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.
 

 

Jimmy Kimmel is high off Covid's cannabis breakthrough (New York Times) 

In a new (OSU) study, researchers found that cannabis compounds can prevent Covid-19 from penetrating human cells. Jimmy Kimmel shared the news on Wednesday night, joking that cannabis compounds are “also what Willie Nelson calls his house.”
 

Can cannabis prevent COVID? Maybe — but not by smoking it, experts say. What to know (Miami Herald)

Two cannabis sativa plant compounds — CBGA and CBDA — were found to prevent coronavirus and its “emerging variants” from infecting human kidney cells in a laboratory, peer-reviewed study by researchers at Oregon State University. (see also Popular ScienceForbesFortune

 

Shining a light on electricity declines during pandemic (Think Out Loud)

Researchers at Oregon State University and Stanford University found declines in electricity consumption during the pandemic across the U.S. and more than 50 nations, with daily electricity use declining by roughly eight percent in April 2020.
 

Self-perceptions of aging, stress have significant impact on physical health, OSU study finds (KTVZ)

But dwelling on negative aspects of aging can have a measurable negative impact on your  and ability to respond to , a recent study from Oregon State University found. (see also Medical Xpress
 

Pandemic parallels: OSU forum discusses how the current COVID-19 pandemic rhymes with 1918 outbreak (KDRV) 

Today, an Oregon State University Professor of history, who has studied the 1918 pandemic extensively joined a forum and shed light on the repeat actions he’s seeing and how today’s modern world isn’t far off from the early 20th century.
 

OSU researchers suggest COVID may be nearing endemic level (KOIN)

Doctor Chunuei Chi is a professor for global health at OSU. He says that other researchers might argue that more time needs to pass before we find out when COVID will hit that baseline — but he thinks that the omicron variant is going to be the wave that gets us there.  
 

Grand opening held for the Griggs Center for Black & Indigenous Student Success (LIFE@OSU)

A grand opening celebration of the Griggs Center for Black & Indigenous Student Success at Oregon State University will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 18, in Memorial Union Room 61.
 

Today's photos


Rising river: Barbara Forrest-Ball, manager, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Access Services, says, “I’m taking a digital photography class this term, and when I was in downtown Corvallis working on my final project yesterday morning, I took this by the river just as the sun was starting to rise.”

Jeanne Brandt with OSU Extension Service for Linn and Benton Counties submitted this Elf on a Shelf. We're accepting photo submissions at [email protected]

Timely Teaching Tips: Wondering how to help students create study groups? The Academic Success Center’s Conducting Study Groups page provides suggestions for setting up and facilitating group study. You can offer support by creating a Canvas discussion board conversation where students can connect with other students in your class who are interested in joining a study group. 

Today

Music à la Carte: OSU Strings. Marlan Carlson directs Oregon State's "String Hotshots" in a winter term performance. Program and performers to be announced. Free. Jan. 14 at noon in the Memorial Union Lounge. Live audience open to OSU students, faculty and staff. Those from off campus are asked to view the livestream

OSUsed Store Public Sales: The OSUsed Store carries furniture, computers, household items, office supplies and more, at 644 SW 13th St. Public sales are open to all shoppers Friday, noon to 3 p.m.; details here. Staff may shop for their department Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; details here.

SWLF Literary Northwest Series Reading with Justin St. Germain: Celebrated essayist, memoirist and author of “A Great Love Affair: Truman Capote's In Cold Blood,” Justin St. Germain will give a free reading in the Valley Library Rotunda followed by a Q&A on Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Learn more at SWLF's LNS Events page.

Monday

UPDATED! Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration: The keynote address with speaker LaTosha Brown has been rescheduled for Feb. 17, as Brown is now traveling to Washington, D.C. to provide support for voting rights legislation. Registrants will soon receive details on the rescheduled address, and community members will have a new opportunity to register for it, which will include in-person and virtual options. The Peace Breakfast and Peace March will continue as scheduled on Jan. 17. Several programmatic shifts will be made to the Peace Breakfast to provide an environment that is as safe as possible given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. These shifts will be communicated directly to registrants. For a full list of celebration events and more information, visit https://diversity.oregonstate.edu/mlk

NEW! Movie and Discussion: "The Ants and the Grasshopper," and a climate change discussion for gardeners with Vivek Shandas. OSU Extension Master Gardener program hosts virtual event to reflect upon environmental justice as a component to achieving social justice. Jan. 17, 6-9 p.m. Register for free tickets https://kinema.com/events/the-ants-and-the-grasshopper-and-a-climate-change-discussion-for-gardeners-with-vivek-shandas-ogcjm5.

Events

NEW! Griggs Center grand opening: A grand opening celebration of the new Griggs Center for Black & Indigenous Student Success at Oregon State University will take place from noon to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 18, in Memorial Union Room 61. The grand opening of the center will introduce students to the services the office provides, as well as highlighting an honor roll of Black and Indigenous students who excelled academically this fall. Crumble cookies, drinks and snacks will be provided.

NEW! American Strings: An Evening with Valerie June. Singer-songwriter Valerie June’s unique sound encompasses folk, blues, gospel, soul, country, Appalachian and bluegrass. The song “Call Me A Fool” from her recent album "The Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers" is currently nominated for a Grammy award for Best American Roots Song. An intimate conversation and live performance via Zoom. Jan. 19, 5-6 p.m. Free, registration is required.

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

NEW! Oregon Sea Grant Director Candidate Public Presentation/Q&A: Philip Loring will present, “Coastal Leadership and the Climate Crisis,” Jan. 18. Talk: 9-9:50 a.m.; Q&A: 10-10:45 a.m. Zoom link: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/96147436278?pwd=ZktRcmU3TWxwMFFHcTR5VlZXRUZ4Zz09.

NEW! CTL Tuesday Teaching + Tech Talks: "Emotionally Intelligent Teaching" with Shauna Tominey. Tominey will discuss strategies for emotionally intelligent teaching that can be applied in many different class contexts toward recognizing the impact of stress on learning and building meaningful connections with students. Jan. 18, 10-11:50 a.m. Zoom link: https://beav.es/UJj. ​For more information: https://ctl.oregonstate.edu/tuesday-teaching-tech-talks.

NEW! College of Engineering Virtual Lecture: Margaret Burnette, distinguished professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, will speak on “Doing Inclusive Design: From GenderMag to InclusiveMag,” Jan. 18, noon to 1 p.m. Free and open to the public. For details and registration: https://beav.es/Utq.

NEW! "Climate Change and Native Knowledge" with Margo Robbins: Join Margo Robbins, co-founder and executive director of the Cultural Fire Management Council and co-lead for the Indigenous People's Burn Network, as she discusses the traditional fire practices of Native people and how these land management practices sustain healthy ecosystems. She'll be speaking as part of Spring Creek Project's lecture series Lookout: Envisioning Futures with Wildfire on Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. Learn more and register here.

NEW! Non-Partisan Campuswide Workshop: How to get involved in Oregon campaigns, hosted by the School of Public Policy. The 2022 election cycle will shape Oregon's future for years to come. Democratic, non-partisan and Republican campaign experts will be on hand to discuss how you can get involved. Jan. 19, 5-6 p.m., in-person in WGND 115 and via Zoom

NEW! Panel Talk: Careers in Psychology. Meet OSU Psychology alumni and learn about their career trajectories since graduating. Gain practical insights into a wide variety of career opportunities that many psychology majors pursue. This virtual event will be held via Zoom, with time after for submitting questions to the panelists. Jan. 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free. Register.

NEW! 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.

NEW! Beyond Benefits: "Emotional Eating: The Connection Between Mood and Food." This workshop will address the relationship between emotions and food consumption and how to retrain your body and mind to recognize the cues of hunger and to eat for physiological and not emotional reasons. Jan. 20, 1 p.m. Register here.

UPDATED! 2022 Starker Lecture Series — Women of Forestry: Inspiring Leadership. Robin Wall Kimmerer lecture, "Women As Change Agents in Forestry," Jan. 26, 7 p.m. Zoom only (info will be sent closer to the date to those who register). Registration required; please register here. Lectures are free and open to the public. For disability accommodations, call 541-737-3161.

BABy@OSU: Join us for a 3-series workshop designed for employees and students who have taken a leave of absence for the arrival of a child. At the workshop attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about sources of support for families at OSU, connect with other parents returning to work and/or school and hear information about transitioning into parenthood and back to work. Registration for sessions 2 and 3 are now open, please visit https://familyresources.oregonstate.edu/FRCevents to register and learn more. Questions? Reach out to [email protected] or 541-737-4906.

Innovation Day: Join the OSU Advantage Office on Jan. 26 for a one-hour virtual event (offered once in the morning and once in the afternoon) that will describe funding and training opportunities that support innovation and entrepreneurship at the federal, state and OSU levels. At this event you will also learn how to apply for a special $5,000 Innovation Award available from OSU Advantage. Register here.

Take Note

NEW! OSU Today: There will be no OSU Today on Monday, Jan. 17, because of the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Publication will resume Jan. 18.

NEW! 25 Year Club inductees: Congratulations to Roy Haggerty, dean of the College of Science, for being inducted into the 25 Year club at OSU. You can read more about their time at OSU and others inducted into the club by clicking on their name.

NEW! Updated fiscal policy: 03-140-507 Employee Recognition has been revised to eliminate funding source restrictions, allowing use of E&G funds. Please contact the Fiscal Policy Coordinator for your Business Center or the Policy Steward listed on this policy with any questions.

NEW! Calling all OSU music makers: The OSU music technology and production program wants your song to be on our upcoming album. All students are eligible to apply and may submit a link to their demo to be considered for inclusion on an upcoming EP produced by students in our program. Deadline: Friday, Feb. 11. Apply here. Questions? Contact Jason Fick.

NEW! START leaders wanted: The Office of Student Orientation is recruiting for START Leaders for summer 2022. We are especially interested in recruiting transfer students, international students, first-generation students, students of color, student parents, graduate students and e-campus students. Encourage students to apply. Information here: https://newstudents.oregonstate.edu/start-leader-2022-recruitment. Students can apply directly here: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/111072 until Jan. 18.

Schoenstein Sustaining Excellence Scholarship: OSU Alumni Association and Community Engagement & Leadership (CEL) are accepting applications from community-engaged OSU undergraduates who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing a more caring, equitable and socially just community. Current OSU undergraduates who have completed at least one year of enrollment at OSU, or another college or university, are eligible. Application deadline: Feb. 15. Award: $2,000 each for five recipients. Apply through OSU Scholar Dollars. More information here, or contact Emily Bowling [email protected].

Food Drive coordinators: Consider being a coordinator for the OSU Food Drive in the month of February. It can be as easy as sending out a few emails, or as creative as coming up with events and fundraising activities. Check out the list of participating units at the bottom of https://communications.oregonstate.edu/events/events-and-projects/osu-food-drive; if you don’t see your group represented, contact [email protected] to sign up. Coordinator orientation is Jan. 19. A recording of the session will also be available.

Save the date: March 7-11 is Open Education Week. Oregon State is on a mission to lower the cost of learning for students. Will you join us? Open Education Week is a virtual celebration that raises awareness of global efforts to make learning more “open” — that is, more affordable and accessible to students everywhere. Learn more today about this week of online events.

Working with Students in Distress: Faculty and staff may be the first to notice a student is struggling and may be in the best position to reach out with care and concern. The Office of the Dean of Students, in collaboration with Counseling and Psychological Services, developed a CARE folder, which is intended to provide you with resources and referral information. Simply click on this link and you will be directed to login to Box to access these resources. 

Mindful @ Oregon State University is an e-newsletter that delivers a weekly care package of mindfulness tips, resources and events to your inbox. Curated by CAPS staff, the newsletter features a weekly guided meditation, learn-more section, mindfulness challenge, OSU mindfulness event calendar and crowd-sourced knowledge and recommendations. Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/mindfulOSU.

Kognito: Recognizing and Supporting Students in Distress Training for Staff, Faculty and Student Assistants. OSU students today face increasing pressures that can lead to emotional distress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and even thoughts of suicide. Faculty, staff and student assistants may be in the best position to notice when a student needs additional support. Visit beav.es/Zzp to access the faculty/staff online training to recognize and support OSU students in distress. Student assistants should visit: beav.es/ZD3. For questions: [email protected].

Fiscal Policy updates: In accordance with the fiscal policy program, the Fiscal Policy Committee is soliciting your feedback on updates to the fiscal policy Miscellaneous Expenses. For more information and instructions on how to provide your valued feedback, please visit Policy Under Review on the Fiscal Policy Program website.

Breaking Barriers Award Nominations Deadline: The Breaking Barriers award eligibility has expanded to all OSU community members whose work advances women and gender equity in alignment with the award categories. Categories include Education, Research, Athletics, the PCOSW Community Builder and the Harriet Redmond Award. Learn more and submit nominations at beav.es/w4c. Deadline is Feb. 4. Contact [email protected] with questions.

Work Life Newsletter: Click here to see the first 2022 Work Life Newsletter and to see Work Life and Wellness events and workshops for the month of January. For questions please contact [email protected].

OSU Presidential Search Process: Please share your thoughts by Jan. 20. The Board of Trustees invites members of the university community to provide their thoughts about the qualities and characteristics desired in a new president and key challenges a new president may face. The Board invites the community to provide feedback through a series of listening sessions and an online survey. More information here: https://leadership.oregonstate.edu/presidential-search.

ADA task force: OSU has convened an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) task force to review the policies, programs and systems in place to support a culture of inclusiveness and compliance with the ADA, and make recommendations regarding ongoing effectiveness and  needed improvements. The task force welcomes information from students and employees regarding their experiences with and ideas about physical/building and wayfinding accessibility, information technology (IT) accessibility, and accommodations. Click here for more about online and in-person feedback opportunities.

Funding Available for Students to Attend Washington & Oregon Higher Education Sustainability Conference: Community Engagement & Leadership and the Sustainability Office is offering OSU students an opportunity to attend the 2022 Washington & Oregon Higher Education Sustainability Conference (WOHESC) taking place March 2-4. Funding is available for up to 8 students to participate virtually and up to 4 students to attend in person at South Seattle College. First come, first served for students who complete this registration form by Feb. 11.

Looking for Unsung Heroes: We are looking for submissions from the Oregon State community to highlight OSU employees and students who are not typically in the spotlight but who are going above and beyond in their work or personal lives. Inspired by our COVID-19 Unsung Hero profiles, we want to celebrate those who serve others, whether it be helping colleagues, volunteering in their community or simply living in ways that inspire us. Send your suggestions to [email protected] and our staff may contact them for interviews we’d feature in OSU Today and elsewhere.

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: Student Experience Center and Cascade Hall 120: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.. (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. Week of Jan. 3: Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.

Traffic and Maintenance

NEW! Agricultural & Life Sciences Building air fluctuations: In ALS on Jan. 18, starting at 7 a.m., Facilities Services will be on-site to replace some failed electrical components in one of the air handler units. Building air will function adequately; however, there may be some noticeable air fluctuations. This repair is expected to last throughout the day. For questions or comments on this closure, contact Facilities Services at 541-737-2969.

Reser parking lot Zone 2 closure: For work related to the Completing Reser Stadium project, an extended parking closure is scheduled in the Zone 2 area of the Reser Stadium parking lot. The far west passage lane in the parking lot near Oak Creek behind Reser Stadium’s west side will remain closed for continuing cleanup of the implosion debris (view map). The extended closure is scheduled to last through Sunday, Jan. 16.

Reser: For work related to the Completing Reser Stadium project, southbound traffic along SW 26th Street near the entrance to the Reser Stadium Parking lot will be diverted into the northbound lane while excavation and pipe installation work is occurring in the closed lane. Flaggers will be used at three locations to separate vehicular traffic from construction workers and equipment. SW 26th Street, access to the Reser Stadium parking lot and adjacent lots will be accessible. All lanes of traffic will reopen at end of shift each day. Construction activities and lane closures will occur between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. daily from Jan. 10-14. (view map).

West Greenhouse: As part of the 20 & 21 West Greenhouse project, a portion of sidewalk will be closed to pedestrian traffic between SW 30th and 35th streets on SW Campus Way for ADA access and sidewalk improvement work. The month-long closure is scheduled to start on Friday, Jan. 7 and continue through Feb. 7. Please view the online map, which provides an overview of this location and appropriate detours to take. Direct access to the 20 & 21 greenhouses can be made at their north side doors.

Graf Hall: As part of the Graf Hall Renovation Project, a section of sidewalk on the north side of Graf Hall will be closed for excavation work for a new sidewalk and building entry. During the closure, pedestrian traffic will be routed to the north side of Monroe Avenue (view map). The closure takes place now through Jan. 14.

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! Office Specialist 2: The Josephine County Extension Office is accepting applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE) Office Specialist 2 position located in Grants Pass. Posting #P03333CT. Closes Jan. 18.

NEW! The College of Engineering at Oregon State University is hiring a full-time (1.0 FTE) Administrative Assistant whose primary responsibility is to support the Associate Dean of Research and Infrastructure and the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in the College of Engineering. Posting #P05150UF. Full consideration Feb. 6. Closes Feb. 27. 

NEW! Carpenter: Facilities Services at Oregon State University is seeking a full-time Carpenter. Posting #P03369CT. Closes Feb. 6.

Weather

“Surely everyone is aware of the divine pleasures which attend a wintry fireside; candles at four o’clock, warm hearthrugs, tea, a fair tea-maker, shutters closed, curtains flowing in ample draperies to the floor, whilst the wind and rain are raging audibly without.”  Thomas De Quincey

Corvallis: Patchy fog and mostly cloudy, high of 51, low of 37. Partly to mostly sunny this weekend.

Central Oregon: Increasing cloud, high of 46, low of 30. Mostly sunny this weekend.

Newport: Patchy fog and then partly sunny, high of 53, low of 39. Partly to mostly sunny this weekend.

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