Welcome to OSU Today
Your daily news source about all things Oregon State.
OSU Today is published by University Relations and Marketing and is the university’s primary internal communications publication. Submit events, lectures and other activities via the OSU Main Calendar. To submit story ideas and general announcements, email us at [email protected]. Fill out the form here to subscribe to the twice-weekly digest. Find RSS feeds of our stories here.
Campus News
OSU in the News
Study: AI might be reshaping how college students learn, at the expense of critical thinking (KGW)
Researchers found students with skills typically suited for STEM careers are the most likely to rely heavily on AI tools, at the expense of critical thinking skills. (see also Straight Arrow News)
New funding will kickstart internet infrastructure in rural Oregon. Here’s where it’s needed most (Oregon Journalism Project)
Even so, internet access, in both rural and metro areas, is unaffordable for many, says Oregon State University’s Victor Villegas, who chairs the Oregon Broadband Equity Coalition. “You have to have the infrastructure, the tools and the knowledge, skills—and access—in order for everything to work optimally,” Villegas says.
How two schools are rethinking math for English learners (Education Week)
While uncommon, offering math in Spanish reflects a broader effort to meet students where they are and accelerate learning, said Karen Thompson, an associate professor at Oregon State University. The school’s mix of Spanish-language courses, English instruction, and targeted supports appears “well-tailored” to its community, she noted.
The “big one” might not come alone: Double West Coast earthquake threat (Science Daily)
"We're used to hearing the 'Big One' -- Cascadia -- being this catastrophic huge thing," said Chris Goldfinger, a marine geologist at Oregon State University and lead author of the study. "It turns out it's not the worst case scenario."
Should you make banana water for your plants? We asked experts (Martha Stewart)
There's scant research about the benefits of banana water for plants. "The missing information is that I haven’t seen any studies that tell us what the components of banana water are," says Brooke Edmunds, professor of practice and horticulturist at Oregon State University Extension.
Bricks and Books: Students and locals cross paths in these five historic college towns (Saving Places)
More than anything, it takes time to become a college town, with the school’s history often stretching back nearly as far as the place it calls home. Such is the case with Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon.
Pioneer wagon experience in Bend gives kids a taste of 1800s teamwork (Central Oregon Daily)
Children in Central Oregon stepped back into the 1800s with a hands-on pioneer wagon experience Tuesday. Oregon State University’s youth development program hosted an Oregon Trail-era event at Tetherow Crossing Park designed to teach teamwork and life skills beyond the digital world.
Canola might help farmers navigate Central Oregon drought, but some farm groups have concerns (OPB)
Currently farmers can only grow canola in Jefferson, Deschutes and Crook counties if they obtain a special permit and work with a local research facility, usually an Oregon State University research station. But they can’t always do that, Summer said.
Subscribe to OSU Today
News from the Colleges
Features
Photo of the Day
Bloom where you’re planted: Azar Asgari, math graduate student, says, “I was walking today to Kidder Hall (math department) and I saw this strong flower grow regardless of its environment. The location is on the left side of Kidder Hall. By seeing that, this came to my mind: ‘Be who you are no matter where you are.’” We are accepting photo submissions at [email protected]. To view past submissions, visit us on Instagram at @osutoday1.
Take Note
NEW! Community Climate Survey: The 2026 Employee Community Climate Survey launched April 27 with an invitation from Scott Vignos, vice president for mission and impact. Please check your email to access the survey link; the survey is open through Friday, June 5. The survey is administered every two years to gauge the opinions and perceptions of employees regarding their experience at OSU. Your responses help identify areas where OSU is making progress, as well as areas that may benefit from further attention, dialogue or action. To thank employees for their time, a $25 incentive will be provided to 50 randomly selected participants. The information participants enter for the incentive will not be linked to responses to the survey to ensure responses remain anonymous. Questions about the survey can be directed to [email protected].
NEW! OSU łatwa ina Royalty Program: The łatwa ina Royalty will be presented with the Oregon State regalia at the łatwa ina Pow-Wow (May 16 at Gill Coliseum), and represent OSU at surrounding Pow-Wows and cultural events. Sponsored by the Native American Student Association and the Office of Institutional Diversity in collaboration with the Division of Student Affairs. Applications are due May 10.
NEW! OSU Health and Safety Committee: The University Health and Safety Committee would like to invite campus members interested in health and safety to attend our open meetings, held semi-annually in May and October. Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month (May 22) from 2:30-4 p.m. Anyone can access OSU’s University Health & Safety Committee online, including past meeting minutes, information on how to contact a committee member and a web link to report safety concerns. Contact Dan Kermoyan at [email protected] to RSVP and request the meeting location.
Timely Teaching Tips: Does your course have writing projects during the second half of the term? This is an ideal time to remind students of support available through the Writing Center. Students and project groups can get writing support through in-person consultations, via Zoom, or via email with written feedback. See sample messaging and other faculty resources to encourage your students to visit.
Monthly Emergency Preparedness Topic: Hot Weather. Are you prepared to handle the heat? Thousands of people die every year from weather-related hazards. Know the signs of heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion as well as how to prevent them. English and Spanish versions of this bulletin can be found here.
|
Spring Bike Challenge is May 1-31: Celebrate Bike Month with a friendly competition. The challenge rewards the three teams of ZAP riders that bike the most days in May. All biking skill levels are welcome. Form a team of up to 10 friends, coworkers or classmates and ride your bikes to win. Learn more. |
Campus Wild: This Spring Creek Project program is an invitation to notice the wild around us on campus. Choose any species — bird, tree, flower, moss — and submit a creative response to the species in the form of poetry, prose, photography, art, a field, guide entry or audio/video. $100 student prizes in each category. Submissions are due May 4. Learn more here.
Migration in Changing Climates Fellowship: PLAYA, PRAx and Spring Creek Project are partnering to offer Migration in Changing Climates, a new interdisciplinary fellowship that invites applicants working in writing, ethics and philosophy, visual art, performing arts, sound and multidisciplinary genres to propose projects about migration. Applications due May 15. Learn more and apply.
A Collaborative Residency About Public Lands: Spring Creek Project is now accepting applications for the Public Lands Collaborative Residency, which supports creative teams engaged in storytelling projects that have the potential to help re-imagine and shape the future of public lands in the United States. Applications due June 1. Learn more and apply.
KidSpirit: Registration for KidSpirits Summer Day Camps is now open. At KidSpirit, children in grades K-6 participate in activities including sports and games, arts, STEAM, outdoor adventures and team challenges. Every day is designed to give kids a chance to try something new and build skills while having a great time. Register by May 3 and save $50 per registration for two-week long summer day camps & Cooking Academy. OSU staff, faculty, students, and OSUAA members save an additional $25 on every two-week camp session and $12 on every one-week session.
Teen video game survey: The Youth Adjustment Lab is seeking high school–aged adolescents to participate in a 30-minute online survey about video game use and related experiences. Participation is completely voluntary and all responses will be kept confidential. Parental permission is required for individuals under 18 years old. As a thank-you for their time, participants who complete the survey will receive a $50 gift card. Must be a current high school student who has played a video game in the past month. Time commitment: approximately 30 minutes. Meet with an experimenter and parent via Zoom to provide parental permission and youth assent, then complete an online survey. Compensation: $50 gift card. To learn more or to sign up, please sign up on our website or contact the lead experimenter, Cassandra Grinstead, [email protected].
Timely Teaching Tips: See The Group Project Paradox by Ecampus senior instructional designer Deborah Mundorff for course design strategies that support successful group projects. Key practices include starting with community rather than content, being intentional about group formation, building in structured peer evaluation (for example, CATME) and designing for real-world parallels that students may face in the workplace.
Oregon Stater Pop-Up Merch Store: The Oregon Stater Pop-Up Merch Store is open now through May 8 online, offering a limited-time collection of exclusive gear for Beaver students, alumni and fans. Inspired by some of the magazine’s most iconic covers and illustrations, the shop features apparel, posters, puzzles and more — each piece designed to celebrate OSU pride in a unique way. All items are made to order once the store closes, with orders expected to ship approximately two to three weeks after May 8.
Trelstad receives sustainability award: Congratulations to Brandon Trelstad, our OSU Sustainability Officer, for being named an AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education) Fellow for 2026. This is awarded to only 10 mid-career professionals making notable contributions to sustainability in higher education. The award recognized programs, projects, products, presentations and publications from the individuals along with service and mentorship across their campus.