COVID testing: Oregon State University, in collaboration with Willamette Valley Toxicology, is providing on-site COVID-19 testing on the OSU main campus, as well as at the OSU-Cascades campus. OSU employees and students, regardless of vaccination status, are welcome to obtain a test at one of these locations. Results from tests administered at campus locations will be provided confidentially from the processing lab to Student Health Services. Results will be available by logging onto the secure Student Health Services Portal with ONID credentials. Tests are at no cost to the employee or student when insurance information is provided. Testing locations in Corvallis: The LaSells Stewart Center: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Student Experience Center: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. In Bend, Ray Hall 302, Monday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m.; Tuesday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Face coverings now required in OSU indoor settings: Face coverings are now required, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor settings at OSU. This includes but is not limited to public and private workplaces, businesses, indoor areas open to the public, building lobbies, common or shared spaces, classrooms, elevators, bathrooms, transportation services, dining centers, recreation centers and other indoor spaces where people may gather for any purpose. Masks are not required when individuals are in their personal offices and have their door closed. Face coverings are also required outdoors as per State of Oregon rule 333-019-1025 if physical distancing of at least 6 feet can’t be maintained.

Vaccine compliance: Effective Sept. 15, Oregon State University requires employees and students who work, learn or engage with others in-person as part of their job duties to be fully vaccinated from COVID-19. OSU employees and students who are required to comply and who meet an exemption not to be vaccinated, will be required to test for COVID-19 weekly until further notice. To learn more and to complete the compliance process, go to https://covid.oregonstate.edu/vaccination-program-requirement

NEW! Timely Teaching Tips: Looking for professional development as an educator? The Center for Teaching and Learning is once again offering its popular three-term New2OSU program and weekly Tuesday Teaching + Tech Talks via Zoom. Both programs have a certification option. CTL is also offering monthly Sparkshops to facilitate rich conversations supporting scholarly teaching and student success. 

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. Occasionally, articles highlighted in OSU Today may either be subscription-only or behind a paywall if a maximum number of articles has been reached that month. Many subscription-only publications, like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, can be accessed by anyone with an OSU email account through the search function on the OSU Libraries home page, which grants free access to many publications. See https://library.oregonstate.edu/ and click on 1Search.
 

'Smoke cows': Could more US wildfires mean less milk from Oregon's huge dairy herd? (The Guardian)

A team at the Oregon State University has begun a three-year study looking at the effects of poor air quality on cattle.
 

Oregon's largest universities await with nerves, excitement as students move in (OPB News)

Jillian St. John and her parents sat in traffic near Reser Stadium for about three hours on Sunday, bumper-to-bumper with other families waiting to move into the dorms at Oregon State University. St. John said the time in the car helped her decompress and process what the upcoming fall term might be like — from the normal nervousness of moving away from home for the first time to the unique jitters of doing so during a pandemic.
 

Oregon State to lead effort to find oldest ice in Antarctica (Think Out Loud)

Oregon State University is bringing together experts from across the United States to search for the oldest ice in Antarctica. The air bubbles trapped in ice from millions of years ago could tell us a lot about the earth’s last period of global warming. Ed Brook is a paleoclimatologist at OSU and the director of COLDEX, the Center for Oldest Ice Exploration.
 

Congressional redistricting plan could have big impact on Linn County (KEZI)

Christopher Nichols, history professor at Oregon State University, said both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are making things harder than they need to be. "The kind of big issue at stake in this moment of redistricting is, for the state of Oregon, where will the new six districts be for Congress, and what's the likely party that will hold that seat?" said Nichols. 
 

U of O prepares for in-person classes as OSU's get underway (KVAL)

"It's not a return to normal," said OSU's VP of University Relations, Steve Clark. "It is part of that new normal where we can be together if we are vaccinated." (see also Lebanon Express)
 

Today's photo


And they’re off! Tuesday was a perfect day for a Convocation processional as the Class of 2025 took its first steps on their next big journey. (Photo by Eric Gleske)

COVID-19 vaccines: For information about vaccines in the Benton County, visit this website. OSU-Cascades students, faculty and staff can learn where to find vaccines in Central Oregon here. Check your local public health authority websites for more information. You can also visit the Oregon Health Authority: Get Vaccinated Oregon website and the CDC VaccineFinder for vaccinations anywhere in the U.S. Go to COVID-19 information for links to OSU, local, state and federal resources; and updates on the latest federal travel restrictions.

Today

Pride Center Connect: Join the OSU Pride Center and SOL: LGBTQ+ Multicultural Support Network for our Connect event this week. Stop by the MU Brick Mall on Thursday, Sept. 23 from noon to 4 p.m. for lawn games, snacks, community building and info about Queer friendly resources across campus.

SEIU: Support higher wages, steps and hazard pay for SEIU Classified workers. Participate in the Bargaining Kickoff Virtual Rally via Zoom (or phone) Thursday, Sept. 23, noon to 12:30 p.m. Sign up here: https://events.blackthorn.io/00D61000000YqfV/preview/a6W4N0000008yV1. Contact SEIU Organizer Siobhan Burke with any questions or help registering. 1-630-699-0281.

Crossroads Conversation School for Women invites international women to join them for fall term English conversation classes beginning on Thursday, Sept. 23. In volunteer-taught classes, students explore other cultures, practice English and develop friendships. Classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and will be held on Zoom, with some in person classes possible as conditions allow. For more details and registration information go to https://www.facebook.com/CrossroadsConversationSchool or contact Kara Hanson at [email protected].

Events

NEW! Disability Access Services (DAS) Testing Center Open House for Faculty and Staff: Learn more about alternative testing services provided to students. Tour the Testing Center to view testing spaces, security measures, assistive technology, accessible formats, notetaking technologies, Braille/Tactile Graphics and much more. Faculty: Get assistance with completing your testing agreements. Sept. 23 and 24, 1-4 p.m. in Heckart Lodge on the third floor. For more information, contact [email protected].

NEW! COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Friday: The Coalition of Graduate Employees of Oregon State University is hosting a Vaccine Clinic on Friday, Sept. 24 from 6-8 p.m. at the Corvallis Community Center located at 2601 NW Tyler Ave. in Corvallis. Everyone is welcome and no registration is required. Free event with food, entertainment and prizes. Those that get vaccinated or bring a friend to get vaccinated will be entered into a raffle to win a Macbook Air, luxury spa vacation in Newport and more.

NEW! Kick off the weekend with Beaver fans at a pregame party in Santa Monica: The OSU Alumni Association welcomes alumni, students and fans to a no-host meetup at Santa Monica Brew Works, Friday, Sept. 24, from 6-9 p.m. Enjoy the beach-brewed lifestyle the day before cheering on the football team against USC, Saturday, Sept. 25. Catch the details at https://fororegonstate.org/get-involved/events/detail/2021/09/25/default-calendar/santa-monica-osu-vs-usc-meetup.

NEW! American Strings: An Evening with Shook Twins. Join host Bob Santelli for a conversation and live performance with the rising stars of American folk rock, Shook Twins, as American Strings launches a brand-new season outdoors on the Student Experience Center plaza. American Strings brings renowned artists from around the U.S. to Corvallis and OSU for an in-depth look at how and why stringed instruments play such a profound role in American music. Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Face coverings are required. There is also an opportunity to watch the event remotely via a livestream at http://beav.es/UJC.

Giustina Gallery exhibition: The Giustina Gallery presents two collections for a two-month exhibition: Clark Studios 50 Years of Collections from America to Japan and The Michael Gibbons Exhibition Paintings from the Book “Painting in Nature.” The exhibition runs through Sept. 24. More information including hours of operation. 

Griggs celebration: Lawrence Griggs, ’78, will be the honored on the Wall of Legacy at the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center, and a physical student success center will be named in his honor in the Memorial Union. Please join us in honoring his enormous impact during a hybrid (in-person and online) presentation and celebration on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. Click here to register. Consider adding a video tribute or typed message to share how Larry impacted you. Email Terrance Harris with any questions.  

1958 Reunion events during Homecoming week Oct. 22-24: Join members of the Class of 1958 for social gatherings during Homecoming week. There will be mingling and reminiscing about your days at OSU, along with great food, drinks and fun. You have so much to share with your classmates – family, travel, career – so take the time to catch up. Here’s what you need to know. RSVP for each event required by Oct. 8.

1970s Decade Class Reunions during Homecoming week Oct. 22-23: We are excited to welcome alumni from the Classes of 1970-1979 back to campus for mingling and reminiscing about your days at OSU, along with great food, drinks and fun. Join us at a variety of events. You have so much to share with your classmates – family, travel, career – so take the time to catch up. Here’s what you need to know. RSVP required by Oct. 8.

The 5th Annual Multicultural Alumni & Friends Tailgater Oct. 23: Celebrate each and every member of our OSU Beaver community ahead of Homecoming kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 23 at the 5th Annual Multicultural Alumni & Friends Tailgater. This in-person gathering will feature food, fun and a chance to connect with new and old friends and mingle with OSU leadership. Enjoy the OSU marching band and take pics with Benny before the big game. This FREE, annual event is hosted by the OSU Alumni Association, College of Liberal Arts, Educational Opportunities Program, Diversity & Cultural Engagement Office and the Office of Institutional Diversity. Registration is strongly recommended as space is limited: Bit.ly/MCTailgater21.

ASOSU, The Beaver Caucus and OSUAA Alumni & Friends Homecoming Gathering: Returning in person, the ASOSU/The Beaver Caucus and OSUAA Alumni & Friends Homecoming Gathering will be held Saturday, Oct. 23, at the OSU Alumni Center. Kick off Homecoming by coming together with current and former ASOSU officers, Beaver Caucus advocates and OSU alumni and friends serving as elected officials or legislative staffers. Attendees will enjoy programming hosted by ASOSU leadership, featuring a review of OSU’s 2021 legislative wins and information on how to advocate for OSU in the coming year. This no-cost event is open to current OSU students and alumni, but space is limited. Save your seat today by registering at bit.ly/AdvocateOSU.

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

NEW! CTL Tuesday Teaching + Tech Talks: “Supporting 2SLGBTQI+ Students In and Outside the College Classroom.” In this presentation, educational advocate and OSU graduate student, Dharma Mirza (she/her) will explore ways to better include and support 2SLGBTQI+ students in and outside of the classroom. Dharma will also highlight key support services on campus for 2SLGBTQI+ students and engage the learning impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic these student communities. ​For more information see https://ctl.oregonstate.edu/sparkshops. Zoom session Sept. 28, 10-11:50 a.m., https://beav.es/UJj.

NEW! Apply now for the Ecampus Research Fellows Program: Want to conduct research about online teaching and learning? The Ecampus Research Unit will help you plan your proposal for the Ecampus Research Fellows Program. The ECRU annually funds up to five faculty and/or department projects ($20,000 each) to support research in online and hybrid education. Info sessions will be held via Zoom Sept. 28 at 1 p.m. and Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. Applications are due Nov. 1. To register, contact Naomi Aguiar.

NEW! Meditation as Embodied Practice: A Nine-Month Training. OSU’s Contemplative Studies Initiative offers an experiential, progressive program for those interested in learning a meditative arc of development. Includes instruction, practice, readings and community. Thursdays 6-8 p.m on Zoom. Guided by Audrey Perkins and Kate Gallagher. Priority registration: Oct. 7; begins Oct.14. $700 for community members; $400 for faculty and staff; $200 for students.

NEW! Navigating Workplace Conflict Workshop in Corvallis: Developed by University Ombudsperson and conflict management expert Sue Theiss, this one-day workshop focuses on essential elements of managing interpersonal, small group and organizational conflict. By the end, you will have a good understanding of how to successfully navigate conflict and you’ll have the tools to help you create real change through inclusive processes. Oct. 21. Secure your seat here: http://workspace.oregonstate.edu/conflict-resolution.

Biomarker research lecture: Suzanne SegerstromUniversity Research Professor at the University of Kentucky, will be giving a lecture titled "Power, Reliability, and Estimation Errors in Lifespan Biomarker Research" on Friday, Sept. 24, noon to 12:50, in 400 Waldo Hall. https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/94836811990?pwd=Wkc1d0V5bHFwUXA4T0IxMUN4M1Qzdz09.

Climate leader training: Oregon State University is one of three institutions worldwide selected to host a five-year international training program to support climate leaders within national governments in meeting goals established under the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. The Adaptation Academy will offer instruction on planning, executing and evaluating progress on nationally determined contributions to reducing the threat of climate change. Oregon State primarily will train representatives from North, Central and South American and Caribbean countries, with an emphasis on lower-income countries that have fewer existing training resources. The Adaptation Academy will launch online Sept. 24 during Climate Week NYC, an annual event sponsored by the nonprofit Climate Group in partnership with the city of New York and COP26, the United Nations’ 2021 climate change conference.

Beyond Benefits EAP, Strengthening Your Ability To Empathize: Everyone has heard the saying to “take a walk in their shoes.” It is one of the simplest explanations of empathy. Understanding other peoples’ outlook, being able to recognize their emotions and being sensitive to their situation is vital to communicating more effectively and building better relationships. This course will address ways to improve your capacity to demonstrate empathy. Sept. 30, 10-11 a.m. Register here.

Greenfield talk: “A Conversation with Dr. Derek Greenfield” will take place Sept. 30 from 6-7 p.m. at Gill Coliseum. Derek Greenfield is a visionary speaker, consultant and thought leader dedicated to inclusive excellence and positive social change. Greenfield’s extensive partners includes McDonald’s Corporation, NCAA, International Conference on Cultural Diversity, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, National Black Student Leadership Development Conference, Altria Group, National Dropout Prevention Conference, Progress Energy and the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, just to name a few. To learn more visit https://derekgreenfield.com/. This event is being hosted by Oregon State University Athletics, Oregon State University NAACP Student Chapter and the Corvallis-Albany (Linn and Benton Counties) NAACP Branch. For virtual/remote engagement click here. Accommodations and/or questions can be sent to [email protected] or [email protected].

SJEI Tier One Platform and Tier Two Next Level workshops still have openings for Fall 2021: The Social Justice Education Initiative is a foundational professional development program for all faculty, staff and graduate students. Join your colleagues and expand your equity and inclusion journey. See the workshop schedule and register on the SJEI website registration page. Interested in workshops, facilitation or consultation for your unit? Contact SJEI director Jane Waite for further information: [email protected].

Take Note

NEW! UAOSU Salary Agreement Ratification: UAOSU members, it’s time to vote on the agreement negotiated by your bargaining team. Check your email (including spam) for your ballot. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]. Polls close at 5 p.m. Sept. 27. Only members can vote, but the raise package applies to all faculty in our bargaining unit. If you’re academic faculty who hasn't joined yet, you can at uaosu.org/join.

NEW! Contemplative Graduate Research Group: CSI is forming a graduate research group for those whose research directly involves contemplative practices, traditions and perspectives. Meetings will foster collegial collaborations, peer connections, idea exchange, presentation practice and more. Email [email protected] by Oct.1 with your name, degree program and research interests to receive an invitation to the fall outdoor kick-off gathering.

Recreational Sports Membership: Invest in your health and well-being with a Rec Sports membership. Members enjoy access to Rec Sports facilities, featuring weight and cardio rooms, climbing centers, an eight-lane swimming pool, multiple gyms and indoor tennis courts. Members may also purchase fitnesstrainingsport and adventure programs. Memberships are available to OSU faculty, staff, their partners and dependents (payroll deduction is available through Oct. 29) and alumni. OSU Corvallis students receive a membership with incidental fee payment.

Please Help Us Protect Students from Fraudulent Job Offers: You’ve no doubt seen that the pandemic has amplified cybersecurity threats globally. For the OSU community, we don’t want to live in a state of fear of these threats, but should recognize them and take steps to protect ourselves, OSU and our students. We are seeing  students targeted by scammers claiming to have OSU or other university affiliation. They pose as professors making job offers for non-existent student jobs or internships, asking for personal information to help “pay” the student “employee,” and/or asking students to buy gift cards with a promise of repayment. No legitimate job offer from OSU would involve buying gift cards! Please share this info with your students and if you or your students are a victim of these scams, please report the incident to the OSU Department of Public Safety or to a law enforcement agency near you. The OSU Office of Information Security can also provide resources to help address fraud. Thanks for helping us “defend our OSU cyber dam.”

Celebrate Allison Davis-White Eyes’ Contributions to OSU: After 20 years of service to OSU, Allison Davis-White Eyes has announced her plans to join Fielding Graduate University. The OSU Klatowa Eena Alumni NetworkNative American Longhouse Eena Haws and the Office of Institutional Diversity invite you to share your memories and messages with White Eyes as part of a video montage. It will only take you a minute to film and submit your video via Tribute with this link by Sept. 24, or sign the GroupGreeting card.

Deadline Extended: Join the Fall ’21 Blended Faculty Learning CommunityCTL invites instructors to join a collegial cohort on Zoom to explore tech tools and ways to effectively interweave classroom teaching and Canvas. Learn practical strategies to engage students in your Cascades or Corvallis campus courses of all types. Funding provided. Brief proposals due Sunday, Sept. 26.

New Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia Fellowship: A new Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia (OAH) Fellowship opportunity is now available through Oregon Sea Grant and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). This position will support DEQ’s activities related to Oregon’s ocean acidification and hypoxia policy. The fellowship is open to individuals who have an interest and experience in coastal policy and are pursuing or have recently completed a post-graduate degree (Masters, Ph.D., or other related professional degrees) from any university or college (US or international). This is a paid, full time, one-year opportunity with the possibility for extension, based in Portland or Salem (both remote and in-office working are possibilities). The anticipated start-date is Nov. 15. The application deadline is Oct. 15, 5 p.m.

Human Resources: University Human Resources Service Center is now open for in-person assistance at 1600 SW Western Blvd., Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All university, state and local COVID-19 procedures and protocols are being followed. Appointments are available. Contact Info - HR Teams.

Walktober: Walktober is a 31-day health challenge designed to motivate the OSU community to become more active. It’s more than just walking: Walktober can work with your current fitness plan. Join with a team, or sign-up solo. Cost is $5 for students/alums and $10 for faculty/staff. Register today at https://beav.es/walktober and start logging your activity on Oct. 1. Brought to you by the Moore Family Center and Faculty Staff Fitness.

Our Little Village Child Care: Will you be working on the Corvallis campus this Fall? Needing some part-time/short term child care, so you can work, teach classes, research and write, etc.? Consider enrolling at Our Little Village. Registration is open until Wednesday, Sept. 22 at noon. Our Little Village (OLV), administered by OSU’s Family Resource Center, is short-term reservable child care for OSU students and employees. Child care is available for children ages 5 months through 12 years at either OLV|Milne or OLV|Dixon. There are various days and time offerings Monday-Friday as well as some weekend hours. Looking for after school care? We have options for that as well. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] or 541-737-5499.

Not sure what the next step is in your business venture? The OSU Advantage Accelerator is currently accepting applications for its virtual fall Accelerate cohort which begins Tuesday, Oct. 5. Accelerate is open to Oregon teams and/or teams with a connection to OSU who want to launch a high-growth business or want to explore the commercialization potential of a technology. Upon completion of the nine-week program, teams will have an elevator pitch, a completed five-minute pitch deck, product market validation, feedback from many mentors and more. To learn more and apply, visit https://advantage.oregonstate.edu/advantage-accelerator/programs/accelerate.

UPDATED: Faculty Staff Fitness: OSU’s Faculty Staff Fitness is ready to get you moving this fall. We have a completely online, remote platform you can access anytime, anywhere with an internet connection (https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/online) with over 16 styles of classes and over 400 classes of varied length. Check out the full, in person options at https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/schedule/fall for your on-campus return with new classes and some favorites from swimming to cardio kickboxing. New to October – Walktober is an activity-based incentive and self-care program to help you get moving and win prizes https://beav.es/walktober opens Sept. 15. 

Call for Applications: Career Champions Faculty Program. Applications for the Fall 2021 Career Champions program for teaching faculty and instructors are now being accepted. The Career Champions program provides faculty and instructors with tangible ways to incorporate career connection into the classroom, while advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and examining the barriers to access for first-generation, high financial need, and/or students of color. More information can be found on the Center for Teaching and Learning  website. Please direct questions to UIA Fellow Brenna Gomez or Executive Director of Career Development Brandi Fuhrman. To apply, please complete the application form by Sept. 26.  

Traffic and Maintenance

NW Harrison Boulevard full closure (24/7) between NW 31st Street and NW 34th Street. As part of the 2021-22 Street Resurfacing Project along NW Harrison Boulevard, NW Harrison Boulevard will be closed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week between NW 31st Street and NW 34th Street from Sept. 20-30. Detours will be put into place. This project is managed by the city of Corvallis. For questions or comments on this closure, contact Project Manager Josh Bjornstedt.

Fairbanks Hall parking lot: The Fairbanks Hall Renovation Project is now in construction. Due to truck delivery activity, to avoid trucks attempting to stage and offload directly on Jefferson Street, safety concerns, and clearances required in the construction area, the ADA parking spaces located on the west side of the Fairbanks Hall parking lot (lot #3301) will be offline for use starting Friday, Sept.10 (view map). Click here to view a map of nearby ADA parking spaces. You can expect increased activities at the building site and an increase in truck traffic on Jefferson Way, to and from 35th Street. For questions or comments on this closure, contact construction manager Amy Keene at 541-214-1038. Please contact Transportation Services at 541-737-2583 for additional ADA parking assistance, if needed.

Weather

"I sit beside the fire and think / Of all that I have seen / Of meadow flowers and butterflies / In summers that have been / Of yellow leaves and gossamer / In autumns that there were / With morning mist and silver sun / And wind upon my hair.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien  

Corvallis: Mostly sunny today, high of 78, low of 52. Sunny tomorrow.
 
Central Oregon: Sunny today, high of 73, low of 54. Sunny tomorrow.

Newport: Mostly sunny today, high of 77, low of 54. Sunny tomorrow. 

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