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.

 

Crucial Antarctic ice shelf could fail within five years, scientists say (Washington Post)

These weak spots are like cracks in a windshield, said Oregon State University glaciologist Erin Pettit. One more blow and they could spiderweb across the entire ice shelf surface. “This eastern ice shelf is likely to shatter into hundreds of ice bergs,” she said. “Suddenly the whole thing would collapse.” (see also BBC NewsGizmodo AustraliaFortune)
 

Peruvian farmers threatened by water stress (EOS)

“There is a real danger that Traditional Knowledge, such as crop rotation and drought adaptation, will be lost and the city will be less resilient,” said Abigail Tomasek, a geoengineer at Oregon State University in Corvallis. 
 

Climate change has destabilized the Earth's poles, putting the rest of the planet in peril (Washington Post)

“It was hugely surprising to see things changing that fast,” said Erin Pettit. The Oregon State University glaciologist had chosen this spot for her Antarctic field research precisely because of its stability. While other parts of the infamous Thwaites Glacier crumbled, this wedge of floating ice acted as a brace, slowing the melt. It was supposed to be boring, durable, safe. (see also OPB News)
 

Beyond Belief: Boxing (BBC Radio 4)

Amy Koehlinger, associate professor in the School of History, Philosophy and Religion, was featured on the BBC program “Beyond Belief” as part of a roundtable about boxing and Christianity.   
 

Scientists urge creating strategic forest reserves to mitigate climate change, protect biodiversity (Science Mag)

The United States should immediately move to create a collection of strategic forest reserves in the Western U.S. to fight climate change and safeguard biodiversity, according to a scientific collaboration led by an Oregon State University ecologist. (see also Daily KosSustainability TimesOPB News)
 

Wastewater testing shows potentially high presence of COVID-19 in Lincoln County (KLCC)

Oregon State University and the Oregon Health Authority monitor wastewater in dozens of cities for the presence of the coronavirus. Lincoln County was notified last week that testing showed the possible presence of multiple outbreaks in the community.
 

Financial support from Visit Bend launches Sustainable Tourism Lab at OSU-Cascades (KTVZ)

Oregon State University–Cascades announced Wednesday it will establish a research laboratory to provide data and services to help tourism entities around the country and in Bend balance visitor needs and community impact, thanks to a $125,000 commitment from Visit Bend, made through the OSU Foundation.


Meet the fishing jaguars that have made this patch of the Pantanal their own (Mongabay)

This new study was prompted by lead author Charlotte Eriksson, a doctoral student at the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences at Oregon State University. Her proposal to CENAP was to verify the hypothesis that the jaguars of Taiamã were feeding mainly on aquatic and semi-aquatic animals, and to see how this behavior contributes to the species’ high density in the area.
 

Jimmy Kimmel plays clarinet with Oregon State band at inaugural Jimmy Kimmel L.A. Bowl (People Magazine)

The Emmy Award winner, 54, hit the field with his clarinet and the Oregon State University marching band Saturday at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, joining the ensemble for the pregame show. Kimmel positioned himself in the middle of the 'OSU' formation and did his best to keep up with the band's routine, kicking off a sporting event that had plenty of laughs in store.
 

Research studies cause for mule deer decline (Observer)

According to OSU associate professor Taal Levi, who served as an adviser to a 2016-2020 study led by Joel Ruprecht, an Oregon State University wildlife science doctoral student, the study included collaring a sampling of carnivores, monitoring deer and elk kill sites via game cameras and analyzing scat to determine what predators living within the 40-square-mile experimental forest and range were eating.
 

Green hydrogen production could benefit from Oregon State research (Jefferson Public Radio)

Researchers at Oregon State University say they have developed a breakthrough that could make hydrogen energy more affordable.
 

Grow This! OSU Extension statewide seed giveaway set to return for third year (KTVZ)

The Grow This! Oregon Garden Challenge, Oregon State University Extension’s statewide seed giveaway, returns for a third year in 2022, featuring pollination-themed kits for educators and an enhanced partnership with the Oregon Potato Commission.
 

West side of Oregon State's Reser Stadium to be imploded on Jan. 7 (KGW)

The west side of Oregon State University's Reser Stadium will be imploded on Jan. 7 as part of a $153 million project to upgrade the facility. (see also OPB NewsKMTR)
 

New book exposes inner worlds of first-year OSU-Cascades students during pandemic (KTVZ)

Journal entries recorded by a class of first-year students at Oregon State University-Cascades have been turned into a new book documenting the students’ experiences and their introduction to college during the COVID-19 pandemic. (see also Inside Higher Ed)
 

Harvard's optional testing policy extension fires higher education 'gunshot' (Bharat Express News)

Jon Boeckenstedt, vice-provost for enrollments at Oregon State University, which has adopted a permanent voluntary testing policy in 2020, said Thursday that Harvard’s announcement “fires a shot through the arc of everything the world at the bottom of the food chain – which is everyone.
 

Portland-based NuScale expects to raise $413 million by going public through SPAC deal (Oregonian)

Word of NuScale’s plan to go public emerged last week, after Fluor’s financial advisor described the outlines of the deal. Founded in 2007, with technology developed at Oregon State University, NuScale says its modular design is safer to operate and less expensive to build than conventional nuclear reactors.
 

Highly inbred, French bulldogs face higher odds for 20 health issues (Health Day)

The problem is that such heavy breeding has caused the genetic problems inherent in the breed to become even more pronounced, said Helio de Morias, hospital director of Oregon State University's Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital, in Corvallis.
 

Oregon filmmaker looks back on a globe-trotting, often hair-raising, National Geographic career (Oregonian)

Some days, James R. Larison worked sedately as an ecologist on the campus of Oregon State University. Other days were more memorable. Like the day he and a fellow filmmaker hitched a ride on a cargo plane that, minutes after taking off from a coastal Alaskan village, plunged into the Bering Sea. Or the day he was underwater by himself at a coral reef in Australia when a tiger shark decided he looked tasty.

 

Can a CBD byproduct be turned into feed for cows, chickens and sheep? (The Food Beverage News)

“Nobody knows what to do with that material…. So if you just utilize this as an animal feed, it’s going to really be a cheap source of another feed for the animals,’ said Serkan Ates, who teaches in the Animal and Rangeland Sciences Department at Oregon State University.
 

How do you decide if your fruit trees need fertilizer? Ask an expert (Oregonian)

Gardening season has wrapped up for most people, but there are always questions. For answers, turn to Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool from Oregon State University’s Extension Service.
 

Top news stories of 2021 (LIFE@OSU)

A summary of some of our most popular news releases.
 

Today's photo


Beaver Holiday: Michele Webster, office manager and local liaison for OSU Extension Service Linn County, says, “Happy Holidays from OSU Extension Service Linn County.  We enjoy decorating our lobby trees in Beaver style and encourage our customers to take a Beaver decal or a luggage tag.” Don't forget to follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/osutoday1/

Timely Teaching Tips: Setting up Winter ‘22 Canvas sites and finalizing your syllabi? Use the OSU Canvas Template to ensure clear, navigable course structure that embodies effective modular course design. See OSU syllabus requirements and syllabus templates for various types of courses. Research demonstrates that syllabus language matters to students. CTL provides guidance for writing a warm-tone syllabus.

Charitable Fund Drive donation — It’s not too late: Make your pledge now through Dec. 31: https://www.ipledgeonline.org/_cfduniversities/. Note: Last year’s donations do not automatically roll over to this year; however, it is easy to replicate last year’s donations once you log in to donate. These organizations need your help now more than ever. Your pledge is appreciated.

Tuesday

NEW! SEIU tentative agreement meeting: A Zoom meeting about the SEIU tentative agreement will take place Tuesday, Dec. 12, noon to 1 p.m.. https://seiu503-org.zoom.us/j/99141279706?pwd=alk2cC92SklsTDd2MktsemZKWHg3Zz09. Find your local number: https://seiu503-org.zoom.us/u/am0viFZxH. For more information text/call organizer Siobhan Burke 630-699-0281.

Anita Azarenko retirement: After 35 years of service to OSU — as a horticulture faculty member and in various senior leadership roles — Anita Azarenko is retiring. Most recently she served as interim Vice Provost for Extension and Engagement/Director of OSU Extension. You are invited to attend a reception Tuesday, Dec. 21, noon-1 p.m., MU Lounge, and sign a digital card.

OSUsed Store Public Sale: The OSUsed Store carries furniture, computers, household items, office supplies and more, at 644 SW 13th St. The last public sale of the year — open to all shoppers — is Tuesday, Dec. 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; details here. Staff may shop for their department Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; details here.

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

NEW! Crossroads Conversation School for Women invites international women to join them for winter term English conversation classes beginning on Jan. 4. In volunteer-taught classes, students explore other cultures, practice English, and develop friendships. Classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and will be held on Zoom, with some in-person classes possible as conditions allow. For more details and registration information go to https://www.facebook.com/CrossroadsConversationSchool or contact Kara Hanson at [email protected].

NEW! GRAMMY U Informational Presentation: All current OSU students are invited to an informational presentation over Zoom about GRAMMY U on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 4-5 p.m. GRAMMY U is a unique program designed to prepare college students for careers in the music industry through networking, educational programs and performance opportunities. Presenters will share information on the program, GRAMMY U member benefits, the application process and more. Click here to RSVP.

NEW! College of Engineering Virtual Lecture: David Hill, professor, Civil and Construction Engineering, will speak on “Crowd-Sourcing Snow: The Value of Community Science for Oregon’s Water Resources,” Jan. 12, noon to 1 p.m. Free and open to the public. For details and registration: https://beav.es/Ujc.

Lookout: Envisioning Futures with Wildfire. Spring Creek Project is hosting an 11-week lecture series exploring this era of megafires. Featuring speakers including historian Steve Pyne, author Jewell Parker Rhodes, Executive Director of the Cultural Fire Management Council Margo Robbins, journalist Jaime Lowe, wildlife biologist Maya Khosla, photographer Stuart Palley and more. Tuesdays at 6 p.m. starting Jan. 4. Learn more and register for talks.

Your Social Impact: How to be a Change Agent Within Your Networks. Get expert advice from people who’ve been on the same journey as you and are making a difference in this free virtual "Winning in Life" event, Jan. 20 at noon. The series is designed to help students and alumni build personal and professional skills for success in life, career and beyond. Register for free at ForOregonState.org/Winning.

Crucial Conversations: This is a 10-hour course that fosters dialogue around high-stakes, emotional or risky topics at all levels of your organization. Learn how to speak and be heard, surface the best ideas and make and execute the highest-quality decisions. Online sessions on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m., Jan. 20 through Feb. 17. There is a $100 fee to attend. Learn more and register here.

Teaching with Media: Discover ways to create and use media in your teaching as you blend synchronous and asynchronous learning in Corvallis and Cascades campus courses. The Faculty Media Center and CTL invite faculty and GTAs to a one-hour Zoom workshop. Register for Wed., Jan. 26 at 2 p.m., or register for Thurs., Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. Info: Faculty Media Center.

Inside the Mind of High Performing Leaders: You can learn how to lead with confidence and design your own success. Get expert advice from personal leadership professional and TEDx speaker Jeff Otis, ’90, at the next free virtual "Winning in Life" event, Jan. 27 at noon. Register for free at ForOregonState.org/Winning.

Take Note

NEW! OSU Today: OSU Today is now on winter break and will return to daily production Jan. 3. 

NEW! Call to Artists: Celebrate Oregon's Diversity Exhibition. The Giustina Gallery at The LaSells Stewart Center is accepting submissions from Pacific Northwest regional artists for an exhibition that takes the opportunity to celebrate Oregon's diversity. Artwork that will be considered for this exhibition will represent the breadth of diversity that Oregon has to offer through its culture or through its multitude of landscapes including mountains, shores, valleys, waterways, farms, towns and cities. Submission deadline is Jan. 5, 11:59 p.m. Exhibit runs Jan. 18-March 18.

NEW! Mid-Month Emergency Preparedness Topic: Preparedness Planning. Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Consider specific needs in your household, know how you will contact one another and practice your plan. https://www.ready.gov/plan This month’s poster can be downloaded at: https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-topics/preparedness-planning.

NEW! Celebrating Fall 2021 Teaching (and Preparing for '22): As 2021 draws to a close we at the Center for Teaching and Learning thank you for all the work you did for our students. Before we venture into the break, we invite you to help us prepare to better serve your pedagogical needs for Winter 2022. Please take this brief, 3-minute survey to rate how the Center for Teaching and Learning Fall 2021 pedagogical materials served your needs, and to identify potential new needs for Winter 2022.

NEW! Secure Your Family: Smart Home Items, Devices, Digital Information and Balancing Child Privacy. During this holiday season especially and with all of the ongoing remote computing vulnerabilities, we want to give you more tools to protect yourself, your family, and our community. We’ve just added four 10-minute videos to our tool bag to help you with securing your (smart) home, securing your devices, backing up your digital information and balancing your children’s privacy online. You can access them here: https://oregonstate.bridgeapp.com/learner/programs/51dfdfe5/enroll. For other training resources, please check out our new website at https://uit.oregonstate.edu/infosec under Awareness & Training, then Online Training, etc. 

NEW! Grant Funding Available Request for Proposals: The OSU Women’s Giving Circle is accepting proposals for grant funding to be awarded in May 2022. Projects that enhance the undergraduate experience, directly impact as many OSU students as possible and improve student retention are eligible. The applications are due by Monday, Jan. 10, 9 a.m. To apply visit fororegonstate.org/wgc_grant. Questions: Contact [email protected].

NEW! Scholarships: The OSU Folk Club Thrift Shop Scholarship Committee will be accepting applications starting Jan. 10 from women 30 and older who will be attending OSU either full time (12 credits) or part time (6 credits) in 2022-2023, pursuing an undergraduate degree. Awards are $3,000 for full- time and $1,500 for part-time students. Applicants must also meet OSU residency requirements for in-state tuition. Applications will be online at osufolk.oregonstate.edu/scholarships. The submission deadline is March 1.

SJEI workshops are open for winter and spring term registration – secure your spot now: The Social Justice Education Initiative is open to all faculty, staff and graduate students. SJEI workshops are infused with empathy, humor and expertise while embracing a guiding principle of “more curiosity, less judgement” to achieve robust learning objectives. Learn more, see the workshop schedule and register on the SJEI website registration page or contact SJEI director Jane Waite: [email protected].

Population and Ecosystem Dynamics and Marine Resource Economics Scholarships: These scholarships offer up to three years of funding to Ph.D. students whose research focuses on population and ecosystem dynamics or marine resource economics. Application packages must be submitted to the Sea Grant office in the state where you are enrolled by Jan. 27, 2022. In Oregon, please contact Stephanie Ichien or Sarah Kolesar at Oregon Sea Grant.

NOAA’s Coastal Management and Digital Coasts Fellowships: This fellowship offers postgraduate students on-the-job education and training in coastal resource management and policy. There will be 12 fellowship positions that start in August 2022. For eligibility, project descriptions and application information, go to coast.noaa.gov/fellowship and the Oregon Sea Grant’s Coastal Management & Digital Coast Fellowship page. Application packages must be submitted to the Sea Grant office in the state where you receive your degree by Jan. 21, 2022.

2023-24 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship: This is a one-year paid experience for highly qualified early career professionals to work on coastal, marine and Great Lakes science and policy issues in offices within the executive or legislative branch of government in Washington, D.C. Details are on the Knauss Fellowship page. Application packages must be submitted to the Sea Grant office in the state where you received your degree by Feb. 18, 2022. 

AWSEM Club: Registration for STEM Academy's virtual AWSEM (Advocates for Women in Science, Engineering, and Math) Club for 8th-10th graders is open. Club meets on Wednesdays 5-6 p.m. Jan. 26-March 2. Cost is $75. Needs-based scholarships available. For more information: https://stemacademy.oregonstate.edu/awsem-club, 541-737-8139 or email [email protected].

The 34th Annual Provost’s Literary Prize for undergraduate students at OSU is open for submissions. Keith Scribner in the School of Writing, Literature and Film and the screening committee are seeking help from faculty to identify candidates for the prize. The literary work can be fiction, poetry, drama or creative nonfiction written for a general audience. The winner will be awarded $500 and on-campus publication. Submission details here. Deadline: Feb. 15. The Provost will announce the winner in May 2022.

Submit your events for the 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration week: Departments, units, offices, organizations and individuals are invited to submit events for the 40th annual Celebration. These events are intended to collaboratively learn about, reflect on and carry on the legacy of Dr. King, and are an important part of the annual celebration. Learn more on the events website. Events can be submitted by Friday, Jan. 7. For questions, contact [email protected] or 541-737-1063. 

Apply for FY22 PCOSW scholarship and project funding: The President’s Commission on the Status of Women invites applications for funding to faculty, students and staff who are pursuing professional development, research or other opportunities that support PCOSW’s mission. Apply by Friday, Feb. 4. Visit https://leadership.oregonstate.edu/pcosw/funding-opportunities for detailed guidelines, qualification requirements and application link. Questions? 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: During Winter Break, only the SEC location will be open, and its hours will be limited to Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-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 LabDash account prior to arrival: https://labdash.net/.) Bend: Ray Hall 302, Weeks of Nov. 29-Dec. 20: Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.; Week of Dec. 27: No testing; Week of Jan. 3: Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.

Traffic and Maintenance

NEW! Power outages: For work related to the Fairbanks Hall Renovation Project, planned power outages are scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 21. The planned outages will impact Langton, Moreland and Waldo halls. Pacific Power and Fortis Construction will coordinate and work to install a new vault, transformer and feeds during the planned power outages.

NEW! Parking lot closures: Starting Dec. 27, 15 parking lots 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 Dec. 28. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and appreciate your understanding while parking lots are cleared of leaves and debris. For a complete listing of closed lots, visit the Parking Closures webpage.

Community Hall: For work related to the Community Hall Slope Project, a series of planned power outages are scheduled. The planned power outages will impact multiple buildings located along or near SW Jefferson Way in the Community Hall Slope Project work area. Planned outages are scheduled from Dec. 27-29. For questions or comments on this work, contact Construction Manager Ryan Wilson at 503-779-3488.

Fairbanks: As part of the Fairbanks Hall Renovation Project, utility work will be happening. The sidewalk between the Women’s Building and Fairbanks Hall is scheduled to be closed from Nov. 29 through Dec. 27 (view map). An area of the sidewalk/fire lane between Austin Hall and the Asian & Pacific Cultural Center will also be closed.

Jobs

This email only lists new or recently updated job postings. For a full list of current job postings for OSU Today, go to: http://today.oregonstate.edu/email/jobs To apply for the below positions, visit jobs.oregonstate.edu unless otherwise specified.

NEW! Extension 4-H Program Coordinator: OSU Extension Service invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, Extension 4-H Youth Development Outreach Program Coordinator position that will be located in Deschutes County, Oregon. Posting #P05075UF. Closes Jan. 7.

NEW! Extension Program Manager, Food Security & Safety: OSU Extension Service Family and Community Health program invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, Food Security & Safety Program Manager. This position provides statewide leadership, and will be based in either Marion or Polk County, Oregon. Posting #P05076UF. Closes Jan. 18.  

NEW! The OSU Foundation is hiring a full-time Director of Gift Administration. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Finance, the Director of Gift Administration oversees and implements polices, guidelines and business processes for the Gift Administration unit. The position is responsible for leading a collaborative effort with Development, Donor Stewardship and Finance to make sure charitable contributions are received and processed efficiently and accurately. The successful candidate will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the first day of employment. Link to full job description and application: https://www.fororegonstate.org/about/jobs/career-opportunities?p=job%2FoA6Ihfwp.

Weather

“The color of springtime is in the flowers; the color of winter is in the imagination.” – Terri Guillemets

Corvallis: Rain all week, highs in the upper 40s, lows in the upper 30s. The snow level may be dropping to 500 feet by the weekend.

Central Oregon: Rain and snow likely this week, highs in the mid 40s, lows in the 30s.

Newport: Rain all week, highs in the 50s, lows in the mid 40s.

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