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 new page that provides detailed and up-to-date COVID-19 information; links to OSU, local, state and federal resources; updates on the latest federal travel restrictions; and previous university communications about the virus and other information. Additionally CDC information (including Spanish resources) can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html
Benton County website: The Benton County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has launched Benton County Recovers, a new website dedicated to coordinating donations and volunteers for the COVID-19 pandemic response in Benton County. The website is available at http://bentoncounty.recovers.org. A press release from Benton County with more detail is available here: https://bit.ly/BentonCoGov-BentonCountyRecoversPortal
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.
We talked to Alexander Michels, a research associate at Oregon State’s Linus Pauling Institute, who has spent 20 years studying how vitamin C affects the body.
Oregon State University announced Saturday that a student has tested positive for the coronavirus. The university moved to online classes and exams on March 11 and has been out of session since March 20. Oregon State said the unidentified student isolated himself or herself after testing during the week of March 16. (see also KEZI)
“You’re desperate for hope at a time like this, and this gives me hope,” said Benjamin Dalziel, an Oregon State University scientist who collaborates on research funded by Kinsa.
Dr. Kathy Becker Blease, director of the School of Psychological Science at Oregon State University, said the coronavirus pandemic is creating just that level of heightened stress in countless people.
"Recent events clearly demonstrate that the process of designating 'essential services' is as much about culture as any legal-political reality about what is necessary to keep society functioning," said Christopher McKnight Nichols, associate professor of history at Oregon State University.
Interest in growing one’s own food is surging because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Oregon State University’s Master Gardener program noticed this, and made its online vegetable gardening course free through the end of April. Its post on Facebook was shared more than 21,000 times.
A piece by OSU's Susan Shaw.
Antarctica is an incredible place to do research, as glaciologist Erin Pettit knows from her 15 trips to the White Continent. But guiding energetic, scientifically curious teenagers through nature brings its own challenges and thrills. For over 20 years, Pettit, an associate professor at Oregon State University in Corvallis, has been balancing a research career with leading wilderness expeditions for young women that incorporate scientific inquiry– and art-focused experiences.
The Oregon State University Food Drive had a banner year in 2020 with totals surpassing last year’s successful campaign. This February, Oregon State University staff, faculty and students raised the equivalent of 392,596 meals ($1 equals three meals). That beat last year’s total by 27,794 meals.
In Oregon, the University of Oregon and Oregon State University announced that they would no longer require the SAT or the ACT, permanently. With their actions, every public university in Oregon is now test optional.
Spring has sprung and gardening is ramping up. If you’ve got questions, turn to Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool from Oregon State University’s Extension Service.
Even weeding helps keep anxiety at bay, said Brooke Edmunds, Oregon State University Extension Service horticulturist. A bonus: This time of year, the moist soil makes weeds easy to pull. It’s an activity that kids can participate in. Use the opportunity to turn weeding into a lesson by explaining what a weed is and why they can be bad for the environment by taking over native habitat.
According to Kelly Vining, horticulturalist and mint researcher at Oregon State University, verticillium wilt, caused by the fungus verticillium dahlia, causes wilting and death in mint.
Oregon State University Malheur Experiment Station Director Stuart Reitz said onions planted early can send up flower stalks, as if it’s very late in the season, if enough cold follows.
Today's photo
Today’s workspace: Deborah Gould, academic program coordinator with the Department of Food Science and Technology, is sharing her home office space with her cat, Dasha. Send your home workspace photos to [email protected]. 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
Please be aware that in this quickly shifting environment, some events may be cancelled at the last minute and updates may not have been provided to OSU Today in time.
Punch Through Pandemics spring course open to students, public: Punch Through Pandemics, starting March 30, is brought to you by Oregon State University's School of Psychological Science. This 10-week course is designed to harness the rich tools afforded by psychology to address the current and novel situation we are facing with COVID-19. The PSY 499 course is led by Kathy Becker-Blease, Regan A.R. Gurung, and Kate Gallagher. Students can enroll in an Ecampus or Corvallis section for credit, or sign up for the free public version through Canvas. Members of the public can also sign up for free. For more information, go to https://www.punchcovid19.com/.
Events
BEavers HERE NOW Drop-In Meditation via Zoom: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 3 p.m. visit https://us04web.zoom.us/j/6070165219 to access each session. No experience necessary. All are welcome! Enjoy a different 15 minute guided meditation each week. Benefits of meditation include: Stress reduction, better sleep, sharper concentration, anxiety management and happier relationships. Contact [email protected] to coordinate extra credit for student attendance. Faculty and staff are welcome too.
Board of Trustees: The OSU Board of Trustees will meet from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, April 3, to consider tuition rates, mandatory fees and student incidental fees for the 2020-21 academic year and summer session 2020. The board also will consider public safety and enforcement programming at OSU’s Corvallis campus, the university’s biennial capital funding request to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, updates to the educator equity plan required by state statute, the creation of schools within the College of Business, and other reports. The board will receive updates on the university’s COVID-19 response and on Oregon’s most recent legislative session. 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. Given current COVID-19 guidance from the Governor’s Office, as well as university and health officials, the meeting will be hosted through a remote conferencing service. Members of the public can join the meeting by calling the toll-free number or connecting via the weblink provided on the agenda. The Finance & Administration Committee will meet from 8:30-9:45 a.m. that same day. Options for providing comments, 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.
Lectures, Workshops, Webinars
EMT Department Seminar Series: Assistant Professor Anne Thessen: “Developing Semantic Technology for Toxicology Applications” March 31, 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Zoom - https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/4761126101
Coping with COVID-19: Caring for Your Mental Health Live Stream Event Presented by CAPS: Abraham Sculley’s live-stream event for OSU will encourage and equip students to build a sense of belonging, especially during a time of physical distancing. He will share his own mental health story addressing the common myths of mental illness, ways to effectively combat stigma, and self-care tips for finding our new normal during this unprecedented time. Tuesday, March 31 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Visit https://zoom.us/j/305277143 to access the live stream event. The event is limited to the first 500 participants. To obtain a video recording of the event with captioning email: [email protected]. For accommodations related to ability email [email protected] at least 48 hours in advance.
Kognito: Recognizing and Supporting Students in Distress Training: College can be stressful at times and especially now! 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 contact Tessie Webster-Henry: [email protected]
Health and Community Building Webinars: Join the Adventure Leadership Institute as we host several webinars around adventure, health and community building topics during the age of social distancing. Click the links to register: Hiking in the Age of Social Distancing, April 1 at 3 p.m, Nature and Health, April 7 at 5 p.m., and Community Building in the Age of COVID-19, April 15 at 3 p.m. Check out more of our webinars offered Spring term here. Questions? Contact Emily Abrams.
FSF online classes: Faculty Staff Fitness is now hosting online classes. Programs offered will include strength/weight training, gentle exercise, cardio kickboxing, swim land training, pilates and yoga, which will be tailored to your home environment with household equipment. $20 for an unlimited three-month package. Register here, and receive an invitation to join the page. New content will be added throughout the term to supplement your well-being while being away from your usual fitness routine. If you were already registered for Spring 2020 Faculty Staff Fitness classes, you have two options: Email [email protected] and let us know that you want to sign up for our Online FSF programming and receive an account credit with the rest of your registration for future classes, or receive a full refund by emailing [email protected]. Contact Dee Gillen with questions about online classes or your account.
STEM Academy: STEM Academy is hosting a broad range of STEM Summer Day Camps from mid-June through early-August for students who will be entering 3rd-12th grades in the Fall of 2020. Registration for the summer program is open. Topics include: Transportation, Color Innovation, Coding, iINVENT, Web Design, Engineering, Computer Graphics, Cybersecurity, Biochemistry, Sketch Up, Computational Biology, Drones, Powered Machines, Science Exploration, Lego Robotics, Wildlife Science, and Computational Mystery of Board Games. For more information, or to register online, please visit http://stemacademy.oregonstate.edu. For questions, call 541-737-8139 or email [email protected]. Scholarships available for many camps.
Take Note
NEW! Report Early, Report Often: Unfortunately, criminals and bad actors are responding with as much agility as the rest of us during our COVID-19 response. New fake cures, bad information, scams and phishing emails are popping up by the thousands. Please help us keep our OSU community safe. If you suspect that you have received a phishing email or been the victim of a compromised account, email [email protected] as soon as possible. For more information on keeping your devices safe, check the Keep Learning, Keep Teaching, and Keep Working sites that are being updated regularly.
COVID-19 Resources for Families: With school closures and the need to work/teach/learn remotely, many OSU families are finding themselves home with their children and are unsure how to navigate this new way of work/life. The Family Resource Center has compiled some local resources and parenting tips/tricks that you may find useful during this unfamiliar time. We will continue to update this page as we find new information. Questions? Contact [email protected].
New procedures for OSU Libraries: While entry to Valley Library and Guin Library is temporarily suspended, digital services will be used to support remote teaching and research, and the libraries will focus on delivering materials to all OSU students, staff and faculty on campus and off campus. For more info about how to access library resources and services during spring term, go to https://library.oregonstate.edu/osu-libraries-and-response-covid-19.
Oregon State’s COVID-19 Unsung Heroes: We are looking for submissions from the community to highlight OSU employees and students who are not typically in the spotlight but are going above and beyond during this pandemic. For example, an employee who plays a key role in remote learning technology, someone volunteering on a disaster relief team or someone keeping university buildings operating when many people are working from home. Send your suggestions to [email protected] and our staff may contact them to conduct remote interviews that we would feature in OSU Today and elsewhere.
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
Teaching Faculty — eSET Winter 2020 Reports now available. To access your individual Student Evaluation of Teaching (eSET) reports, use this link: https://adminfo.ucsadm.oregonstate.edu/prod/twbkwbis.P_WWWLogin?ret_code=E. Your ONID username and password are needed to access eSET. Once on the eSET page, your reports may be viewed by clicking the PDF and/or Excel icon under the heading, "Rating, Comments, Responses and Instructor Reports." For additional information, please see the eSET Faculty FAQs. You may also contact Tam Belknap, assessment coordinator and analyst, at [email protected] for assistance.
List of K-12 earth sciences online learning resources now available: OSU College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences has curated a list of online resources including map exploration, learning apps, and lesson plans for families to learn about Earth sciences together at home. Click here for more information.
Surplus Pickups Suspended; Department Sales Continue: While OSUsed Store public sales are canceled until further notice, employees may shop for their departments weekdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at 644 SW 13th Street. Pick-ups and drop-offs of surplus property cannot be accepted until further notice. To address critical/emergency issues, please call 541-737-7341 on weekdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Recycling Moving to On Call Service: OSU Corvallis campus buildings will now receive recycling collection on call only; all collection requests must be submitted in the form of an online service request. All residence halls and cardboard collection will be collected on a regular schedule. For questions please call the OSU Materials Management Warehouse at 541-737-7347.
Remote Teaching Canvas Template Available Faculty have access to a new Canvas course template that can be imported into empty Canvas course sites to help instructors rapidly prepare for Spring courses. The template homepage provides directions for use. Questions? Contact [email protected]
Traffic & Maintenance
UPDATED! Transportation Services: Effective immediately, any valid OSU parking permit may be used in any zone (All A, B, C and R lots) until further notice. Please observe all other signs, as these still apply. Until further notice the Beaver Bus will not be running. The Transportation Services office in Adams Hall is currently closed to the public, but Transportation Services is still offering direct customer service through their online portal, telephone and email during normal business hours, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Please go online to purchase parking permits or pay citations.
30th Street closure: Work is scheduled to take place along SW 30th Street and Washington Way for repairs associated with a campus steam vault. Southbound SW 30th Street will be closed from 6 a.m. on Monday, March 30 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31. View the map for detour information. For questions or comments on this closure, contact Construction Manager Jason Lundy at 541-270-0193.
Weather
"The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others." ~ Vincent Van Gogh, born today in 1853.
Corvallis: Rain and breezy, high of 49, low of 38. Chance of showers Tuesday.
Central Oregon: Rain likely and breezy, high of 50, low of 31. Chance of snow showers Tuesday.
Newport: Rain and breezy, high of 48, low of 40. Chance of showers Tuesday.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/
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