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Your daily news source about all things Oregon State.
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OSU in the News
Mindblowing: The staggering ‘cognitive debt’ of generative AI in education (Jefferson Public Radio)
A groundbreaking study from Oregon State University reveals a troubling "cognitive debt cycle" emerging among students who routinely use generative AI for coursework. The study is titled, “Thinking Less, Trusting More: GenAI’s Impacts on Students’ Cognitive Habits.”
America the Undammed (New York Times)Hydropower dams have been a source of inexpensive energy, but the cost of repairs and relicensing can outstrip the benefits, said Desiree Tullos, a professor in biological and ecological engineering at Oregon State University. And fewer than 3 percent of the country’s dams generate power. |
Data center politics could sway some Oregon elections (Oregonian)
Data centers may not be top of mind for every voter, said Christopher Stout, public policy professor at Oregon State University. But he said they matter a lot for voters concerned about the environment or power bills, and those are people likely to be attuned to primary elections.
When winter doesn’t show up: Lessons from the 25/26 snow season (Protect our Winters)
A piece by OSU’s David Hill.
Researchers say some communities may face higher wildfire risk due to social vulnerability (KOIN)
Through a joint effort between the Nature Conservancy and Oregon State University, scientists came up with a way to determine a whether a community has the ability to withstand and recover from a disaster based on its socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. The work was published in Environmental Research Letters last month.
Eugene Emergency Physicians reach deal with PeaceHealth (KEZI)
Jonathan Garcia, an associate professor in the public health program at Oregon State University, said the conflict damaged community trust. The full closure of the University District Hospital led to a loss of healthcare access and longer wait times.
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.
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Photo of the Day
Can you find the owl? Becky Gunn, academic records & compliance representative with the Office of the Registrar, says, “I saw a large bird fly nearby as I was walking around the Corvallis campus on my lunch break, which I thought might be a hawk. It turned out to be an owl! It looks to possibly be a barred owl. I was only able to take photos of it with my camera phone, so not the best quality.” We are accepting photo submissions at [email protected]. To view past submissions, visit us on Instagram at @osutoday1.
Take Note
NEW! Timely Teaching Tips: Students often reduce their sleep to study longer or have more time to do the things they have in their schedule. But sleep is essential to learning and memory! Invite students to learn more about sleep and learning and to prioritize sleep. Academic Success Center Strategists can support students in planning to meet deadlines while taking care of themselves.
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NEW! College of Engineering now accepting nominations for 2026 Oregon Stater Awards: The awards honor outstanding alumni for their contributions to the engineering profession and to OSU. There are three award categories determined by length of career and accomplishments: the Engineering Hall of Fame, the Academy of Distinguished Engineers and the Council of Outstanding Early Career Engineers. To learn more about each award category and explore past awardees visit the 2026 Oregon Stater Awards website. Submit nominations here. NEW! Your event, your way: The Alumni Center at Oregon State offers flexible spaces for conferences, trainings, board meetings and more — plus AV packages with screens, projectors, podiums and microphones. Enjoy modern amenities in a welcoming building with accessible entry points; an elevator; and ADA, family and all-gender restrooms. Learn about the space and reserve now. |
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].
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.
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.
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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.