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.

First Americans arrived at least 16,000 years ago, and probably by boat (NOVA)

Following the discovery of several sites in New Mexico in the 1930s, the Clovis became best known for their signature tool-making style, emblemized by the thousands of distinctively fluted spearheads they left scattered across the continent. If the “Clovis first” theory held true, these spearheads should be the oldest found on American soil. But in 1997, Oregon State University archaeologist Loren Davis was one of several wondering if the bigger picture was more complex. (see also National GeographicScienceAssociated Press)
 

Hurricane Harvey health study looks at chemical exposure during the storm (Houston Public Media)

After many environmental disasters, scientists test the water and soil to look for unsafe chemicals. But with Hurricane Harvey, researchers took an extra step and decided to test people. More than 150 Houstonians participated in a Oregon State University, Baylor College of Medicine and UTHealth study, by wearing high-tech wristbands that can detect over 1,000 chemicals. 
 

Oregon towns, campuses offered seedlings from trees that survived the bombing of Hiroshima (Statesman Journal)

Some of the seedlings already have permanent homes, including the lawn of the Asian & Pacific Culture Center on the Oregon State University campus, the Lake Oswego Veterans Memorial, and the Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve in Hillsboro.
 

Follow these tips to keep rats out of homes and gardens (Oregonian)

“There are definite social norms that say if you have rodents living near you it’s associated with dirtiness, garbage and waste products,” said Dana Sanchez, wildlife specialist for Oregon State University Extension Service. “There’s a reticence to admitting to seeing rats or talking about them because there’s a fear of public shaming. That works to the rats’ advantage because people aren’t finding cooperative solutions to a collective problem.”
 

OSU sets up team to do quake research on electrical grid(Gazette-Times)

Oregon State University will use $400,000 in federal funds to investigate the impact of a massive earthquake on electrical infrastructure.
 

Improving the dunes: OSU wave flume used for research on coastal erosion (Gazette-Times)

Oregon State University researchers have teamed up with counterparts at North Carolina State on a project to help preserve dunes.
 

An admissions group is scrambling to delete part of its ethical code. That could mean big changes for higher ed (Chronicle of Higher Education)

If the provisions are removed, the changes will be significant, and turmoil in admissions offices should be expected, said Jon Boeckenstedt, vice provost for enrollment management at Oregon State University. Removing those parts of the ethical code would allow institutions to recruit students from competitor colleges even after they’ve committed, and to see their own students get poached, he said. The changes could cause colleges to enter into a precarious dance — keep students committed and simultaneously recruit others, all year long.
 

Research shows PE in schools can be life-changing (East Oregonian)

Elementary schools are expected to start providing 120 of those minutes this year. That’s where Angie Treadwell, SNAP-Ed coordinator for Oregon State University Extensions, comes in.
 

Colorado now has more school districts on four-day weeks than any place in the nation, with little research on the benefits (Colorado Sun)

2019 report from Oregon State University, however, found that four-day weeks have “detrimental effects” on the achievement of Oregon students. The study was different from the Colorado research because it looked not at schools’ average test scores, but the scores of individual students.

OSU schedules info sessions on research forests (Gazette-Times)

Oregon State University is planning two community meetings at which management plans for its research forests will be discussed.
 

Bell peppers don't have genders (Politifact)

That’s because "this is a garden myth," according to the Oregon State University Extension Service. All pepper fruits are "ripened ovaries containing seeds formed after pollination," OSU said in a Q&A. Those seeds can form new pepper plants. And the bumps are primarily related to the variety and growing conditions. 
 

Ocean drilling revolutionized Earth science; now geologists want to plumb new depths (Nature)

IODP member nations collectively spend around US$150 million a year to send researchers on drilling expeditions. “The stakes are really high if we want to continue scientific ocean drilling beyond 2023,” says Anthony Koppers, a marine geologist at Oregon State University in Corvallis.
 

Cathy Marshall meets Benny at the Beavers football home opener(KGW)

Benny the Beaver is ready for Oregon State University to take on Oklahoma State Festival for the first time.

Ask an expert: Get hydrangeas to sprout roots for successful transplant (Oregonian)

Summer is well underway and questions are flooding in to Ask an Expert, an online question-and-answer tool from Oregon State University’s Extension Service.
 

Hidden earthquake risk found under Los Angeles (National Geographic)

The study also emphasizes just how many faults crisscross Southern California, adds Chris Goldfinger, an earthquake geologist at Oregon State University, who was not part of the research team. Scientists have made major strides characterizing the geology of the region, but there’s still more to do.
 

Historic covered bridge on OSU campus to get a facelift (KLCC)

A historic covered bridge on the campus of Oregon State University will get some needed repairs this fall. The Irish Bend Covered Bridge was built in the early 1950s on a rural road about 15 miles southwest of Corvallis. After the road was realigned, the bridge fell into disrepair. A fundraising effort in the late 1980s led to the bridge being dismantled and moved to the OSU campus, where it now forms part of a bike path.
 

OSU names interim director for Hermiston research station (East Oregonian)

Clive Kaiser, horticulture professor and Umatilla County extension agent for OSU in Milton-Freewater, will take over as interim director at HAREC beginning Sept. 3. He takes over for longtime station director and plant pathologist Phil Hamm, who retired earlier this year.
 

Forest near Corvallis closed because of cougar sighting (KOIN)

The research forest, managed by Oregon State University, shared a warning on its Facebook page saying the encounter happened Saturday morning.
 

Can solar panels handle the heat of a warming world? (Grist)

“Renewable powers tend to take up large areas of land, particularly when it’s solar,” says Chad Higgins, a professor of agricultural sciences at Oregon State University.
 

How to create a garden that's accessible to all (Oregonian)

“We all have challenges if we live long enough,” said Corinne Thomas-Kersting, a retired speech-language pathologist and five-year Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener. “We have different challenges. Even when you’re young and healthy there are things to do to prevent future disabilities.”

Today's photo


Summer's almost over: Labor Day has come and gone, but there are still a few weeks until fall term begins. Fill in the days by following Oregon State University's official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/osubeavers/.

Monday

Closed for Labor Day.

Tuesday

OSUsed Store Public Sales: The OSUsed Store is open for its weekly public sales Tuesday 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday noon to 3 p.m. at 644 SW 13th. Personal purchases must be made during public sales. Staff may shop for their department 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. More information on our website.

Wednesday

Adam A. Pate, Water Resources Science M.S. Defense: Adam A. Pate will present his dissertation, “Headwater dynamics: quantifying spatial differences in flow permanence and network connectivity across diverse landscapes,” on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 9 a.m. in RICH 115.  Pate is completing his Master’s degree under the guidance of major professors Catalina Segura and Kevin Bladon.  Free and open to the public.

NEW! Department of Wood Science & Engineering MS Defense: Brad Taylor, dual major MS student, presents on “In-Plane Shear Performance of Cross-laminated Timber and Cross-laminated Timber Concrete Composite Diaphragm Connection Systems” on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 10 am in Richardson Hall, Room 107.  Free and open to the public. For accommodations email [email protected].

Thursday

Neighborhood Meeting Notice: OSU is submitting an application to the city of Corvallis requesting to change the zoning designation of part of the site at 850 SW 35th St. from Research Technology Center (RTC) zone to OSU zone, so that the entire site is an OSU zone. OSU representatives will be holding an informational meeting regarding the zone change at 6 p.m. Sept. 5 in the Ag Meeting Room in The LaSells Stewart Center. Contact Bob Richardson, university land use planning manager, at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Friday

NEW! Department of Wood Science & Engineering M.S. Defense: Morvarid Dilmaghani, M.S. student, presents on “Usefulness of Structural Health Monitoring for the Wood Construction Industry: Global and Local Perspectives” on Friday, Sept. 6, 11 a..m in Richardson Hall, Room 107. Free and open to the public. For accommodations email [email protected].

Meat Center: The Clark Meat Science Center retail store will be open Friday from noon to 5:30 p.m. Products include fresh and cooked/smoked sausages, bacon, retail cuts, jerky, snack sticks, and Beaver Classic cheese. The store is at 3260 SW Campus Way, next to the Motor Pool. Contact [email protected] for questions regarding the store.

NEW! Thesis Defense – Water Resources Graduate Program: Matthias Fostvedt, MS candidate in Water Resources Policy and Management and concurrent JD from University of Oregon, Friday, Sept. 6, at 1 p.m. in Strand Agriculture Hall 162. The title of his thesis is “Institutional Analysis of Small Dam Removals.” Fostvedt is advised by Professor Desiree Tullos of Biological & Ecological Engineering. 

Art Exhibit: The Giustina Gallery at The LaSells Stewart Center presents Pre-Farm to Table: a Bee's Work. The exhibit speaks to the ecology of the farmer's helpers including bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other such pollinators. This exhibit shows in conjunction with "As the Bee Sees: A Pollinator’s Perspective" by Susan Curington. These exhibits run from Aug. 26 to Sept. 26, with an Opening Reception Sept. 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There are two pre-reception talks: at 4:30 p.m., “Bees – biology, threats and support,” by Priyadarshini Chakrabarti Basu, and at 5 p.m., "As the Bee Sees; An Artist's Perspective," by Susan Curington. More information including gallery hours.

OSUsed Store Public Sales: The OSUsed Store is open for its weekly public sales Tuesday 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday noon to 3 p.m. at 644 SW 13th. Personal purchases must be made during public sales. Staff may shop for their department 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. More information on our website.

Saturday

Cheese sales: Time to restock your fridge and your bellies with Beaver Classic Cheese. Come try five cheddars, two Swiss, two Provolones and cheese curds. Find them at the Saturday downtown Corvallis Farmer's Market from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Events

EXTENDED! Deadline extended! University Day Expo registration is now open: On Sept. 10, from noon to 2 p.m., showcase the work and opportunities provided  by units at OSU, to fellow staff and faculty. Deadline to register is Wed., Sept. 4. Also, donate a gift basket for the keynote session prize drawing. Register today at universityday.oregonstate.edu. For more info, contact Mealoha McFadden, [email protected] or 541-737-6522.

NEW! University Day 2019: University Day takes place Tuesday, Sept. 10. Dr. Diana Natalicio, president emerita of University of Texas El Paso, will give the keynote at 10:30 a.m. in the LaSells Stewart Center and will follow a 9:30 a.m. welcome reception for all university employees. Following this keynote presentation, a noon complimentary lunch takes place on 26th Street outside the LaSells Stewart Center followed by the University Day Expo in the CH2M Hill Alumni Center. For more information: University Day 2019 website or 541-737-4717. 

Student success film screening: As a special University Day event, the Office of Institutional Diversity and Office of Undergraduate Education are hosting a screening of “Unlikely,” a new documentary exploring barriers to college completion, followed by a conversation on OSU’s student success initiatives. Tuesday, Sept.10, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the LaSells Stewart Center, Austin Auditorium.

Art sale: An art sale that runs through Sept. 26 at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport will benefit the conservation of Oregon’s estuaries. Thirty-three pieces, created by Northwest artists, are on display at the Oregon Sea Grant-operated Visitor Center at Hatfield. A portion of the sale of each piece of art will support The Wetlands Conservancy’s efforts to protect the state’s estuaries. The art is part of the 175-piece Ode to the Tides art show and sale, which debuted at OSU in May. Oregon Sea Grant is one of the sponsors. Learn more: bit.ly/305F6Ds

Toastmasters open house: Want to excel in your next presentation? Learn to persuade your audience? Toastmasters International has helped millions to do that and more. Oregon State Toastmasters (https://osutm.toastmastersclubs.org) will host an open house (Crop Science Building, Room 119, Corner of Campus Way and 30th St.) on Sept. 13 (noon to 1 p.m.). Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited.

Art faculty show: Oregon State University’s Fairbanks Gallery of Art is hosting an exhibit of work by members of the art faculty throughout August and September. The exhibit includes art by Evan Baden, Michael Boonstra, Julia Bradshaw, Anna Fidler, Julie Green, Yuji Hiratsuka, Shelley Jordon, Andrew Myers, Kerry Skarbakka, Felix Oliveros, Mazdak Shadkam and Lorenzo Triburgo and Sarah Van Dyck. It showcases a broad array of styles and approaches to creating art, with work shown in the areas of photography, painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, video and sculpture. The gallery is in Fairbanks Hall, 220 SW 26th St., Corvallis. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and until 8 p.m. Sept. 20 during the Corvallis Arts Walk. For information on the walk go to www.corvallisartswalk.com.

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

NEW! Information session: Federal Landscape and Engagement with OSU Federal Relations Consultants: SMI. The OSU Offices of Research and Government Relations, with the College of Engineering, invite all OSU faculty to a general information session with OSU’s federal government relations consultants, Paul Gay and Damian Kunko of Strategic Marketing Innovations (SMI). At this session, SMI consultants will share information about the current federal landscape and how they work with and support our university and faculty to capture federal research and innovation funds to advance the university’s and colleges’ strategic research objectives. Sept. 9, 10-11 a.m., Johnson Hall 102. Admittance is free. Registration required by Sept. 6 at https://tinyurl.com/OSUSMI2019.  

NEW! Ph.D. Thesis Defense, Matthew Barner: “Conceptual Representations within the Social and Material Contexts of Engineering Activities in Education and Practice.” Tuesday, Sept. 17, 1 p.m., Kearney 311. Major advisor: Shane Brown, associate professor of engineering education. Committee members: Andre Barbosa, associate professor of structural engineering; David Trejo, professor of infrastructure materials and Hal Pritchett Chair; Devlin Montfort, associate professor of environmental engineering; Rican Vue, assistant professor, School of Public Policy; Prasad Tadepalli, professor of computer science (GCR). Open to the public.

Iterate applications are open now: Apply by Sept. 9 to participate in this two-week, four-workshop course run by the OSU Advantage Accelerator. Bring your technology and business idea; leave ready to move forward. It’s time to start that startup. Apply now: https://advantage.oregonstate.edu/advantage-accelerator/programs/iterate

Advantage Accelerator accepting applications for its Fall Accelerate Cohort: Ready to get your startup on track? Apply to Accelerate by Sept. 20. This 10-week program is open to OSU researchers, students and staff working on an early-stage company. Accelerate focuses on helping companies engage in customer discovery to validate your product market fit and develop a minimal viable product. Additional information and application here: https://advantage.oregonstate.edu/accelerate

Social Justice Education Initiative: The Social Justice Education Initiative schedule for summer and fall is up, and there are still seats for summer sessions. From Faculty Affairs, the SJEI is a foundational professional development program for faculty, staff and graduate students. SJEI offers a varied schedule of Tier One and Tier Two workshops, all open now for registration. Join your colleagues to begin, or expand, your equity and inclusion journey in this well-reviewed program. Interested in this work for your unit? Contact SJEI Director Jane Waite for further information: [email protected]

Distillery Startup Workshop in Corvallis (Sept. 14-18): Whether you're an experienced brewer/distiller looking to expand your business or simply exploring new opportunities, you will gain the foundational knowledge to start your own craft distillery.

Become a Master Recycler: Act soon to secure your spot. This eight-week class will cover all aspects of waste reduction, reuse and recycling. It will be hosted on the OSU campus on Tuesday nights, Oct. 1 through Nov. 19, plus field trips. This non-credit class is free to those who agree to pay back what they learned by completing 30 hours of volunteer service within one year of course completion. Visit http://tiny.cc/recycclass for more details and to register.

Take Note

NEW! Announcing new OSU Provost Fellows: Professors Emily Ho and Tara Williams have been selected as Provost Fellows for the 2019-20 academic year. The Provost Fellows program complements the university’s commitment to develop and mentor effective leadership by providing intense and focused experiences in leadership and administrative roles at the senior levels of the institution. Fellows will develop specific project plans and outcomes to meet the strategic need and further their leadership skills. Read more about the fellows and their projects here: https://facultyaffairs.oregonstate.edu/provost-fellows-program
 

NEW! Updates to University Policies & Standards: Visit the University Policy & Standards page to learn about recent policy updates: http://policy.oregonstate.edu/whats-new. This page is updated frequently with new developments so we encourage you to check back regularly.
 

NEW! PFLA open to all university employees: The Professional Faculty Leadership Association welcomes anyone who works at the university and provides a forum for those currently in or aspiring to a leadership role. PFLA supports Professional Faculty at OSU through education, connection, recognition and advocacy. PFLA members strive to be the best leaders, managers and colleagues possible. To join, complete the online application form.

Training Days presenters: We invite you to submit presentation proposals for Training Days 2019 by Sept. 19. Training Days is a free two-day conference that provides more than 70 training sessions and informational workshops that are 50, 80 or 110 minutes in length. Training Days is an opportunity for you to reach out to employees in a workshop setting. Visit here for more information including a link to submit presentations, FAQs and archives of previous sessions.

Request for proposals: The OSU Advantage Accelerator is seeking proposals for the Accelerator Innovation Development (AID) Fund to facilitate the further development and commercialization of OSU applied innovations. Up to $15,000 of funding per project is available; applications accepted until Sept. 6. Read the RFP document for full details: https://advantage.oregonstate.edu/advantage-accelerator

Be cautious with email job offers: Students have been targeted recently with e-mails that offer employment from a person who claims to have a relationship with the university. Exercise caution with these offers; an offer that seems too good to be true often is. Forward e-mails of concern as an attachment to [email protected]. If you have responded to one of these e-mails, contact the OSU Department of Public Safety in Corvallis at 541-737-3010 or OSU-Cascades at 541-322-3110. Contact your bank immediately if you have provided any financial information in response to a suspicious e-mail.

Valley Library’s circulation services will be temporarily located at the Info Desk: Due to remodeling work underway behind the Circulation Desk after some flooding, all circulation services for the Valley Library will be happening at the Info Desk on the main (second) floor beginning Aug. 26 and continuing into September. Circulation services will be back in place at the Circulation Desk prior to Sept. 20.

Fall Move-in: Volunteers needed for OSU Fall Move-in! Help create a lasting memory for thousands of new Beavs this fall when you volunteer as part of the OSU 2019 Move-In team. Fall Move-In is Sunday, Sept. 22. You can sign up for the entire day or just for a few hours, working as an individual or with your group, club or team. Either way, you’ll play a significant role welcoming new residents of Beaver Nation to campus.  Volunteering as an individual: http://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_81BAKZJ0WgDaIHb. Volunteering your group/organization: http://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2oChp6vFP5MjLsV . Questions? Email [email protected].

Fall 2019 Move-in Advertising in UHDS Halls: UHDS Fall Move-in Promotion Opportunities are available for OSU-affiliated departments, student groups, and organizations. To participate, your organization must follow the procedure listed under the “Fall 2019 Move-In Advertising” heading at https://uhds.oregonstate.edu/advertising-and-promotion-uhds-residence-halls#movein. Deadline for required pre-approval is Sept. 6. Deadline for approved materials to be delivered to UHDS is Sept. 6. Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Seeking Fulbright Campus Committee Members at OSU: The Prestigious Scholarships office is recruiting OSU community members to review Fulbright applications and interview candidates. OSU will nominate students for both Study/Research awards and English Teaching Assistantships. We welcome faculty and staff committee members with expertise in a range of disciplines, international experiences, and/or ESL/TESOL instructors. The commitment to serve on a Fulbright Campus Committee includes reviewing 1-3 student applications, participating in a one-hour interview with the candidate(s) (generally between Sept. 9 and 27), providing constructive feedback, and participating in the committee’s decision to provide OSU endorsement for candidates. For more information:http://us.fulbrightonline.org/. To volunteer, contact LeAnn Adam: [email protected].

Traffic and Maintenance

Planned Power Outage Sept. 5-6: There will be a planned power outage beginning Thursday, Sept.5 starting at 5 a.m. and lasting until Friday, Sept. 6 at 7 a.m. Affected buildings will be on backup power and will experience minimal disruption. There will be limited service interruptions on Sept. 5 from 5 to 7 a.m. and on Sept. 6 from 5 to 7 a.m. to a number of buildings along Southwest Jefferson Way. OSU's Power Grid Updates website has a list of affected buildings.

Dixon Recreation Center metered parking closure: As part of the 2019 Path of Travel project, all metered parking spaces and the sidewalk at Dixon Recreation Center will be closed Aug. 19 through Sept. 13. The sidewalk between the Dixon entry plaza and the Pacific Power substation will be replaced and widened to better accommodate the pedestrian path of travel. For questions or comments on this closure, contact Construction Manager Lindsey Austin at (541) 990-7720.

Jobs

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

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

NEW! Operations Assistant: This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Operations Assistant position for the College of Engineering. The Operations Assistant will enhance student services efforts of the College of Engineering by providing comprehensive support to the Assistant Dean for Experiential Learning & Employer Relations and the Assistant Dean of Academic Programs. Posting #P02344CT. Full consideration Sept. 7. Closes Sept. 15.

NEW! Ecampus is seeking a Lecture Media Coordinator (Information Technology Consultant 3). This is a full-time (1.0 FTE) classified position. This position provides media support for Ecampus course developments. Posting #P02361CT. Closes Sept. 22. 

Weather

“[To the colonel who said the 'young lady' must leave the war front because there might be trouble:] I wouldn't be here if there were no trouble. Trouble is news, and the gathering of news is my job.” ~ Marguerite Higgins, American reporter and war correspondent, Pulitzer prize winner, born today in 1921.

Corvallis: Sunny with the chance of showers midweek; highs starting out in the 80s and then dropping into the 70s. Lows in the mid 50s.

Central Oregon: Sunny with the chance of showers midweek; highs starting out in the 80s and then dropping into the 70s. Lows in the mid 50s to upper 40s.

Newport: Partly cloudy with some chance of showers, highs in the 60s, lows in the 50s.

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