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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.
Next week, scientists with Oregon State University’s TRACE-COVID-19 project will begin the process of processing samples that were taken twice a week last month from 40 wastewater treatment plants across the state. Researchers will extract tiny bits of virus RNA from those samples as a key part of the state’s surveillance for the new variant of concern. (see also Statesman Journal, Portland Business Journal, JPR)
The deaths of eight wolves in the Oregon gray wolf population may not have a “significant impact,” Michael Paul Nelson, a professor of environmental ethics and philosophy at Oregon State University, said in an interview. But he said it signals a broader concern for the animals.
A portion of Oregon State University's Reser Stadium is set for demolition in January as part of its multimillion-dollar upgrade project. (see also Oregonian, KTVZ, KMTR)
Anne-Marie Deitering has been named the new Donald and Delpha Campbell Dean of Libraries for Oregon State University.
New research from researchers at Oregon State University (OSU) offers strong evidence that water births are a safe option for typical pregnancies.
Winter white: Marnie Noble, senior director of development, submitted this photo from a recent trip to Green Gable Garden in Philomath. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/osutoday1/.
NEW! Timely Teaching Tips: Seeking new methods to foster student interaction around course content in an inclusive manner? Read Social Annotation as a Learning Tool, a concise guide to the instructional purposes and benefits of collective annotation, leading annotation tools and effective social annotation practices you can apply in your teaching.
The Oregon Employees’ Charitable Fund Drive runs now through Dec. 31. It’s possible you already give to some of the over 650 charities listed; however, by giving as part of the CFD, you help show our neighbors-in-need that we state employees care about them. Please make your tax-deductible donation now: https://www.ipledgeonline.org/_cfduniversities/. The site has been populated with your name and OSU ID so login is easy. You can even replicate last year’s donation.
Department of Integrative Biology Ph.D. Defense Seminar: Anne Devan-Song will present “Emergent properties of animal social networks: five stories in five systems,” Dec. 6 at 9 a.m. Zoom: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/99321750252?pwd=RVhiL0tTSUxsNXdtMklaUE5BeElZdz09. Devan-Song is completing her Ph.D. in Integrative Biology under the guidance of Anna Jolles and James Watson.
Carli Morgan, M.S. Defense: Morgan will present her thesis, “Estimating Tree Defect and Log Quality with Terrestrial Structure from Motion Photogrammetry and Handheld LiDAR,” Dec. 6, 10:30 a.m., via Zoom. Morgan is pursuing her M.S. degree in Sustainable Forest Management with Matt Powers in the Department of Forest Engineering, Resources and Management.
Beyond Benefits: "Sleep: An Essential Component of Health and Well-Being." This workshop provides the latest research findings regarding the importance of sleep and offers participants suggestions on how to improve their sleep according to priority and quality measures. Dec. 6, 11:30 a.m. Register here.
Faculty Staff Fitness: OSU Faculty Staff Fitness is ready to get you moving: We have a bonus session Dec. 6-17 with Flex Passes; winter registration is open for Jan. 3 classes (click here for schedule); and more Online FSF options are available. Contact [email protected] to help you find your fitness plan today.
Memorial gathering in honor of T. Darrah Thomas: Family, friends and colleagues of Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Chemistry T. Darrah Thomas will gather in LPSC 402 on Dec. 7 from 2-4 p.m. There will be a Zoom session open for those not able to attend in person. RSVP if you are able to join on campus, or get Zoom access details here: [email protected].
Northern California Regional Connections Dec. 7: Get help building your network in these challenging times. The OSU Alumni Association invites alumni, students and friends in Northern California to the next free virtual Regional Connections event, Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m. Register at ForOregonState.org/Regional-Networks.
Southern California Regional Connections Dec. 8: Need help adjusting to the new normal? The OSU Alumni Association invites alumni, students and friends in Southern California to the next free virtual Regional Connections event, Wednesday, Dec. 8, at 5:30 p.m. Share your experiences, network and connect. Register and find additional resources at ForOregonState.org/Regional-Networks.
Portland Regional Connections Dec. 13: The pandemic has changed life as we know it. Find help adjusting to the new normal from the OSU Alumni Association at the next free virtual Regional Connections event, Dec. 13 at 5:30 p.m.. Alumni, students and friends in Portland are invited to share their experiences, network and connect. ForOregonState.org/Regional-Networks.
Central Oregon Regional Connections Dec. 14: To survive and thrive in the new normal, you need to be agile and adapt. Join the OSU Alumni Association for the next free virtual Regional Connections event, Dec. 14 at 5:30 p.m. Alumni, students and friends in Central Oregon are invited to share their experiences, network and connect. ForOregonState.org/Regional-Network.
Seattle Regional Connections Dec. 15: Welcome to the new normal. If these challenging times have you feeling overwhelmed, frustrated or burned out, the OSU Alumni Association and Beaver Nation are here to help you. Join alumni, students and friends in Seattle to share your experience, network and connect at the Regional Connections free virtual event, Dec. 15 at 5:30 p.m. ForOregonState.org/Regional-Networks.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration: Registrations for the 40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Peace Breakfast and Keynote are open to OSU students, staff and faculty. Breakfast is Jan. 17, 9 a.m., with the keynote at 11 a.m. The keynote features LaTosha Brown, expert in black voting rights and voter suppression. Register. For a full list of events, visit https://diversity.oregonstate.edu/mlk
NEW! Care.com’s No Sleep, No Social Life, No Self-Care = The Cost of Caregiving. How You Can Lighten the Load: Alexandra Drane, CEO and co-founder of ARCHANGELS, dives into the data on how caregiving is the job many of us don’t even realize we have; its impact on our work, relationships, and physical and mental health; and solutions that help. Dec 8, 9 a.m. Register here.
NEW! Library Random Review: Abby Metzger of Corvallis will review "The Address Book" by Deirdre Mask as part of the Friends of the Library’s Random Review series. The program will take place Dec. 8, noon to 1 p.m., online via GoToWebinar. Register: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/214275444049943307. Metzger is a science writer and communicator in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences at OSU.
NEW! 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
NEW! Alzhheimer’s: Are you caring for someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease and find communication challenging? Join Alise Liepnicks, Program Specialist for the Alzheimer’s Association Oregon & SW Washington Chapter, to learn more about the disease, strategies for more effective communication and caregiver support on Thursday, Dec. 9 from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
NW! PFLA Zoom event: PFLA Open Forum – Professional Development. Learn how you can be more involved in PFLA activities, have a say in what types of professional development events are offered through PFLA and share your ideas. Join us via Zoom Dec. 16, 3-4 p.m. No need to register.
NEW! Crucial Conversations: This is a 10-hour course that teaches skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high-stakes, emotional or risky topics at all levels of your organization. By learning how to speak and be heard, you’ll surface the best ideas, make the highest-quality decisions, and then act on your decisions with unity and commitment. Online sessions on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m., Jan. 20 through Feb. 17. There is a $100 fee to attend Crucial Conversations. Learn more and register here.
Department of Integrative Biology Ph.D. Defense Seminar: Sara Hamilton will present “Drivers of kelp forest responses to global change: from populations to policies,” Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. via hybrid format. In person in LINC 368 or Zoom: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/98525510059?pwd=M2hPdmp1eFpXbFZMVzNSQWNkMyt6QT09. Hamilton is completing her Ph.D. in Integrative Biology under the guidance of Kirsten Grorud-Colvert and Bruce Menge.
People and Nature Lunch Series: Paula Lopez from the Forest Ecosystems and Society Department presents “How do informal institutions coexist and interact with formal forest management systems in community forestry enterprises? A case study from the Loreto region in Perú,” Dec. 7, noon to 12:50 p.m. Register at https://peopleandnatureosu.weebly.com/schedule.html. Sponsored by the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences’ Human Dimensions Lab.
MF Defense: Lewis Campbell will present his capstone, titled: “Managing Douglas-fir Mortality: Case Studies from Western Oregon,” Dec. 7, 1 p.m., in PFSC 177 or over Zoom. Campbell is earning his Master of Forestry in Forest Ecosystems and Society with Klaus Puettmann. Contact the FES Department at [email protected] for the Zoom link or for accommodations for disabilities.
Oregon's Water: What Coyote Can Teach Us. What can traditional ecological knowledge teach us about how to live well with our waters? Presenter Kathleen George, who was awarded the Columbia River Hero Award for her work to protect the health of tribal people who eat fish from Oregon rivers, will help us think through a new path forward. This virtual talk is part of the fifth annual Champinefu Lecture Series co-sponsored by the Spring Creek Project. Wednesday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m. Free and open to everyone. Register here
Navigating Workplace Conflict Workshop in Corvallis: Developed by University Ombudsperson and conflict management expert Sue Theiss, this workshop focuses on essential elements of managing interpersonal, small group and organizational conflict. Participants will have a good understanding of how to navigate conflict and the tools to help you create real change through inclusive processes. Dec. 16. Register at https://workspace.oregonstate.edu/certificate/navigating-conflict.
NEW! Girls Expeditions: Inspiring Girls Expeditions is seeking field scientists, artists or wilderness guides to plan and instruct our three OSU-based 2022 expeditions: Expeditions@Home, Girls on Ice Cascades, and Girls in Icy Fjords. Our expeditions are unique, tuition-free, 10-12-day programs for 16-18-year-old girls and gender expansive youth that emphasize curiosity, creativity, and exploration in remote environments. This is a great opportunity for graduate students who are interested in professional development around scientific teaching, leadership, field logistics, risk management and more. Links to position descriptions and application instructions can be found on our website. Contact Program Coordinator Ryan Brown with questions.
NEW! Honors College Colloquium Proposals: OSU tenured/tenure-track, senior instructor, and emeritus faculty are invited to submit honors colloquium proposals for 2022-2023 at honors.oregonstate.edu/course-proposals. Any General Catalog course can also be offered as a small, highly-engaged honors course; interested faculty should contact [email protected] for details. Faculty may apply for Meehan course development grants of up to $3,000 to develop experiential learning opportunities for honors courses and colloquia. More information: [email protected] or 541-737-6412. Deadline: Jan. 15.
Submit your events for the 2022 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration week: Departments, units, offices, organizations and individuals are invited to submit events for the 40th annual Celebration. These events are intended to collaboratively learn about, reflect on and carry on the legacy of Dr. King, and are an important part of the annual celebration. Learn more on the events website. Events can be submitted by Friday, Jan. 7. For questions, contact [email protected] or 541-737-1063.
Valley Library update: Valley Library’s first floor book stacks are now open for browsing and study for Dead and Finals week. The work happening on the first floor is part of a major collections and storage project. In the last year, staff has physically moved more than one million items, and the project is still going on. A majority of the spaces – including almost all of the study rooms and spaces – are now free to use as of Nov. 30. The first floor is the Valley Library’s Silent Floor. Due to the ongoing work being done in the stack ranges, we will not be able to guarantee silence during normal business hours, but after 6 p.m., this floor will once again be silent.
Apply for FY22 PCOSW scholarship and project funding: The President’s Commission on the Status of Women invites applications for funding to faculty, students and staff who are pursuing professional development, research or other opportunities that support PCOSW’s mission. Apply by Friday, Feb. 4. Visit https://leadership.oregonstate.edu/pcosw/funding-opportunities for detailed guidelines, qualification requirements and application link. Questions? Contact [email protected].
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: The LaSells Stewart Center: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Student Experience Center: Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Dec. 9-10, only the SEC location will be open. During Winter Break, only the SEC location will be open, and its hours will be limited to Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. WVT will provide testing over the break for travel purposes. Student Health Services will not be providing testing for travel purposes. (For staff wanting to get a test voluntarily, please make sure to register for a lab dash account prior to arrival: https://labdash.net/.) Bend: Ray Hall 302, Weeks of Nov. 29-Dec. 20: Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.; Week of Dec. 27: No testing; Week of Jan. 3: Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 6 p.m.
Fairbanks: As part of the Fairbanks Hall Renovation Project, utility work will be happening. The sidewalk between the Women’s Building and Fairbanks Hall is scheduled to be closed from Nov. 29 through Dec. 27 (view map). An area of the sidewalk/fire lane between Austin Hall and the Asian & Pacific Cultural Center will also be closed.
Reser Stadium lot: For work related to the Completing Reser Stadium project, the west area of the Reser Stadium lot (lot #3281) will be closed from Nov. 22 through Dec. 10. Exterior saw-cutting work is scheduled for an electrical reroute. An extended closure for the west area of the Reser Stadium lot is also scheduled starting Nov. 22 through June 15, 2023. The area will be used for a contractor job site and temporary storage space (view map).
"December, being the last month of the year, cannot help but make us think of what is to come." ~ Fennel Hudson
Corvallis: Rain today, high of 47, low of 41. Chance of rain tomorrow.
Central Oregon: Rain likely high of 47, low of 37. Mostly sunny tomorrow.
Newport: Rain today, high of 51, low of 51. Chance of rain tomorrow.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/
