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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.
Oregon State University researchers have made it easier to learn about the gray whales who often visit the state's coastline — by their names, features, reputations and habits.
Mark Twain once said, “History doesn’t repeat itself. It rhymes.” OHA Humanities professor Christopher McKnight Nichols said when it comes to how Americans deal with a deadly virus, Twain’s sentiment rings true.
Most fires are still started by people, intentionally or not, and with more people living in high-risk areas, the dangers only continue to mount. “What the science said is that growth is occurring faster in the wildland urban interface than anywhere else” said Carrie Berger, fire program manager of the forestry & natural resources extension fire program at Oregon State University. “That’s where people are moving most rapidly.”
"Because of increases in temperature and because of increasing frequency and duration and severity of drought, there's a higher probability that those winds are going to come when the vegetation is is quite dry," said Erica Fleishman, the director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute at Oregon State University.
A recent study from Oregon State University found that countries with stricter COVID-19 lockdowns and larger decreases in local travel early in the pandemic experienced steeper declines in electricity use than countries with more lax restrictions.
Oregon State University ice scientist Erin Pettit said Thwaites appears to be collapsing in three ways:Melting from below by ocean water. The land part of the glacier “is losing its grip” to the place it attaches to the seabed, so a large chunk can come off into the ocean and later melt. The glacier’s ice shelf is breaking into hundreds of fractures like a damaged car windshield. This is what Pettit said she fears will be the most troublesome with six-mile (10-kilometer) long cracks forming in just a year. (see also WIRED)
A few specialized labs in the state – at Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University, University of Oregon and the state public health lab – have only confirmed about two dozen omicron cases to date but Allen said that’s because sequencing, which identifies the DNA of the virus, takes more time than a PCR, or molecular test. That tests shows whether someone has the virus but doesn’t identify the variant.
In June, Spinrad, a former professor of oceanography at Oregon State University who also served as a senior Navy executive, became only the 11th administrator for NOAA, which was created in 1970 during the Nixon administration. President Biden nominated him for the job in April (Greenwire, April 26).
The former Super Bowl XXVII MVP spent two years developing and researching the beer-making process and partnered with Oregon State University's Food and Science Technology Department to pore over his pour options. (see also MSN)
The public is invited to view a livestream of the implosion of the west side of Oregon State University’s Reser Stadium Friday morning, as part of a $153 million project to complete Reser Stadium. (see also Gazette-Times)
On Akira’s first day with the couple, Piper took her for a sunset run through the University of Utah campus. “It was just fascinating to see that she was like, ‘Oh, the human will run with me,” said Piper, who works in crisis management as the assistant dean of students and director of student care services at Oregon State. “And that was really neat cause I had never run with a dog.”
Fruitful view: Rebecca Sweet, 2006 graduate in horticulture, says, “This was taken on our homestead on the west side of Bald Hill, looking west.” We're still working our way through all our fall photo submissions but we're accepting winter photos now at [email protected].
Timely Teaching Tips: Looking for teaching-related professional development opportunities at OSU? See current and upcoming offerings from the Center for Teaching and Learning, Ecampus, and Academic Technologies on the updated Faculty Training Opportunities webpage.
HMSC Research Seminar: On Jan. 6, 3:30 p.m., Kara Gadeken with the Dauphin Island Sea Lab will be giving a seminar titled “Coastal sediment response to the diel oxygen cycle.” Please join us. Zoom link or call +1-971-247-1195 Meeting ID: 945 5573 115. Click here for more information.
Department of Botany & Plant Pathology Winter Seminar Series: “Exploring the mechanisms that create gene regulatory variation in crops” presented by Nathan Springer of University of Minnesota, Jan. 6, 4 p.m. via Zoom. For complete schedule visit the BPP Seminar website.
NEW! Virtual open house sessions for draft 2043 Regional Transportation Plan: The Corvallis Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is hosting two virtual open house sessions Jan. 10, at noon and 5 p.m., discussing the draft 2043 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The Regional Transportation Plan identifies how the Corvallis Metropolitan Area will meet the needs of the transportation system over a 20-year planning horizon. To register for the virtual open house sessions, visit the CAMPO website.
NEW! Board of Trustees: The OSU Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting on Jan. 13, to consider the appointment of a new board secretary. The meeting will be held remotely from 1:30-2 p.m. and is open to the public. The board meeting agenda and materials will be posted as they 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.
Reser implosion: Oregon State University plans to implode the westside portion of Reser Stadium between 7 and 8 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 7. Best viewing of the implosion will occur by watching online on this website. Following implosion, contractors will begin work to transform Reser Stadium into a year-round facility. Please visit this website for more information. Beginning at 6 p.m. on Jan. 6, the Reser Stadium parking lot will be closed to all vehicles until noon on Jan. 7. Southwest 26th, Southwest 30th and Southwest Western Boulevard will be closed to vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic Jan. 7 from 6 a.m. to. 9 a.m. Very limited public viewing areas of the implosion will be available the morning of Jan. 7. For more information on the project: https://beav.es/UDD.
Music à la Carte: Jonas Myers, piano. Myers is a jazz pianist and fiction writer and is currently an MFA candidate in the creative writing program in the College of Liberal Arts. Program includes Jimmy Van Heusen, Miles Davis, Tommy Wolf, Mac Rebennack, John Lennon, eden ahbez, Bill Evans, Myers and Cole Porter. Friday, Jan. 7 at noon in the Memorial Union Lounge. Free. Live audience open to OSU students, faculty and staff. Those from off-campus are asked to view the livestream.
University Budget Committee: The Committee will meet this Friday, Jan. 7 from 2-3:30 p.m. via Zoom. The UBC is OSU’s advisory body to the Provost for recommendations on tuition rates, budget priorities and budget policies. The committee will discuss projections and planning relevant to developing budget and tuition recommendations for 2022-23. If you are interested in joining as an observer, register for the webinar here.
Adult & Higher Education Doctoral Information Session: You’re invited to learn about the College of Education’s Adult & Higher Education doctoral program. Jan. 11, noon to 1 p.m. Please RSVP for the Zoom link and password. Contact [email protected] for questions.
President’s Winter Celebration: Tuesday, Jan. 11 from 9-11 a.m., Memorial Union Lounge. All OSU students, faculty and staff are invited to join Interim President Becky Johnson for this annual tradition. Make crafts and join in conversation while picking up treats and beverages to go to kick off the winter term. Attendees are welcome to bring non-perishable food items or monetary donations for the OSU Food Pantry. Contact University Events ([email protected]) with any questions.
NEW! OSU VITA seeks volunteers: Learn to do taxes. Help others with their taxes. Gain valuable experience to add to your resume. VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) partners with the IRS to help underserved populations in the area. Get trained and certified. Interested? General information session Jan. 11, 6-7 p.m., Austin Room 100. Food provided. Questions?
Science Pub: "Investigating how COVID-19 proteins stick to viral RNA and taking research from the lab to the dance floor," Jan. 10 at 6 p.m. Join Heather Masson-Forsythe for a virtual presentation that includes how she used her research in the annual international contest hosted by Science Magazine, “Dance Your Ph.D.,” winning the new COVID-19 prize and receiving tens-of-thousands of views on YouTube. Register for the presentation at https://beav.es/U9R.
GRAMMY U Informational Presentation: All current OSU students are invited to an informational presentation over Zoom about GRAMMY U on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 4-5 p.m. GRAMMY U is a unique program designed to prepare college students for careers in the music industry through networking, educational programs and performance opportunities. Presenters will share information on the program, GRAMMY U member benefits, the application process and more. Click here to RSVP.
College of Engineering Virtual Lecture: David Hill, professor, Civil and Construction Engineering, will speak on “Crowd-Sourcing Snow: The Value of Community Science for Oregon’s Water Resources,” Jan. 12, noon to 1 p.m. Free and open to the public. For details and registration: https://beav.es/Ujc.
College of Engineering Virtual Lecture: Margaret Burnette, distinguished professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, will speak on “Doing Inclusive Design: From GenderMag to InclusiveMag,” Jan. 18, noon to 1 p.m. Free and open to the public. For details and registration: https://beav.es/Utq.
Your Social Impact: How to be a Change Agent Within Your Networks. Get expert advice from people who’ve been on the same journey as you and are making a difference in this free virtual "Winning in Life" event, Jan. 20 at noon. The series is designed to help students and alumni build personal and professional skills for success in life, career and beyond. Register for free at ForOregonState.org/Winning.
Crucial Conversations: This is a 10-hour course that fosters dialogue around high-stakes, emotional or risky topics at all levels of your organization. Learn how to speak and be heard, surface the best ideas and make and execute the highest-quality decisions. Online sessions on Thursdays, 1-3 p.m., Jan. 20 through Feb. 17. There is a $100 fee to attend. Learn more and register here.
Teaching with Media: Discover ways to create and use media in your teaching as you blend synchronous and asynchronous learning in Corvallis and Cascades campus courses. The Faculty Media Center and CTL invite faculty and GTAs to a one-hour Zoom workshop. Register for Wed., Jan. 26 at 2 p.m., or register for Thurs., Jan. 27 at 10 a.m. Info: Faculty Media Center.
Inside the Mind of High Performing Leaders: You can learn how to lead with confidence and design your own success. Get expert advice from personal leadership professional and TEDx speaker Jeff Otis, ’90, at the next free virtual "Winning in Life" event, Jan. 27 at noon. Register for free at ForOregonState.org/Winning.
NEW! Human-robot interactions: The Human-Machine Teaming Laboratory in Oregon State University's Collaborative Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute is conducting a research experiment to study human-robot interaction for simulated supervisor-based environments. Participants will complete a series of tasks that require controlling and monitoring a simulated remotely-piloted vehicle and will complete anonymous questionnaires. The experiment requires participants to complete one 2-hour session. Participants will receive $30 upon completion. For requirements and to schedule, contact Prakash Baskaran at [email protected].
NEW! Volunteer to help at an OSU in-person career fair: Want to gain event logistics experience? Be a welcoming face for Oregon State when you sign up to assist at an in-person career fair. Volunteer slots include opportunities to connect personally with employers when they arrive on campus and to work side-by-side with professionals on the Career Development team. Sign up HERE.
NEW! Recruiting participants for Milk Protein Research: Food Science researchers are seeking participants with IBS diagnoses, 18-30 years old, who have a primary healthcare provider. In the study, adults with IBS will consume a regular serving of a protein shake for three weeks. The study will take 7 weeks total. Those who complete the study will receive a $300 gift card in Amazon credit. More details and sign-up available at http://www.dallaslab.org/test/2022/1/5/participants-needed-for-milk-protein-research.
NEW! Fiscal policy draft: In accordance with the fiscal policy program, the Fiscal Policy Committee is soliciting your feedback on a new policy draft for Retroactive Pay. For more information and instructions on how to provide your valued feedback, please visit Policy Under Review on the Fiscal Policy Program website.
SEIU survey: Please take the pandemic pay survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SEIUbonuspay. We are working with management under our new contract to compile an eligibility list. Please fill out the OSU ELR form if you qualify for pandemic pay. For questions contact organizer Siobhan Burke at [email protected] or call/text 630-699-0281. Fill out the OSU form by Jan. 7. Next, fill out our survey too and forward to coworkers.
Help Inspiring Girls Expeditions spread the word about our FREE STEAM outdoor expeditions: Inspiring Girls Expeditions (housed within OSU’s CEOAS) is a tuition-free, 12-day wilderness science education program for 16-18-year-old high school girls and gender-expansive youth. Students who don’t feel like they fit the “typical” image of a scientist or outdoors person are especially encouraged to apply. If you know a student who might be interested, or an educator or network who could share this opportunity, please pass it along. The deadline to start the application is Jan. 24, so encourage students to apply today. Questions? Email us at [email protected].
Recruiting participants for virtual reality experiment: Psychology researchers are seeking participants who are at least 18 years old, speak fluent English and have normal or corrected-to-normal vision for virtual reality (VR) research aiming to explore how perception and movement interact. Participants will complete movement- and perception-based tasks for one hour in a VR environment. Those who complete the study will receive $15 in Amazon credit. More details and sign-up available at https://bit.ly/3d3oYdW.
25 Year Club inductees: Congratulations to Michael Blouin, professor, 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.
Special or extra recycling needs? Campus has options for some items not accepted in general recycling bins but otherwise recyclable like batteries, Styrofoam and shredded paper. Or, perhaps you have an office or file clean out project and would like to request a temporary cart for all that extra paper? Visit Campus Recycling’s Special Recyclables guide for details and to submit a request.
Start the New Year off on the right foot: Looking to become more active? Enroll in the OSU Extension Walk With Ease self-directed program to get started and create an exercise plan that fits your schedule. This six-week online program includes weekly emails with guidance, tips and resources, plus a free "Walk With Ease" book (e-book or paperback). Visit our webpage to learn more and sign up. This program is available free to all Oregonians through OSU Extension. Questions? Contact [email protected].
Alternative Spring Break: Weeklong service-learning programs traveling to Washington, Southern Oregon and California during OSU’s spring break. Students engage in a variety of direct service projects, educational conversations and presentations, and reflective dialogue with leaders and change-makers in their respective communities. Priority application deadline: Friday, Jan. 28. Program dates: March 19-26. Program fee: $50. Apply at: http://beav.es/cel.
Library weekend hours: The Valley Library will be open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays starting winter term. You can always find the most up-to-date information about library hours at https://library.oregonstate.edu/valley-library-hours.
Dr. King Saturday of Service: Community Engagement & Leadership invites students, faculty, staff, and their partners and children to participate in OSU’s largest and longest running day of service of the year. Project times and locations vary; see the registration page: beav.es/cel. Snacks, hot lunch and transportation will be provided. For more information contact 541-737-3041 or [email protected].
Get There: Helping you connect with carpool buddies: Get There is a statewide carpool matching tool. You can join the OSU Corvallis Get There network to find other Beavers and share your commutes. Every trip counts. You do not need to carpool every day to benefit — even one day a week will reduce your travel costs. Please email Transportation Services at [email protected] with questions. To get started, register at getthere.oregonstate.edu.
Taste Testers Wanted: The OSU Center for Sensory & Consumer Behavior Research is looking for panelists for consumer taste tests. Open to all students, faculty, staff, family and community members 18 and over. Panelists receive up to $20/hour for their time. Tests run throughout the year. Much of the testing is done using drive through sample pick up and in-home testing. Fill out Qualtrics survey to be added to our pool at http://agsci-labs.oregonstate.edu/sensoryresearch/ or call 541-737-6506.
Girls Expeditions: Inspiring Girls Expeditions is seeking field scientists, artists or wilderness guides to plan and instruct our three OSU-based 2022 expeditions: Expeditions@Home, Girls on Ice Cascades, and Girls in Icy Fjords. Our expeditions are unique, tuition-free, 10 to 12-day programs for 16 to 18-year-old girls and gender expansive youth that emphasize curiosity, creativity, and exploration in remote environments. Links to position descriptions and application instructions can be found on our website. Contact Program Coordinator Ryan Brown with questions.
Monthly Emergency Preparedness Topic: Evacuation. Emergency evacuation is the immediate and urgent movement of people away from the threat or actual occurrence of a hazard. https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-topics/evacuation.
Looking for Unsung Heroes: We are looking for submissions from the Oregon State community to highlight OSU employees and students who are not typically in the spotlight but who are going above and beyond in their work or personal lives. Inspired by our COVID-19 Unsung Hero profiles, we want to celebrate those who serve others, whether it be helping colleagues, volunteering in their community or simply living in ways that inspire us. Send your suggestions to [email protected] and our staff may contact them for interviews we’d feature in OSU Today and elsewhere.
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: Student Experience Center and Cascade Hall 120: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.. (For staff wanting to get a test voluntarily, please make sure to register for a LabDash account prior to arrival: https://labdash.net/.) Bend: Ray Hall 302. Week of Jan. 3: Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-6 p.m.
NEW! Graf Hall: As part of the Graf Hall Renovation Project, a section of sidewalk on the north side of Graf Hall will be closed for excavation work for a new sidewalk and building entry. During the closure, pedestrian traffic will be routed to the north side of Monroe Avenue (view map). The closure takes place now through Jan. 14.
NEW! Benton Place: For continued utility work related to the Arts and Education Complex project, an additional full closure of SW Benton Place is scheduled. The additional closure takes place Jan. 10-11 (view map). There will be minimal impacts to parking. SW Benton Place will reopen over the weekend before the additional closure starts next Monday.
Reser lot closure: For work related to the Completing Reser Stadium project, a parking closure is scheduled in the Zone 2 area of the Reser Stadium parking lot for preparation and day-of work for the planned implosion of the stadium’s west side. Between 7 and 8 a.m. on Jan. 7, licensed contractors will use explosive charges to implode the stadium’s west side. The Zone 2 area of the lot will be used for loading in containers to sit parallel to Oak Creek (view map). The closure is scheduled to start on Jan. 5 through Friday, Jan. 7. The area will reopen for use at the end of the day on Jan. 7. Implosion-related road closures will occur from 6 to 9 a.m. Jan. 7. SW 26th and SW 30th streets between SW Western Boulevard and Washington Way and SW Western Boulevard between SW 26th and 30th streets will be closed to vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Reser: For work related to the Completing Reser Stadium project, starting Jan. 3 through Jan. 10, a temporary entrance and exit driveway will be constructed along SW 26th Street and five ADA parking spaces will be temporarily closed. A temporary sidewalk closure along SW 26th Street is also planned (view map).
Benton Place: For continued utility work related to the Arts and Education Complex project, an additional full closure of SW Benton Place is scheduled from Jan. 6-8 (view map). There will be minimal impacts to parking.
This email only lists new or recently updated job postings. For a full list of current job postings for OSU Today, go to: http://today.oregonstate.edu/email/jobs To apply for the below positions, visit jobs.oregonstate.edu unless otherwise specified.
NEW! Office Manager: The College of Pharmacy invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE) Office Manager position located in Portland, Ore. at the OHSU campus. Posting #P04871UF. Closes Jan. 16.
NEW! The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is seeking a paralegal. The paralegal will join the General Counsel, who reports directly to the president, and six other attorneys, a senior paralegal and an executive assistant in an energetic, collaborative office that provides legal advice to a broad range of university academic and administrative senior leadership and offices and to the university’s Board of Trustees. Posting #P05121UF. Full consideration Jan. 17. Closes Jan. 31.
NEW! Equipment Systems Specialist II: UIT-Academic Technologies invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, Equipment Systems Specialist II with Classroom Technology Services. Posting #P03306CT. Closes Jan. 30.
NEW! 2022 Restorative Aquaculture Fellowship: In partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Oregon Sea Grant (OSG) Scholars Program is currently accepting applications for the 2022 Restorative Aquaculture Fellowship. It is open to individuals who are pursuing or have recently completed a post-graduate degree (Masters, Ph.D. or other related professional degrees) from any university or college (U.S. or international) with interest and experience in coastal policy. This fellow will work with the TNC's Global Aquaculture Strategy Lead, Global Aquaculture Manager and TNC staff from Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska to explore the potential to invest in and create restorative seaweed aquaculture farms in the Pacific Northwest. The anticipated start date is in late March. Full details are available here. Full consideration Feb. 11. Closes Feb. 18.
“And when old Winter puts his blank face to the glass, I shall close all my shutters, pull the curtains tight, And build me stately palaces by candlelight.” ~ Charles Baudelaire
Corvallis: Rain today, high of 53, low of 45. Rain and then showers tomorrow.
Central Oregon: Chance of rain today, high of 45, low of 38. Rain and then rain and snow likely tomorrow.
Newport: Rain and windy, high of 52, low of 44. Rain and then a chance of showers. tomorrow.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/
