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.

TRACE OSU testing: TRACE OSU is providing random COVID-19 testing by invitation at its Corvallis and Bend campuses and at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. All faculty, staff and students, regardless of vaccination status, should continue with testing participation in TRACE. Testing will take place in Corvallis in the Memorial Union Ballroom and at Reser ticket booths, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. In Newport, testing will be provided every other week, Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Thursday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. At OSU-Cascades, testing is provided only to students living and working on campus, and employees working on campus. Testing takes place Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Visit the OSU-Cascades Safety and Success website to learn more about testing schedules. Please join the effort to build a safer and healthier Oregon State University community. To enroll and for more information: https://trace.oregonstate.edu/osu.

Timely Teaching Tips: Looking for ways to enhance student learning? Make your lecture videos more engaging and effective with in-video quizzing. Explore strategies to use media to support all learners. CTL and the Faculty Media Center invite instructors and GTAs to a one-hour workshop: Wednesday, April 28 at 2 p.m., or Thursday, April 29 at 10 a.m. Register now.  

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.

 

How long does immunity from the COVID vaccine last? (The New Yorker)

Several factors may influence how much protection the vaccines provide and for how long, Chunhuei Chi, director of the Center for Global Health at Oregon State University, told the Washington Post. For instance, people who have a stronger immune response to a vaccine will produce more antibodies and memory cells — and therefore have stronger immunity, he said. But, he adds, there is not currently evidence to show that a stronger immune response will increase the duration of immunity. 
 

Why we need new benchmarks for AI (Wall Street Journal)

"The focus of all AI development was all on accuracy, especially when it came to benchmarks," says Youjin Kong, an associate visiting professor of philosophy at Oregon State University who works on ethics and social philosophy in AI. "But what's the purpose of competition to increase accuracy if the data set itself is biased?" (OSU faculty, staff and students can access the WSJ for free from the OSU Libraries website)


OSU releases another new, antioxidant-rich purple tomato (KTVZ)

The new Oregon State University-developed tomato Midnight Roma follows in the steps of 10-year-old Indigo Rose, the first antioxidant-rich purple tomato available on the market.
 

A pigment from red cabbage could help turn your favorite foods blue (Science)

t’s a “significant advance,” says Mas Subramanian, a chemist at Oregon State University, Corvallis, who was not involved with the work. In 2009, Subramanian discovered a new blue pigment, though not one to be eaten; it hit shelves this year as an artist’s paint. But the art world was looking for a deep blue like Subramanian’s, while the food world is chasing a natural source of a lighter cyan blue to color ice cream or candies, he says.


Is Oregon ready to open the floodgates for COVID-19 vaccinations April 19? (Oregonian)

Oregon State University Professor Courtney Campbell, who is studying the equity of vaccine distribution, wonders if there has been “some real pressure” on politicians to get the vaccine out to the general population. That, coupled with the perception that Oregon is already behind many other states in the vaccine rollout, could possibly be a motivator, he said.
 

What is herd immunity, and how do we get there in Oregon? (PDX Monthly)

Chunhuei Chi, a professor of international health at Oregon State University, says “there is no magic number,” and with the rise of concerning COVID-19 variants, such as the B.1.1.7, that threshold could grow higher. “The threshold number, it’s not black and white. It’s in a range. But on average, that threshold number is proportionally higher if the virus or the bacteria are more contagious,” Chi says.
 

Central Oregon is in for a robust summer travel season (Bend Bulletin)

As the company begins to add staff, it may have difficulty finding qualified employees, said Todd Montgomery, Oregon State University-Cascades hospitality management program executive in residence who runs the program.
 

Ask an expert: Does this rhody have a fungal disease, or winter weather damage? (Oregonian)

The gardening season has started, and you’ve got questions. Turn to Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool from Oregon State University’s Extension Service. 
 

Random Review: Book on genetics to be discussed (Democrat-Herald)

Spatafora is Head of the OSU Department of Botany and Plan Pathology. He received his bachelor's in zoology from Louisiana Tech University, his doctorate in botany from Louisiana State University, and he completed a postdoc in mycology at Duke University.
 

Everyday people: An avid gardener helps others grow (Daily Astorian)

Wentzel is the new master gardener and small-farms program coordinator on the coast for the Oregon State University Extension Service. Based in Tillamook, she splits her time between Tillamook County and Clatsop County.
 

Today's photo


Central Oregon vaccinations: Christine Coffin, director of communications at OSU-Cascades, received vaccination #1 at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center on Friday, courtesy of St. Charles Health System, Deschutes County Health Services and the Oregon National Guard. OSU faculty, staff and students ages 16 and up in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties can pre-register for a vaccination at https://www.deschutes.org/health/page/covid. If you’ve received your first or second shot and want to share, send a selfie to [email protected]. Tell us why you got the vaccine or how getting the vaccine made you feel emotionally. We ask that you not share photos of your vaccination card unless all private information is covered up.19-vaccine

Today

Department of Horticulture Seminar: The Horticulture Spring 2021 Seminar Series will take place Monday, April 12, at noon. The seminar is accessible through a Zoom webinar at https://oregonstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYlceqgrDssG9f6WTby4qwcbMLd5aSAjScr. The event is free and open to the public. Bri Price, MS student, Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, will present, “Non-nutritive sugars, a new management tactic for Drosophila suzukii management and prospective non-target effects.”

Laughter Yoga Club: Laughter reduces stress and improves health. Anyone can laugh intentionally. OSU’s Laughter Yoga Club will guide you through the exercise and experience of intentional laughter with a certified Laughter Yoga leader. Join us every Monday and Friday at 4 p.m. Register once and attend any session: beav.es/JEY All are welcome.

Public Health Webcast April 12 | Back to school expectations, transitions and challenges: What will a return to in-person learning look like for students, educators and families? Learn what to expect from the transition and explore impacts for mental and emotional health and childhood development. College of Public Health and Human Sciences faculty lead the discussion in a Public Health Insider webcast on April 12 at 4 p.m. PT. Register and explore the series.

Science Pub: Vitamin C facts and fiction will be the topic of the April 12 Oregon State University Science Pub. The virtual event will feature a talk by Alexander Michels, a research associate and communications officer for Oregon State’s Linus Pauling Institute. His presentation, a joint effort of Oregon State University in Corvallis and OSU-Cascades in Bend, is called: “Vitamin C and Health: Fact versus Fiction.” The free Science Pub will run from 6-7:30 p.m. The event will be broadcast on YouTube Live. Registration is required and can be completed at: https://beav.es/Jyo.

Events

NEW! April 13 Regional Connections | Southern California: Staying connected is good for your mind, body and Beaver spirit. At the upcoming Southern California Regional Connections event April 13, gather with fellow Beavs to share your experiences, network with others in your field, get help with career searches or simply socialize with OSU alumni, students and friends. OSU Alumni Association regional volunteers from Southern California and OSUAA staff will help guide the conversations and connections. Register today at osualum.com/regionalconnections

Oregon Spring Career Fair: Register today to meet with employers from a variety of industries. Hershey Co., Nortek, Amazon, Collabera, Greenberry and nearly 100 more great employers will be in attendance. April 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in Handshake. This virtual fair is hosted in conjunction with the University of Oregon. For more information and how to prepare for a virtual career fair, please visit: career.oregonstate.edu/virtual-fairs.

Beyond Earth Day: Join Community Engagement & Leadership and the Corvallis community in celebration of the 51st anniversary of Earth Day. Events and activities run from Saturday, April 17 through Friday, April 23, and are focused on adopting sustainable practices that challenge people to take on a greater role in their individual and institutional lives. Questions? Contact [email protected].

Oregon State University Out of the Darkness: The OSU community recognizes the importance of mental health. Suicide prevention is vital for our community; we need your help to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. This year’s event puts a virtual twist on the classic Campus Walk. Join us Saturday, April 17 at noon for the livestreamed ceremony with community speakers, an Honor Bead Ceremony, and memorial submissions. Stick around afterwards for our virtual resource fair – guided meditation sessions, community partners, OSU clubs, and more! Contact Tessie Webster-Henry at [email protected] for more information. Afsp.org/OregonState

START orientation: START New Student Orientation will occur virtually this summer, but with significant changes from summer 2020. Come to our webinar to learn about the overall structure and the experience will be like for our incoming class. Join us on Zoom for the event, which will take place on April 27 from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

NEW! Healthy, Kid Friendly Meals on the Go: Tuesday, April 13 from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom. Looking for fresh, easy and nutritious ideas for feeding your family? Join Julie Jacobs, nutrition educator, for a lively Beaver Family Connections presentation on "Kid Friendly Meals on the Go." Julie has been teaching and mentoring children of all ages and is committed to helping youth and families learn about healthful eating habits and well-being. For more information about Beaver Family Connections monthly education series and our weekly Parent Connections for Employees every Tuesday from 1-2 p.m. via Zoom, email Robynn at [email protected].

NEW! Library Student Review Board Special Meeting: The Valley Library invites students to a special meeting discussing diversity, equity and inclusion at the library, moderated by consultants from DeEtta Jones and Associates. This student discussion will be held on Zoom on April 14 from 5-6:30 p.m. No need to prepare a statement, just bring yourself and your opinions. Register here: beav.es/oSh.

NEW! Get to know Zoom with Media Services: Season 2: Friday, April 16 from 2-3 p.m. Location: Zoom. To register for this event and for more Zoom information from Media Services, go to https://uit-at.oregonstate.edu/media-services-zoom/

Care.com Webinar: Removing the “man-can’t” myth: Moms and dads have been struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, experiencing equal amounts of stress, despite stereotypes. Dads today are “all in” and more emotionally and physically involved at home than ever before. Josh Levs, an expert on modern dads in the workplace, will share how men can engage on issues of gender equality and diversity, how they can become co-champions for change, and strategies to offer work-life balance for both women and men. Tuesday, April 13, 9-10 a.m. Register today.

CTL Tuesday Teaching + Tech Talks — Advancing Social Justice Education: Integrating Critical and Inclusive Pedagogies. Jeff Kenney, director of Institutional Education for Diversity, Equity + Inclusion, will speak on “What does it mean to practice social justice education? Interact with peers and experts to explore the distinctions and tensions between critical and inclusive pedagogies and imagine ways to grow your praxis.” This workshop will be facilitated on April 13 at 10 a.m. via Zoom: beav.es/ZOOMT4 *Password: CTL. Handouts, materials and resources: beav.es/BOXT4. Additional info: Tuesday Teaching + Tech Talks.

People and Nature Lunch Series is back for Spring Term: Join us on Tuesday, April 13, from noon to 12:50 p.m. as Steven Johnson (Geography) presents “Novel ocean futures: anticipating great change in the world’s marine protected areas.” The lecture is free and open to all. To join the meeting, register at https://peopleandnatureosu.weebly.com/schedule.html. Sponsored by the Department of Fisheries & Wildlife’s Human Dimensions Lab. 

Best Practices for Stewarding Scholarship Donors: Philanthropy and stewardship are increasingly important to ensuring student access and success at OSU. Faculty and staff involved in scholarship management and donor engagement are invited to a virtual workshop that will share the best practices for stewarding scholarship donors developed by OSU and the OSU Foundation. Tuesday, April 13 at 3 p.m. Visit Scholarship Resources for Zoom information.

UPDATED! Professional Faculty transition to continuous employment: The Professional Faculty transition to continuous employment is slated to take effect on July 1. Additional information for professional faculty is available in Zoom sessions on Tuesday, April 13 from 1-1:45 p.m. or Friday, April 16 from 11-11:45 a.m. Supervisors of professional faculty can learn more by attending an information session on Thursday, April 15 from 9-9:45 a.m. The supervisor session for Friday, April 9 from 1-1:45 p.m. has been canceled in order to better accommodate supervisor availability, but will be rescheduled. Sessions are being recorded and will be published to the transition webpage for those unable to attend in real time. Questions about the change are welcome and may be sent to [email protected].

BIPOC in STEM Career Conversation: The College of Science BIPOC student group is hosting a discussion with BIPOC STEM professionals on Tuesday, April 13 at 5 p.m. Kim Tran from Integrity Bio, Dawn Wright from Esri, Jacob Benson III from Innovator Semiconductor Solutions and Shaznin Daruwalla from CAPS join us for a 30-minute student Q&A followed by breakout sessions. Register here.

How to Manage Startup Teams — OSU Advantage Speaker Series: When you're launching a new business, it's easy to be so focused on your product and finding funding that you forget about your most important asset — your team. As any seasoned CEO will attest, your team is your lifeblood — with a good one, a mediocre product can still find success, and with a bad one, the best, well-funded innovation can die. But with the limited resources of a startup, how do you navigate stewarding your team well and providing the environment and resources they need to thrive? Join the OSU Advantage Accelerator on Wednesday, April 14 from noon to 1 p.m., as we dive into these questions with experienced CEO Rita Hansen and learn what tactics, strategies and advice she has for the budding entrepreneur. Register here: https://events.oregonstate.edu/event/how_to_manage_startup_teams#.YG5aXuhKhyw

PFLA Zoom event: Career Development Tools, presented by Karla Rockhold, assistant director of career development, Wednesday, April 14, noon to 1 p.m. Learn more about the many tools and resources that can help you achieve your career goals. For more information about the event and how to register, click here

OMSI-OSU Virtual Workshops: The College of Science and OMSI offer opportunities for members of the OSU community (OSU faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students engaged in research) to build and hone their science communication skills. We are offering a workshop on April 15 from 3-4:30 p.m., "Virtual Science Demonstrations." Over the past year, many of us have communicated in a virtual format much more than ever before. In this workshop we will emphasize and practice facilitation strategies unique to the virtual format that still allow for making meaningful connections. Registration ($25) closes April 13. Register/learn more at: https://omsi.edu/science-communication-services.

OSU Science on Tap | Wine Off the Vine in Oregon and Italy: The OSU Alumni Association is pairing two popular programs for one splendid evening. Learn about the sensory science of wine from OSU Fermentation Science program’s Elizabeth Tomasino at Wine Off the Vine in Oregon and Italy Thursday, April 15, at 5:30 p.m. Be part of the live virtual tasting and discussion of wine from Oregon and Italy. Then hear how you can experience the region on Alumni Group Travel’s upcoming tour, Flavors of Northern Italy, departing September 2021. To receive a recommended wine list, register for free at osualum.com/SOTwine.

Combating bullying and anti-LGBTQ attitudes in sports | April 21 Webcast: Former Beaver, NFL defensive tackle and LGBTQ advocate Esera Tuaolo believes in a more inclusive and diverse world of sports — from pro football to youth athletics programs. Hear about his personal challenges during a successful nine-season NFL career and about his anti-bullying work and education delivered through his nonprofit, Hate is Wrong. Join College of Liberal Arts Professor Susan Shaw in conversation with Tuaolo on April 21 at 5 p.m. PT. Register at osualum.com/Changemakers.

Faculty Staff Fitness: OSU Faculty Staff Fitness has fitness offerings to keep you moving Spring 2021 and registration is open. Check out our in-person, remote synchronous and remote asynchronous offerings at https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/schedule/spring. Our in-person offerings will be via Zoom or meet with the 6-person maximum until we can return to campus with the OHA Risk Designation changes. Zoom synchronous class options will be Tuesday/Thursday 7 a.m. and noon. Weight Training and a 100% Zoom Cardio Intervals 30-minute class Monday/Wednesday at noon for a midday boost. We also have our Online FSF program with more than 300 classes and 20 styles in a completely online, asynchronous format (https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/online) for $35 for 12 weeks.

Take Note

NEW! National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE): From April 12 through May 12, OSU is participating in the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). All first-year students and Spring graduation candidates who were notified on April 6 of their graduation status will receive an email inviting them to take the short NSSE survey. We ask faculty and staff to encourage students to participate in this important study, so we can learn more about our students’ educational experiences at OSU. For information, visit our NSSE website, or contact JoAnne Bunnage or Daniel Lopez-Cevallos.

Event Co-Sponsorship Opportunity: The Speaker Series committee of the President’s Commission on the Status of Women is accepting applications for funding from OSU staff and students interested in hosting speaker events in Spring term. Funding averages $500 and applicants must provide a clear explanation of the event and its alignment with the PCOSW mission. To learn more and apply online, see the PCOSW Funding Opportunities page.

Nominations deadline extended: The President’s Commission on the Status of Women, Office of Institutional Diversity, Office of the Provost and OSU Athletics are accepting nominations for the Breaking Barriers awards. All OSU community members whose work advances gender equity in alignment with the award categories are eligible. Categories include Breaking Barriers in Education, Breaking Barriers in Research, Breaking Barriers in Athletics, the PCOSW Community Builder and the Harriet "Hattie" Redmond awards. Learn more and submit nominations at beav.es/Jby. Nominations close Sunday, April 18. For questions, contact [email protected].

Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical SciencesProvides funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health. The current grant level is $300,000; $75,000 per year for four years. For the 2022 award, one nomination will be invited from each of the participating institutions. The internal deadline for submitting a letter of recommendation for a nominee is Monday, April 12. https://research.oregonstate.edu/program/pew-scholars-program-biomedical-sciences.

The Full Collection of Animal Interlude Tiny Concerts: This week, Spring Creek Project released the final Animal Interludes in the collection. You can now watch all the short videos — each an original composition of words and music featuring a beloved animal — on their YouTube channel. The latest Interludes include the wolf, raven, sidewinder rattlesnake, humpback whale and spadefoot toad. Learn more about the collection and contributors.

Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence (CUE) registration open: CUE is an annual showcase for undergraduates from all disciplines, all years of study and all stages of research to present to the OSU community. Please encourage students to present lightning talks during this two-day virtual research symposium, which will be held on May 27-28. The deadline for students to register is May 7. View details at communications.oregonstate.edu/events/cue. For more info, contact [email protected].

Learn Mindfulness for Science: The Edwards Social Cognition Lab is looking for volunteers to take a no-cost, Zoom-based meditation program starting April 26. Zoom sessions are 45 minutes at 8 a.m. or 7 p.m., Monday-Friday, for 3 weeks. Volunteers can receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card for completing the study. IRB#2020-0906. Learn more at: https://scl.liberalarts.oregonstate.edu/content/current-projects.

Participants wanted for a short-term vegetable sprout research study (Corvallis): If you are healthy, age 18-60, non-smoking, not pregnant or breastfeeding, without diabetes, heart disease or stroke, bariatric surgery, kidney, thyroid or intestinal problems, you may qualify. The study lasts 72 hours. Volunteers will receive $150. PI: Emily Ho, Ph.D. Title: "Discovery of Biological Signatures for Cruciferous Vegetable Intake." Contact us at [email protected], 541-737-5049 or visit https://tinyurl.com/y7437mo4 for information and online screener. 

IRS warns of impersonation email scam targeting university staff and students: The IRS recently warned of impersonation email scams targeting people with .edu email addresses. The scammers lure their targets with the IRS logo and email subject lines related to tax refunds. Please find out how to protect yourself here:  https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-warns-university-students-and-staff-of-impersonation-email-scam. This message brought to you by the OSU Office of Information Security.

Floor Monitor Training: Training for Floor Monitors and Building Managers on roles and responsibilities when evacuating their building. Training is the second Wednesday of every month via Zoom. Sign up for Zoom Floor Monitor Training at: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1ZhCgowN8AukjPf.

Call for Applications – Inclusive Excellence@OSU 2021 Cohort: Each year IE@OSU welcomes STEM faculty from OSU, Linn-Benton and Lane Community Colleges to participate in a yearlong fellowship. Inclusive Excellence@OSU seeks to transform STEM education by creating a thriving community of peers who are invested in inclusive excellence in STEM, challenging fellows to develop equity and justice-oriented mindsets and exploring pedagogical practices that fellows can implement in their own classrooms. Click here for application and more info. Deadline to apply is May 3.

Deadline Extended: Visualize Your Bibliography Competition: The OSU Libraries and Press invite currently enrolled graduate students to enter this year’s Visualize Your Bibliography Competition. Submissions should creatively display 20+ sources used in a thesis, dissertation, or other scholarly work. Displays might range from a series of erasure poems made for each source to a multimedia timeline of your sources. Prizes: 1st: $750, 2nd: $500, 3rd: $250. Deadline extended to April 11. For questions, contact [email protected].  

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.

Center for Teaching & Learning Consultations: Whether you want to learn more about a core area of pedagogy, discuss a pedagogical challenge or share a classroom victory, our staff are ready for you. To schedule a 1-on-1 teaching consultation contact [email protected]. All meetings are confidential and formative. While we are ready to help with general course design, and revision of assignments, assessments and syllabi, we are also ready to engage with you on issues that develop during the term and need immediate attention.

Traffic and Maintenance

Western Building parking lot: As part of the Campus Operations building project, partial closures are scheduled for the Western Building lot for grading and paving work. Partial lot closures are scheduled to start on Monday, April 5 and continue through Friday, April 23 (view map). Half of the parking lot will remain open at all times. Please note, paving work is weather-dependent and future updates to the schedule may follow this notic

Weather

“A garden should make you feel you've entered privileged space -- a place not just set apart but reverberant -- and it seems to me that, to achieve this, the gardener must put some kind of twist on the existing landscape, turn its prose into something nearer poetry.” ~ Michael Pollan

Corvallis: Sunny and breezy today, high of 64, low of 40. Sunny and breezy Tuesday.

Central Oregon: Sunny today, high of 56, low of 29. Sunny and breezy tomorrow.

Newport: Sunny today, high of 57, low of 45. Sunny tomorrow.

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