OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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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; and updates on the latest federal travel restrictions.
NEW! Today’s Timely Teaching Tip: Starting to plan for finals? Consider your options for summative assessment, such as different exam formats. If your students will be submitting video or audio presentations, you can create a media assignment in Canvas and share information with students about media upload assignments. Visit Keep Teaching for all the Week 8 Timely Teaching Tips.
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.
Crews going door to door during the weekend of May 2 collected self-administered test samples from 672 people. None tested positive for the coronavirus. (see also Gazette-Times, KEZI)
The relative risk of seeing others also depends on how prevalent COVID-19 is in your community and how much potential exposure the friend or family member you plan to see has had to the virus, said Chunhuei Chi, director of the Center for Global Health at Oregon State University.
Dr. Gary Ferngren is Professor of History at Oregon State University. He is the author of Medicine and Religion: A Historical Introduction and Science and Religion: A Historical Introduction, both with John Hopkins University Press. His research focuses on the social history of ancient medicine, religion and ancient medicine, and the historical relationship of science to religion.
Oregon State University Center of Global Health director Chunhuei Chi said that a second wave of the virus is a question of when and not if. He said many experts believe a second wave may occur during flu season in late fall or early winter.
Scientists know their knack for navigation from the Pacific to the rivers of North America involves the earth’s magnetic fields, but they have long puzzled over how a fish can store data to recall years later. A new study, however, could hold the answers: American researchers say that the fish use tiny, internal crystals as natural GPS receivers to pick up magnetic pulses that guide their journey from the ocean.
Fred Swanson was a geologist with the Forest Service when he hopped aboard the helicopter with Franklin that day. Now a professor emeritus of forestry at Oregon State University, he remembers the shock when he first sat down on Johnston Ridge and dug a small pit in the volcanic deposit.
Since the coronavirus drove life indoors and online this spring, Oregon State University-Cascades professor Patrick Donnelly has been teaching his computer science classes via Zoom. And while there’s virtually nothing unusual about classes meeting via the video conferencing portal — as any student or parent of one can attest — there’s something special about Donnelly’s approach.
For Rusty Root, trekking a few miles off campus to Printing and Mailing three mornings a week to retrieve the mail for the College of Science isn’t drudgery. It’s just one of many things a Beaver does to help his community.
Unfortunately, most internet-based recommendations for physical activity don’t match up with the guidelines supported by national health organizations, a recent study from Oregon State University found.
It's all a matter of opportunity, said Adam Krynicki, executive director of the Oregon State University-Cascades Innovation Co-Lab.
Oregon State University Extension Service has created an online resource to support the health and education of children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Young seal pups are at risk from well-meaning people who mistakenly try to rescue them, said marine mammal biologist Jim Rice, who is with Oregon State University and the Hatfield Marine Science Center. (see also KLCC)
"Don't lose heart," says Weston Miller, a faculty member for Oregon State University's Extension Service who runs the master gardener program for the Portland metro area. "Even people who are experienced vegetable gardeners run into problems, too, because we're at the whims of weather and pests."
Confirmed by pharmacy tech Julie Meyers on Thursday, the change will take effect June 15. The decision came as a surprise to staff, and it is now being petitioned against online by some students.
Today’s workspaces: Kaitlynn Bayne in Transportation Services has her co-worker Tyr helping her.
Lori Siewell in Transportation Services says she has been a Scooby Doo fan since she was a little girl. ”Scooby reminds everyone to stay at home and to wash your paws!” Send your home workspace photos to [email protected]. They are being run in the order received. Follow OSU Today on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/osutoday1/ and catch up on any workspace photos you might have missed so far.
Resumption planning forums: Provost Ed Feser and Vice Provost for Student Affairs Dan Larson are hosting virtual open forums to provide resumption planning updates, answer questions and solicit feedback and advice from our faculty, staff and students. The forums will be held online through Zoom on May 18, 2-3 p.m.; May 19, 8:30-9:30 a.m.; and May 20, 2-3 p.m. (OSU-Cascades focused). The link for each Zoom session is: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/95763201701. Sessions will be moderated, and those viewing will be able to submit pandemic-related questions for response. Input also may be provided by sending comments to [email protected].
Fulbright Scholar Program Webinars: General Informational Webinar: Join the Fulbright Team for a virtual presentation on the Fulbright Scholar Program. This session will discuss opportunities for faculty and administrators to teach and/or research abroad for 2-12 months. Additionally, the session will discuss opportunities for your institution to partner with Fulbright and host visiting scholars. Monday, May 18, from 2-3 p.m. Register here to attend.
NEW! Spring 2020 Seminar Series: The Department of Crop and Soil Science is hosting the weekly Spring 2020 Seminar Series. Our next meeting will be May 18 at 4 p.m., and will be led by Jiyue Li, graduate student in crop science. The presentation is titled “The effect of x-ray on seed quality of pear and peach.” Meeting ID: 301 949 351 https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/301949351
Virtual Volunteering with Mapping Prejudice: Visualizing the Hidden Histories of Race and Privilege in the Urban Landscape: Mapping Prejudice uses digital tools to illuminate structural racism and transform our understanding of the past. Register to learn how to contribute to their online map project. Presented by OSU’s Community Engagement & Leadership. May 18, 7-8 p.m.
NEW! Board of Trustees: The OSU Board will meet from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 29 to consider the university’s operating budget for the coming fiscal year and Oregon’s public universities’ consolidated request for operating funds for next biennium to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. The board also will receive a report on the university’s COVID-19 response, hear a legislative update and consider a policy regarding the use and management of the university-provided president’s residence. The board will hear an update on the Corvallis campus vision, a community-based engaged effort launched by the university to identify how the campus will evolve over the next 10 years. The board also will hold an executive session as part of its agenda, 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, the meeting is open to the public and will be hosted through a remote conferencing service. Options for joining the meeting and instructions for providing comment during the board meeting are provided under “Meeting Details” at this webpage. Committees of the board will meet via remote conferencing services on May 26, May 29 and June 5. Agendas and meeting materials for the board and committee meetings are available at http://oregonstate.edu/leadership/trustees/meetings. If special accommodation is required, please contact (541) 737-3449 or [email protected] at least 48 hours in advance.
Virtual service project with Benton Habitat for Humanity: Help digitize their pricebook to support ongoing improvement efforts for their donation intake area and pricing process. Meet with peers to work on a meaningful community project and have fun. Register: Wednesday, May 20, 5 p.m. Questions? Contact Dustin at [email protected].
Lessons in Leadership: Join Community Engagement & Leadership for an interactive series of events that aims to learn from our community leaders in a more casual manner, by sharing their lessons and experiences in leadership with our OSU community. By connecting our student leaders to others we are hoping to showcase the pathways they can take to become better leaders today. Register to join us on Tuesday, May 26 at 4 p.m. For additional questions, contact Langley at [email protected].
NEW! Center for Teaching & Learning SPARKSHOP: Office of Institutional Diversity (OID) Sparkshop: Ways to infuse diversity and inclusivity into teaching. Facilitated by Jeff Kenney, Director of Institutional Education for Diversity, Equity + Inclusion. May 20, noon. Join Zoom meeting.
NEW! Investment and PERS webinars: The Maps Credit Union CFS investment team is conducting a Weekly Webinar Series on a variety of investment topics that include current market updates. This is one way to educate yourself without leaving the comfort and safety of your own home. Wednesday, May 20, noon - Economic Outlook (Franklin Templeton); Wednesday, May 20, 2 p.m. - Legacy Planning & Wealth Transfer; Thursday, May 21, noon - ABC + D of Medicare. PERS Related Webinars: Wednesday, May 27, 3 p.m. - PERS and Retirement Planning (Tier 1 & 2); Wednesday, June 3, 3 p.m. - PERS and Retirement Planning (OPSRP) (These are not OSU events but are tailored to OSU clients and during normal circumstances are held on campus. There is no charge.)
NEW! Lucid Dreaming, Meditation & Insight: Learn, practice and discuss meditation and contemplative insights related to lucid dreaming! Led by Kate Gallagher, M.A. and sponsored by OSU's Contemplative Studies Initiative. Four Wednesdays: June 3, 10, 17 and 24, 6-7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Free and open to all. Register by emailing [email protected]. More info here.
People and Nature Lunch Series: Tuesday, May 19, from noon to 12:50 p.m. Hailey Kehoe Thommen (Forest Ecosystems and Society) presents “Human Emotions and Endangered Species Conservation." The lecture is free and open to all. To join the meeting, register at https://peopleandnatureosu.weebly.com/spring-2020.html. Sponsored by the Department of Fisheries & Wildlife’s Human Dimensions Lab.
Take part in OER workshops online: The OSU Open Educational Resources Unit is hosting a series of virtual workshops this month on how to find or create no-cost and low-cost learning materials. Topics include reviewing and becoming familiar with open textbooks (May 19); and the Creative Commons licensing process (May 22). Learn more about each workshop and register today.
Effective networking: The Professional Faculty Leadership Association is hosting a Zoom event on Wednesday, May 20, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Effective Networking Online. Please contact Meddie Sims, PFLA Director of Professional Development to register & receive the Zoom link.
Beavers SAVE Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention. Learn how to reach out and help a friend. Suicide is one of the most preventable causes of death. This workshop will provide the skills you need to effectively help or intervene with a friend or family member who is considering suicide. The training is offered May 20 from 3-5 p.m. https://beav.es/4n3
Training the Mind, Training the Heart: Geoff Barstow will be teaching about the theory and practice of Tibetan Buddhist lojong in partnership with OSU's Contemplative Studies Initiative and the Hundere endowed chair in religion and culture. Three Wednesdays: May 20 and 27 from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom. Free and open to all. Register by emailing [email protected]. More info here.
Fulbright Scholar Program Webinars: The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program will continue to accept applications for awards for the 2021-2022 academic year. Over 450 awards offer more than 800 grants annually. The deadline to apply is Sept. 15. To learn more about the 2021-2022 competition click here or visit the Catalog of Awards for more details. Regional and discipline-focused webinars are held every Wednesday from 2-3 p.m. See our Webinar Schedule for more details
NEW! Pandemic archive: The Special Collections and Archives Research Center invites contributions from the OSU community to an archival collection that it is creating to document the experiences of individuals and organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone with connections to OSU, viewed broadly, is welcome to participate. This includes OSU alumni, staff and faculty, students, and Bend, Corvallis and Newport community members, as well as siblings, parents, partners, and others connected through OSU programs like the Extension Service. Those interested in participating are asked to submit text documents or digital images using a form available online. SCARC staff will also be collecting oral history interviews with those wishing to share a more personal account of this unique time in history. For more information about the SCARC COVID Collecting Project, see this research guide or contact project coordinator Anna Dvorak at [email protected].
The Writing Center is open: The Undergrad Research & Writing Studio, the Online Writing Suite, and the Graduate Writing Center are providing support remotely during Spring 2020. Writing consultants are available for virtual walk-in Zoom/telephone sessions, Zoom/telephone appointments, and written feedback. OSU students are encouraged to read our COVID-19 FAQ, which provides direction for students who are unsure which Writing Center program suits their needs. Visit the Writing Center’s website for more information.
Collaborate With Selfless Servings: In response to COVID-19, we are working to provide healthy foods to health care workers and help small businesses retain revenue during the next five months. We are seeking help in various ways ranging from computer science delivery logistics to website creation to delivery drivers to optimize our collaborative-community efforts. Please fill out the following Google Form if you're interested in collaborating or volunteering: https://forms.gle/zcTyHsEMumj7ZU2a6. Email [email protected] with potential questions.
COVID-19 Leave Restoration: OSU is committed to restoring leave time taken by OSU employees logged in EmpCenter between March 15-31 for COVID-related matters, even if these hours were logged as sick/vacation/personal. If you still have hours that have not been credited back to you (effective April 1), email [email protected] and ask that your hours be restored. Specify each date of COVID-related leave taken between March 15-31, the number of hours and type of leave used.
2020 Faculty and Staff Climate Survey: The 2020 Faculty and Staff Climate Survey launched on May 6 with an invitation from President Ray, with additional invitations from Deans and Division leaders. Please check your e-mail to access the survey link. The survey is open until June 5. Copy and paste this link to access the Office of Institutional Diversity website for past reports: https://diversity.oregonstate.edu/climate-assessment Questions about the survey can be directed to OID at [email protected].
Healthy Beaver Bags: The Human Services Resource Center has a new program called Healthy Beaver Bags. Every Friday afternoon from noon to 2:30 p.m., bags are distributed off the back porch of Champinefu Lodge. This program is available for faculty/staff and students who are financially stressed and are looking to add more healthy items to their meals. This resource is also available to former staff or students who recently graduated or are taking a break. We are all in this together and the HSRC is here for those who need us. Each bag has a theme and will feature more and more fresh and local produce as the growing season comes on. An example of what comes in a bag can be seen on the program’s Facebook page. This is a supplement for pantry food boxes, which are currently being distributed every Wednesday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and are NOT restricted to OSU community members.
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
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 who you’re concerned about. Be prepared to lead real-life conversations with students that build resilience, strengthen relationships and connect them with support. To access the student version visit: beav.es/ZD3. For questions contact Tessie Webster-Henry: [email protected].
Criminal History Checks: University Human Resources (UHR) has contracted with a new vendor to conduct national criminal history checks (CHCs). The vendor will provide shorter turnaround times and more affordable prices. The cost of conducting national criminal history background checks will decrease from $41.25 per person to $28.80 per person. Fingerprinting will no longer be a required component of most CHCs. More information can be found at: https://policy.oregonstate.edu/policy/criminal-history-check.
Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence: Register today to attend the May 21-22 Celebrating Undergraduate Excellence (CUE) Symposium presented virtually through Canvas. Registration to attend CUE 2020 is required and accessible only to OSU faculty, staff and students. CUE is an annual showcase for OSU undergraduates to present their research and creative projects to the OSU community. Undergraduates from all academic disciplines, in all years of study, and all stages of research or creative work will be presenting. For more info, visit https://communications.oregonstate.edu/events/cue. For questions, contact Sophie Pierszalowski, associate director of undergraduate research, at [email protected].
Faculty & Staff COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund Under IRS Code Section 139: In collaboration with the OSU Foundation, Oregon State University is offering emergency financial assistance grants through the OSU Faculty and Staff COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund. The purpose of this fund is to help regular classified and unclassified employees in our university community with unexpected needs during this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic. All classified staff, professional faculty and academic/research faculty are eligible regardless of service time or FTE. An individual must be actively employed on the date of grant distribution. Read more about the details of the program here. Student hourly employees, graduate assistants, and stipend recipients (e.g., fellows) are not eligible. There are separate programs for students located here: https://financialaid.oregonstate.edu/covid-19.
"If you retain nothing else, always remember the most important rule of beauty, which is: who cares?” ~ Tina Fey, who turns 50 today.
Corvallis: Showers today, high of 64, low of 47. Chance of showers Tuesday.
Central Oregon: Showers today, high of 57, low of 39. Chance of showers tomorrow.
Newport: Showers and patchy fog, high of 60, low of 49. Chance of showers tomorrow.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/