Today in the News Media

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.


Why are there so many kinds of phytoplankton? (Hakai Magazine)

But a new study by Oregon State University ecologist Michael Behrenfeld and his colleagues seeks to solve the dilemma by taking a different perspective: the plankton’s.

OSU-Cascades 'spinout' firm is semifinalist in $4 million federal lithium extraction contest (KTVZ)

A company started by an Oregon State University–Cascades researcher is a semifinalist in a $4 million federal competition to develop green, economically viable methods for extracting from geothermal brine a chemical element important for electric vehicles. (see also Portland Business Journal)

Salem-Keizer prepares new substitute teachers for the classroom (OPB News)

Alex Martin was only a few months into his Masters in Education program at Oregon State University when a couple of his friends, also in their student teaching, told him that he could make some extra money subbing for the district “For me, coming into Oregon State actually, I didn’t have any education background or experience,” Martin said. “I always think about, everybody starts with no experience, at some point, and that’s kind of me, at least two, three months ago.”

Study looks for smoke signals in wine (Good Fruit Grower)

Right now, the wine industry faces too much “gray area” around the impacts of smoke, according to Elizabeth Tomasino, a wine science professor at Oregon State University. Of the 2020 vintage, she said, “I’m sure some people picked grapes they shouldn’t have, and some people didn’t pick grapes they should have. I’m sure some people dumped product they didn’t need to.”

Oregon Ducks vs. Oregon State Beavers football rival history: The 124 meetings, game by game (Oregonian)

The Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers have met on the football field 124 times. The Ducks hold a 66-48-10 edge all-time in the heated rivalry and have won 11 of the past 13 matchups. But last season in Corvallis, it was the Beavers who came away with a 41-38 victory.

Today's photo


Dahlias: Jeanne Brandt with the OSU Extension Service submitted this photo of the last dahlias of the season from her mom’s garden. Submit your photos to [email protected].

Today

NEW! Timely Teaching Tips: Looking for a novel way to engage your students using media? The New Faculty Media Center Lightboard can help you create immersive and engaging instructional videos. Schedule a consultation or visit the Faculty Media Center in Kidder Hall 100 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) to learn more about the new Lightboard. 

NEW! Beaver Dads: Just in time for the holidays, join Beaver Dads, a bi-monthly drop in session for self-identified dads, facilitated by Tarron Anderson today from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom. This event is part of the Parent Connections series, sponsored by the Family Resource Center. For more information, contact [email protected]

Let’s beat the Ducks! Rivalry Week 2021: The OSU and UO alumni associations are facing off in a friendly challenge to enroll the most members — and we need all hands on deck to ensure a win for Beaver Nation. From Nov. 22-30, join the OSUAA, upgrade or gift membership with a limited-time 25% discount. Plus, if we win, we’ll make a donation to the HSRC. Lead OSU to victory: ForOregonState.org/Rivalry.

Events

NEW! Incidental Fee Deliberations; Final Votes. The Student Fee Committee (SFC) is currently deliberating over the budget proposals received from the eight fee-funded units. Drop by MU 49 Horizon Room to learn more and provide your valuable feedback about what programs and services you want funded next year during the final two meetings Nov. 30, 6-9 p.m. (Zoom) and Dec. 3, 3-6 p.m. (Zoom). Submit questions & feedback through this form.

NEW! Launch Academy Final Round Competition: Join us Dec. 3, from 3-5 p.m. virtually (register online) or in-person (Austin Hall 100) to watch OSU’s top teams pitch for prizes. Finalist teams include: Baysal Productions, led by Alihan Baysal; Knewt Auto Vision, led by Cassidy Hughes; Day by DAE, led by Dari Edwards; WxH, led by Austin Lally; Howling Hounds Coffee Roasters, led by Reid Burford; and HazAdapt, led by Virginia Katz. 

Fall Guitar Concert: Cameron O’Connor leads the OSU Guitar Ensemble in concert performing the music of Joe Hisaishi (selections from “Kikujiro” Tchaikovsky), as well as Leo Brouwer’s aleatoric masterwork, “Cuban Landscape with Rain.” Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m., in Community Hall Room 303. Free. Must show a valid OSU ID card, or proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test from within three days and a photo ID.

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

NEW! CTL Tuesday Teaching + Tech Talks: "Providing Student Feedback: A Fishbowl Conversation," Benita Blessing, Liz Delf, Kenton Hokanson, Nathan Kirk, Caity Smyth, Weiwei Zhang. Join us in a fishbowl conversation on providing feedback to students in teaching. Nov, 30, 10-11:50 a.m., Zoom: https://beav.es/UJj. For more information: https://ctl.oregonstate.edu/tuesday-teaching-tech-talks.

NEW! Giving Effective Feedback in Personal or Work Situations: This session addresses strategies on how to deliver effective feedback at work or at home. The training will offer multiple examples and provide participants with ample practice to learn how to give feedback that helps individuals improve performance. Nov 30, 10-11 a.m. Register here.

NEW! Water Resource Science Ph.D. Defense: Catie Finkenbiner will present, “Advancing the Understanding and Representation of Ecohydrological Processes using Tracer-enabled Modeling Approaches” on Nov. 30, noon. Finkenbiner is advised under the guidance of major professor Stephen Good of Biological & Ecological Engineering. Join via Zoom.

NEW! Environmental Arts and Humanities Prospective Student Information Session: Are you thinking about graduate school in an environmental field and want to build on your strengths in the humanities or arts? Register for the online info session to learn more about the M.A. in Environmental Arts and Humanities at OSU. Nov. 30 at noon. Register: https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/environmental-arts-and-humanities-initiative/academics.

Claudio A. Guevara Diaz M.S. Defense: Guevara Diaz will present his thesis, “Modelling Early-Seral Vegetation Dynamics Using Climate and Soil Moisture,” on Nov. 29, 3 p.m., via Zoom. Guevara Diaz is pursuing his M.S. degree in Sustainable Forest Management with Carlos Gonzalez-Benecke in the Department of Forest Engineering, Resources and Management. Contact the FERM Department via [email protected] for additional details. Zoom login: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/94575132132?pwd=Z25EbHJiUjZETGRJVjQ5RHlPRyt4UT09.

What’s in Your Water? Do you know what’s in your drinking water — or how to test it? College of Public Health and Human Sciences faculty Molly Kile and Veronica Irvin and OSU Extension’s Chrissy Lucas will explore how to fight disease and reduce health disparities by identifying tainted water sources through at-home testing. Join this virtual discussion on Nov. 30 at 5:30 p.m.: bit.ly/PHIwater.

Navigating Workplace Conflict Workshop in Corvallis: Developed by University Ombudsperson and conflict management expert Sue Theiss, this workshop focuses on essential elements of managing interpersonal, small group and organizational conflict. Participants will have a good understanding of how to navigate conflict and the tools to help you create real change through inclusive processes. Dec. 16. Register at https://workspace.oregonstate.edu/certificate/navigating-conflict

Take Note

NEW! OSU Press Holiday Sale: From now through the end of the year, get 30% off and free shipping on all OSU Press books when you purchase directly through the OSU Press website. Visit http://osupress.oregonstate.edu to explore new releases and old favorites. Enter the promo code 21HOLIDAY at checkout to receive the discount. Expires Dec. 31. Books are not available for local pickup.

NEW! Call for Applications: Career Champions Program. Applications for the winter 2022 Career Champions program for teaching faculty and instructors are now being accepted. The Career Champions program provides faculty and instructors with tangible ways to incorporate career connection into the classroom, while advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. More information can be found on the Center for Teaching and Learning website. Direct questions to Brenna Gomez or Brandi Fuhrman. Complete the application form by Dec. 1.  

NEW! Beavers Fight Hunger: Inspired by donors who have participated in Beavers Fight Hunger over the last two years, the OSU community is joining together once again to make a difference for OSU students facing food insecurity. Gifts to Beavers Fight Hunger will fund OSU's Human Services Resource Center (HSRC) as well as the OSU-Cascades Food Pantry. Please join us by promoting this initiative in your college or unit communications. Contact Tyrell Warren-Burnett with questions. www.beaversfighthunger.or.

OSU Today on break: OSU Today will not publish Nov. 25-26 but will return Monday, Nov. 29.

DPD & CTL Book Club: Join the Difference, Power, and Discrimination Program and the Center for Teaching and Learning for the 2022 Book Club. Participants will receive a free copy of "Transformative Approaches to Social Justice Education: Equity and Access in the College Classroom" and attend four online discussions spread across Winter and Spring 2022. More information and registration here.

Eugene Commuters: Spaces available in Eugene to Corvallis Vanpool. Two established vanpools from Eugene area are currently recruiting additional riders. Save money on gas and parking while reclaiming your driving time for relaxation or socializing. For more information please contact Transportation Services at [email protected]

Masks and Sanitization Supplies for Departments: If your campus department needs masks, face shields, hand sanitizer, service cleaner, paper towels, wipes or gloves, these supplies are available for purchase at the OSUsed Store at 644 SW 13th St. Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Pay with your department index and have them in-hand immediately without waiting for shipping. For questions, please see Surplus Property’s website or call 541-737-7347.

Bonus fitness sessions: OSU Faculty Staff Fitness is ready to get you moving with a bonus session Dec. 6-17 with Flex Passes, winter registration opening Dec. 1 (click here for schedule), and more Online FSF options. Contact [email protected] to help you find your fitness plan today.

Gift Drive for OSU Kid’s Gift Closet: The Family Resource Center Kid’s Gift Closet helps provide gifts for children of OSU students during holidays and celebrations. To minimize points of contact, donations this year will take place via an Amazon registry that ships directly to FRC OR you can shop at the Toy Factory in downtown Corvallis and leave the gift in our donation box. For more information contact [email protected].

COVID-19 testing: Oregon State University, in collaboration with Willamette Valley Toxicology (WVT), is providing on-site COVID-19 testing. OSU employees and students, regardless of vaccination status, are welcome to test at one of these locations: Corvallis: The LaSells Stewart Center: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Student Experience Center: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.to -3 p.m. Testing will cease during the Thanksgiving weekend. On Dec. 9-10, only the SEC location will be open. During Winter Break, only the SEC location will be open, and its hours will be limited to Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. WVT will provide testing over the break for travel purposes. Student Health Services will not be providing testing for travel purposes. (For staff wanting to get a test voluntarily, please make sure to register for a lab dash account prior to arrival: https://labdash.net/.) Bend: Ray Hall 302,  Week of Nov. 22: Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Weeks of Nov. 29-Dec. 20: Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3  to 6 p.m.; Week of Dec. 27: No testing; Week of Jan. 3: Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.

Traffic and Maintenance

Reser Stadium lot: For work related to the Completing Reser Stadium project, the west area of the Reser Stadium lot (lot #3281) will be closed from Nov. 22 through Dec. 10. Exterior saw-cutting work is scheduled for an electrical reroute. An extended closure for the west area of the Reser Stadium lot is also scheduled starting Nov. 22 through June 15, 2023. The area will be used for a contractor job site and temporary storage space (view map).

Leaf pickup: Starting Nov. 22, more than 20 parking lots and the OSU parking garage will be closed for sweeping and leaf pickup. Parking lots will reopen as the work is completed, and all lots are expected to be reopened by the end of the business day on Nov. 24. For a complete listing of closed lots, visit the Parking Closures webpage.

Furman Hall: As part of the Community Hall Slope Project, excavation and storm pipe installation work is scheduled along the south side of Furman Hall starting Thursday, Nov. 18 through Nov. 24. A sidewalk closure will be in place. Pedestrians will be able to access Furman Hall via the east entrance (view map).

Weather

“Even the commonest sticks and stones have a spiritual essence which must be revered as a manifestation of the all-pervading mysterious power that fills the universe.” ~ Francis La Flesche

Corvallis: Mostly cloudy, high of 48, low of 37. Chance of rain Thursday, rain Friday.

Central Oregon: Mostly sunny, high of 46, low of 33. Partly sunny Thursday, chance of rain Friday.

Newport: Mostly cloudy, high of 52, low of 43. Chance of rain Thursday, rain Friday.

Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/