in the Indigenous language then translated into English. Learn from and honor those who created a culture over thousands of years and created an environment that sustained itself using Traditional Ecological Knowledge. 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at the OSU Alumni Center, 725 SW 26th St.; doors open at 6:30 p.m. Free, no registration, first-come, first-seated. For more info, contact Dave Eckert, deckert@willamettewatershed.com.
NEW! Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration: Registrations for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Peace Breakfast and Keynote are now open. The annual Peace Breakfast is at 9 a.m. Jan. 15. The keynote featuring Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor is at 7 p.m. Jan. 31. Here is a full list of events.
OSU Beaver Dads: Come join in with other self-identified dads from around the Corvallis campus to talk about parenting, work and everything in between. Lunch will be provided. This is a time for informal conversation, so come late or leave early if you need, ask questions of other dads, share experiences/stories/resources and more. Facilitated by Tarron Anderson. Noon to 1:30 p.m., Dec. 13, MU 212. For accommodations and questions contact cari.maes@oregonstate.edu with the Family Resource Center.
Tina Green-Price retirement celebration: Please join us to wish Tina Green-Price a happy retirement and celebrate her many years of leadership at The LaSells Stewart Center. 5 p.m., Dec 13, The LaSells Stewart Center gallery. Food and beverage provided. No RSVP required. Friends, family and colleagues welcomed. Questions may be sent to University Events.
On-campus therapist: In January, Lyra Health will be offering OSU employees the option of seeing a Lyra Health therapist, Porshea Pendleton, on the Corvallis campus. She will be available for appointments one day a week. OSU employees who are interested in meeting Pendleton are invited to a drop-in meet-and-greet from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Dec. 14 in the Memorial Union Jack Porter Board Room (MU 221). To schedule an appointment in January with Pendleton, register at osu.lyrahealth.com, answer the assessment questions, select book a therapist for “Individual Therapy,” select that you want to meet with the therapist in person and then select “Valley Library” to schedule your appointment with Pendleton.
OSUAA Tailgate Town at the Sun Bowl: Join Oregon State’s official bowl tailgate when the Beavs face off against Notre Dame at the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Get tailgate tickets to enjoy food and drinks, giveaways, music, photo ops and fun activities with fellow Beavs at Glory Field before kickoff. 9:30 a.m., Dec. 29.
Day of service: The Dr. MLK Day of Service will take place on Jan. 13. This event is an opportunity to honor Dr. King’s legacy through volunteer service. A light breakfast, snacks and hot lunch will be provided to participants. Check-in and meals will be held in the Horizon Room of the Memorial Union. Project times and locations vary; see the registration page for details. Community Engagement & Leadership will provide transportation to and from service projects. Register here: beav.es/cel.
NEW! Lyric Aguigam Master of Public Policy Defense: A presentation of Lyric Aguigam's paper, titled: "Divergent Paths to Health: A Comparative Study of the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid Expansion in California and Non-Expansion in Texas Through the Lens of Policy Diffusion," takes place at 10 a.m., Dec. 14 via Zoom. Please contact the School of Public Policy at mike.terry@oregonstate.edu for Zoom access.
NEW! Navigating Crossed Boundaries: Join this gathering to share your experiences with maintaining healthy boundaries at work. We’ll review strategies for self-care and how to advocate for yourself when someone oversteps. Noon, Dec. 14. To access and sign up for Lyra Gatherings go to learn.lyrahealth.com passcode: #osu445. You can sign up for an upcoming gathering in Lyra Learn. Note: Lyra Learn is a separate login from Lyra Health; for ease of use, sign up for Lyra Learn with your work email address.
NEW! HMSC Research Seminar: Cheryl Barnes with the Integrated Marine Fisheries Lab at the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station located at Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center will talk about “Navigating uncertainty through stakeholder engagement and integrated approaches to fisheries science,” 3:30 p.m., Dec 14, 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.
NEW! Holiday networking webcast: The OSU Alumni Association is making spirits bright with "Festive Connections: Navigating Networking During the Holiday Season," 4 p.m., Dec. 14. Executive recruiter Nick Poloni, ’15, unwraps the secret for helping you “sleigh” your networking game during this most wonderful time of the year. Register for this engaging and informative webinar for free at ForOregonState.org/AskAlumni.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Symposium: The Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics and the Biophysical Society Student Chapter invite you to the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Symposium, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Dec. 13. This full-day event covers many topics and includes invited speakers, graduate student flash talks, a "Women Leaders in STEM" panel and a poster session. Lunch provided. More information can be found at https://events.oregonstate.edu/event/nmr_symposium.
Invisible Disabilities in the Workplace: Navigating an invisible disability in the workplace can come with unique challenges, including invalidation. The ways disability is defined and understood can significantly impact our mental health and access to resources. Join this gathering to discuss relevant issues experienced by people living with invisible disabilities and how to increase safety and inclusion in the workplace. This gathering is intended for people living with an invisible disability. 9 a.m., Dec. 13. To access and sign up for Lyra Gatherings go to learn.lyrahealth.com passcode: #osu445. You can sign up for an upcoming gathering in Lyra Learn.
Financial Wellness: Building Good Credit. Your credit report and your credit score are incredibly important factors which influence how you borrow. This webinar will review each of these factors individually and how you can monitor and improve your credit records. 10 am., Dec. 13. Register today.
Maren Schermer Master of Public Policy defense: A presentation of Maren Schermer's paper, titled: " Western U.S. Water Utilities and Adaptive Capacity: A Case Study," takes place at 10 a.m., Dec. 13 in Bexell 414 and on Zoom. Contact the School of Public Policy at mike.terry@oregonstate.edu for Zoom access.
Working While Grieving: Grief is one of the most common human experiences, yet it’s one of the least discussed and understood. Grief impacts our ability to be present and fully engaged, especially at work. Join this gathering to discuss the ways grief impacts work and share helpful strategies to make room for both. Noon, Dec. 13. To access and sign up for Lyra Gatherings go to learn.lyrahealth.com passcode: #osu445. You can sign up for an upcoming gathering in Lyra Learn.
Women Leaders in STEM: The Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics invites you to attend a panel discussion titled “Women Leaders in STEM: Challenges and Rewards” from noon to 1 p.m. Dec. 13. in LPSC 125. The speaker will be Angela Gronenborn from the University of Pittsburgh, and panelists include Eleanor Feingold, Irem Tumer and Staci Simonich.
Onboarding forums held via Zoom: The President and Provost’s Leadership Council for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (PPLC) is hosting two additional onboarding forums via Zoom for employees of color and supervisors of employees of color in December. These forums are seeking to identify additional ways to support the success and belonging of new employees of color. For supervisors: Noon to 1 p.m., Dec. 13 (registration is required). If unable to attend there is an anonymous feedback survey here. Questions can be directed to bonny.ray@oregonstate.edu.
Floor Monitor Training: Training for floor monitors and building managers on roles and responsibilities when evacuating their building. Training is the second Wednesday every month at 1 p.m. via Zoom. Sign up for Zoom Floor Monitor Training at: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1ZhCgowN8AukjPf.
Michael Gordon Ph.D. Defense: Michael Gordon will present his dissertation, titled: “Host-induced gene silencing in black cottonwood for resistance to Septoria canker: Efficacy and impacts on non-target fungi,” at 1 p.m., Dec. 13, in PFSC 315 and on Zoom. Gordon is earning his Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology with co-advisors Steve Strauss of Forest Ecosystems and Society and Jared LeBoldus of Botany and Plant Pathology and Forest Engineering, Resources and Management. Contact the FES Department at FES.Workbox@oregonstate.edu with questions, for accommodations for disabilities or for the Zoom link.
James Budd Master of Public Policy Defense: A presentation of James Budd's paper, titled: " Fighting the Opioid Epidemic: Understanding the State of Michigan’s Effort to Adopt Overdose Fatality Review Teams," takes place at 1:30 p.m., Dec. 13 via Zoom. Please contact the School of Public Policy at mike.terry@oregonstate.edu for Zoom access.
Cheng Shi Ph.D. defense: A presentation of Cheng's dissertation, titled: “Chemical Data Mining for Environmental and Ecosystem Forensics," takes place at 11 a.m., Dec. 18, in Gilmore Hall 207. Shi is earning his Ph.D. in Biological & Ecological Engineering with Gerrad Jones. Please contact the BEE Department at sam.christopher@oregonstate.edu with questions, for the Zoom link or for accommodations for disabilities.
NEW! Speaker funding available: Planning any speaker events for winter term? Start thinking about funding now: The President’s Commission on the Status of Women has money available for campus groups to engage speakers (virtually or in person) whose message supports PCOSW’s mission of advancing gender equity at OSU. Sponsorship averages $500 depending on the number of requests. To apply, fill out this form. For more information on PCOSW, visit our website.
NEW! 25 Year Club: Congratulations to Rita Claremont, senior faculty research assistant, for being inducted into the 25 Year club at OSU. You can read more about their time at OSU and others inducted into the club by clicking on their name. Congratulations and thank you for your service.
Seeking Community Input on Monroe Avenue Use: OSU is partnering with the city of Corvallis to explore ways of increasing safety and comfort for pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles on NW Monroe Avenue between 14th and 26th streets. Community input is being requested through a use survey and an online mapping tool designed to map areas of Monroe Avenue where there are safety concerns, missing elements and favored places. The survey and the mapping tool are available until Dec. 31. A community open house will follow to discuss findings and review design concepts.
HR website has new look: The Office of University Human Resources (UHR) website has a fresh look with the new Drupal 10 platform. Stay tuned for dynamic changes in 2024 that will elevate your experience -- check out the FAQ page to learn more. UHR extends sincere appreciation to the University Information Technology Digital Experience team, the DFA IT team and the University Marketing and Relations team for their partnership and support in this project.
HR offices holiday schedule: UHR Offices will be closed Dec. 25; open 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 26-29; and closed Jan. 1. If appointment times are needed between noon and 5 p.m., during this time of reduced operations, please reach out to the appropriate HR team at least 24 hours in advance and they will arrange to meet with you. If you are not sure whom to contact, please reach out to our AskHR team at AskHR@oregonstate.edu.
Apply for funding: The OSU Women's Giving Circle is excited to announce the opening of grant applications for OSU programs and student groups to fund innovative projects with funding needs up to $10,000. It is easy to apply. Learn more about the grant application process and eligibility criteria on our website or contact Celina Anderson at the OSU Foundation for details. Apply for a WGC grant by Jan. 9.
Student Pricing for All at The Marigold Center: From Nov. 27-Dec. 15, Marigold class packs will be on sale for educators and the public. Marigold offers a range of contemplative drop-in classes including gentle and flow yoga, contemplative dance, mindfulness meditation and more. Student pricing for class packs will be extended to everyone and range from $15 (single) to $250 (20 passes). View the drop-in class schedule and purchase passes. Email: ContemplativeStudies@oregonstate.edu.
Expedited travel services: OSU Alumni Association members now receive special discounted rates and expert travel document services with G3 Global Services. Whether seeking visa processing guidance for destinations worldwide or filing expedited passport requests, G3's personalized services will get you on your way to a stress-free vacation. Learn more about benefits like this available with OSUAA membership at ForOregonState.org/Benefits.
Higher ed conference scholarship: The Gender Advocacy and Inclusion Network (GAIN) in Higher Education Conference scholarship application is now open. The President’s Commission on the Status of Women is offering scholarships to cover early registration fees for the 2024 GAIN conference being held in Seaside, Oregon from April 22-24. OSU faculty, staff, students and OSU-affiliated community members are eligible to apply: PCOSW GAIN scholarship application. The deadline to apply is Dec. 13. Priority is given to applicants that are current PCOSW members and those who have not received a prior PCOSW scholarship to a GAIN conference. For questions, contact pcosw@oregonstate.edu.
Funding opportunity: MSI Advancement Award. The Marine Studies Initiative (MSI) invites proposals to advance marine and coastal studies. This opportunity is possible because of generous private contributions. Our program strives to create a healthy future for the ocean and the planet through interdisciplinary research and teaching that emphasizes collaboration, experiential learning, engagement with society and problem-solving. We anticipate being able to fund several projects with awards of up to $5,000 each. Proposals due Jan. 19. For more information, visit our website. If you have questions about the proposal submission process, email marine.studies@oregonstate.edu.
PRAx tickets on sale now: There’s something for everyone in the inaugural season of the Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx). The spring 2024 lineup includes a wide variety of musicians, interactive performances, virtual reality installations and visual artists. Visitors can even create their own event series to bundle tickets and save money. Check out PRAx’s website to learn more and purchase tickets. Most events offer $5 student tickets.
Seeking MLK events: Submit your Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Events by Friday, Dec. 22. Colleges, departments, units, offices and individuals breathe life into the Commemoration by organizing events throughout the week to commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Past events have included art shows, spoken word performances, interfaith celebrations, workshops, dialogues, lectures and panels. Event assistance may be available through the Office of Institutional Diversity by contacting diversity@oregonstate.edu.
Peace Breakfast volunteers needed: The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. planning committee is searching for volunteers to help support the logistics for the Peace Breakfast. Volunteers will help complete a variety of tasks including staffing the welcome table, directing people as needed, breaking down set-up and serving as guides. Please complete the volunteer form here. The event is held from 8-11 a.m., Jan. 15 at The LaSells Stewart Center. All volunteers must register for breakfast to account for their breakfast and seating, as needed. Register here.
Office of Human Resources Learning & Development is now accepting FYI Friday presentation proposals for Winter and Spring 2024: Does your unit have a new or existing service, process, system, policy, or research you want to share with the campus community? FYI Friday is a program where campus partners are invited to present what they’re working on to a broad audience of professional faculty, academic faculty and classified staff – presentations can be anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours in length. Learn more about the requirements and application process. For more information: hr.training@oregonstate.edu.
Campus Way: As part of the Withycombe Hall Renovation project, SW Campus Way will be closed between SW 30th Street and the Agriculture & Life Sciences Building from Dec. 11-Jan. 6. Emergency access and pre-arranged access to the East Greenhouses will be maintained during this closure. The north sidewalk in this section of Campus Way will be closed. The south sidewalk and the south side of the brick walkway near ALS will remain open for pedestrians. (View map)
Kerr parking lot: As part of the Kerr Administration South Parking Lot Improvement project, the Kerr south parking lot closure has been extended until Jan. 8 to finish construction activities, including lighting installation, paving and striping. This includes the closure of the west sidewalk. ADA access is available on the east side of the building.
Stadium Avenue: As part of the Bloss Hall Renovation project, a section SW Stadium Avenue, located between CH2M Hill Alumni Center and Bloss Hall, will be closed from Wednesday, Nov. 29 through Friday, Jan. 5. Multiple parking spaces in the Bloss Hall West parking lot (bordering Stadium Ave.) will also be closed. In addition, the sidewalk on the west side of Bloss Hall will be closed. Other possible impacts include noise, dust and mud near the work site. (View map)
“Welcome winter. Your late dawns and chilled breath make me lazy, but I love you nonetheless.” ~ Terri Guillemets
Corvallis: Partly sunny today, high of 49, low of 36. Cloudy tomorrow.
Central Oregon: Decreasing clouds today, high of 45, low of 29. Partly sunny tomorrow.
Newport: Mostly sunny today, high of 54, low of 40. Rain Wednesday.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr
