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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 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! Teaching Principle: Follow FERPA guidelines for student privacy and data security, including use of OSU-licensed tools and OSU email for all email communication with students. Learn@OregonState provides training and guidance on the use of teaching tools. See all the Remote and Blended Course Design and Teaching Principles.
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.
Many places don’t have the capacity or the money to do the work, said John Bailey, an Oregon State University professor of tree growth and fire management. There are no longer enough mills to handle salvageable timber, whose proceeds can help offset the costs of forest thinning.
Daniel Leavell is an associate professor of practice at Oregon State College of Forestry and the extension State Fire Specialist. “Every fire season and over that relatively brief period of time, we saw the change occur,” Leavell said. “We saw temperatures getting hotter. We saw the atmosphere getting drier. We saw more people moving out into more remote areas.
Two years ago, as part of a global study of air pollution impacts, Perry Hystad was outside Delhi, India measuring air quality during agricultural burning in the midst of a weather inversion. Levels of fine particulate matter then were the highest the Oregon State University environmental epidemiologist, who just published a study on the global impacts of air pollution, had ever seen. Until this week.
Featuring John Bailey, professor in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University.
Some of Oregon’s hardest-hit regions are rural or farming communities, where workers are often already cash-strapped, according to Leanne Giordono, a professor at Oregon State University who studies poverty and community responses to natural disasters. The fires hit doubly hard there.
Oregon State University is “pulling together detailed information on the impacts of fire and smoke on hemp,” said Jeffrey Steiner, associate director of the school’s Global Hemp Innovation Center. Steiner said the information will be presented during an upcoming Hemp Virtual Field Day on Sept. 23.
Disease-spreading mosquitoes may be more likely to occupy areas impacted by human activities like pesticide use and habitat destruction, than they are areas less disturbed by humans, a recent Oregon State University study found.
That development is good for local business and has started to attract further investment. An entertainment complex with bowling, batting cages, a golf simulator, and other activities is under construction on SW Century Drive. And construction continues at the nearby Oregon State University-Cascades campus.
According to a study put forth by Oregon State University researcher Ivan Arismendi, non-native brown trout living in Tierra del Fuego waters grow 14 percent faster when they live in watersheds where introduced beavers are present and active. Arismendi is originally from Chile but has been based in Corvallis since 2007.
Tina Ontiveros launches her memoir “rough house” (Oregon State University Press, 192 pages, $18.95) in a virtual event at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, that’s hosted by Two Rivers Bookstore in North Portland. She’ll appear in a virtual reading along with fellow memoirist DJ Lee.
Today’s workspace: Janna Whippo|, an accountant with the Agricultural Sciences & Marine Sciences Business Center, took this photo of her deck from her home office. Her cat Nora Jean was enjoying the morning sun. We've seen lots of your workspaces. Now it's time to see the view from your windows (or decks or balconies). Submit photos of your view (please don't include photos of people without their permission) and send it in an email to [email protected]. Follow OSU Today on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/osutoday1/ and catch up on any workspace photos you might have missed so far.
2020 University Day Keynote Session and Expo: Register for the virtual keynote session with Freeman Hrabowski, President of University of Maryland, Baltimore County, on Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 10-11:30 a.m. Watch the live or recorded keynote session and be entered into daily prize drawings (through Sept. 25). Also register your unit to present in the virtual expo and showcase your unit’s work and opportunities to fellow staff and faculty. Register today at universityday.oregonstate.edu. For more info, contact Mealoha McFadden at [email protected] or 541-231-2585.
Making Distance Learning Work: Is the kitchen table your child's new classroom? This fall, back-to-school is anything but normal. Distance learning is becoming the norm which is a huge adjustment for everyone. Devorah Heitner, Ph.D., an expert on young people’s relationship with digital media and technology, will join us to share practical advice and tips for how you can help your kids succeed in this new digital classroom. She’ll also discuss how parents can make this all a little easier on ourselves, too. Sept. 15, from 9-10:30 a.m. Register here. The recording/PDF of the presentation will be shared with registrants following the webinar.
Jen Gorksi, M.F. defense: Jen Gorski is presenting her Master’s project, titled: “Riparian Forest Management Planning for Ram's Dell Forest, an Oregon State University Research Forest in West Cascades Foothills," on Sept. 15, 2 p.m. via Zoom. Gorski is earning her M.F. in Sustainable Forest Management with Jon Souder in the Department of Forest Engineering, Resources and Management. To RSVP and for Zoom info, please contact Jen Gorksi at [email protected].
American Strings Webcast: An Evening with Rosanne Cash: Truly one of the preeminent singer-songwriters of our time, Rosanne Cash has released 15 albums of extraordinary songs that have earned her four Grammy awards. She is also a successful essayist and author. Get comfy at home, turn up your sound system and join host Bob Santelli as we get to know this Americana superstar, the eldest daughter of country music legend Johnny Cash, a little better through an intimate conversation and some great live music. Co-presented by the College of Liberal Arts and the OSU Alumni Association on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. Register for link to view.
Board of Trustees: The OSU Board of Trustees will meet from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, to consider the issuance of OSU revenue bonds and an adjustment to the Cordley Hall capital project budget. The board also will receive updates on the university’s COVID-19 response, budget and public safety program. Given current COVID-19 guidance from the Governor’s Office, as well as university and county health officials, the meeting will be hosted through a remote conferencing service. The meeting is open to the public. The meeting agenda, options for joining the meeting and instructions for providing comment during the board meeting’s general comment period and in a testimony period held before the board votes on each action item are located at this webpage. Meeting materials will also be posted on this webpage as they are available. If special accommodations are required, please contact (541) 737-3449 or [email protected] at least 48 hours in advance.
Beaver Community Fair: Annually the Beaver Community Fair draws together the OSU and greater Corvallis communities to celebrate the start of the academic year. The fair will be held online this year on Friday, Oct. 2. There will be two 2-hour time slots and registrants can choose which time they would prefer. If you would like to be one of the OSU departments or student organizations with a dedicated virtual space, please sign up at our website by Sept. 18 at 5 p.m: https://clubs.oregonstate.edu/bcf
Engineering Student Council: The Engineering Student Council is introducing ENGINEERING+ Launch on Sept. 22. RSVP here. Noon to 1 p.m.: Tune in to a Keynote Address and Q&A with Patricia Walsh. 1-3 p.m.: Learn about clubs, programs, and resources in the College of Engineering, and chat with representatives live. Any questions? Contact [email protected].
Oregon Hemp Field Day: The Global Hemp Innovation Center will host the first annual Oregon Hemp Field Day. Students, Extension and researchers from across Oregon will present highlights of their work thus far in the 2020 season. We will provide a view of hemp being grown in the principal regions south to north, west to east. Due to the statewide fires still out of control, this virtual event originally planned for Sept. 18 has been postponed to Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon. The first half hour will be devoted to the impact of recent fires and smoke to a hemp crop. Registration is required in advance for this meeting: https://agsci.oregonstate.edu/hemp#fd
Professional Faculty Leadership Association open house: This event is open to all OSU employees. Sept. 24, noon to 1 p.m. via ZOOM. Learn more about the benefits of being a member & how you can join PFLA.
NEW! Oregon State University’s Testing Strategy Webinar: OSU will host a webinar to provide an overview of OSU’s testing strategy on Sept. 16, from 4-5 p.m. At the center of this strategy is measuring the prevalence of the virus on the Corvallis and OSU-Cascades campuses and at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. Panelists from OSU’s Continuity Management Team and TRACE OSU will be on hand to share information. Registration is not required. To join: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/93993352669#success Session will be recorded and posted on the OSU Safety & Success website.
NEW! University Budget Conversation: On Monday, Sept. 21 from noon to 1 p.m, the Office of Budget and Resource Planning will hold a Zoom webinar to discuss Budget Planning in Uncertain Times with a very brief update and Q&A about budget planning for 2020-2021. The Budget Conversation sessions are limited to 60 minutes with the initial 15-20 minutes spent on presentation of the topic, leaving time for discussion and Q&A. To register for this webinar click here. More information about University Budget Conversations is located on the Office of Budget and Resource Planning website. If you have questions, please contact Sherm Bloomer for more information.
NEW! “Hear Voices” of Peace: Sept. 21 is the UN International Day of Peace. Join Ann Mbacke of Progress Village Foundation and Linda Richards of OSU's School of History, Philosophy and Religion who will share audio recordings of Black American leaders who confronted “militaristic” nuclear technological supremacy, followed by a discussion about leadership today. Visit our Facebook page for Zoom link coming soon. Monday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.
NEW! Virtual Lecture with Lewis Semprini: A Treatment System for Groundwater Contamination — How Research at Oregon State University is Contributing to Sustainable and Passive Remediation Methods. Oct. 1, noon to 1 p.m. (PT). Free and open to the public. Semprini, distinguished professor of environmental engineering, leads the College of Engineering’s Clean and Sustainable Water Technology Initiative. For more information and to register: https://tinyurl.com/Semprini2020.
Investment webinars: The Maps Credit Union CFS investment team is conducting a Weekly 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, Sept. 16, noon, PERS and Retirement Planning (Tier 1 & 2); Wednesday, Sept 16, 3 p.m., Long-Term Care Solutions; Thursday, Sept. 17, noon, Investing With Social Responsibility. These are not OSU events but are tailored to OSU clients and during normal circumstances are held on campus. There is no charge.
Employees returning to on-site work: Are you returning to work on-site in the near future? University Human Resources now offers weekly updates for Employees Returning to On-Site Work. Held each Wednesday from 2-2:45 p.m., the sessions connect you with resources that support your safety and success. Register here.
Supervisors dealing with return to on-site work: Supervisors, are you or your team members returning to work on-site? University Human Resources has resumed weekly updates to help you prepare. Sessions are held each Thursday from 1-1:45 p.m. Register here.
Constitutional Crises: Past, Present, Future: In 2004, the United States Congress designated Sept. 17 as “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day” and required educational institutions receiving federal funds to host programming for students on that day annually. This year, in the midst of a global pandemic, mass uprising against white supremacy and racial injustice, increasingly bold and violent white nationalism, and profound threats to democratic norms and processes, OSU’s Constitution Day event will explore the theme of “Constitutional Crises: Past, Present, Future,” with panelists Christopher Stout and Rorie Solberg, OSU associate professors in political science; Dan Tichenor, political science chair at University of Oregon and Shane Burley, Portland journalist and filmmaker. Remote event on Thursday, Sept. 17 from 4-5:30 p.m. Free. Register. Presented by the School of History, Philosophy and Religion and the College of Liberal Arts.
New2OSU: CTL has announced a fully remote and gamified New2OSU program. New2OSU impacts student success by accelerating the effectiveness of those newer to teaching and/or OSU. With customizable learning pathways, New2OSU can support you regardless of your location and the modality in which you teach. Participants are asked to commit 3 hours per week for three terms. CTL accepts 20 applicants per term on a first-come basis and launches Sept. 21. Spots fill quickly. Register now.
Tuesday Teaching: CTL has announced a fully remote Tuesday Teaching +Tech Talks (T4). T4 is a certificated series of interactive teaching workshops that introduce a wide range of pedagogical techniques and educational technology. T4 is open to all. Supporting all teaching modalities, sessions are held via Zoom every Tuesday, 10-11:50 a.m. Recordings will follow. Registration is not necessary. Attend one, some, or all. See the T4 Website for more information. First session: Sept. 22. Concentric Circles of Care: Teaching in Tough Times.
DFA Risk Appetite and Risk Assessment Tools: Train the Trainer: Insurance and Risk Management Services will facilitate a workshop for unit leaders and supervisors to provide exposure to the DFA Risk Appetite Statements and Risk Assessment Tools. Attendees will gain hands-on practice and develop the skills necessary to assist other employees in understanding and incorporating the DFA Risk Appetite Statements and Risk Assessment Tools into their work. Zoom session, Sept. 22, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Registration required.
Faculty Staff Fitness: The OSU Faculty Staff Fitness program will be offering both in-person and online fitness options fall term and winter break 2020. Registration for both opens Sept. 1. In-person, on-campus classes will be 9 weeks from Sept. 23 through Nov. 25. The schedule can be found at: https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/schedule/fall. Our on-campus safety procedures can be found at: https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/policies/covid. There will be two sessions of Online Faculty Staff Fitness classes with over 300 pre-recorded fitness classes you can access anytime, anywhere with your internet connection. Fall Online Faculty Staff Fitness will run for 10 weeks Sept. 18-Nov. 30, for $35. Winter Break Online Faculty Staff Fitness will run for 5 weeks Nov. 30-Jan. 4, 2021 for $20. More information about our Online Faculty Staff Fitness classes can be found at: https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/online. Contact [email protected] if you have questions.
Cabaldos Speaker Series: Mitchell S. Jackson, renowned writer and creative writing professor, University of Chicago. A native of Portland, Ore., Jackson’s work explores his hometown, including the systemic forces that shaped his community, his family, and his early life. That exploration began with a novel titled The Residue Years — a book that announced Jackson as a bright new voice in literary fiction. Remote event on Friday, Sept. 25 at 11 a.m. Free. Register. Presented by the History Program, Anonymous Donors, School of Writing, Literature and Film and the College of Liberal Arts.
Master Recycler class: Would you like to learn all about waste reduction, reuse and recycling to help spread change in our community? Secure your spot in this annual class, now on Zoom. Monday nights, Sept. 28-Dec. 7, plus two Thursday Q&A sessions. Free to residents of Linn and Benton counties who agree to “pay back” what they learned by completing 30 hours of volunteer service. Visit http://tiny.cc/recycclass for more details and to sign up.
“Laughter is Timeless:” September’s Beyond Benefits Employee Assistance Program (EAP) webinar focuses on stress reduction related to laughter, humor and play. Professional comedians shouldn’t be the only people to use smiling, laughter, humor and play as part of their daily routine. These skills are valuable for everyone. A good smile has long been a key tool for anyone who needs to influence others. Laughter is now shown to improve our pain tolerance. Humor and play can be the building blocks of problem-solving. Together they can improve our happiness and effectiveness. Sept. 29, 10 a.m. To register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/263915487100012929
Master Recycler class: Would you like to learn all about waste reduction, reuse and recycling to help spread change in our community? Secure your spot in this annual class, now on Zoom. Monday nights, Sept. 28-Dec. 7, plus two Thursday Q&A sessions. Free to residents of Linn and Benton counties who agree to “pay back” what they learned by completing 30 hours of volunteer service. Visit http://tiny.cc/recycclass for more details and to sign up.
A more inclusive world by design: Join Oregon State alumni and industry leaders who are advancing inclusivity and accessibility in the design field and learn how you can make a difference in your own field. In the “Creating Accessibilities Across Industries” webcast panel at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, learn about adaptive and inclusive designs that impact everyday life. This free live event is hosted by the OSU Design Network and OSU Alumni Association. Register at osualum.com/inclusivedesign.
Free Webinars: Professional Development for Business, Leadership, and Communication: Join Continuing and Professional Education and the College of Business for topics delivered online to help navigate your professional life. This fall, join industry experts for free one-hour webinars that cover topics including project management, negotiation, leadership, human resources, nonprofit management, and others. Call 541-737-1500 for more information: https://business.oregonstate.edu/programs/continuing-and-professional-education/free-webinars
NEW! $15K of Funding Available: The OSU Advantage Accelerator is currently seeking proposals that describe technology-based projects in any discipline that will move OSU-owned technologies closer to commercialization. Proposals should describe a project that requires $15,000 or less of funding to achieve an important milestone(s) connected to commercialization. Proposals can include expenses for activities related to customer discovery, prototyping, student time, research, commercialization plan development and more. Each project may be awarded up to $15,000 and should span 9 months or less, beginning in October 2020. Proposals are due no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Read the full RFP here: https://advantage.oregonstate.edu/advantage-accelerator/funding-opportunities/aid-fund
NEW! IT Strategic Plan 2023: University Information and Technology and the OSU IT community are nearing completion of our joint development of a strategic plan to guide the future of the university’s data and IT systems and services, including those located centrally and in academic or administrative units. To read the plan, learn about our shared vision and submit feedback, visit uit.oregonstate.edu/it-strategic-plan. We encourage the university community to share your thoughts by Sept. 30.
NEW! Mid-Monthly Emergency Preparedness Topic: Pets in Disasters - The likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency such as a fire or flood, tornado or earthquake is directly related to your level of emergency planning. Keep in mind that what is best for you is also typically best for your animals.
This month’s poster can be downloaded at: https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-topics/pets-disasters
Join the Professional Faculty Leadership Association: The Executive Board of PFLA would like to invite all OSU employees to join this exciting, rewarding organization. In light of COVID-19, we are waiving our annual membership fee for this year (Sept. 1, 2020-June 30, 2021). So this is the perfect time to check out the benefits of PFLA membership. Visit the PFLA website for more information and Register now.
Move In: Starting this Friday Sept. 18, new students will be moving into on campus housing in a handful of UHDS buildings. Move-in has been spread over five days this year from Sept. 18 to Sept. 22. To learn more about the process you can view it here: https://uhds.oregonstate.edu/housing/move-guide You will see the most activity around Reser Stadium as all students will be flowing through that area to receive a COVID-19 test before they move into their building. For questions about UHDS new student move-in please contact Brian Stroup ([email protected])
Apply now for the Ecampus Research Fellows Program: If you are interested in conducting research about online teaching and learning, the Ecampus Research Unit will help you plan your proposal for the Ecampus Research Fellows Program. The Ecampus Research Unit annually funds up to five faculty and/or department projects -- $20,000 each -- to support research in the areas of distance and online education, including hybrid delivery. Info sessions will be held Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. and Oct. 2 at 11 a.m. via Zoom. Applications are due Nov. 1. To register for one of the info sessions, contact Mary Ellen Dello Stritto, [email protected].
Chew on This: OSU Beavers are debuting "Chew on This" - our new show with @Coach_Smith. Coach will interview a trio of players, look back at the Fiesta Bowl and we'll be joined by special guest @aleahgoodman. Listen here: https://www.facebook.com/events/357821608720482. For more information: https://osubeavers.com/news/2020/9/1/football-fiesta-bowl-flashback-a-20-year-anniversary.aspx
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].
Extended Deadline - Sept. 15: Join a faculty learning community to explore educational technology and blended learning. Academic Technology and CTL invite all instructors and tenured/tenure-track faculty who teach credit-based Corvallis and Cascades campus courses to apply. Instructors with limited experience using blended teaching approaches or ed tech are particularly encouraged to apply. Funding provided. Space limited. See Call for Proposals for streamlined proposal process.
Back health video: Learn to mind your back – and your well-being – in this short Synergies video with Jay Kim, assistant professor and expert in occupational ergonomics in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences. Get tips for setting up a home office space and how to avoid body pain and discomfort while working remotely.
Proposed Updates to University Policies & Standards: Visit the University Policy Program’s What’s New page (http://policy.oregonstate.edu/whats-new) to view a pending policy amendment. Proposed University Standard 07-005 Alcohol Service describes the registration and approval process for serving alcohol. This page is updated frequently with new developments, so we encourage you to check back frequently. Comments or questions may be submitted to [email protected].
Email security improvements: To help improve awareness for the OSU Community, starting on Aug. 31, emails appearing to originate from outside of Oregon State will have a notification that looks like this: [This email originated from outside of OSU. Use caution with links and attachments.] The notification is only intended to raise awareness for the OSU community that an email originated from outside OSU. Some email used for business purposes, such as from Zoom or DocuSign, will be marked with the notification. If you have any concern with an email you receive, please contact your IT department or the Service Desk at 7-8787. Additionally, you may contact your IT Department or the Service Desk if you believe an email was not appropriately categorized as external.
OSU Center for Advancing Diversity: The OSU Center for the Advancement of Women in Leadership is expanding and will be re-launching as the OSU Center for Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in Business at the start of the fall term. Housed in the OSU College of Business, the center provides programs for working professionals as well as OSU students, faculty and staff of any discipline or unit. The new focus for the center will be to accelerate the development of a business community that prioritizes and advances DEI, with a mission to empower students, alumni, business professionals and organizations with education, tools and training to advance DEI in the workplace. The center will continue to offer women's leadership programs and prioritize a gender equity lens with its work. Moving forward, these programs will be under the larger umbrella of efforts to advance diversity, equity and inclusion. For more information, email [email protected].
Parking permit sales: Parking permit sales are now open for customers who want to renew in their current zone. https://transportation.oregonstate.edu/parking/permit-sales
Demolition of Naval ROTC Armory: As part of the Washington Way Improvement Project, work related to the demolition of the Quonset Hut that served as the previous home of the Naval ROTC Armory is scheduled to start on Wednesday, Aug. 26 and continue through Thursday, Sept. 17. Abatement is already completed (view map). Work should be visible on the Washington Way webcam: https://webcam.oregonstate.edu/washington.
“My sorrow, when she's here with me, thinks these dark days of autumn rain are beautiful as days can be; she loves the bare, the withered tree; she walks the sodden pasture lane." ~ Robert Frost
Corvallis: Widespread smoke and a chance of showers. High of 73, low of 52. Areas of dense fog and smoke Wednesday.
Central Oregon: Widespread smoke. Partly sunny, high of 82, low of 51. Widespread smoke Wednesday.
Newport: Showers likely today, high of 63, low of 55. Slight chance of showers Wednesday.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/