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

 

Forest landslides' frequency, size influenced more by road building, logging than heavy rain (Tech and Science Post)

Findings of the research, led by associate forest engineering associate professor Catalina Segura and graduate student Arianna Goodman of the Oregon State University College of Forestry, were published in the journal Earth Surface Processes and Landforms.  (see also KPTV)
 

Oregon, Washington kickstart efforts to reduce plastic pollution (Herald & News)

Professor Susanne Brander is a toxicologist at Oregon State University. Her lab at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport offers a window into the ubiquity of microscopic bits of plastic in the environment and what that does to animals and fish.
 

Despite rain storms, California is still in drought (New York Times)

Source: PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University Note: Data from the past six months is preliminary
 

Today's photo



Winter Celebration: OSU students, faculty and staff joined President Jayathi Murthy for conversation and celebration in the MU Lounge on Wednesday. We are accepting photo submissions at [email protected].

Timely Teaching Tips: Assigning weekly readings in class? Encourage students to read with intention. Share a variety of reading strategies from the Academic Success Center. Then consider taking a few minutes in class to talk with students about potential reading strategies that will work well given the type of readings assigned for your class.

Today

Board of Trustees: The Oregon State University Board of Trustees will meet Jan. 19-20 and hear a briefing on the Elliott State Research Forest, discuss preliminary tuition scenarios and budget planning for the 2024 fiscal year and hear an update on the university’s strategic plan. The board will meet from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Jan. 20 in the Horizon Room of the Memorial Union. Board committees will meet from 8 a.m.-4:05 p.m. Jan. 19 in the same location. All meetings are open to the public and can be attended in person, on Zoom or on the phone by calling 1-888-475-4499 (meeting ID: 655 466 888). Public comment can be made in person, on Zoom or in writing at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting to [email protected]. For more, visit: https://beav.es/56x.

HMSC Research Seminar: Zoe Almeida, postdoctoral scholar with COMES at Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center, will be giving a seminar titled “Warmer, earlier, faster: Cumulative effects of Gulf of Alaska heatwaves on the early life history of Pacific Cod,” Jan. 19 at 3:30 p.m. In person at HMSC’s GVMSB Auditorium or online. Zoom link. Or call +1-971-247-1195 Meeting ID: 945 5573 115. Click here for more information. 

BEE Seminar Series: Chet Udell will present "The Weather Chime: a platform for environmental monitoring and student engagement," on Jan. 19, 4 p.m. in Bexell Hall 322 or on Zoom. Reach out to [email protected] for Zoom details. All are welcome.

Department of Botany & Plant Pathology Fall Seminar Series: “Computational identification of type III effectors in pathogenic bacteria,” presented by Tal Pupko of Tel Aviv University and OSU Department of Botany & Plant Pathology, Thursday, Jan. 19, 4 p.m. ALS 4001 and via Zoom. For complete schedule visit the BPP Seminar website.

Events

NEW! Tuition Forums: The University Budget Committee and Office of Budget and Resource Planning are offering a series of weekly forums to discuss the tuition setting process, tuition rate scenarios for FY24, and to answer any questions about tuition and the university budget.  The first forum will be held Friday, Jan. 20 from 3-4 p.m. in the Memorial Union, Room 215 or you can register for Zoom. More information and the current forum schedule are available at https://beav.es/5rq.   

NEW! The Little Gallery presents Jeremy Okai Davis: Paintings and Lithos, a retrospective of the Portland artist's past accomplishments and a tribute to his current ones. Jan. 23-Feb. 28 in 210 Kidder Hall. More information.

NEW! Cultural Resource Centers Open House: Diversity & Cultural Engagement invites you to our Winter Term Cultural Resource Center Open Houses. All seven cultural resource centers will be open Monday, Jan. 23 from 1-3 p.m. Swing to learn more about the centers and upcoming programs, have snacks and just hang out.

Music à la Carte: Jonas Myers, a jazz pianist from Seattle who has been performing professionally since his early teens, will perform during Friday’s Music à la Carte. He is now a second-year MFA candidate in the creative writing program at OSU. In this, his second appearance in the Music à la Carte concert series, Myers will perform highly spontaneous and personalized takes on the time-tested works of Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and more. Jan. 20, noon, MU Lounge.

Celebrating Hayden Wilcox, multimedia consultant for UIT-Academic Technologies-Media Hub. Stop by Media Hub (Valley Library 2035) on Friday, Jan. 20 between 3-4:30 p.m. to enjoy a treat, congratulate Wilcox on his accomplishments and wish him luck with his new career. To sign Hayden’s virtual farewell card or if you have questions, please contact [email protected].

Picketing, pizza, and punk rock: Come jam out with the Disabled Students Union at our second annual Disability Justice Rally in the SEC Plaza Jan. 20 from 3-7:30 p.m. Picketing starts at 3 p.m. and the bands perform from 5:30-7 p.m. Questions/accommodations: [email protected].

Family Concert: "The Carnival of the Animals." Pianists Michael Gu and Rachelle McCabe will perform a duet version of Camille Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals, a “grand zoological fantasy.” Cellist Jason Han, a seventh grader from Corvallis, will perform the cello solo, “The Swan.” Each of the 13 short pieces depicting animal creatures will be introduced with witty poems by Jack Prelutsky, America’s first Children’s Poet Laureate. Saturday, Jan. 21 at 11 a.m. at the Corvallis Public Library, 645 NW Monroe St., Corvallis. Free. Presented by Corvallis-OSU Piano International.

PFLA Winter Luncheon: Join us for a creative tasting menu provided by OSU Catering and guest speaker Scott Vignos, OSU’s Chief Diversity Officer. Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., The LaSells Stewart Center. Registration is required and cost is $15/person. For more information about the event and how to register click here.

Wider Visions: “Music for a Silent Spring.” In a concert that is both celebration and elegy, pianist Rachelle McCabe and writer Kathleen Dean Moore weave musical performance and the spoken word in a call to defend Earth’s wild music. The performance includes compositions by Chopin, Bach, Sibelius and others, with essays about albatross and sapsuckers, courage and hope. Saturday, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. at the Corvallis Public Library, 645 NW Monroe St., Corvallis. Free. Presented by Corvallis-OSU Piano International and The Spring Creek Project.

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

NEW! Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies 50-Year Celebration keynote lecture: Loretta Ross is co-founder of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, which works to improve institutional policies and systems that impact the reproductive lives of marginalized communities. Jan. 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the CH2M Hill Alumni Center. Free, open to all. Register here to attend.

FYI Friday – Safety Preparedness: Winter Emergencies. This training covers general preparedness steps with an emphasis on winter emergencies. The topics include: winter driving; what goes in vehicle emergency kits; signs of frostbite and frostbite prevention; signs of hypothermia and hypothermia prevention; winterizing your home; and safe heating and lighting options during power outages. Winter storm warnings and how to stay informed is also covered. Part of the Winter 2023 FYI Friday series; Jan. 20, 11-11:45 a.m. via Zoom. Registration required.

FST Farm 2 Fork Webinar: Would you like to learn how about why a model for stakeholders to work together is an advantage in building a sustainable food system? Friday, Jan. 20, noon to 12:45 pm. Register today. 

Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Research Symposium: Come explore the intersections between chemistry, biology, epidemiology and regulatory science on Jan. 20 in The LaSells Stewart Center. Speakers include current students and staff and EMT alumni from industry, government and academia. There will be a career Q&A and a poster session. Registration is free. https://emt.oregonstate.edu/research-symposium.

College of Public Health & Human Sciences Research Seminars: Ram Maikala, program technical consultant, Musculoskeletal Disorders Solutions Lab Thought Leadership, National Safety Council. “Injuries in Healthcare Workers during Patient and Decedent Handling.” Jan, 20, 1-2 p.m., Tammy Bray Leadership Conference Room (Hallie Ford Center #115) and online: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/97959915724. Co-Sponsored with the Environmental and Occupational Health Program.

Zoom colloquium on the exceptional hypersaline ecosystem at Oregon’s Lake Abert: This colloquium aims to present current knowledge on the lake and its ecology. We will hear about its amazing capacity to produce shrimp and fly invertebrates that birds feast on, and about the birds that visit Lake Abert. We will also hear about how climate is changing and how we think those changes will affect the landscape in the Chewaucan valley surrounding Lake Abert. Jan. 23, 1-4 p.m. Register: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErdO6vpjgsEtRlQ6IVGEixVP0iNqfSWMxy.

Winter Term Getting a Dam Job career skills workshops: If finding a job or internship seems overwhelming, don’t fret: The Getting a Dam Job workshop series can help take the mystery out of resumes, job searching, grad school applications and more. Attend one or more of these virtual workshops for tips and tools that can help you figure out the next step on your career path. Workshops run from Jan. 25-March 1; see the full winter term Getting a Dam Job schedule and register online.

CTL Sparkshops: "Warming up the cold call: Tips for encouraging inclusive participation in class discussion." Presenter Funmi Amobi, Ed.D., Instructional Consultant and College Liaison. Jan. 27, noon to 12:20 p.m. Register for Zoom link.

College of Engineering Faculty Lecture: Nordica MacCarty, “Reverse Innovation to Protect Health and Climate: Advances in Cleaner Biomass Combustion for Household Energy in the Developing and Developed World.” Feb. 14, noon to 1 p.m.; virtual lecture; free and open to the public. Details and registration: beav.es/5Dz.

Register for the Think Affordable Summit on March 7: At Oregon State, we all care about improving affordability, but as individuals, we can sometimes feel powerless to make a difference. However, change is possible, and in a lot of ways, it’s already happening. This event will educate faculty, advisors and administrators about the many affordability initiatives and resources happening at OSU. Come and learn how you can support them. Lunch provided. See the full agenda and register to join us in person or online. 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness webinar: Human Resources is hosting a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Webinar on March 9, noon. Registration in advance is required at this link. Webinar description: Recent changes to the rules around PSLF mean that more people than ever are now eligible to receive months toward forgiveness. In this one-hour webinar, State of Oregon’s Student Loan Ombuds Lane Thompson will talk through the eligibility requirements for PSLF, as well as touching on other Federal cancellation and forgiveness options. If you have ever wondered how the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program could help you clear your loan balance, this is the webinar for you.

Take Note

NEW! School of Public Policy Week is Jan. 23-30. Learn about our programs and career opportunities. Network with alumni and employers.

NEW! Mental health access: Help connect the students you serve with 24/7 mental health support. Anytime Anywhere: MySSP is an app that gives all OSU students, including Ecampus students, 24/7 access by text or phone to a licensed mental health counselor. (MySSP stands for “My Student Support Program”). There is no charge to students to use this service. Request print and digital marketing materials to share with students by clicking https://beav.es/58V.

NEW! 25 Year club: Congratulations to Brent Steel, University Distinguished Professor of Public Policy, for being inducted into the 25 Year club at OSU. You can read more about their time at OSU and others inducted into the club by clicking on their name.

Mid-Month Emergency Preparedness Topic: Cold Weather. With low temperatures comes a responsibility to prepare and take precautions against cold weather illness. More information can me found here: https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-topics/cold-weather-illness.

Eco2Go reusable container program returns: Eco2Go is back, starting Jan. 23. Eco2Go is a UHDS sustainability initiative that provides reusable containers for take-out meals from campus dining locations. Paused during the pandemic, the program has kept over a million disposable containers from entering a landfill since it began in 2015. For info on how it works, including return locations for your empty containers, visit uhds.link/eco2go.

Participate in the Cannabis and Regulation of Emotion (CARE) Study: Are you 21-30 years-old, fluent in English, and a U.S. citizen? Do you use cannabis? The purpose of this research is to understand how cannabis use is related to emotional functioning. Participation involves: 5-minute eligibility survey; two 1-hour Zoom appointments; smoking cannabis flower during one Zoom appointment; $40 in gift cards for completing both appointments. Principal investigator Anita Cservenka. Email [email protected] or visit https://tinyurl.com/osucarestudy.

Campus Directions: In this issue, we're highlighting a huge accomplishment by the EH&S biohazard team and progress made toward carbon neutrality at OSU's Energy Center. Campus Directions brings you regular reports on how campus operations and facilities are evolving and improving to meet the needs of students, faculty and staff. Subscribe today and follow updates on Instagram.

Work Life Newsletter: Click here to see the January Work Life Newsletter and to see Work Life, FRC and Wellness events and workshops for the month of January. For questions please contact [email protected].

Goat adventure: This winter term, the Valley Library will be hiding a toy goat named Kidder  somewhere within the building. Find Kidder each week to be entered into a weekly GOAT-approved snack raffle. Follow the weekly clue on Monday on any @valleylibrary or @OSUValleyLib social media. Find Kidder, take his picture, post it, tag it #ValleyLibGOAT. When you tag us, we'll enter your name into a snack raffle for the week. Winners will be announced Fridays at 4 p.m.

Working with Students in Distress: Faculty and staff may be the first to notice a student is struggling and may be in the best position to reach out with care and concern. The Office of the Dean of Students, in collaboration with Counseling and Psychological Services, developed a CARE folder, which is intended to provide you with resources and referral information that we hope you find valuable. Simply click on this link: https://beav.es/ZUi and you will be directed to login to Box to access these resources. We recommend you bookmark this link for easy access on your phone, laptop or tablet.

Kognito: "Recognizing and Supporting Students in Distress" training for staff, faculty and student assistants. OSU students today face increasing pressures that can lead to emotional distress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and even thoughts of suicide. This is never more true than now with the additional stressors of police brutality, racism and a global pandemic. Faculty, staff and the student assistants we employ may be in the best position to notice when a student needs additional support. Visit beav.es/Zzp to access the faculty/staff online training so you can recognize and support OSU students in distress. Student assistants should visit: beav.es/ZD3 For questions contact Tessie Webster-Henry: [email protected].

Traffic and Maintenance

Steam shutdown: Each year Facilities Services performs necessary maintenance on the university’s steam system, which requires shutting off the steam throughout campus, to complete maintenance services at the plant, throughout the steam tunnels and in each building. This process affects hot water supply, heating, and all equipment that uses steam, campus wide. The steam shutdown for 2023 will occur June 19-23. For questions or comments on this closure contact Facilities Services at 541-737-2969.

EXTENDED! Washington Way: As part of the Washington Way Improvement project, Washington Way between 17th-26th streets and 30th-35th streets will be closed starting Jan. 3. The north-south intersection at Washington Way and 26th St. will remain open (view map). Updated schedule: 17th-26th streets closed Jan. 3-5; 30th-35th streets closed through  Jan. 26.

Weather

"What is there in this world that truly makes living worthwhile?"
Death thought about it.
"CATS," he said eventually. "CATS ARE NICE.” ~ Terry Pratchett

Corvallis: Patchy fog today, high of 45, low of 29. Mostly sunny tomorrow.

Central Oregon: Mostly sunny today, high of 35, low of 19. Sunny tomorrow.

Newport: Partly sunny today, high of 48, low of 35. Mostly sunny tomorrow.

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