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. For more about this section, see: https://today.oregonstate.edu/email/submission-guidelines.

 

Concerns for vulnerable as Taiwan gives up on 'zero COVID' (Deutsche Welle)

"The dilemma that Taiwan is facing is that, after two years of strict and effective control, the infection rate in the country has been very low for most of the time, which allows Taiwanese people to live a normal life," said Chunhuei Chi, director of the Center for Global Health at Oregon State University.
 

Why we always take another bite of ice cream, according to a food scientist (Bon Appetit)

Some people have ice in their veins. Sarah Masoni’s got ice cream in her blood. Seriously. Masoni, who works with companies and entrepreneurs to develop new products at Oregon’s Food Innovation Center, figures she’s helped create around 100 ice creams, ranging from the uber-gourmet to the utterly quirky. 
 

Turning saltwater into freshwater (Source Weekly)

That's the question that fuels Assistant Professor Bahman Abbasi's research at Oregon State University-Cascades—the largest research project on the campus. He and a diverse team of researchers are pioneering studies on desalination systems, creating a portable device that uses renewable energy, like solar or geothermal, to turn saltwater into drinking water.
 

There's no one way to enjoy nature. How to find what works for you and get outside (NPR News)

Recognizing the Indigenous history of the land we're on can really ground our experiences in the outdoors, says Oregon State University (OSU) anthropologist Spirit Brooks. As a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, Brooks' focus is on "shifting this dominant narrative of wilderness and conservation and those ideas being rooted in settler colonialism."
 

A startup plans to fight climate change with genetically engineered super-trees (Interesting Engineering)

We would like to make sure the performance that we observe in the greenhouse environment holds in the field. In order to do that, we collaborated with Oregon State University to conduct a field test of our trees. Acting as an independent third party, the Oregon State researchers will conduct the tests. Whatever results they find will be really, really informative and useful.
 

Amongst the animals: Artist Brad Rude's bronze sculptures welcome all (Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine)

A beaver is standing on a granite pedestal outside the front windows of Magruder Hall on the Oregon State University campus. His lips are parted in a mischievous grin. Two large incisors peeking out. He’s standing up on his hind legs with his two front paws raised as if he’s about to start a conversation.
 

Oregon State professor explores place names that really are not neutral (Jefferson Public Radio)

Oregon State University associate professor Natchee Barnd studies place names, and recently published a paper showing that many of them are not neutral, but derogatory or otherwise dismissive of indigenous people who inhabited those places for thousands of years.

Today's photo


Blooming bark: Traci Durrell-Khalife with integrative biology says, “This redbud tree next to the Ag & Life Sciences Building displays an intriguing growth characteristic, cauliflory, whereby blossoms are present on the bark of the trunk and limbs, as well as on its twigs and branches.” We are accepting photo submissions at [email protected]

Timely Teaching Tips: Want to discuss online teaching excellence and explore techniques to enhance your teaching across modalities? Register for the Ecampus Faculty Forum at the CH2M HILL Alumni Center featuring pre-conference workshops on May 3, followed by interactive presentations on May 4. You can also watch select sessions via livestream. Open to all OSU faculty and staff.

Today

Teaching with Media: Liven up your Lecture Videos. Discover new ways to create more interactive and engaging lecture videos as you blend synchronous and asynchronous learning activities in your Corvallis and Cascades campus courses. The Faculty Media Center and CTL invite all faculty and GTAs to a one-hour Zoom workshop. Register for Thursday, April 21 at 10 a.m. Info: Faculty Media Center

Amanda Brackett: MS Defense. Amanda Brackett will present her thesis, titled: “Effect of residual canopy cover and wildfire smoke on near-surface microclimate temperatures,” April 21, 10 a.m., Richardson 107 or on Zoom. Richardson is earning her MS in Forest Ecosystems and Society with Klaus Puettmann and Chris Still. Please contact the FES Department at [email protected] with questions or for accommodations for disabilities, or to access the Zoom link.

Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer Listening Session: The Search Advisory Committee is holding an additional listening session with members of the university and broader community to gather input about the qualities and characteristics desired in the vice president and chief diversity officer. Input will also be gathered regarding key opportunities and challenges facing the university that the new VP/CDO may face. Zoom meeting link: April 21, noon to 1 p.m.

April 21 Changemakers: Building Trust, Equity and Accessibility in Education. It’s not only policies that create the structure for equity. Strong community relationships and trust are needed, too. In an April 21 Changemakers conversation, inclusion and equity specialist Rebecca Arce, MPP ’14, shares insights on creating more equitable educational outcomes for all Oregonians. Join the webcast: bit.ly/AprilChangemakers.

HMSC Research Seminar: Amelia Munson, a postdoc at the University of Glasgow, will be giving a seminar titled “Growing Up is a Hot Scary Mess: Understanding how experience shapes variation and consistency in fish behavior.” April 21, 3:30 p.m. Zoom link  or call +1-971-247-1195 Meeting ID: 945 5573 115. Click here for more information.

Department of Botany & Plant Pathology Spring Seminar Series: “Tree Story: What We Can Learn About Climate, Human, And Forest History From The Rings In Trees” presented by Valerie Trouet of University of Arizona, April 21, 4 p.m. via Zoom. For complete schedule visit the BPP Seminar website.

Dawn Wright seminar: Dawn Wright, aka Deepsea Dawn, OSU affiliate professor and ESRI scientist will be speaking on April 21, 4 p.m. on Zoom. Her talk is titled "The Courage to Escape.” She will speak on her experiences as a woman of color within the geosciences. The seminar is hosted by the CEOAS Association of Graduate Students Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity committee. Register here: tinyurl.com/ppujmjuu

Gallery opening: "This IS Kalapuyan Land" Little Gallery Opening Event (210 Kidder Hall) April 21, 4-5:30 p.m. with David G. Lewis & Chanti Mañon. Campus-wide exhibit: April 18-May 20. Accommodations for disabilities may be made by contacting Luhui Whitebear at: [email protected] or 541-737-9036.

HMSC Science on Tap: Mauricio Cantor, an assistant professor with the Marine Mammal Institute at OSU's Hatfield Marine Science Center, will present a public virtual talk titled “Inventive feeding tactics shape dolphin societies.” April 21, 6 p.m. Webinar link or call +1 971 247 1195 Webinar ID: 953 4713 1268. Click here for more information.

Events

NEW! Pet Day Returns to OSU: The OSU Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine will be hosting Pet Day on Saturday, May 7, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. outside of Magruder Hall (700 NW 3th St., Corvallis). This community-wide, family- and pet-friendly event is free (with the exception of select activities) and features a petting zoo, dog wash and more. For more information, visit vetmed.oregonstate.edu/pet-day.

NEW! Native American Flute Circle: Join in or view the annual gathering of the OSU Native American style flute circle, led by music instructor Jan Looking Wolf Reibach. Participants in the flute circle must be current or past enrollees of OSU’s Music 108 course. May 25, noon to 1 p.m. in SEC Plaza. Hosted by the College of Liberal Arts and the School of Visual, Design and Performing Arts. Free and open to the public

Earth Week: On behalf of the Faculty Senate Carbon Commitment Committee (C3), you are invited to a Lightning Talk event April 22 from 10-11:30 a.m. as part of OSU’s Beyond Earth Day festivities. Hear speakers from across our institution share 2-5 minute presentations about their research and experience related to climate change. Hallie Ford Center 115 or online; password: EarthWeek. For questions or accommodations, contact: [email protected].

Music a la Carte: Double Reed Divas with Molly Myers. The Double Reed Divas are a chamber ensemble of the Oregon Chamber Players. Joining them for this performance will be OSU music student Molly Myers, playing a double reed arrangement of Gustav Holst’s Second Suite in F. April 22 at noon in the MU Lounge. Livestream available.

Vaccine clinic: The Beaver Booster Blitz is a free four-day COVID-19 vaccination clinic, open to the public and conveniently located in Student Experience Center 112. Swing by this walk-up-only event, April 28-May 1, noon to 7 p.m. All COVID-19 vaccines are available, including additional boosters and doses for children. No ID, no insurance required. Bring your COVID-19 CDC Card if possible (not required).

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

NEW! Examining White Identity Spring Student Series: An invitation into anti-racist growth. This two-part virtual series is designed for White-identified students to deepen their understanding of and commitment to racial justice work and anti-racism practice. Join us May 10 and May 17, 5-7 p.m. Learn more and apply here by Friday, May 6. Applications will be accepted until the series is full. 

WIC Workshop: Learn how to support multilingual student writers in this Zoom workshop on Friday, April 22 at 1 p.m. Kelley Calvert, Writing Center coordinator for multilingual support, and Academic Support staff will discuss a range of perspectives and strategies for supporting multilingual students, with a focus on taking an asset-based approach to multilingualism. Register here.

Summer Spreadsheet Help Session: Angela Williamson, support services manager with University Human Resources will be offering a Help Session for Summer Academic Wage hiring via the spreadsheet process. April 22, 3-5 p.m., in University Plaza, Suite 150. Zoom available, email [email protected]. Free parking.

The Forgotten Homeland: Mexicans’ Long Past, the Great Plains, and America’s Future. Drawing on archival sources, oral histories, art, songs and folklore, historian Joel Zapata will discuss how ethnic Mexicans have made the Plains into one of their homelands since the late 18th century. Hosted by the OSU Center for the Humanities on Monday, April 25 at 4 p.m. via Zoom. Learn more and register here.

May 18 Public Health Insider Webcast – Mentorship: Making the Connection. Hear from a panel featuring CPHHS’ director of student engagement and an OSU mentor/mentee pairing during the May 18 Public Health Insider webcast, "Mentorship: Making the Connection," 5:30-6:30 p.m. Explore the value of the college’s mentorship program and learn how to get the most out of a mentor/mentee relationship. Register today at ForOregonState.org/PH.

Take Note

NEW! Apply now for an Affordable Learning Grant: OSU's Open Educational Resources Unit is accepting proposals for the Affordable Learning Grant through June 1. The grant provides funding to adopt, adapt or author an open educational resource, such as a textbook. An open textbook is one that is published under an open copyright license and made freely available online for students, faculty and the public. All funding is a department-to-department transfer. Please talk to your department head about how this applies to the grant. Questions? Contact Stefanie Buck

NEW! Join the ASOSU Student Fee Committee: The Associated Students of Oregon State University (ASOSU) Student Fee Committee (SFC) is currently looking to fill in a vacancy for an at-large seat. To apply, students can fill out this application form; deadline for full consideration is Friday, April 22. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the vacancy is filled. The SFC is responsible for reviewing the budgets of all fee-funded units and providing a recommendation for the incidental fee and its allocation to the ASOSU Congress. For questions and more information, please reach out to the SFC Chair Mak Khan at [email protected].

NEW! Information about Fee-Funded Units: As a student at OSU, you pay the incidental fee each term ($455.31 for fall, winter and spring; $235.10 for summer). The budgeted revenue of more than $27.36 million provides everyone with access to a variety of programs and services. Come learn about how ASOSU allocates this budget and what all of this buys you. There are multiple ways to learn more and get involved; simply fill out this form. If you have any questions, reach out to the ASOSU Student Fee Committee Chair at [email protected].

NEW! 35 Year Club inductees: Congratulations to Lyla Houglam, emeritus, for 35 years of service to OSU. You can read more about their time at OSU and others who have reached this milestone by clicking on their name.

Are you exposed to loud noise at work? Find out more about OSU’s Hearing Conservation Program and Noise Control Plan. The goal of OSU’s Hearing Conservation Program is to monitor and protect employees who have the potential to develop noise-induced hearing loss – a preventable, permanent and progressive health issue. In collaboration with Environmental Health & Safety, Occupational Health Services provides annual hearing tests for those exposed to loud noise on the job. Training is available through the EH&S website. Contact Occupational Health or Environmental Health and Safety with questions.

Mid-Month Emergency Preparedness Topic: Fire. Nationally since 2000, 85 fatal fires, claiming 118 lives, have occurred on college campuses, in Greek housing, or in off-campus housing within three miles of the campus. Each year more than 2,500 people die and 12,600 are injured in home fires in the United States, with direct property loss due to home fires estimated at $7.3 billion annually. By preparing in advance, you can know how you will respond if a fire strikes. This preparedness poster can be downloaded at https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-topics/fire.

OSU Exemplary Employee Award nominations are open now through May 31. This award recognizes work performance and service which goes above and beyond the standard expectations held for professional faculty and classified staff. One classified and one professional faculty employee will be honored at the University Day ceremonies with the presentation of a plaque and cash award of $500 each. Please click here to learn about the nomination process and criteria.

Free COVID testsFree iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests are available around the Corvallis campus. Each box contains two tests. While supplies last, OSU community members can pick up these self-test kits at the following locations: Residence Hall Service Centers (Arnold, McNary and West); Lab tent outside Plageman Hall; Memorial Union Info Desk and Student Experience Center Info Desk. For questions or accommodations related to disabilities, 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: Lab tent outside Plageman Hall Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Cascade Hall 120, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Bend: Outside Obsidian Hall Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-5 p.m.

Weather

“A word has power in and of itself. It comes from nothing into sound and meaning; it gives origin to all things.” ~ N. Scott Momaday

Corvallis: Showers today, high of 58, low of 39. Chance of showers tomorrow.

Central Oregon: Chance of rain or snow today, high of 52, low of 32. Slight chance of showers tomorrow.

Newport: Showers today, high of 55, low of 41. Slight chance of showers tomorrow.

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