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. 

Wireless vehicle updates pose big cybersecurity risk for automakers, consumers (S&P Global)

A hacker could change the control code onboard the vehicle or try to feed the sensors wrong information, according to Houssam Abbas, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Oregon State University.
 

King tides and big waves this weekend on Oregon beaches (KLCC)

King tides are naturally occurring in winter. Peter Ruggiero, Oregon State University professor of Geology and Geophysics, says the tides will be about a foot to a foot and a half higher than usual. But, Ruggiero says it’s relatively rare to have a big winter storm during king tides.
 

OSU hemp center gets $2.5 million in federal funds (Gazette-Times)

Oregon State University has reeled in some more research funding that it will use to support its new Global Hemp Information Center.
 

Mass timber architecture focuses on the future (Industry Leaders Magazine)

Beverly Law, a professor of ecological changes in climate at the Oregon State University, says no research has been done on how much carbon is emitted by mass timber production as it is very difficult to track the variables involved in the emission of CO2 in the forest ecosystem.
 

Underwater volcano formation discovered as source of 2018 humming around the world (Mic)

Oregon State University estimates that there are over a million underwater volcanoes and only about 75,000 rise over half a mile above the ocean floor. Meaning, you aren't able to see the majority of them, so it makes sense that researchers needed to conduct a year-long study.
 

Community colleges can now offer four-year degrees, but COCC will wait (Bend Bulletin)

Chesley said COCC would ensure any potential four-year degree programs at the college wouldn't be too similar to an existing program at nearby Oregon State University-Cascades.
 

Need suggestions for plants to attract bees to the garden? Ask an Expert (Oregonian)

Winter is here, but we’re still getting plenty of gardening questions to Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool from Oregon State University’s Extension Service. 
 

Today's photo


Old school beekeeping: Oregon State students learn how to keep bees in 1920. This class was taught by Herman Scullen and may have been a component of a rehabilitation program for World War I veterans. Scullen taught beekeeping and entomology at Oregon State from 1920 to 1953. OSU still has a thriving bee research program.

Today

Play On: Shakespeare in Production at Oregon State University: Professor Emerita Charlotte Headrick will discuss the colorful history of Shakespeare plays produced on campus since the first performance of "Julius Caesar" in 1895. The special guest lecture will be on Monday, Jan. 13 at 4 p.m. at the OSU Center for the Humanities in Autzen House, 811 SW Jefferson Ave. Free and open to the public.

CANCELLED! Seminar: Irina Gaynanova's seminar has been cancelled.

Crop and Soil Science Winter 2020 Seminar Series: The departments of CSS and Horticulture are co-hosting the weekly winter 2020 Seminars every Monday at 4 p.m. in ALS 4000. The first seminar takes place Jan 13, 4 p.m., ALS 4000, and will be presented by Xi Zhang, a postdoctoral scholar in the College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences. The title of his talk is "Estimating soil hydraulic conductivity in agricultural landscape with pedotransfer functions: challenges and opportunities." Zoom information: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/527853715

ASOSU Elections Informational Sessions: Interested in running for ASOSU student body president, vice president, speaker of the house, senator, representative, student fee committee chair or student fee committee at-large member? Attend a mandatory elections information session to run. Next session is Jan. 13, 5-6 p.m., MU 206. For more info: asosu.oregonstate.edu/elections

Events

NEW! An Evening with Pulitzer Prize Finalist Elizabeth Rush: Elizabeth Rush will share her book "Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore," which the New York Times called "the book on climate change and sea levels that was missing." Tuesday, Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m., Corvallis Public Library meeting room. Sponsored by the Spring Creek Project. Free and open to everyone.

NEW! Tuition Forums: The University Budget Committee has begun meeting to discuss recommendations for tuition rates for the 2020-21 academic year. As part of developing recommendations for the Board of Trustees, representatives of the Budget Committee and the Office of Budget and Resource Planning are offering a series of weekly forums to discuss tuition rates, proposals for tuition increases, and to answer any questions about tuition and the university budget. The first forum is Wednesday, Jan. 15 from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Memorial Union Trysting Tree Lounge. The schedule for subsequent forums and a short discussion of common questions about tuition are available on the Budget website. The committee welcomes questions, comments, and ideas. For more information, to provide an idea or opinion, or to ask a question please contact Laurie Henry.

NEW! Board of Trustees: The OSU Board will meet from on Friday, Jan. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Horizon Room of the Memorial Union. The board will consider the university’s 10-year business forecast, amendments to its conduct of board meetings policy, the election of board officers and the board’s 2020 work plan. The board also will hear updates on the upcoming legislative session, implementation of Strategic Plan 4.0 and the university’s food insecurity initiatives. The board will hold an executive session pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(d) to conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to carry on labor negotiations. Committees of the board will meet from on Thursday, Jan. 23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday, Jan. 24 from 8:00-8:45 a.m. in the Horizon Room of the Memorial Union. The agendas and meeting materials will be posted as they are available at http://oregonstate.edu/leadership/trustees/meetings. For accommodations: (541) 737-3449 or [email protected] at least 48 hours in advance.

President’s Winter Celebration: On Tuesday, Jan. 14 from 9-11 a.m. in the Memorial Union Lounge, all OSU faculty, staff and students are invited to take a break and join President Edward J. Ray for free treats and gourmet beverages. Non-perishable food items or monetary donations to benefit OSU’s Food Pantry will be accepted and appreciated. Contact University Events at [email protected] or 541-737-4717 with any questions.

Wellness Walk: Faculty, staff and students: Join Recreational Sports for a carefree walk around campus. We will guide you through a route that takes us to unique sculptures we have around our campus and possibly stop for a quick afternoon pick-me-up at Dutch Bros. Takes place Jan. 14, 3 p.m., MU 062 (The Wellness Nook).

Pizza and Conversation: Architectural Engineering at Oregon State University: Join the School of Civil and Construction Engineering for a brief presentation, pizza, and conversation about the new AE program. Architectural engineering is a profession where knowledge of mathematics and natural sciences are applied to the engineering design of buildings and their environmental systems. Learn how students who graduate with an architectural engineering degree can positively influence how people live, work and play in buildings while lessening impacts on the planet. Tuesday, Jan. 14, 6-8 p.m., Kearney 312. Presented by Kevin Houser, professor of architectural engineering.

$5K Innovation Days Award & Innovation Days event: OSU faculty are invited to join the OSU Advantage office for an Innovation Days event at on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 3 p.m. in the MU to learn about the resources OSU has to help research and technology achieve greater societal impact via tech commercialization. Hear from an OSU faculty member and a student as they share their journey. Faculty participation in Innovation Days enables eligibility for a $5,000 innovation award. This session is focused on autonomous systems and AI but is open to faculty from any discipline. For more information and to RSVP, visit https://innovationenterprise.oregonstate.edu/innovation-days. Registration is free but is required. A hosted networking reception is provided from 5-6:30 p.m.

Faculty/staff free nutrition counseling: The OSU dietetic interns are offering free nutrition counseling sessions to faculty and staff this winter. Appointments are available Jan. 17 at 1 or 2 p.m. We also have openings Friday, Feb. 14 at noon or 1 p.m. Can count towards your HEM requirement. Email [email protected] to schedule your appointment.

MLK Jr. Day of Service: Students, faculty, staff, and their partners and children are all invited to participate in OSU’s largest day of service of the year on Saturday, Jan. 18. Projects will take place at various times with most projects starting in the morning. They include indoor and outdoor service activities with the City of Corvallis, Parks and Rec and Linn-Benton Food Share. For more information, contact [email protected]. To register for a project, visit: https://apps.ideal-logic.com/osucce?key=F3T9-25VWY_K9KH-5PTF_e3fad1a6

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

NEW! Engineering Advanced Energy Systems: Brazil and U.S. Perspectives: Join Assistant Professor Brian Fronk from the College of Engineering for a three-credit, two-week faculty-led study abroad program in Brazil from Sept. 12-22, 2020. This program focuses on investigating the technical challenges related to thermodynamics, heat transfer, materials, and manufacturing of next generation thermal power production systems in a Brazilian and U.S. context, and includes a visit to the famous Iguaçu Falls. Please join one of our info sessions on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 5 p.m. in Rogers 226. Application deadline: March 1, 2020. For more info contact [email protected] and visit https://sites.google.com/oregonstate.edu/osubrazil/

NEW! Compliance in the Classroom: Students’ experiences of college vary depending on how students perceive the institution affirms their identities and experiences in the classroom. Join staff from the Office of the Registrar, Disability Access Services and Equal Opportunity and Access for an informative session on equitable classroom practices to create inclusive classroom practices that ensure federal compliance. Wednesday, Jan. 15, 10-11 a.m., 202 Kidder Hall

NEW! Bioinformatics Users Group (BUG): "Genetic code expansion and augmented metabolism: stop codon repurposing in bacteria, i.e. Faulty annotation in metagenomics means you can't find what you're not looking for" - Veronika Kivenson (Giovannoni Lab, Microbiology), Wednesday, Jan. 15 from noon to 1 p.m. in ALS 3005. BUG consists of life scientists, bioinformaticians, computer scientists, mathematicians, engineers, statisticians and researchers of all types who meet to discuss topics related to these fields of study. Meetings are generally informal, consisting of discussions, interactive talks or short workshops. All are welcome. No experience needed to participate. For additional information, see https://cgrb.oregonstate.edu/bug

NEW! Puerto Rico program: Puerto Rico will be our classroom for this course which includes a one-credit spring preparation class and a three-credit, 16-day trip, June 22 through July 8, 2020. We will visit with local farmers, activists and educators working to recover from Hurricane Maria and build resilient food systems for the future. Join Christina WalshIngrid Arocho and Jen Myers for this faculty-led program. See our program brochure and attend an info session on Jan. 15 or Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. in Strand 148.

NEW! Triad luncheon: Susanne Brander, College of Agriculture, “Microplastics in the environment.” Thursday, Jan. 16, noon, MU 211. Event is free; optional catered lunch is available for $13. Contact Janice Nave-Abele, [email protected] to reserve lunch. Triad is a campus organization open to faculty and staff that offers an opportunity to gather over a meal to network and learn something new. More info: https://triad.oregonstate.edu/.

NEW! Winter 2020 HWeekend event, Jan. 25-26. Have you ever wanted to make something cool but need a little help in how to do it and people to do it with? The HWeekend event is a partnership with the Inventors Enterprise club, the College of Engineering and the College of Business that helps you realize this dream. This event allows participants to use modern tools, hardware and their own innovation to make exciting and interesting prototypes in only 30 hours. The event is free to participants but space is limited so sign-up ASAP.

NEW! ‘Household Energy In Guatemala” 3-credit Field Course: Students from any major are invited to travel to Guatemala for 10 days in September 2020 to learn about the household energy poverty facing 40% of the world’s families and the technologies and policies that can help to address it, as part of the humanitarian engineering program. Multiple scholarships are available to cover the in-country course fees. An info session will be held Jan. 28, 5 p.m., Rogers 226. More details on the info session are here and details about the past course here. Contact the course leader Nordica MacCarty, [email protected], with any questions.

NEW! Conference on affordability in online learning: OSU is hosting a regional conference with a focus on improving student success and affordability in online and digital learning. Co-hosted by the Online Learning Consortium and OSU Ecampus, the event – scheduled for Feb. 7 in the Memorial Union – will bring faculty, administrators and online learning professionals together to address the opportunities and challenges facing the future of affordability in higher education. Learn more and register today.

Tuesday Teaching + Tech Talks: Creating Equitable & Culturally Inclusive Environments - Join Jane Waite (SJEI) for critical inquiry: Why do students experience the same classes differently? How does who we are impact the ways we teach and learn? What constitutes an equitable environment? +Tech TalkLearn tools for supporting Universal Design. This workshop will be facilitated twice on Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Milam 215. No need to register – just come on by. Learn more here. Contact us here.

Beaver Family Connections: Social Media, Technology & Your Kids: One of the biggest parenting hot topics has been the increasing use of social media and technology in tweens/teens. Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 14 from noon to 1 p.m. in MU 207 to learn what it means to be a “techno-parent” and what to watch for.

Curriculum maps: These planning tools provide clarity to the program assessment process. By diagramming existing and potential courses, curriculum maps identify program strengths, requirements and student learning objectives. Join the Office of Academic Programs and Assessment as we facilitate developing, creating or fine-tuning unique curriculum maps for undergraduate major, minor and certificate programs. Join us on Wednesday, Jan. 15 from 10-11:30 a.m. in Milam 215. Register for the Curriculum Mapping Workshop

Search Advocate program: The OSU Search Advocate Program has scheduled a two-part workshop series in partnership with Extension & Engagement at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center in Aurora. Session 1 takes place Jan. 17 and Session 2 will be held Feb. 14. Search advocates are outside process advisors who serve on search committees from position development through the final recommendation stage with a focus on advancing equity, validity, and diversity. To learn more about the workshops/program and to register, go to the Professional Development Registration website http://oregonstate.edu/training/course_list.php?cat_id=45.

Take Note

NEW! Student Self Service for financial aid: The Office of Financial Aid will be converting to the new Student Self Service system within MyOSU beginning Jan 13. The menu will have a new look so contact us if you have any questions. We can be reached at 541-737-2241 or by email at [email protected].

NEW! Nominations are open for the PNNL-OSU Distinguished Graduate Research Program: Through the PNNL-OSU Distinguished Graduate Research Program, Ph.D. candidates will earn a stipend along with benefits while on appointment under a prestigious graduate committee on nationally relevant research. It is a unique opportunity to tap into the knowledge and world-class research infrastructure available at both institutions. DGRP students will work with faculty at Oregon State and scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory while completing their graduate coursework and subsequently transfer to PNNL for the remaining years of their Ph.D. program to gain hands-on research experience with PNNL scientists. More information available: https://gradschool.oregonstate.edu/awards/pnnl-osu

NEW! Older men needed for OSU multivitamin study (Corvallis): Are you a healthy, non-smoking man that is 68+ years old? Our study is looking at the role of multivitamins in improving the micronutrient status. Participants will take tablets daily for six months. For more information: [email protected] or 541-737-8730. Principal Investigator: Tory Hagen, Linus Pauling Institute, OSU.

Kognito: Recognizing and Supporting Students in Distress Training: College can be stressful at times. Build the confidence to talk with a student whom you’re concerned about. Be prepared to lead real-life conversations with students that build resilience, strengthen relationships and connect them with support. Visit beav.es/Zzp to access the faculty/staff online training so you can recognize and support OSU students in distress. To access the student version visit: beav.es/ZD3 For questions or to request a group facilitation of this training for your department, contact Tessie Webster-Henry: [email protected].

Affordable learning grant application: Oregon State faculty are invited to apply for affordable learning grants to offset the time and expense required to develop and/or implement high-quality, freely available learning materials in classes. All grant recipients will receive assistance from OSU’s Open Educational Resources Unit in locating, adopting or authoring zero-cost course materials. For more information, visit open.oregonstate.edu/opportunities.

Emergency posters: Announcing the new “In Case of Emergency” poster. We have updated the look and content of the orange emergency poster. Contact [email protected] to request copies for your area. When emailing, give us the location for delivery and the quantity needed. Or download a printable version from https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-topics.

OSU Food Drive: Do you know who your OSU Food Drive unit coordinator is? Find out at https://communications.oregonstate.edu/events/food-drive. The Food Drive is an annual February tradition at OSU to help fight hunger in our community and we need all the help we can get. If you don’t know who your coordinator is – perhaps it could be you. Email [email protected] for more information.

Applications for PCOSW scholarships and event co-sponsorships for spring 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, Feb. 7, with notification in Week 7. Visit http://leadership.oregonstate.edu/pcosw/awards-scholarships for detailed guidelines, qualification requirements, and application links. Questions? Contact Joy Jorgensen at [email protected]

Jobs

This email only lists new or recently updated job postings. For a full list of current job postings for OSU Today, go to: https://today.oregonstate.edu/email/jobs

To apply for the below positions, visit  jobs.oregonstate.edu unless otherwise specified.

NEW! Ecampus is seeking an Ecampus Research Unit Director. This is a full-time (1.0 FTE),12-month, fixed-term professional faculty position. This position provides leadership and administrative management to the Ecampus Research Unit, which conducts original research in online teaching and learning. Posting #P03507UF. Closes Jan. 26.

NEW! INTO OSU invites applications for an Executive Assistant to the Executive Director at INTO OSU. This position is full-time (1.0 FTE). Closes Jan. 27. Please apply at: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=784f8d56-cd0b-4d3e-a1ac-d483f8f0a37e&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=346153&source=CC2&lang=en_US

NEW! Oregon State University is seeking a Research Program Coordinator for the College of Engineering to provide high-level project management and administration for one or more externally funded research projects. Posting #P03525UF. Full consideration Feb. 2. 

Weather

“Paddington had a very persistent stare when he cared to use it. It was a very powerful stare. One which his Aunt Lucy had taught him and which he kept for special occasions." ~ author Michael Bond, born today in 1926.

Corvallis: Showers today, high of 40, low of 34. Showers Tuesday.

Central Oregon: Snow today, high of 34, low of 23. Snow likely tomorrow.

Newport: Showers today, high of 41, low of 36. Rain and snow possible Tuesday.

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