Stay informed about COVID-19

COVID-19 website: To facilitate the ongoing sharing of information about the virus, Oregon State University has added a link on the OSU homepage to a new page that provides detailed and up-to-date COVID-19 information; links to OSU, local, state and federal resources; and updates on the latest federal travel restrictions.

NEW! Today’s Timely Teaching Tip:  Weighing the options to improve your Spring courses while you start Summer planning? Dive into this comprehensive self-paced Canvas workshop, Designing and Teaching an Effective Remote Course. Visit Keep Teaching for all the Week 6 Timely Teaching Tips. 

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. 
 

How robots and other tech can make the fight against coronavirus safer (PBS Newshour)

However, integrating robots and other new technologies into existing health care workflows, can present significant hurdles. That’s an issue Oregon State University robotics professor Bill Smart has been studying. “If you go into a hospital, the nurses, doctors, even housekeeping, have a routine that they’re very comfortable with,” said Smart. “If I put something you’re not familiar with into that environment, into that workflow, then the chances of something going wrong are high. And if something goes wrong, someone could die.”

 

Sexual victimization persists in U.S. military for LGBTQs: Study (HealthDay)

"Our conclusion was that female service members have such an elevated risk of sexual harassment in general, that being bi or lesbian doesn't increase that risk," said lead author Ashley Schuyler, a doctoral student in public health and human sciences at Oregon State University. "Our findings suggest that LGBTQ service members do experience an elevated risk of sexual and stalking victimization, even in this post-'don't ask, don't tell' era," Schuyler said in a university news release.
 

Robot vacuum cleaner conveys seven dwarf personalities by movement alone (Science Codex)

Oregon State University College of Engineering researchers used a vacuum cleaner and the personalities of three of the Seven Dwarfs from Snow White to demonstrate that people can correctly infer a robot's personality solely by how it moves.
 

HAREC research could boost blueberry production in Eastern Oregon (Hermiston Herald)

Lukas is one of many researchers at the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center who help area growers refine their craft. This spring, he started a three-year research project testing the most efficient way to acidify soil for organic blueberry crops.
 

OSU study suggests salmon use magnetite to navigate (KTVZ)

 Researchers in Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences have taken a step closer to solving one of nature’s most remarkable mysteries: How do salmon, when it’s time to spawn, find their way back from distant ocean locations to the stream where they hatched?
 

Meat processing (Think Out Loud)

Nathan Parker runs the meat lab at Oregon State University. He tells us how Oregon’s meat processors and producers will be affected by the new order.
 

Library's 3D printers pivot to mask-making (LIFE@OSU)

Kristin Swetland runs the Valley Library’s 3D printing program, so when COVID-19 hit and she was asked to shift gears from student projects to medical items, she immediately agreed. Early in the outbreak, she was contacted by Neftali Pizano, director of Primary Care Operations – Albany for Samaritan Health Services. He asked Swetland if she was willing to print some 3D masks for his staff.
 

Pharmacy's Miller a master at triumphing in no-win IT situations (LIFE@OSU)

Gary Miller of the OSU College of Pharmacy jokes that part of the reason he could hit the ground running when COVID-19 upended society is because “my partner and I realized we already lived the pandemic lifestyle.” “We only go shopping once or twice a month for food,” he said. “We keep three months or more of supplies on hand, and we don’t generally eat out.”

 

Today's photos


Today’s workspaces: We've had so many photos submitted that we're going to start running two a day just to catch up! Christina Fierro is an accountant II with the Forestry, Oceanic and Atmospheric Business Center. She’s turned her guest room/craft room/storage room into a home office, complete with co-workers Quincy, 14 and Brutus Beefcake, 2. “They are more interested in supervising the birds outside than helping me pay invoices.”


Kelly Ensor, School IPM Program Support, had some special visitors to her home office. Send your home workspace photos to [email protected]. They are being run in the order received. Follow OSU Today on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/osutoday1/ and catch up on any workspace photos you might have missed so far.

Today

NEW! Tessa Artruc - Water Resources Engineering, M.S. Defense: Tessa will present her thesis, “Numerical Modeling of Lateral Erosion during Reservoir Drawdown,” on Tuesday, May 5, 9 a.m. Desiree Tullos in Biological & Ecological Engineering advises Tessa.  Watch via Zoom: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/92521523015?pwd=OC9RRTIwSXFQYk5OT0xKaG1xMHlHQT09. Password: 006198.  Sign in with your OSU email account.

NEW! What We Can Learn from the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919: Theodore Roosevelt said, “The more you know about the past, the more prepared you are for the future.” In this webcast, Director of the OSU Center for the Humanities Christopher McKnight Nichols will teach us about the influenza pandemic of the early 20th Century so that we can better understand society’s current challenges with COVID-19. Free and open to the public Tuesday, May 5, 11 a.m. Register here

Beavers Belong: Beavers Belong is a support network for students, by students. Our program’s goal is to create connection, community and belonging through weekly peer-led groups. Spring term 2020 undergraduate student groups start week 3. For Mondays at 11 a.m., register here: https://beav.es/4Yz; for Thursdays at 5 p.m., register here: https://beav.es/4YK. Graduate student groups take place on Tuesdays at noon. Register: https://beav.es/4Az. Recruiting directors and leaders for 2020-21. Apply today at https://beav.es/4YV.

The OSU Western Forestry Graduate Research Symposium is excited to announce their 2020 lineup: WFGRS will be held on Zoom in a series of 1.25-hour talk blocks from 3-4:15 p.m., as part of the College of Forestry’s Stay at Home Lecture Series: https://www.forestry.oregonstate.edu/stay-home-lecture-series. See the attached schedule for WFGRS presentations on May 5, and May 6. Students who submit feedback forms after viewing presentations will be entered into a raffle for $50 Peak Sports gift cards. Use the WFGRS feedback form available on the Stay at Home Series website, or here. Faculty interested in giving presenter feedback should please email [email protected] or [email protected] to sign up.
 
People and Nature Lunch Series: Tuesday, May 5, from noon to 12:50 p.m. Leanne Giordono (Public Health and Human Sciences) presents “Community Adaptation in Response to Extreme Weather Events." The lecture is free and open to all. To join the meeting, register at https://peopleandnatureosu.weebly.com/spring-2020.html. Sponsored by the Department of Fisheries & Wildlife’s Human Dimensions Lab.

Events

NEW! OSU Health and Safety Committee - The University Health and Safety Committee would like to invite campus members interested in health and safety to attend our open meetings, held semi-annually in May and October. Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 2:30-4 p.m. Anyone can access OSU’s University Health & Safety Committee online at https://ehs.oregonstate.edu/uhsc, including past meeting minutes, information on how to contact a committee member, and a web link to report safety concerns. If you are interested in attending the meeting (which will be held via Zoom) or would like additional information about the Safety Committee, please contact Kay Miller at [email protected] to RSVP and request the zoom meeting invitation.

NEW! Women of Color student discussion group: Zoom in every Wednesday from 3-4 p.m., by registering at https://beav.es/4MH. Contact Shaznin Daruwalla for registration help at [email protected]

NEW! EOP career panel: The Educational Opportunities Program is celebrating its 50th year of supporting Oregon State University students. This virtual career panel will feature EOP alumni of color discussing their experience transitioning from college to professional careers. May 8, noon to 1 p.m. Register to receive the link to the Zoom panel/event at https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/492877

Beaver Classic Cheese is still available: Come stock up on your favorite cheeses at the Corvallis Farmer’s Market. Every Wednesday & Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Buy your groceries direct from the source.

Career Group Counseling: Does COVID-19 have you feeling anxious or stressed about your path from college to career? An OSU career counselor and CAPS counselor will facilitate several small-group dialogue sessions for OSU students. Join us for one of these sessions to get ideas from your fellow classmates, hear shared questions about reaching future career goals in the midst of Covid-19, and hear from people at the university who are dedicated to helping you succeed. This will be an informal conversation and all students are welcome. Session 3: Week 7 – Wednesday, May 13 (noon to 1 p.m.); Register Here.

OSU Digital Days of Service. While the ways we support each other are changing, the creativity and resilience of problem-solving Beavers remain as steady as ever. Join fellow Beavs for the first-ever DIGITAL Days of Service May 1-16. Pledge to volunteer, then inspire others to do the same — share about your project and how it felt to help your OSU and local communities.

Prepare Beavers for success beyond Oregon State: Help the Class of 2020 thrive wherever their next steps lead. The OSU Alumni Association’s Winning in Life After College engaging digital event series on life skills and career strategies includes tools for successful online job and grad school searches, LinkedIn presence and personal finances — plus opportunities to network through the “I Wish I Knew” alumni panel and virtual career fair, hosted by the College of Business and Career Development Center. Share the schedule of events, open to all students and alumni.

Ecampus Faculty Forum special virtual event: We’re excited to bring the Ecampus Faculty Forum to you in an alternative format this year. Sign up to engage in a series of special virtual events the first week of May. We’ll share with you a recorded keynote address by Harvard University Extension School’s Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa on leveraging neuroscience in online learning. Then participate in a live, one-hour Zoom session at noon on May 7 with moderated breakout sessions related to the keynote. Register today.

Virtual event: Valuing diversity in teams. Tune in via Zoom on May 13 from noon to 1 p.m. with former Beaver Basketball player Eric Knox ‘89. In this OSU Alumni Association and Portland Business Roundtable live webcast, you’ll hear Eric’s story of valuing diversity and building teams, both on and off the court, as an admired coach and community leader. Eric coached the Benson High School girls’ basketball team from unranked to state champs in just two years and uses his energetic personality to inspire youth both athletically and professionally. Listen and learn as he shares his tips for supporting and elevating students in his community. Register now.

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

NEW! Bioinformatics Users Group (BUG): "A look inside deep learning for bioinformatics, i.e. How do modern neural networks work, and why might they be useful in biology?" - Shawn O'Neil (Center for Genome Research & Biocomputing), Wednesday, May 6 at noon to 1 p.m. in the remote broadcast Zoom room https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/344627115. BUG consists of life scientists, bioinformaticians, computer scientists, mathematicians, engineers, statisticians, and researchers of all types who meet to discuss topics related to these fields of study. Meetings are generally informal, consisting of discussions, interactive talks, or short workshops. All are welcome. No experience needed to participate. For additional information, see https://cgrb.oregonstate.edu/bug

NEW! Center for Teaching & Learning SPARKSHOPS: Join Sophie Pierszalowski, Associate Director of Undergraduate Research, for an hour-long presentation with the question "Do you mentor undergraduates in research?" Join us for an overview of practices to make mentoring undergraduate researchers effective and efficient. Attendees will discover the benefits of engaging in research partnerships for both student and mentor. May 7, noon. Join Zoom Meeting

NEW! Do you have a business idea or tech with commercialization potential but need some help? The OSU Advantage Accelerator is offering Iterate, a free virtual class for researchers, entrepreneurs and prospective entrepreneurs who have a business idea or technology with commercialization potential but aren't sure what to do next. Come learn how to create a value proposition, find and understand your market, and more. Iterate consists of four workshops that build on each other: May 21, May 28, June 2 and June 4, all from 4-5:30 p.m. Learn more and register: https://advantage.oregonstate.edu/advantage-accelerator/programs/iterate

NEW! Beavers SAVE Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention. Learn how to reach out and help a friend. Suicide is one of the most preventable causes of death. This workshop will provide the skills you need to effectively help or intervene with a friend or family member who is considering suicide. The training is offered on two dates in May: May 12 from noon to 2 p.m. and May 20 from 3-5 p.m. https://beav.es/4n3

Investment and PERS webinars: The Maps Credit Union CFS investment team is conducting a Weekly Wednesday Webinar Series on a variety of investment topics that include current market updates. This is one way to educate yourself without leaving the comfort and safety of your own home. Wednesday, May 6, 2 p.m. - LTC - Do you have a gap in your strategy? Wednesday, May 6, noon - ABC + D of MedicareThursday, May 7, noon - Retirement Planning as a PERS Member

Ph.D. Defense – Sustainable Forest Management: Rong Fang will present her research, “Measuring and Modeling the Crown Structure of Coniferous Trees with Point Clouds Data,” on Wednesday, May 6, at 3 p.m. via Zoom. Rong is pursuing her Ph.D. in Sustainable Forest Management with her major professor, Dr. Bogdan Strimbu, in the Department of Forest Engineering, Resources and Management.

Core Curriculum for Current OSU Supervisors and Managers: Consists of online modules followed by 4 half-days of classroom training via Zoom. Topics include the performance management cycle (position descriptions, expectations/standards, engagement, appraisals, and integration), equal employment and affirmative action, ADA, discrimination and misconduct, safety and compensation, and supervising represented employees. May 12-15 via Zoom, 8:15 am to noon each day. Registration required.

Take Note

NEW! BennyBuy Update: The eProcurement HelpDesk is pleased to announce that both Fisher Scientific LLC and ThermoFisher Scientifiic have been added as Punchout vendors in BennyBuy. Their Punchout stickers can be found in the Lab Supplies section of the shopping showcase. Please contact [email protected] if you have questions.

NEW! OSU Extension Service Office Offering Pressure Gauge Testing: Pressure canner gauge testing is available at the Clackamas County Extension Service, where a safety risk management plan has been implemented. Call (503) 655-8631 to schedule an appointment. If you need to get your gauge tested, but are uncomfortable coming to the OSU Extension Service office, the Family & Community Health Program recommends that you convert your dial gauge canner to a weighted gauge canner, as weighted gauge canners do not require testing. If you own a Presto pressure canner, you can purchase a 3-piece weighted gauge from a store that offers canning equipment. If you own an All American canner, you can purchase a conversion kit online. For more information about pressure canners, consult the publication “Using and Caring for your Pressure Canner:” https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/pnw421     

Updates to University Policies & Standards: Please 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. Also, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter here.

DAM Good Self Care 30-Day Challenge: Celebrate Mental Health Month by taking good care of yourself. Explore a variety of challenges centered around mental, emotional, and physical health. Learn new stress relief techniques and strategies, practice gratitude, get active in creative ways and connect with friends along the way. Visit https://beav.es/4W6 to get started.

Student Multimedia Studio is open: Student Multimedia Studio (SMS) is providing remote support during Spring 2020. Media consultants are available for virtual drop-in Zoom sessions. SMS has ongoing pop-in virtual workshops. Visit the SMS website for hours and media how-to tutorials.

Health and safety: The University Health & Safety Committee wants to promote health and safety by providing the following information from IT in regards to working from home: https://uit.oregonstate.edu/keep-working/home-setup. You can also access OSU’s University Health & Safety Committee online at http://ehs.oregonstate.edu/uhsc, including past meeting minutes, information on how to contact a committee member, and a link to report safety concerns online.

WW Wellness Insiders Network: PEBB member employees involved in WW (Weight Watchers) may be interested in a new benefit called WW Wellness Insiders Networks (WIN). This program was created in partnership with Weight Watchers to recognize, celebrate and inspire individuals, through wellness inspiration, rewards, and community. Through WIN, employees receive the following benefits: Earn quarterly awards, receive webinars and newsletters, private social network, and a playbook to help access Wellness Insiders. Employees can join now at ww.com/wellnessinsiders Sign-up is open through April 30. Want to learn more? Check out WIN Introduction Webinar Recording or contact [email protected]. Employees who are PEBB members who are interested in a free Weight Watchers membership can find more information here: https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/PEBB  

Weather

"People say, 'Age is just a number.' A lot of times it's not just a number. It's actually a real and true sign of someone's maturity." ~ Actor Henry Cavill, who turns 37 today.

Corvallis: Sunny today, high of 70, low of 46. Chance of showers tomorrow.

Central Oregon: Mostly sunny today, high of 70, low of 43. Chance of showers tomorrow.

Newport: Decreasing clouds today, high of 62, low of 47. Chance of showers Wednesday.

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