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Your daily news source about all things Oregon State.
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On OPB this week
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Campus News
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Photo of the Day
The colors of the wind: A rainbow tree outside Sackett Hall on a sunny October afternoon. Photo by Molly Rosbach. We are accepting photo submissions at [email protected]. To view past submissions, visit us on Instagram at @osutoday1.
Take Note
NEW! Food drive: The student Veterans Association at OSU is organizing a food drive to benefit students, and community members affected by SNAP cuts, and VA chapter 35 students affected by later education payments from the federal government. The association is accepting donations directly in Snell Hall 150 as well as the Kelly Engineering Center main office, Weniger Hall; Dixon Recreation Center, Johnson Hall, the MU main office, LPSC Room 242, Gilbert Hall Room 124 and Strand Agriculture Hall.
NEW! Timely Teaching Tips: Students listen to and care about resources that instructors recommend. You can normalize resource use and encourage students to have positive experiences accessing OSU resources. Consider using Canvas announcements, discussion board posts, or 1:1 conversation to share resources like Academic Coaching or the Writing Center, which can provide timely support in the final month of the term.
NEW! Oceangoing Research Vessel Program Grant Applications Due Nov. 14: The OSU Oceangoing Research Vessel Program invites applications for projects aboard the R/V Pacific Storm and/or the R/V Elakha to research and study the waters of the Pacific Coast. Applications may be submitted by students and faculty at Oregon public four-year universities. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Nov. 14.
NEW! OSU Alumni Association Membership Challenge: Powered by pride and fueled by friendship — Oregon State and Washington State are facing off in a friendly membership competition, and Beaver Nation needs you on the team. The OSU Alumni Association Membership Challenge runs through Nov. 30. Join, renew or upgrade your membership with code BEAVS25 to save 25% off and help unlock $1,000 donations for student scholarships, the Basic Needs Center and alumni programs. Join here.
NEW! Interested in Shared Governance? Opt In to run for Faculty Senate: The Faculty Senate is now accepting candidates for its upcoming election - and for the first time, faculty must opt in to be listed on the ballot. If you’re eligible and interested in representing your colleagues in academic policy and shared governance, complete the short opt-in form by Nov. 21. Elections will be held in early December, and terms begin in January. Questions? Contact [email protected] or review FAQs on the Faculty Senate website.
NEW! Support for Equity, Access, and Opportunity at OSU- apply today: The President’s Commission on the Status of Women (PCOSW) is dedicated to advocating for a campus community where all women and gender-diverse individuals can thrive. Through our Scholarships & Awards committee, we provide funding for professional development, research, and projects that advance gender equity at Oregon State University. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to apply. If you have a conference, certification, creative project, or initiative that supports gender-equity goals at OSU, we’d love to support you. Next application deadline is Jan. 26.
NEW! Host your next event with the Alumni Center: The Alumni Center at Oregon State is a gateway for the university community and the public to access OSU’s rich spirit and beautiful location. Located across the street from Reser Stadium, our varied indoor and outdoor spaces can host your events from 1–1,000+ attendees, including in-person functions and online and hybrid events. Reserve your space today.
Monthly Emergency Preparedness Topic: Flooding: Do you know what to do first during a flood? Many flash floods come with no warning, and it is important to understand what to do before, during, and after a flood. English and Spanish versions of this bulletin can be found here.
Carbon Reduction Grant Applications Due Nov. 15: The Faculty Senate Carbon Commitment Committee and the OSU Sustainability Office invite applications for a new Carbon Reduction Grant Program! Awards may range in size from $1,000-$25,000 for practical, measurable projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Oregon State University operations and activities. This program is open to students, faculty and staff. Applications are due Nov. 15. Thanks to funding from Facilities Planning and Management, up to $50,000 total is available in FY26.
PRISM submissions: PRISM, the nationally acclaimed arts and literature magazine of Oregon State University, is now open for submissions for the 2026 publication. Students across campus are invited to share their creative work. PRISM accepts all forms of art, including painting, drawing, photography, music, dance, ceramics, fashion, nail art, makeup art and more. This year's theme is "Visions," Submissions are open now here and the deadline to submit is 11:59 p.m. Dec. 5. Submissions instructions are available on the PRISM website. Questions can be emailed to [email protected] or [email protected].
OSU CoF IP International Education Week Scavenger Hunt Challenge: Do you have what it takes to complete the challenge in 3 days? Find all 6 caches around campus and get entered to win an international prize from the College of Forestry International Programs office. The hunt is live Nov. 17-19, and the 3 winners will be announced at the International Coffee Chat in Peavy Forest Science Center (Nov. 20, 10-11 a.m.). Here's your first clue: Go to where a tree came to Earth from the moon.
User Experience Review: The Administrative Modernization Program is looking for OSU employees to participate in User Experience Review. UER will provide a hands-on opportunity to trial administrative tasks in the new Workday system, review training materials, and share feedback to help the AMP Team best prepare the community for changes that will launch in summer 2026. Fill out the UER nomination form by Friday, Nov 14, to nominate yourself or your colleagues to be UER participants. You can also learn more about AMP and get the latest project updates on the AMP SharePoint site.
Mental Health Initiative: Make a difference at OSU: Students, do you want to make a difference in destigmatizing mental health on our OSU campus? Join the Mental Health Initiative, a team of student program coordinators who meet weekly to plan and organize campus-wide programs that promote mental wellness — including the Out of the Darkness Campus Walk and Mental Health Refresh. Learn more here.
Student Residency and Fellowship Opportunities: Applications are now being accepted for the Spring Creek Project Graduate Student Residency, which offers a week-long writing retreat at Shotpouch Cabin over spring or summer break, and the 2026-27 PRAx Student Fellowship, a year-long program offering mentorship and $1,000 in funding. Learn more about both student programs, and find links to apply, via the PRAx Opportunities page.
Residency, Fellowship & Funding Opportunities for OSU Faculty: Applications are now being accepted for a new suite of faculty opportunities available from PRAx. Programs include the PRAx Collaborative Faculty Fellowship, the Center for the Humanities Faculty Research Fellowship, the Arts & Humanities Opportunity Fund, a faculty track of the Long-Term Ecological Reflections residency program at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, and many more. Learn more and find links to apply on the PRAx Opportunities page.
Timely Teaching Tips: Want to help your students approach the second half of the term with intention? Make time in class for reflection and planning. Prompt students to name study strategies that have worked so far and identify new strategies that can support them in the upcoming weeks. Encourage them to consider evidence-based techniques for studying and maintaining balance in stressful times.
Participate in the Household Food Management Assessment: Researchers from Oregon State University and Purdue University are seeking adults aged 18-75 residing in the Corvallis, Oregon area to participate in a research study on household food management (IRB-2025-1069). Participants will complete a brief in-person session and track household food waste, and may earn up to $100 in Amazon gift cards. Learn more and sign up. Open to students, faculty, and staff. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Health & Safety: The University Health & Safety Committee wants to promote health and safety by providing a link to an article from SAIF titled Give Germs the Red Card. You can also access OSU’s University Health & Safety Committee online, including past meeting minutes, information on how to contact a committee member, and a link to report safety concerns online.
OSU Loyal: Warm thanks to employees who are OSU Loyal: part of the wonderful community of OSU colleagues who make gifts supporting the areas they love at the university. On Monday, Oct. 20, an event honored these donors who are making an unbelievable impact on OSU through their philanthropy. Instructor and Advisor in the College of Science's Biochemistry & Biophysics Department Kari van Zee was also celebrated as the 2025 Philanthropic Partner Award recipient.
Apply for funding: The OSU Women's Giving Circle has announced the opening of grant applications for OSU programs and student groups to fund innovative projects with funding needs up to $10,000. Learn more about the grant application process and eligibility criteria on,our website drop in on our virtual office hour from 11:30 to noon Nov. 13 or contact Celina Anderson at the OSU Foundation for details. Apply for a WGC grant by Jan. 9.
Calendar
Around Campus
OSU in the News
College program for migrant students loses federal funding (OPB News)
A federal program that helps young people from migrant families attend college abruptly halted this year after the Trump administration eliminated funding for migrant education. The College Access Migrant Program gave five-year grants to schools including Washington State University, Oregon State University and Boise State University.
Oregon’s fledgling olive industry celebrates ‘Olio Nuovo Festival’ throughout November (OPB News)
In 2017, the Oregon State University extension service did the same thing. It’s now testing some 116 different varieties at its research center in Aurora. Horticulturalist Heather Stoven says Oregon’s olive oil sector is beginning to establish itself, but there’s still a lot of uncertainty.
These quick fall garden tasks will make your spring planting season dramatically easier (Oregonian)
The days are short, the rain often unrelenting, and the holidays fast approaching — but a little time in the garden or garage now can make a big difference come spring. Provided by the OSU Extension Service.
Satellite images reveal shocking heat dome damage - millions of trees in Oregon scorched in hours (KTVZ)
Damage to foliage leads to a range of problems for trees including reduced photosynthesis and increased vulnerability to pests and disease, scientists at Oregon State University say. (see also KGW, Axios, KATU)
Biodegradable plastics: Help or hype? (The Revelator)
These chemicals are intentionally or unintentionally added across the plastics life cycle, from extraction of raw materials to end of life, says Susanne Brander, associate professor in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences at Oregon State University’s Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station.
Oregon inflation-adjusted farmland values drop while Idaho sees healthy growth (Capital Press)
Dan Bigelow, an Oregon State University agricultural economist, analyzed data from the USDA’s June Area Survey, which uses producer responses to extrapolate farmland market value.
College admissions: How the game is shifting (Jefferson Public Radio)
“There’s two kinds of admissions offices in the world: those who deny students they would like to admit and those who admit students they would prefer to deny,” said Jon Boeckenstedt, former enrollment vice provost at Oregon State University and principal of the college admissions consultancy EnrollmentVP.com.
Why Oregon has the third highest rate of SNAP recipients in the U.S. (Lewiston Tribune)
Mark Edwards, director of Oregon State University’s Policy Analysis Laboratory and one of preeminent experts on food insecurity in the state, said there’s a relatively straightforward explanation.“The Department of Human Services — and all of the nonprofits that they work with around the state to enroll people — they’ve actually done a great job making sure that as many people as we can get to who are eligible get signed up,” Edwards said. “That cannot be said for many other states who seem like their departments of human services seek to make it as hard as possible for people to sign up.”
How America’s fisheries rebounded from collapse and over-regulation (USA Today)
“There were perverse economic incentives,” Jane Lubchenco, a former chief of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told USA TODAY. “If they didn’t catch that last fish, someone else would.”
Ranchers deploy high tech fix after fire destroys fencelines (Capital Press)
Oregon State University researcher Dustin Johnson said virtual fencing is being incorporated into the Farm Bill, which could provide federal assistance. “I think we’re at a time where we could see a lot of adoption of this technology,” Johnson added.
OSU-Cascades launches new program to connect students with real-world experience (Central Oregon Daily)
"Lectures and textbooks are great, but it doesn't get real until you kind of have these real-world experiences, talking to professionals, where you get to, you know, practice all these skills and teachings that you've had in school," said OSU-Cascades senior Logan Holt.
Oregon’s hazelnut harvest could break records (OPB)
Eastern Filbert Blight wasn’t officially discovered in Oregon until 1986, but Nik Wiman, an Extension hazelnut specialist and associate professor of horticulture at Oregon State University. explained that OSU researchers recognized early on that the best way to manage the disease would be to breed varieties with resistance to it.
Stone tools are reshaping the story of the First Americans (Earth)
“This study puts the First Americans back into the global story of the Paleolithic – not as outliers – but as participants in a shared technological legacy,” said Loren Davis, professor of anthropology at Oregon State University.
Budget percentages (WalletHub)
Featuring Kayleen Salchenberg, program manager and instructor with the Center for Advancing Financial Education at OSU.
Teaching science? Start with a history lesson (Aramco World)
In search of a new semiconductor in 2009, Mas Subramanian hardly expected his graduate student to pull from the lab’s furnace the most brilliant blue pigment ever created. The mistake—a remarkable discovery—proved to be the first inorganic blue pigment in 200 years. As the materials scientist and professor at Oregon State University likes to tell his students, "Science is a journey.” You set out hoping to find one thing, but serendipity has other plans.
OSU-led study calls for urgent action to prevent ‘climate-driven chaos’ (KOIN)
Researchers at Oregon State University are sounding the alarm in a new report on climate change.
A 200-year experiment: If a tree falls in a forest, does it really die? (LookOut Eugene-Springfield)
For 40 years, scientist Mark Harmon has been studying how dead trees in Oregon’s forests beget life. But as he hands off his work to a new generation, federal funding for long-term scientific research has grown uncertain.
Home repair experts reveal the surprising dangers of having moss on your roof (House Beautiful)
If you notice there’s something green growing on your roof, it could be moss — that spongy, cushion-y plant you’ve seen on rocks and trees. “Moss is a low-growing plant that thrives in wet conditions,” says Jay Pscheidt, PhD, professor and state extension plant pathology specialist at Oregon State University. “It uses sunlight and carbon dioxide to create the carbon-based units it needs to grow.”
Sea stars rebound in mysterious ‘baby boom’ after deadly disease (Earth)
Scientists from Oregon State University and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo have found that these sea stars are returning fast and strong. Their comeback shows how quickly life can rebound after disaster. (see also Oregonian)
Six million year old Antarctic ice reveals deep history of Earth’s climate(Space)
The work, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, includes researchers from the National Science Foundation-funded Center for Oldest Ice Exploration (COLDEX), led by Oregon State University. Sarah Shackleton of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and John Higgins of Princeton University led the research and are among several US collaborators. (see also IFL Science, KATU)
Climate change is spiraling out of control (Daily Mail)
The sixth annual report, published today in the journal BioScience, is authored by an international coalition led by Oregon State University scientists. (see also LA Times, Grist, Eos)
In Oregon, food pantries prepare for delay in SNAP benefits (OPB Think Out Loud)
Mark Edwards is a professor of sociology and director of the Oregon State University Policy Analysis Lab. He joins us for more details about how recent federal actions affect Oregonians who rely on SNAP benefits.
Fungus — now in Oregon — puts bat populations near Bend at risk (Bend Bulletin)
Oregon’s bat populations could soon face a serious threat after the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome was detected in guano collected at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park on the state’s north coast. That’s according to Beth Ward, one of the state’s foremost experts on bats and the coordinator for the Northwest Bat Hub at Oregon State University—Cascades.
How to pick the right walking shoes (Washington Post)
“You don’t need to break the bank to get a good pair of shoes to walk your local 5K,” said JJ Hannigan, an assistant professor of physical therapy at Oregon State University who has studied the biomechanics of walking. (for a PDF of this article, email [email protected])
Lighting money on fire: The immense cost of climate change (KLCC)
Now let's check in with a local expert on how climate change is shattering the bottom line, Erica Fleishman, director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute and a professor at Oregon State University.
Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt statues returning to downtown Portland, with new stories to tell (Oregonian)
David Lewis, an Oregon State University anthropology professor and member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, who’s doing research for Portland’s Office of Arts & Culture for the statues’ new signage, sees this as a rationalization on Lincoln’s part. “There could have been other ways to do it than to murder 38 people,” he told The Oregonian/OregonLive. “He could have imprisoned them for a while. There were other things he could have done. I think his way was just expedient.”
Washington judge blocks Trump admin from cutting student mental health grant (KOIN)
On March 30, 2023, the Department awarded Oregon State University a grant for ‘Promoting and Advancing Training of High Desert School Counselors (PATHSC),” the lawsuit states. “In its application, Oregon State University explained that it would partner with the High Desert Education Service District (HDESD) and four Central Oregon school districts. It further explained that Central Oregon had experienced a significant decline in community-based and residential services for mental health and was identified as a medically under-served area and classified as mental health professional shortage area by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Traffic and Maintenance
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SW 35th St. Closed from Western Blvd. to Washington Way Oct. 20-24. Local access for OSU and residents allowed. Emergency vehicles will be permitted in this area. Drivers should expect to encounter lane shifts and intermittent lane closures. Bicyclists will be directed to ride with traffic as needed. Pedestrians may use sidewalks but should expect changes and detours – observe signage. |
Gilkey: As part of renovation work at Gilkey Hall, pressure washing, brick work and other construction activities will be occurring on the exterior of the building. Occupants in nearby buildings and the surrounding area may notice intermittent construction noise starting on Friday, Oct. 10 and continuing through Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Traffic Control Changes at 17th St./A Ave. Intersection: This is a safety reminder for all students and employees traveling in the vicinity of Cascade Hall, Halsell Hall, Pride Center and the International Learning and Living Center. The intersection at SW 17th St. and SW A Ave. is now a two-way stop. Please be aware that the Washington Way cycle track now extends down 17th St. to A Ave. and that two-way bike traffic will be entering and exiting the track at this intersection. Please be sure to follow signage and stay alert for pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles when traveling through this busy area.