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.

COVID-19 vaccines: For information about vaccines in the Benton County, visit this website. OSU-Cascades students, faculty and staff can learn where to find vaccines in Central Oregon here. Check your local public health authority websites for more information. You can also visit the Oregon Health Authority: Get Vaccinated Oregon website and the CDC VaccineFinder for vaccinations anywhere in the U.S.

Timely Teaching Tips: Looking for teaching information, professional development and inspiration? See the updated Teaching Faculty website and the summer Faculty Training Opportunities offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning, Academic Technology and Ecampus. For inspiration, view your teaching colleagues speaking about The Future of Teaching: What We’ll Carry Forward (4-min. video). 

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. Occasionally, articles highlighted in OSU Today may either be subscription-only or behind a paywall if a maximum number of articles has been reached that month. Many subscription-only publications, like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, can be accessed by anyone with an OSU email account through the search function on the OSU Libraries home page, which grants free access to many publications. See https://library.oregonstate.edu/ and click on 1Search.

 

Oregon State University holds in-person graduation event (KPTV)

Oregon State graduates got the chance to celebrate a big accomplishment made even more difficult by the pandemic. The university held an event at Reser Stadium Friday afternoon for 2020 and 2021 graduates. (see also Gazette-Times, Democrat-Herald)  
 

HydroFlask CEO addresses OSU-Cascades grads (My Central Oregon)

Oregon State University – Cascades will host its 20th commencement on Sunday, June 13, 2021, with both a virtual ceremony and an on-campus celebration for graduates. The graduating class includes 268 students, of which 40% are first generation college graduates and 18% are students of color. OSU-Cascades will host the virtual ceremony and drive-thru event in keeping with state, federal and OSU health and safety COVID-19 guidelines.
 

Salt marshes keep score on humanity's plastic problem (Popular Science)

The study authors note that because of technological limitations, they did not analyze plastic particles smaller than 250 microns. They also did not identify the exact chemical composition of the particles, which Susanne Brander, an ecotoxicologist at Oregon State University who was not involved in the research, says could lead to the misidentification of non-plastic fibers as microplastic fibers. 
 

Years after the devastating 'Blob," ocean conditions appear to be improving, plankton survey shows (Seattle Times)

While it’s early days for data that is still being analyzed, Jennifer Fisher, a plankton ecologist with Oregon State University, reported seeing an abundance of plankton associated with cold water upwelling, and good fat levels and size in zooplankton, the tiny animals that feed the food web.
 

Wave energy: Construction set to begin on $80 million testing facility (News Guard)

After nearly a decade of work to obtain regulatory approval, Oregon State University is set to begin construction this month on a wave energy testing facility to be located about seven miles off the coast near Newport.
 

Most new Oregon wells drilled in groundwater concern areas (Capital Press)

Permitting entities must always make decisions based on “imperfect information,” but the study indicates that Oregon may not have the correct standards for approving groundwater applications, said Meg Reeves, retired general counsel for Oregon State University and the commission’s chair.
 

As I See It: Setting an open course for next OSU presidential search (Gazette-Times)

A piece by Rani Borkar, the chairwoman of the Oregon State University Board of Trustees.
 

Ask an expert: Crop rotation is a powerful tool in home garden success (Oregonian)

The gardening season is in full swing and if you’ve got questions, turn to Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool from Oregon State University’s Extension Service.
 

Growing apricots presents unique challenges: Ask an expert (Oregonian)

To ask a question, simply go to the OSU Extension website type it in and include the county where you live.
 

Today's photo


Commencement: Oregon State University graduated a record 7,391 students during a virtual commencement event Saturday. During an in-person procession the previous day, students marched from the Memorial Union Quad to Reser Stadium. (photo: Sean Nealon)

Monday

CARE.com webinar, "How improv can improve your work + life." Kelly Leonard is a longtime creative executive at The Second City, the world’s premier comedy theater, and he’s going to show us how improvisation can give individuals and groups the skills they need to succeed in the future of work. He has collaborated with behavioral scientists to come up with exercises that are rooted in evidence and applicable in work and life. Leonard will share how you can use the power of storytelling to win over audiences and practical ways to improve collaboration, creativity and resilience. Monday June 14, 10 a.m. Register here.

Wednesday

Beaver Classic Cheese Sales: Come see us at the Corvallis Farmer’s Market every Wednesday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Corvallis Riverfront on First Street between Jackson and Monroe. You can also order online for the farmers market and just stop by the booth — no waiting. Start here: https://locallygrown.localfoodmarketplace.com/Index.

Career Webcast June 16: Considering Self Employment. Find out about the joys and realities of starting your own business by attending a free webcast, Considering Self Employment, Wednesday, June 16, at noon via Zoom, followed by an interactive Q&A. Whether you’re just getting started in a career or you are ready for a change, Alumni Career Ambassadors Bruce Hohensee and Kimberly Jacobson Nelson, ’89, will advise you about finances, setting goals, marketing and where to find resources. The OSU Alumni Association’s Career Webcast series offers guidance for students and alumni entering the workforce, changing fields or advancing their careers. Register and find additional resources at osualum.com/careerwebcasts.

Thursday

SEIU classified staff meeting: Agenda will include discussion of bargaining around vaccine mandate and a presentation from Robynn Pease from the Family Resource Center. Thursday, June 17, noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom. Join Zoom meeting: https://zoom.us/j/94363519074?pwd=SSt5ZEF5MzdiRG1SQlkwc3JoMktNQT09. All classified staff welcome. For more information contact Siobhan Burke, Union rep 6306990281, [email protected]

Events

Regional Connections: An opportunity to build your personal and professional network with Beavers across the world. This special Connections event is to welcome OSU's new grads to the Beaver alumni network and for everyone to talk, discover new friends, make personal and professional connections, get help with career or simply socialize with alumni and students living across the nation and world. Open to all OSU students, alumni, staff, faculty and friends. June 24, noon to 1 p.m. Register here: https://www.osualum.com/s/359/16/interior.aspx?sid=359&gid=1001&pgid=9186&content_id=13029

Brandi Douglas going away party: After 10 years at Oregon State, Brandi Douglas, assistant director of outreach in the Office of Institutional Diversity, is on to her next adventure – obtaining her Ph.D. Douglas’ impact on OSU has been significant and we’re grateful for her many contributions to the university community. Join us on Thursday, June 24 from noon to 1 p.m. for a virtual going away party to celebrate Douglas. Registration is available at https://beav.es/3mJ. Contact Scott Vignos ([email protected]) with any questions and requests for accommodations.

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

NEW! June 22 Travel Talk: On the Road to Freedom. Before Black Lives Matter, before LGBTQ rights and women’s rights, the civil rights movement established grassroots organizing as a means to achieve racial equality. Join Charlene Alexander, OSU vice president and chief diversity officer, for a look back at the history and hear her thoughts for continuing to advance inclusive excellence at Oregon State, Tuesday, June 22, at 4:30 p.m. Plus, preview the OSU Alumni Association Group Travel’s March 2022 tour, On the Road to Freedom to Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama. Register for the talk at osualum.com/TravelTalkCivilRights.

NEW! Beyond Benefits: Staying Connected, Keeping the Spark Alive in Your Relationship: Keeping the romance alive in any long-term relationship can be difficult. The busyness of everyday life often prevents us from investing in our connection with our partner. Relationships are like a bonfire: They need a stable space, patience, a careful touch and the right ingredients to keep the fire going. In this workshop, you’ll learn the reasons passion wanes over time, barriers to connection and methods for reigniting the spark in your relationship. Tuesday, June 29, noonRegister here.

Take Note

NEW! Proposed Updates to University Policies & Standards: Visit the University Policy Program’s What’s New page (http://policy.oregonstate.edu/whats-new) to view draft University Policy 07-001 University Health and Safety, which is being issued for a public notification period. The policy describes the university’s approach to occupational and environmental health and safety. 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].

NEW! OSUsed Store reopening: The OSUsed Store will reopen to the public once weekly on Tuesdays 4:30-7:30 p.m. beginning July 13 at 644 SW 13th Street; details here. Staff may still shop for their department 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays; details here. Store carries furniture, computers, household items, office supplies and more.

Watch Event with Sandra Steingraber and Mary Wood: Spring Creek Project recently hosted a conversation with scientist and anti-fracking activist Sandra Steingraber and environmental law expert Mary Wood. They discussed the ongoing and forward-looking fight against fracking and climate change, especially as viewed through the lens of human rights. The event is now available for viewing online. Watch it here

"Bedrock Rights" Documentary Film Now Online for Viewing: Spring Creek Project’s first-ever documentary film, "Bedrock Rights: A New Foundation for Global Action Against Fracking and Climate," is now available online for all to view. It explores how the lens of human rights can help transform the fight against fracking and climate change. Watch the film here

Introducing SoftwareList: We have launched a new, centralized page for everything software-related. SoftwareList contains info and documentation for software for staff, students and faculty. Check out SoftwareList at https://softwarelist.oregonstate.edu/

Thesis study participants needed (a few spots left): If you would like to participate in the "Personal Willingness to Pay for Clothing Subscription Boxes" Honors College thesis study and earn a $5 e-gift card to over 100+ retailers, please sign up using this link: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8FTEbVOsTh8Wha6. The purpose of this study is to understand what attributes play a role in clothing subscription product/service purchasing. Survey duration is approximately 10 minutes and can be completed using the link above. If you have any questions about the study please reach out to [email protected]

Faculty Staff Fitness Summer 2021 registration is open. You can view offerings and register at https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/schedule/summer. Fitness classes include remote options of Online FSF (pre-recorded with over 25 styles of classes and over 500 classes) and synchronous Zoom interval training and yoga classes. In-person options include outside yoga, swimming and aqua aerobics, and weight training and cardio dance with adequate spacing, ventilation and plenty of instruction.
 
Study participants needed: Principal Investigator Naomi Fitter is looking for participants (18+) who have full use of their arms and legs for an upcoming research study (“Perception of Vibrotactile Sensations”) to evaluate how vibration perception can be used to locate objects in the environment. The study will take approximately an hour and will occur in a lab space on campus. Contact information: 541-737-9193, [email protected]
 
Study participants needed: Principal Investigator Naomi Fitter is looking for participants (18+) who have full use of their arms and legs for an upcoming research study (“Perception of Vibrotactile Sensations”) to evaluate how vibration perception differs between hands, ankles, knees, elbows and wrists. The study will take approximately an hour and will occur in a lab space on campus. Contact information: 541-737-9193, [email protected].

Study volunteers needed: Jennifer Beamer and Joseline Raja Vora at Oregon State University are recruiting young adults who identify as having Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) and their caregivers, instructors at fitness centers, and hiring managers at fitness centers in a research study titled “A community-based initiative to develop an adaptive training module for young adults with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities (ID/DD) to be fitness instructors.” For more information or questions, please contact ennifer Beamer at 541-737-5925 or [email protected], or contact Joseline Raja Vora at [email protected].

Celebrating Launch Academy pitch competition winners: Help celebrate the 12 grad and undergrad students from three OSU campuses and three OSU colleges who shared $8500 in prizes in this term’s final round: 1st ($2,000), Oh-asis: Shayla Lane, Kristen Orue, and Marjorie Symonds, Computer Science; 2nd ($1,500), Group 6 Studios: Nes Cohen, Computer Science, and Ian Watters, Accounting; 3rd ($1,250), Howling Hounds Coffee Roasters: Reid Burford, Business Administration; 4th ($1,000), Covert Customers: Jacob Hayes, Business Administration; 5th ($750), Pristine By the Sea: Calena Gray, Horticulture; Honorable Mentions ($500 each): Cortava Neurotechnologies: Sean Bullock, General Engineering, CloudApps: Miguel Fernandez, Computer Science, WxH: Austin Lally, Computer Science, Real Property Possibilities: Jordon Graham, Business Administration. To learn more about how we support student entrepreneurs, join us on June 11.

Nominations open: Help build our next Launch Academy cohort. Nominate engaged, curious, problem-solving undergraduate and graduate students of all majors who have ideas for services, products, community change or any other business idea. Find out who we’re looking for here. Launch Academy students are eligible to win up to $2,000 in business development funding each term and have access to mentorship, networking and other resources. Ecampus and Cascades Campus students are welcome. Tuition scholarships are available. Nominate students here and contact [email protected] with questions. Launch Academy is a program of the InnovationX Center of Excellence for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Call for proposals: Affiliate Faculty Research Incubator Program. Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium has released our 2021 Affiliate Faculty Research Incubator Program call for proposals. AFRIP is designed to recruit faculty to become involved with OSGC and provide resources needed to develop student experiences in STEM disciplines. Projects should support NASA Mission Directorates and align with NASA’s top research priorities and areas of emphasis. Proposals are accepted monthly and due the final day of each month. Information can be found online at https://spacegrant.oregonstate.edu/affiliate-faculty-research-incubator-program-afrip.

Now accepting FYI Friday presentation proposals for Summer and Fall 2021: Does your group have a service, process or system you want to share with the campus community? Consider FYI Friday as your venue. FYI Friday is a weekly remote program where campus partners are invited to present brief, one-off, awareness- or skill- building topics intended for a wide audience of professional faculty, academic faculty and classified staff. Learn more about the requirements and application process here.

Request for nominations, OSUAA Awards, due June 21: This fall, we will be awarding the Dan W. Poling Service Award, the E.B. Lemon Distinguished Alumni Award, the Jean and C.H. “Scram” Graham Leadership Award, the Joan Austin Honorary Alumni Award and the Don and Shirley Wirth Young Alumni Award. Learn about each one of the awards and how to nominate a deserving Oregon Stater here. An in-person and online awards celebration is being planned for fall 2021. Details are forthcoming. 

Summer Child/Youth Care - Our Little Village Summer Registration Open: Are you working/studying this summer and in need of child and/or youth care? OLV|Milne provides short term child and youth care for your children ages 5 months through 12 years. We will be offering developmentally appropriate, play-based care Monday-Thursday with the ability to choose between a morning or an afternoon session from June 23 to Aug. 19. Register now until Wednesday June 16 at noon. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to [email protected].

Grant funding for open educational resources now open: Open Oregon Educational Resources, a statewide organization that promotes the use of OER, seeks grant proposals that implement high-impact, culturally relevant/inclusive, collaborative projects in support of open education and reduced textbook costs in lower-division courses. Grant applications are due July 9. Project timelines may vary, but all projects must be completed by June 1, 2023. Learn more and apply today.

Traffic & Maintenance

Fairbanks Hall: As part of the Fairbanks Hall renovation project, five parking spaces and one service parking space on the east side of the Fairbanks Hall parking lot will be offline for campus and public use June 14-17 to accommodate movers and moving truck activities. For questions or comments on this closure, contact construction manager Amy Keene at 541-214-1038 or move coordinator Hailey Muller at 541-737-7649.

Scheduled: 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 steam shutdown for 2021 will occur June 13, 8 p.m. through June 17, 3 p.m. For questions or comments on this closure, contact Facilities Services at 541-737-2969. Closures are often subject to changes and delays, so please visit the OSU Campus Closures, Shutdowns, and Detours page for updates on this and other campus closures.

Weather

“I have only to break into the tightness of a strawberry, and I see summer – its dust and lowering skies.” ~ Toni Morrison

Corvallis: Chance of rain early in the week, followed by sunshine. Highs increasing to the mid 80s by week's end.
 
Central Oregon: Chance of thunderstorms early in the week, followed by sunshine. Highs increasing to the mid 80s by week's end.

Newport: Chance of rain early in the week, followed by sunshine. Highs increasing to the upper 60s by week's end.

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