Stay informed about COVID-19

COVID-19 website: To facilitate the ongoing sharing of information about the virus, Oregon State University has added a link on the OSU homepage to a page that provides detailed and up-to-date COVID-19 information; links to OSU, local, state and federal resources; and updates on the latest federal travel restrictions.

NEW! Today’s Timely Teaching Tip: Seeking strategies for engaging students remotely? Consider inviting students to attend your Zoom office hours or set up an individual Zoom meeting. Visit Keep Teaching for all the Mid-Summer Timely Teaching Tips. 

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. 
 

First underwater methane leak discovered near Antarctica (LiveScience)

"The delay [in methane consumption] is the most important finding," Thurber, a marine ecologist at Oregon State University, told The Guardian. "It is not good news."
 

Narcissists don't learn from mistakes - they don't think they make any (Psych Central)

We all engage in some level of self-protective thinking, said study author Dr. Satoris Howes, a researcher at Oregon State University (OSU)- Cascades with the OSU College of Business. We tend to attribute success to our own efforts, but blame our failures on outside forces, while often blaming other people’s failure on their own deficiencies. (see also Science Daily)


Don’t give up: Expert advice on how to stay present and hopeful during scary times (The Oregonian)

 
“Often we get stuck in ruts. During the pandemic with limited options, days start looking the same,” said Regan Gurung, a professor of Psychological Science at Oregon State University. “Now four months in, we are probably in a routine of sorts. Change it.”


New OSU Extension forestry fire program hires manager (LIFE@OSU)

The new Forestry & Natural Resources Extension Fire Program has its first manager in Carrie Berger, whose experience with Oregon State University College of Forestry spans 12 years.
 

Door-to-door COVID-19 testing coming to Hermiston (East Oregonian)

Health experts from Oregon State University will be offering door-to-door COVID-19 testing in Hermiston on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26. The project, known as TRACE COVID-19, acts in coordination with OSU, Oregon Health Authority and Umatilla County Public Health. (see also KLCCYakTriNewsKNDU)
 

Pandemic prompts Oregon universities to make changes before students return (KATU)

At the UO, face coverings are required while on campus in indoor areas and outside when it's not possible to socially distance. The same is true for Oregon State University. The vice president of university relations at OSU said specifically the school is expecting those in off-campus housing, like sororities and fraternities, as well as those in off-campus offices to follow these rules.
 

Public health professor shares COVID-19 expertise to help keep people safe (LIFE@OSU) 

Prior to 2020, Professor Chunhuei Chi in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences had only been interviewed in the media twice. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chi has logged 123 interviews with journalists from around the world, sometimes fielding five requests per day.
 

Ten reasons for hope in this time of dystopia (Baptist News Global)

A piece by OSU's Susan Shaw.


Today's photos


Today’s workspaces: "It’s hat day in the AABC-SEC,” says Erica Dodson, finance and accounting manager with Auxiliaries & Activities Business Center. “The team showed off their favorite hats in a recent Zoom call. Nathan Forbes couldn’t choose just one so he went with his top four favorite hats.”

Jeff Davis, Ecampus and undergraduate coordinator with the Department of Chemistry, had to do a double take when he checked his email. “I had noticed with today (May 14) that one of the pictures posted in OSU Today had a dog that looked very familiar…” Follow OSU Today on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/osutoday1/ and catch up on any workspace photos you might have missed so far. 

Today

Hadi Al-Agele – Water Resource Engineering Ph.D. Defense: Al-Agele will present his dissertation, “Irrigation Innovations to Increase Efficiency and Sustainability” on Friday, July 24, 10 a.m. Al-Agele is completing his Ph.D. under the guidance of major professor Chad Higgins. Free and open to the public. https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/98976607353

Saturday

Celebrate ADA30: Virtual Open Mic: The Disability Equity Center of Corvallis and the OSU ADA30 Anniversary Committee invite you to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with our disability communities at a virtual open mic on July 26, 2-4 p.m. Registration is required. Please visit the ADA30@OSU blog for more information.

Events

NEW! Bard in the Yard: Oregon State University’s Bard in Quad presents a fully immersive, audio-only production of “Macbeth,” available for download on all major podcast platforms through OSU theatre’s “Dam the Distance” podcast feed starting Aug. 14. The production has been made possible through support from the OSU Memorial Union and Block 15 Restaurant and Brewery. Virtual tickets for the podcast are available at bardinthequad.org. Patrons can name their own price to help support OSU theatre during this challenging time. The full audio drama production will be available Aug. 14 for download through OSU Theatre’s Dam the Distance podcast feed which can be found through the Bard in the Quad website, Apple podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

NEW! Diversity, equity and inclusion workshop: Oregon State University – Cascades will host a three-day diversity, equity and inclusion workshop for business leaders and community members interested in furthering their knowledge of social equality. OSU-Cascades business instructor Erika McCalpine will lead the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Intensive workshop. It will be offered via Zoom from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 3-5 and Aug. 17-19. Registration for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Intensive is $300 per person and each three-day session is limited to 40 participants. Registration closes July 31 for the Aug. 3-5 session, and on Aug. 14 for the Aug. 17-19 session. To register, visit OSUcascades.edu/dei-intensive. For information, contact [email protected].

NEW! Weight Watchers: WW (Weight Watchers) has launched new private virtual workshops for PEBB members. Get ready to see some familiar faces and join together for a weekly workshop guided by a WW Coach. Move closer to your weight-loss and wellness goals in this fun, supportive and private live Virtual Workshop. Current WW Members can view the Workshop schedule by joining PEBB’s Connect Group here.

OMN Webinar: Earth’s Wild Music: Celebrations and Laments with Kathleen Dean Moore, July 27, 7-8:30 p.m. We all love the music of the natural world – howling wolves, singing songbirds, chirping frogs, moaning whales. But our joy in their songs is muted by our growing understanding of the existential threats against them. Where can we find hope in a time of extinction? Register Online.

Faculty Staff Fitness: OSU’s Faculty Staff Fitness Program is starting in-person fitness programming on campus July 20-Sept. 18. Registration is open. Please see https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/schedule/summer for the full list of classes. Not going to campus? FSF is offering over 200 pre-recorded, accessible any time, online fitness classes for summer term June 15-Sept. 18. Classes range from 10, 20, 30 to 60 minutes and involves formats including Weight Training, Cardio Kickboxing, Cardio Dance (similar to Zumba), Barre Fusion, Pilates, various Yoga styles, and more. Registration is $35 and is now open via: https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/online.

Time Awareness: Too much to do and not enough time? We can't add more hours to the day, but we can be more aware of how we spend our time and make better choices about how we use it. As part of this session, you will learn how to increase your awareness of time-task relationship, empowering you with a useful tool when considering how to best use your time. July 28 via Zoom, 8-9 a.m. Registration required.

Work-life Balance & Integration: The essence of work-life balance is to integrate effectively work responsibilities with the domains (or buckets) in our personal lives. We will share counterbalancing techniques, and you will have an opportunity to get started by mapping out your responsibilities and other “buckets” unique to your situation. July 28 via Zoom, 9:30-11 a.m. Registration required.

Core Curriculum for Current OSU Supervisors and Managers: Consists of online modules followed by 4 half-days of classroom training via Zoom. Topics include the performance management cycle (position descriptions, expectations/standards, engagement, appraisals, and integration), equal employment and affirmative action, ADA, discrimination and misconduct, safety and compensation, and supervising represented employees. Aug. 10-13 via Zoom, 8:15 a.m. to noon each day. Registration required; closes Aug. 7.

Marine Science Virtual/Hybrid Summer Camps: Looking for fun, interactive, marine science-themed activities for your child this summer? Oregon Sea Grant’s virtual/hybrid camps will provide students ages 8-18 the opportunity to connect virtually with marine researchers and educators and engage in "Camp in a Box" activities from their own home. Click here for information on camp dates, cost, additional details, and registration.

Clean Water conference: Applications are now being accepted to host project display pages at the 2020 Oregon State Clean Water Virtual Conference, which will take place Sept. 1, 2020. If you are working on a project related to clean and sustainable water technology, this is an opportunity for you to share your work with a wide audience of industry professionals, faculty, students, alumni, and the public. Learn more at engineering.oregonstate.edu/cleanwater2

Managers as Leaders: Applications for Managers as Leaders 2020 are now being accepted. Managers as Leaders is a skill-building course for managers and supervisors. It integrates 6 day-long class sessions with online learning and on-the-job practice.  It features team-learning, mentors, and practical tools. All managers/supervisors are encouraged to apply. Contact Kristen Magis for more information. Submit online applications on the Managers as Leaders webpage between now and Sept. 4. 

Free, self-paced, online training: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Remote Work Environments: The recent pandemic has caused a massive, sudden shift to remote work for many companies. This shift impacts efforts to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, both in positive and potentially challenging ways. The OSU Center for the Advancement of Women in Leadership created this short (15 minute), self-paced training directed at managers, employee resource group members, HR professionals, and anyone invested in DEI work in their organization. It provides an overview of remote work and DEI, ways in which remote work can promote and challenge DEI efforts, and a series of practical strategies designed especially for promoting inclusion in remote workplaces. Register for the training. Then, join our Slack community to keep the conversation going.

Tier Two workshops, New Tier One dates, Remote delivery of Social Justice Education workshops is happening now: See the schedule and register for Zoom workshops through fall 2020 here. See three brand new Tier Two collaborations created for our community today. The SJEI is an excellent 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]

Search Advocate Workshops: More OSU Search Advocate workshops are now available by Zoom. Search advocates are outside process advisors who participate on employee search committees; their goal is to encourage culture and practices that favor equity, validity, and diversity. Search advocacy offers faculty and staff an opportunity to work with colleagues in other parts of the university, build new skills and perspectives, and contribute to the university’s progress towards inclusive excellence. The initial workshop series is a sequence of four 4-hour Zoom workshops. Those who complete the series may choose to have their names added to the Search Advocate Directory and will be eligible to serve as advocates until September 2021. Three-hour continuing education workshops for current advocates are also available. To register, go to the Professional Development website. Questions? Contact Anne Gillies at [email protected] or 541-760-6160.

Take Note

NEW! Free online, self-paced training: Recruiting Diverse Talent: Research links workforce diversity to multiple indicators of employee satisfaction and financial health. This short online training from the Center for the Advancement of Women in Leadership helps search committee members and managers understand why diversity makes good business sense, how implicit bias can impact the recruitment process, and offers strategies for addressing bias in the hiring process to recruit talented, diverse candidate pools. Register today, and let us know your thoughts by joining our Slack community as well.

Master Recycler class: Would you like to learn all about waste reduction, reuse and recycling to help spread change in our community? Secure your spot in this annual class, now on Zoom. Monday nights, Sept. 28-Dec. 7 plus two Thursday Q&A sessions. Free to residents of Linn and Benton County who agree to “pay back” what they learned by completing 30 hours of volunteer service. Visit http://tiny.cc/recycclass for more details and to sign-up.

OSU Libraries announces summer services: From July 20-Sept. 7, the Valley Library will be closed but study spaces will be open in Java II and outdoors on the library plaza.  We’ll continue our digital services. We’ll continue to offer interlibrary loan and Scan and Deliver services, and to mail physical items to users. Book drops will be open. Due dates are extended until the building reopens. We’ll process purchase requests. More info is at https://library.oregonstate.edu/osu-libraries-announces-summer-schedule.

Mid-Monthly Emergency Preparedness Topic: Lighting in Disasters. Lighting is one of the most essential pieces of an emergency kit. While most people are familiar with flashlights, there are other options to consider. This month’s poster can be downloaded at: https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-topics/light-disaster

Carol Leder retirement: Carol Leder has served as the head advisor in the College of Business since 2013, and worked in the College since 2001. Her last day will be July 29. Due to COVID-19, the College will not be holding any farewell gathering. However, if you would like to say any thank yous or goodbyes please send them directly to her via email ([email protected]) before that date. The new COB head advisor is Kyle Ross.
 
How to deal with working from home with kids: Working from home with the kids? We feel you. Take 10 minutes while assistant professor and family/life expert Kelly Chandler, College of Public Health and Human Sciences, breaks down why the struggle is real, the myth of "having it all," why it's important to lighten up, and what we can do to hold it all together. Watch on the college's COVID-19 resource page.

Faculty & Staff COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund Under IRS Code Section 139: In collaboration with the OSU Foundation, Oregon State University is offering emergency financial assistance grants through the OSU Faculty and Staff COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund. The purpose of this fund is to help regular classified and unclassified employees in our university community with unexpected needs during this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic. All classified staff, professional faculty and academic/research faculty are eligible regardless of service time or FTE. An individual must be actively employed on the date of grant distribution. Read more about the details of the program here. Student hourly employees, graduate assistants, and stipend recipients (e.g., fellows) are not eligible. There are separate programs for students located here: https://financialaid.oregonstate.edu/covid-19.


Traffic and Maintenance

Summer paving: As part of the summer 2020 parking lot paving schedule, parking lot closures for asphalt renewal are planned for the following parking lots: #3278 (Sports Complex East), #3205 (Adams Northeast) and #3313 (Bates North). The lots will be fully or partially closed for construction and planned closure durations are subject to change as construction proceeds. Work for lot #3313 (Bates North) is scheduled to start on Thursday, July 23 and continue through Tuesday, Aug. 11. Work for lot #3205 (Adams Northeast) is scheduled to start on Friday, July 31 and continue through Wednesday, Aug. 19. Work for lot #3278 (Sports Complex East) is scheduled to start on Friday, July 31 and continue through Tuesday, Aug. 25. For questions or comments on this closure, contact Infrastructure Project Manager Aaron Collett at 541-207-2780.

Irish Bend Covered Bridge Rehabilitation: Construction is scheduled to begin on the Irish Bend Covered Bridge along SW Campus Way on July 6, lasting until September. The bridge rehabilitation includes installing a fire suppression system, repainting and repairs to the wood structure. The covered bridge and Campus Way Path will be closed; SW Campus Way will remain open.

Postponed: Annual Steam Shutdown-Campus Wide: Each year Facilities Services performs necessary maintenance on the university’s steam system, which requires shutting off the steam throughout campus, to complete maintenance services at the plant, throughout the steam tunnels and in each building. This process affects hot water supply, heating, and all equipment that uses steam, campus wide. The decision has been made to postpone the annual steam shut down until August in order to stay within the guidelines from the Governor, university, State and CDC’s orders. The steam shutdown for 2020 will occur from Aug. 24 at 11 p.m. to Aug. 27 at 8 a.m. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you all for your understanding. For questions or comments on this closure, contact Facilities Services at 541-737-2969.

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 http://oregonstate.edu/jobs unless otherwise specified

NEW! Ecampus is seeking two Instructional Design Specialists to join our team. These are full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term professional faculty position. Posting #P03888UF. Application deadline Aug. 16.

Weather

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” ~ Roald Dahl.

Corvallis: Sunny today, high of 78, low of 52. Sunny this weekend.

Central Oregon: Sunny today, high of 81, low of 47. Sunny this weekend.

Newport: Partly sunny and breezy today, high of 65, low of 48. Sunny this weekend.

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