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: Flooded with emails about class logistics? Set up a General Q&A Discussion in Canvas so all students benefit from your answers. Shortcut: Go to Canvas Commons, search for “Oregon State General Q&A Discussion” and import a ready-made forum into your course. Visit Keep Teaching for all the Early 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. 
 

Reopenings, record cases and full hospitals: America's dissonant response to pandemic (Washington Post)

“I think the bottom line is that we don’t really know what’s coming,” said Jeffrey Bethel, an epidemiology professor at Oregon State University. “This is day-by-day, week-by-week constant reevaluation in terms of where we are in rate of new cases and rate of new hospitalizations. We really need to proceed in that cautious way.”
 

OSU study: Oregon workplace safety monitoring needs to be more timely (KTVZ)

“More timely, complete and sustainable surveillance is going to benefit Oregon workers,” said study author Liu Yang, a recent Ph.D. graduate in Oregon State University’s College of Public Health and Human Sciences. “The whole purpose for surveillance is to generate quality data that can be used for research and guiding practice. So if the system can provide more timely, complete data in a stable and systematic way, this is going to help improve work safety and health for Oregon workers.”
 

Hundreds of U.S. cities testing sewage for early signs of coronavirus hotspots (Forbes)

In an ideal scenario, sewage testing could identify hot spots for health officials to investigate, according to Tyler Radneiki, an Oregon State University population biologist.
 

Understanding separation anxiety in dogs -- and how to help them cope (Discover)

Symptoms can be even less subtle than a ruined chair cushion. Monique Udell, an animal cognition researcher at Oregon State University, says dogs love our socks and shoes because they carry a lot of our odors. “If you see your shoes out in the living room, that might indicate your dog is searching for you and using your scent that way.” 
 

OSU researchers find ways to save birds from powerlines (KEX)

Suspended, rotating devices known as “flappers” may be the key to fewer birds flying into power lines, a study by Oregon State University suggests. (see also Science DailyNew Atlas)
 

Oregon lawmakers consider state meat inspection to strengthen local meat (Capital Press)

Furthermore, the USDA will cover the costs of inspection while the meat processor would have to pay ODA fees to cover part of the agency’s cost, with the rest being shouldered by tax dollars, said Rebecca Thistlethwaite, director of Oregon State University’s Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network.
 

OSU-Cascades panel to discuss racial unrest with community (Bend Bulletin)

Community members can join a discussion about race relations and advancing racial justice hosted by Oregon State University-Cascades' Erika McCalpine, a business instructor and a co-founder of the Love Your Neighbor forums in Central Oregon.
 

Odd freeway shapes remnants of OSU lighting study (Mail Tribune)

Back then, the agency had paved that stretch and installed the cable and guard rail. During construction, Oregon State University conducted a research project studying the effect of roadside lighting in construction zones, Latham said.
 

OSU Theatre creates audio-drama versions of Spring term productions (Broadway World)

Due to the current restrictions on public gatherings, OSU Theatre has created audio-drama versions of its Spring Term productions available for download using the podcast Dam the Distance with Oregon State University Theatre. (see also Gazette-Times)
 

After councilor's silent protest, Bend City Council considers its role in advancing racial justice (Bend Bulletin)

Although movements usually direct their efforts at national figures, local governments have and do play a critical part in making real change during social movements, said Christopher Stout, an associate professor of political science at Oregon State University.
 

Oregonians urged to wear masks. Will they? (KGW)

“I think the mixed messaging really got things off on the wrong foot,” said assistant professor Dr. Aimee Huff, a consumer culture expert at Oregon State University.
 

Today's photos

Today’s workspaces: Bruce Marler, faculty research assistant in CEOAS, says, “I've really just added my OSU work that I've brought home, to my normal work flow at home: reading/viewing web pages, watching streamed movies, sports and concerts, listening to music, viewing/editing video/audio/photos, and video/audio conferencing with family and friends. It's so comfortable at home, I'm not sure I'll ever want to go back to my office!”

Kate Lajtha is a professor in Crop and Soil Sciences. “My workplace is generally under a few covers, with my returned-from-UW daughter snuggling in with me as she does her online homework.” 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

NEW! SEIU Meeting: Filing for Unemployment-Q and A. This meeting is for people who are filing for unemployment on their own. We have information to share to help you. Please attend with your questions. Friday, June 26, noon to 1 p.m. by Zoom. For meeting details, and any questions please contact Siobhan Burke at [email protected] or 630-699-0281. 

Sunday

NEW! Oregon Teen Science CaféNadia Hassounah shares how progress in science comes down to grit. She is a cancer biologist, photographer, and adventure seeker, especially when it comes to helping animals. Join Nadia live on June 28 at 4 p.m. to ask her questions about her experiences. Event is open to any students. Registration is required.

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

Faculty Staff Fitness: OSU’s Faculty Staff Fitness Program is starting in-person fitness programming on campus July 20-Sept. 18, 2020. Registration opens July 1. 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-September 18, 2020. 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.

Cultivating Emotional Balance (CEB): 8-Week Series: CEB is a practical skills training committed to utilizing the experience of emotion as a path for developing well-being. By integrating wisdom traditions, modern psychology, current emotion research, and contemplative practices, CEB provides a secular platform for transformation. Led by Jacob Lindsley, an incoming member of OSU's SPS, and sponsored by OSU's Contemplative Studies Initiative. Eight Sundays: July 12-Aug. 30 noon to 3 p.m. via Zoom. $300 if registered by July 1. $100 for OSU Students. Email [email protected]More info here.

Community Building & Social Distance Webinar: Join the Adventure Leadership Institute as we host a webinar on community building during the age of social distancing. Learn some activities and talk about why maintaining community is crucial during this time. Click the link to register: Community Building & Social Distance, Thursday, July 16, 2-3 p.m. Check out more of our webinars offered summer term here. Questions? Contact Emily Abrams.

Remote Floor Monitor Training: The Office of Emergency Preparedness is offering remote Floor Monitor and Building Manager evacuation training. This is open to OSU Floor Monitors and Building Manager to assist in their roles during building evacuation. To schedule, contact [email protected].

Take Note

Fiscal policy revisions: The following fiscal policies have been revised to eliminate information about negative funds at fiscal year-end: 03-150-204 Designated Operations, 03-150-205 Service Center Operations and 03-150-408 Fiscal Year-End Reconciliation of Funds. Please contact the Fiscal Policy Coordinator for your Business Center or the Policy Steward listed on each policy with any questions.

Under the Orange Light: Recording of the webcast Under the Orange Light: COVID-19, are now available. The Faculty Senate Executive group presented a series of lightning talks by faculty who will take the audience on an intersectional journey to better understand the current COVID-19 global pandemic. They can be found at https://senate.oregonstate.edu/under-orange-light-covid-19-webcast

Parking policy changes: Fiscal Policy 03-110-206 Parking Fines & Permit Sales has been revised to update language. Full policy is currently under review and will be implemented later this year. Please contact the Fiscal Policy Coordinator for your Business Center or the Policy Steward listed on each policy with any questions.

Scholarship policy: Fiscal Policy 03-140-508 Fellowships, Scholarships & Student Payments has been revised to change scholarship “awards” to “scholarships." Full policy is currently under review and will be implemented later this year. Please contact the Fiscal Policy Coordinator for your Business Center or the Policy Steward listed on each policy with any questions.

Procurement policy: Fiscal Policy 03-140-206 Procurement Cards has been revised to update restrictions (section 3.6). Please contact the Fiscal Policy Coordinator for your Business Center or the Policy Steward listed on each policy with any questions.

Gift policy: Fiscal Policy 03-150-208 Gift Funds has been revised to provide clear guidelines for accepting, processing, recording and acknowledging gifts. This policy consolidates GCG 210 Gift Funds, FIS 102-05 Gift, Grant and Contract Income and FIS 202 Endowment Earnings. Please contact the Fiscal Policy Coordinator for your Business Center or the Policy Steward listed on each policy with any questions.

Reimbursement policy: Fiscal Policy 03-140-203 Student & Volunteer Cash Reimbursements (previously Cash Out) has been revised to increase the threshold and provide clear guidelines for timely reimbursement to students and volunteers through a Cash Out process. This policy replaces FIS 407-01 Cash Out. Please contact the Fiscal Policy Coordinator for your Business Center or the Policy Steward listed on each policy with any questions.

Not sure what the next step is in your business venture? The OSU Advantage Accelerator is currently accepting applications for its first-ever VIRTUAL SUMMER Accelerate cohort which begins Wednesday, July 8. Accelerate is open to Oregon teams and/or teams with a connection to OSU who want to launch a high-growth business or want to explore the commercialization potential of a technology. Upon completion of the eight-week program, teams will have: an elevator pitch, a five minute pitch deck completed, product market validation, feedback from many mentors, and more. For teams with OSU intellectual property, completion of Accelerate enables eligibility for $15k of OSU AID funding. To learn more and apply, visit: https://advantage.oregonstate.edu/advantage-accelerator/programs/accelerate 

Call for Applications: Blended Learning Innovations in Pedagogy (BLIP) Faculty Fellowship. Applications for the 2020 – 2021 BLIP Faculty Fellow (.25 FTE) are now being accepted. The Initiative offers a teaching faculty fellow the opportunity to shape blended learning programming for colleagues across campus, in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning, Ecampus, Academic Technology, and the Office of Undergraduate Education. More information can be found here. Deadline to apply: July 1, 2020.

Proposed Updates to University Policies & Standards: Visit the University Policy Program’s What’s New page (http://policy.oregonstate.edu/whats-new) to view a pending policy amendment. Proposed University Policy 04-020 Use of the University Seal articulates the intended official university uses and purposes for which the university seal may be used. This page is updated frequently with new developments, so we encourage you to check back frequently. Comments or questions may be submitted to [email protected].

Call for Applications: Bridging the Gap From Education to Employment (BGEE) Seminar. Applications for the 2020 BGEE seminar for teaching faculty and instructors are now being accepted. $500 will be awarded to participants. The Seminar will provide tangible ways to include career readiness in the classroom, while also taking a hard look at the barriers to access that our first generation, high financial need, and/or students of color face. More information can be found here. Deadline to apply is June 26.

Call to Artists: The 37th Annual Art About Agriculture Competition and Touring Exhibition wants your visions of Oregon’s agricultural future.Tension/Harmony is sponsored by Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences. The College invites artists to explore the relationship between the conservation of natural resources and agricultural production. Call closes June 27. Full prospectus: https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/art/tension-harmony

Applications for PCOSW scholarships and event co-sponsorships for Fall 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, July 31, with notification by Aug. 12. Visit http://leadership.oregonstate.edu/pcosw/awards-scholarships for detailed guidelines, qualification requirements, and application links. Questions? Contact Joy Jorgensen at [email protected]
 
Alumni Fellows nominations are due June 30: The OSU Alumni Association is seeking nominations for the Alumni Fellows Recognition Program. Due to COVID-19, Alumni Fellows are no longer required to be on campus for the 2020 celebration. Virtual presentation and online recognition are welcome. All colleges are encouraged to submit a nomination. For departments outside of academic colleges, please submit the nomination in partnership with the alumnus’ graduating college. View application and specifics online and email nomination form and supporting materials to [email protected].

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

NEW! Planned Power Outage (limited impacts): July 16-18, 2020. There will be a planned power outage beginning Thursday, July 16 starting at 5 a.m. and lasting until Saturday, July 18 at 7 a.m. so that Pacific Power can replace switches and cables that feed various buildings along SW Jefferson Way. Fairbanks and Moreland Halls will be without power the duration of the outage; a number of buildings will be affected at the beginning and at the end of the outage. Visit powergrid.oregonstate.edu to learn more.

NEW! 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 2020. 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.

NEW! SW Weatherford Place: As part of the Buxton Hall Roof Replacement Project, SW Weatherford Place will be closed to facilitate crane and dumpster placement (view map). The closure will take place from Monday, June 29 at 8 a.m. to Wednesday, July 1, at 5 p.m.

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.

Weather

"This is how it feels to be in this broken female body. This is how it feels to be alone. ... This is how it feels to be me. I dare you to look...and once you look, I’m going to make sure you cannot look away.” ~ Frida Kahlo.

Corvallis: Sunny today, high of 86, low of 58. Partly sunny Saturday, showers likely Sunday.

Central Oregon: Sunny today, high of 89, low of 58. Mostly sunny Saturday, chance of showers Sunday.

Newport: Mostly sunny today, high of 69, low of 54. Partly sunny Saturday, showers likely Sunday.

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