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. Content appearing includes timely news and feature stories from broadcast, print and online sources. Occasionally, opinion pieces and first-person columns appearing in mainstream media outlets that are written by faculty members and pertain to their academic or professional expertise may be included based on their unique, informative value, timeliness and space constraints. It is not the policy of OSU Today to include Letters to the Editor.  
 

Fractured forests are endangering wildlife, scientists find (New York Times)

“It hit us over the head pretty hard,” said Matthew Betts, an ecologist at Oregon State University and a co-author of the new study. (see also Cosmos)
 

OSU poised to name next president (Gazette-Times)

Following a nationwide search, the OSU Board of Trustees will meet next week to vote on an employment contract for a potential successor to Ed Ray, who intends to step down on June 30 after leading the university since 2003.
 

Sci-Fi (OPB Think Out Loud)

Oregon State University recently hosted a conference to explore what speculative fiction call tell us about the world we live in today. Philosophy professor Jose-Antonio Orosco organized the conference, and gave a talk about Star Trek. Mohammed Shakibnia is a graduate student who writes about Star Wars.
 

Western Innovator: Researcher seeks sustainability (Capital Press)

For Chad Higgins, the "aha" moment came purely by chance. Higgins, an associate professor of biological and ecological engineering at Oregon State University, was walking casually past a 6-acre sheep pasture near campus in 2015 when he observed something peculiar.

'Sneaky' underwater robot spent 18 days recording sea creatures - and noisy humans too (Seattle TImes)

“Sound is to marine animals what light is to people on land,” said Joe Haxel, an assistant professor at Oregon State University in marine resources studies. It is the medium through which these creatures hear, locate themselves and communicate.
 

Land-Sea Symposium in Yachats presents evidence of climate change (Newport News-Times)

Oregon State University Distinguished Professor Bruce Menge was the keynote speaker at the seventh annual Cape Perpetua Land-Sea Symposium held Nov. 21 at the Yachats Commons.

 

Today's photo

Holiday Marketplace: The annual sale takes place today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the MU Ballroom and features vendors selling everything from ornaments and jewelry to soaps and cheese.

Today

The Charitable Fund Drive-supported agency, Vina Moses, has been providing clothing and household items to low income families of Benton County since 1918. Another CFD-supported agency, the Old Mill Center, has been a local provider of preschool, mental health, early intervention and parent support for children birth to 18 and their families for 40 years. Help these and other worthy agencies through your tax-deductible donation: https://www.ipledgeonline.org/_cfduniversities/.

Department of Integrative Biology Ph.D. Defense Seminar: Vanessa Constant will present “Coastal dunes as meta-ecosystems: Connecting marine subsidies to dune ecosystem functions on the U.S. Pacific Northwest coast” on Friday, Dec. 6, at 9 a.m. in ALS 4001. Constant is completing her Ph.D. in integrative biology under the guidance of Sally Hacker. Free and open to the public.

NEW! Holiday Marketplace: The 39th Annual Holiday Marketplace, an arts fair with more than 100 Oregon artisans, takes place Dec. 6-7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom. The event features fine art, handmade crafts and specialty foods,There will be live music throughout the two days.

Cheese sales: Time to restock your fridge and your bellies with Beaver Classic Cheese. Come try five cheddars, two Swiss, two provolones and cheese curds. Today at the OSU Holiday Marketplace in the MU Ballroom, 10 am.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Toys for Tots: The NROTC Beaver Battalion will have donation boxes in the MU Quad on Dec. 6, 9, 11 and 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The battalion is collecting new unwrapped toys until Dec. 13 and will distribute them ton Christmas morning. There are also three boxes in the NROTC armory, just south of Goss Stadium.

Music a la Carte: OSU University Chorale under the direction of Sandra Babb. Friday, Dec. 6, at noon. Memorial Union Lounge, free.

Meat Center: The Clark Meat Science Center retail store will be open Friday from noon to 5:30 p.m. Products include fresh and cooked/smoked sausages, bacon, retail cuts, jerky, snack sticks, and Beaver Classic cheese. The store is at 3260 SW Campus Way, next to the Motor Pool. Contact [email protected] for questions regarding the store.

OSUsed Store Public Sales: The OSUsed Store is open for its weekly public sales Friday noon to 3 p.m. at 644 SW 13th. Personal purchases must be made during public sales. Staff may shop for their department 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. More information on our website.

Climate strike and march: Join the OSU Sunrise Club for a climate strike on Dec. 6. Meet at the MU steps at noon, march through campus to Kerr Administration building, and call on OSU administration to take action on its carbon-neutral plan without raising student tuition. Open to all. More details on Facebook event

Nitrates and exercise performance talk: The College of Public Health and Human Sciences presents “Nitrate improves exercise performance in zebrafish: A metabolomics perspective,” by CPHHS associate professor Norm Hord, Friday, Dec. 6, from 1 to 2 p.m. in HFC 115/Bray Leadership Conference Room. Co-sponsored by the CPHHS Nutrition Program.

Budget Committee: The University Budget Committee will meet this Friday, Dec. 6 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Kerr 102.  The UBC is OSU’s advisory body to the provost for recommendations on tuition rates, budget priorities and budget policies.  This Friday the committee will discuss planning relevant to developing tuition recommendations for 2020-21. Members of the university community are welcome to join meetings of the UBC as observers. Future meeting times and locations can be found at https://fa.oregonstate.edu/budget/university-budget-committee/ubc-meeting-schedule.

CMLC Holiday Bazaar: International decor and textiles, vintage items, jewelry, and items from around the world.  Dec. 6, 4-7 p.m., and Dec. 7, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., Corvallis Multicultural Literacy Center, 2638 N.W. Jackson Ave. Join us for special live flamenco guitar performance Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. 

Corvallis-OSU Symphony: The Corvallis-OSU Symphony will perform its annual holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, in The LaSells Stewart Center. Tickets are $22 to $32 in advance or $25 to $35 at the door. Tickets are available online at https://cosusymphony.org/. Up to three K-8 students accompanied by a ticketed adult, and all high school and college students with ID, may be given free general admission tickets at the door starting one hour prior to the concert, subject to availability.

Saturday

Eat Oregon Now Holiday Marketplace: Celebrate the season at Eat Oregon Now. Our holiday marketplace showcases unique Oregon-made food and drink products for gifts and holiday entertaining. Saturday, Dec. 7, noon to 6 p.m, Redd on Salmon Street, 831 SE Salmon St., Portland. This event is sponsored in part by Oregon State University.

Sunday

OSU Marching Band: Live from Gill – all of your favorite shows from the 2019 season. 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at Gill Coliseum. OSU students and faculty/staff with ID admitted free. $10 general admission for the public. Advance tickets at beavertickets.com/band

Events

Chapin Carpenter and Colvin concert: Longtime friends and musical collaborators Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin will take the stage as an acoustic duo at 7:30 p.m. Dec.10 at the LaSells Stewart Center. Carpenter and Colvin will swap songs and share stories in the show, billed “Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin: Together on Stage!” Tickets are $35 and $40 in advance, $40 and $50 at the door. OSU student tickets are $10 each (one per student) with ID card in advance or at the door while seats last. All seats are reserved. To purchase tickets in person, go to Fairbanks Hall room 309A or 309B, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. If not sold out, tickets will also be available at The LaSells Stewart Center box office prior to the concert. To purchase online, visit https://liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/SACpresents or call 541-737-5592.

Orange Media Network - Open House: Looking to get more involved on campus? Orange Media Network is currently looking to fill student positions in journalism, marketing, graphic design, engineering, TV production and more. Come to our Winter Open House to learn more about OMN, the opportunities available, and next steps for joining our team. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 5-7 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Student Experience Center.

MLK Celebration: Free tickets for the 38th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. peace breakfast are now available to OSU faculty, staff and students. The breakfast begins at 9 a.m. in the CH2M HILL Alumni Center ballroom on Monday, Jan. 20, and seating is limited. After the breakfast, Raquel Willis, a black queer transgender activist, writer and the executive editor of Out Magazine, will be the keynote speaker for the celebration lecture at 11 a.m. at the LaSells Stewart Center. The keynote session is free and open to the public, and tickets are not required. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration week runs Jan. 18 through 24. To register for the breakfast and for a full list of events, visit https://diversity.oregonstate.edu/mlk. For more info, [email protected] or 541-737-4717.

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

NEW! MS defense: Jaclyn Best will present her thesis entitled: “(In)visible women: representation and conceptualization of gender in water governance and management" on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m., Burt 193. Best is advised by professor Aaron Wolf. This event is free and open to the public.

NEW! Mud snail capstone presentation: Jake Ponce is presenting his MNR capstone “Using Environmental DNA to Detect the Invasive New Zealand Mud Snail (Potamopyrgusantipodarum) in Freshwaters” on Dec 10, 10 a.m., in Richardson 243. He is completing his degree under the guidance of Ivan Arismendi. Contact the MNR coordinator at [email protected] for accommodations due to disabilities or for access to the Zoom link.

NEW! Tuesday Teaching + Tech Talks: Portfolios to Celebrate Success & Survival: Join Lexi Schlosser to apply reflective practices as a catalyst to advance teaching and learning while celebrating our success and survival. +Tech Talk: Learn about CORE and the student data you can access. This workshop will be facilitated twice in Milam 215, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. and  2 p.m. No need to register – just come on by. Learn more here. Contact us here.

NEW! Forest ecosystems and society defense: Elizabeth Weisgerber-Swanson will present her dissertation, titled: Facilitation in a changing climate: Do shrubs mitigate impacts on key population processes of plant neighbors in severe weather years?” on Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. in 115 Richardson.  Weisgerber-Swanson is earning her Ph.D. in forest ecosystems and society with Barb Lachenbruch and Roger Sheley. Contact the FES department at 541-737-2244 with questions or for accommodations for disabilities.

NEW! The North American Truffling Society General meeting:The speaker will be Joey Spatafora, who will introduce the North American Mycoflora Project (NAMP). Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m., Cordley Hall 2087. The NAMP is an organization dedicated to a continental-wide collaboration between citizen scientists and professional mycologists to document the biodiversity of North American fungi. This is accomplished by empowering mushroom enthusiasts with the tools they need to do scientifically rigorous research essentially in their own backyard.

Caitlyn Clark, Ph.D. Defense: Caitlyn Clark will present her thesis, titled: “Risk- and Reliability-Based Design Optimization of Offshore Renewable Energy Systems,” Dec. 9, 9 a.m., Rogers 226. Clark is earning her Doctor of Philosophy in mechanical engineering with Bryony DuPont. Contact 541-737-2244 with questions or for accommodations for disabilities.

Event Planner Symposium: Do you plan events or meetings and want to learn the latest rules and processes surrounding OSU events? Get insider tips and tricks from University Events and other campus service providers that will save you time and money. Tuesday, Dec. 10, 9:30 to noon at the LaSells Stewart Center. Register today. Can’t attend? Join our mailing list to be notified about future event planner training opportunities. For questions, contact University Events at 541-737-4717 or [email protected]

Remote Data Collection/ Field work Training: The Adventure Leadership Institute is offering an 80-hour certification course, Wilderness First Responder, which prepares individuals to manage injuries, improvise, and provide long-term patient care in remote settings such as field courses or research sites. The course runs from Dec. 14 through Dec. 22, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact Emily Abrams for details.

Volunteer opportunity for Winter 2020 – New International Students Orientation Week: Engage with new international students and help welcome the new Beavers from around the world during Winter 2020 Orientation Week. For more information and to sign up go here. Volunteer Training Day (required once a year for all volunteers): Dec. 20, 9 a.m. to noon at ILLC 350/352. Different volunteer shifts are available. Sign up for a time that fits your schedule. For more information or questions, contact Ivy Snyder at  [email protected] or go to our website.

New2OSU: New2OSU is focused on impacting student success by accelerating the effectiveness of newer teachers. We also provide teaching renewal for veteran teachers. Completion of the program may be used as evidence of professional development and teaching effectiveness for performance review (subject to supervisor approval). The CTL can accept 20 applicants on a first-come, first-serve basis. Our winter cohort launches on Monday, Jan. 6. Find details, hear from New2OSU graduates, and register here.  

Puerto Rico program: Puerto Rico will be our classroom for this course which includes a one-credit spring preparation class and a three-credit, 16-day trip, June 22 through July 8, 2020. We will visit with local farmers, activists and educators working to recover from Hurricane Maria and build resilient food systems for the future. Join Christina WalshIngrid Arocho and Jen Myers for this faculty-led program. See our program brochure and attend an info session Jan. 15 or Feb. 12 in Strand 148 at 5 p.m.

The Social Justice Education Initiative: The Social Justice Education Initiative is open for registration through summer 2020. From Faculty Affairs, the SJEI is a foundational professional development program for all faculty, staff and graduate students. Join your colleagues to begin or expand your equity and inclusion journey. Interested in this work for your unit? Contact SJEI Director Jane Waite for further information: [email protected]

Take Note

NEW! Difference, Power, and Discrimination Academy Applications: Faculty applications are being accepted for the DPD Academy scheduled to be held from June 15 to June 26, 2020. The DPD Academy facilitates focused and productive engagement with contemporary, multidisciplinary scholarship on difference, power and discrimination; critical pedagogies; and curriculum transformation. Individual and team applications are welcome. For more information and to apply, visit the DPD Academy web page. Deadline: Feb. 7, 2020.

NEW! Applications for PCOSW scholarships and event co-sponsorships for spring term projects are now being accepted: The President’s Commission on the Status of Women provides funding to faculty, students, and staff who are pursuing professional development, research, outreach, or creative projects related to women’s issues. Scholarships average $300 and are paid by reimbursement. Applications are due Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, with notification in Week 7. Visit http://leadership.oregonstate.edu/pcosw/awards-scholarships for detailed guidelines, qualification requirements, and application links. Questions? Contact Joy Jorgensen at [email protected]

EOP’s 50th year supporting students: 50 Donors in 50 Days: The OSU Educational Opportunities Program has launched a 50 Donors in 50 Days Challenge to honor the 50 years that EOP has been supporting students at Oregon State University. EOP wants to provide more students with opportunities that help them develop  their potential and make the most of their education. Any support received will provide funds for scholarships and experiential learning opportunities. For more information on EOP, go to https://eop.oregonstate.edu/ Make your gift today at https://beavsgive.org/?cfpage=project&project_id=30269

Calling all Salem commuters: Vanpool informational meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 10, noon-1 p.m., Cascade Hall room 116.  Come meet other folks who commute from Salem to Corvallis, get some helpful information about vanpool options, and enjoy a lunch. RSVP with your name, starting address/work destination, and commute schedule/flexibility.  Email [email protected] if you would like to attend or if you would like more information. 

Learning Innovation Grant Individual Proposal Deadline Approaching: Are you considering submitting a proposal for a Learning Innovation Grant? Proposals for Individual Grants are due by EOB Friday, Dec. 6. Now’s the time to finalize your plans and submit your ideas to enhance your students’ learning and experience. For application materials, visit https://uit.oregonstate.edu/tech-funding .

Food podcast: OSU’s Sarah Masoni is cohosting a new podcast on Friday mornings that is sponsored by the College of Agricultural Sciences. People can listen live at 9 a.m. at www.startupradionetwork.com. The show is called Masoni and Marshall - The Meaningful Marketplace. The hosts talk with food entrepreneurs about their experiences. The podcast is available on SoundCloud and iTunes. 
 
Seeking Volunteers for Dog Behavior Research: The Human-Animal Interaction Lab is seeking participants for a study looking at attachment relationships between pairs of dogs living in the same household. This study involves two separate 15-minute visits to our lab in Withycombe Hall on campus. All dogs must be in good health, but can be any age, breed, etc. If you own multiple dogs, and are interested in participating, contact Nicole Sipple at [email protected].

Volunteers needed: Twenty volunteers are needed for the Jan. 20 Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Peace March from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Volunteers will be standing or walking outdoors for up to two hours. Volunteer training is required from 11:30 a.m. to noon. The peace march begins at 12:30 p.m. from the LaSells Stewart Center plaza. To volunteer and for more info, contact Mealoha McFadden at 541-737-6522 or [email protected].

France program: Join professors James Sterns and Dominique Bachelet for a four-credit, faculty-led program in France from June 16 through July 3, 2020. Let the cities of Lyon and Paris be your classrooms for 18 days. Explore France’s response to climate change and experience French food culture. Students will meet food producers as well as climate scientists, explore farms, vineyards, food processors and distributors, retailers, and restaurants and cafes while also discovering a number of museums and historic sites. For more information, pick up the program brochure, attend the faculty-led program-focused expo on Jan. 22, and/or contact the organizers.

Updates to University Policies & Standards: Please visit the University Policy & Standards page to learn about recent policy updates: http://policy.oregonstate.edu/whats-new. This page is updated frequently with new developments, so we encourage you to check back regularly. Also, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter here.

Register now for the 2020 State of the University Address: Join President Edward J. Ray as he approaches the close of his 17-year tenure to celebrate the continuing momentum, leadership and impact of Oregon State University across the state and around the world. Tuesday, Feb. 11, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Oregon Convention Center. Individual seating and table sponsorships are available. Visit osualum.com/sou for more info.

Sea Grant fellowships: Oregon Sea Grant has announced several paid fellowship opportunities in marine science and policy for undergraduates, graduates and recent graduates. Fellowship details and information on how to apply are on the Oregon Sea Grant website. An informational webinar on the fellowships and application process will be held Friday, Jan.10, 2020, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Register here to attend the webinar.

Beavers Fight Hunger: This holiday season, join your colleagues in the fight to end student hunger at OSU. Every day, 2 in 5 college students skip meals to make ends meet. Visit the campaign website to make a gift (every donation is matched) and learn more about this important issue. Every dollar raised will directly fund the OSU Human Services Resource Center, such as the food pantry and other programs that help reduce food insecurity among our students. 

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. Thanks to our generous sponsors, last year’s gift closet was a huge success and we had many grateful families. A remodel of our Kid’s Gift Closet space is under way and we want to have plenty of toys/gifts once it is complete, just in time for the winter holidays. We need your help to stock our closet. Consider donating as an individual, an office and/or a department. To donate gifts or learn more about this program, contact [email protected] or 541-737-4906.

Weather

“It's an unavoidable truth. Fear of life closes off more opportunities for us than fear of death ever does." ~ Actor Agnes Moorehead, who was born today in 1900.

Corvallis: Rain and patchy fog through the weekend, high of 46, low of 41.

Central Oregon: Slight chance of rain today, high of 46, low of 35. Rain this weekend.

Newport: Rain all weekend, high of 52, low of 43.

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