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 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: What skills matter most? Review what OSU Ecampus research reveals about long-term instructors’ most valuable teaching skills. See the Teaching Faculty website for all the August Teaching Tips and to register for a September workshop on teaching and course design. 

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. 
 

In the 75 years since Hiroshima, nuclear testing killed untold thousands (Washington Post)

“Scientists in the 1950s were certainly aware of risks” posed by tests, said Jacob Hamblin, an Oregon State University researcher. “Military demands — not necessarily in wartime — provided a justification for exposing large numbers of people, often under a veil of secrecy.”


How a public institute in Oregon became a de facto lobbying arm of the timber industry (OPB News)

Researchers led by Oregon State University forest ecologist Beverly Law found that the state could dramatically shrink its carbon footprint if trees on private land were cut less frequently, a recommendation that pushed against the approach of Wall Street real estate trusts and investment funds that cut trees at a younger age to maximize profits. The findings alarmed forest industry leaders in Oregon, who quickly assembled scientists and lobbyists to challenge the study and its authors. Among the groups leading the fight was the Oregon Forest Resources Institute, a quasi-governmental state agency funded with tax dollars that is, by law, restricted from influencing or attempting to influence policy.
 

Study: Most Americans don't have assets to withstand 3 months without income (KTVZ)

A new study from Oregon State University found that 77% of low- to moderate-income American households fall below the asset poverty threshold, meaning that if their income were cut off, they would not have the financial assets to maintain at least poverty-level status for three months.


New species of truffle discovered: Tuber luomae (Sci News)

“The new species is named in honor of distinguished mycologist Dr. Dan Luoma, collector of the holotype, for his many contributions to mycology,” said lead author Dr. Joyce Eberhart, a truffle researcher in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University.
 

Gov. Kate Brown sends Umatilla County back to baseline status (OPB News)

Since the beginning of July, the county has registered more than 17 cases per 1,000 people. Oregon State University researchers believe infections could be significantly higher in certain areas — data suggests nearly 17% of Hermiston’s population is infected — following the university’s door-to-door testing period at the end of July. That’s 169 infections per 1,000 people in the city.
 

Benton revises coronavirus forecast (Gazette-Times)

The model includes a current baseline county population of 65,000 people, down from the pre-COVID level of 93,000, primarily because Oregon State University is out of session and many students, faculty and staff have left the county. The model further supposes that 15,000 people will return to the area on Sept. 21, when OSU is set to reopen, of whom 15 or so can be assumed to be infected with the coronavirus.
 

OSU Native American flute instructor wins global music award (Corvallis Advocate)

Oregon State University instructor and musician Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach won a Global Music Awards Odyssey Award for Lifetime Achievement in Music. Reibach was recognized for his contributions in Native American flute playing.  
 

Sneaky slime mold may be creepy, but it's harmless to plants (Oregonian)

The gross-looking substance known as slime mold shows up on mulch and lawns, but is harmless to plants. Instead it feeds on decaying matter, fungi or bacteria, according to Neil Bell, a horticulturist for Oregon State University Extension Service.
 

Today's photos


Today’s workspaces: Rebecca Terry and Mark Novak (associate professors in Integrative Biology) share their home workspace with their coworker Mylo (age 4). Photo credit: Oliver (age 8) … their other coworker.

"Bogart is trying to help keep up with email and Slack, but it might be better if he paid attention to the monitors,” says Kris Saathoff, buyer with the Regional Class Research Vessel Project. If you'd like to submit photos of your workspace, email [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. 

Today

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. Wednesday, Aug 5, noon: PERS and Retirement Planning (OPSRP)Wednesday, Aug 5, 3 p.m.: Social Security: Seven Keys to Enhancing BenefitsThursday, Aug 6, noon: When is your Retirement Date? This is one way to educate yourself without leaving the comfort and safety of your own home. These are not OSU events but are tailored to OSU clients and during normal circumstances are held on campus. There is no charge.

"Right to Clean Air" Environmental Justice Webinar: Join us for an online panel including diverse perspectives on toxic air pollution issues facing the state of Oregon. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at noon. Free and open to everyone. Co-sponsored by the Spring Creek Project. Learn more and register here. A Zoom meeting link will be emailed to you after you register.

NEW! History of radiation exposure: 2020 Workshop — 75 Years after Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Science and the Contested Histories of Radiation Exposure. Theme: “Making the Unseen Visible.” Aug. 5-7, via Zoom.

Events

NEW! Board of Trustees: The OSU Board of Trustees will meet from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14, to consider the university’s pandemic-related plans for fall term, proposed new academic programs in the colleges of Business and Engineering, and the Fairbanks Hall renovation project. The board also will receive updates on the university budget, public safety and diversity and inclusion efforts. 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.

Free Virtual Nutrition Counseling: The OSU dietetic interns will be providing free Zoom counseling appointments to OSU faculty/staff/alumni and their immediate family members on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the weeks of Aug. 10 and Aug. 17. Contact [email protected] if you would like to schedule a session. Sessions can count toward your HEM requirements.

Bard in the Yard: Oregon State University’s Bard in Quad presents a fully immersive, audio-only production of “Macbeth,” available for download on all major podcast platforms through OSU theatre’s “Dam the Distance” podcast feed starting Aug. 14. The production has been made possible through support from the OSU Memorial Union and Block 15 Restaurant and Brewery. Virtual tickets for the podcast are available at bardinthequad.org. Patrons can name their own price to help support OSU theatre during this challenging time. The full audio drama production will be available Aug. 14 for download through OSU Theatre’s Dam the Distance podcast feed which can be found through the Bard in the Quad website, Apple podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

Lectures, Workshops, Webinars

Weight Watchers: Weight Watchers has launched new private virtual workshops for PEBB members. Get ready to see some familiar faces and join together for a weekly workshop guided by a WW coach. Move closer to your weight-loss and wellness goals in this fun, supportive and private live Virtual Workshop. Current WW members can view the workshop schedule by joining PEBB’s Connect Group here.

Faculty Staff Fitness: OSU’s Faculty Staff Fitness Program is starting in-person fitness programming on campus July 20-Sept. 18. Registration is open. Please see https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/schedule/summer for the full list of classes. Not going to campus? FSF is offering over 200 prerecorded, accessible any time, online fitness classes for summer term, June 15-Sept. 18. Classes range from 10, 20, 30 to 60 minutes and involve formats including weight training, cardio kickboxing, cardio dance (similar to Zumba), barre fusion, Pilates, various yoga styles and more. Registration is $35 and is now open via: https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/online.

Diversity, equity and inclusion workshop: Oregon State University – Cascades will host a three-day diversity, equity and inclusion workshop for business leaders and community members interested in furthering their knowledge of social equality. OSU-Cascades business instructor Erika McCalpine will lead the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Intensive workshop. It will be offered via Zoom from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 3-5 and Aug. 17-19. Registration for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Intensive is $300 per person and each three-day session is limited to 40 participants. Registration closes July 31 for the Aug. 3-5 session, and on Aug. 14 for the Aug. 17-19 session. To register, visit OSUcascades.edu/dei-intensive. For information, contact [email protected].

Core curriculum for current OSU supervisors and managers: Consists of online modules followed by four 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. Aug. 10-13 via Zoom, 8:15 a.m. to noon each day. Registration required; closes Aug. 7.

Clean Water conference: Applications are now being accepted to host project display pages at the 2020 Oregon State Clean Water Virtual Conference, which will take place Sept. 1, 2020. If you are working on a project related to clean and sustainable water technology, this is an opportunity for you to share your work with a wide audience of industry professionals, faculty, students, alumni and the public. Learn more at engineering.oregonstate.edu/cleanwater2

Managers as Leaders: Applications for Managers as Leaders 2020 are now being accepted. Managers as Leaders is a skill-building course for managers and supervisors. It integrates 6 day-long class sessions with online learning and on-the-job practice. It features team-learning, mentors and practical tools. All managers/supervisors are encouraged to apply. Contact Kristen Magis for more information. Submit online applications on the Managers as Leaders webpage between now and Sept. 4. 

Free, self-paced, online training: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Remote Work Environments: The recent pandemic has caused a massive, sudden shift to remote work for many companies. This shift impacts efforts to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, both in positive and potentially challenging ways. The OSU Center for the Advancement of Women in Leadership created this 15-minute, self-paced training directed at managers, employee resource group members, HR professionals and anyone invested in DEI work in their organization. It provides an overview of remote work and DEI, ways in which remote work can promote and challenge DEI efforts and a series of practical strategies designed especially for promoting inclusion in remote workplaces. Register for the training. Then, join our Slack community to keep the conversation going.

Tier Two workshops, New Tier One dates, remote delivery of Social Justice Education workshops is happening now: See the schedule and register for Zoom workshops through fall 2020 here. See three brand new Tier Two collaborations created for our community today. The SJEI is an excellent foundational professional development program for all faculty, staff and graduate students. Join your colleagues to begin or expand your equity and inclusion journey. Interested in this work for your unit? Contact SJEI director Jane Waite for further information: [email protected]

Search Advocate Workshops: More OSU Search Advocate workshops are now available by Zoom. Search advocates are outside process advisors who participate on employee search committees; their goal is to encourage culture and practices that favor equity, validity and diversity. Search advocacy offers faculty and staff an opportunity to work with colleagues in other parts of the university, build new skills and perspectives and contribute to the university’s progress towards inclusive excellence. The initial workshop series is a sequence of four 4-hour Zoom workshops. Those who complete the series may choose to have their names added to the Search Advocate Directory and will be eligible to serve as advocates until September 2021. Three-hour continuing education workshops for current advocates are also available. To register, go to the Professional Development website. Questions? Contact Anne Gillies at [email protected] or 541-760-6160.

Take Note

NEW! 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.

NEW! Criminal History Checks and Youth Programs: Although Covid-19 has affected the number and types of youth programs operating this summer, criminal history checks are required for certain individuals working in programs and activities involving minors, including university representatives and volunteers. Information about minors and CHC policies: University Policy: 07-040 Safety of Minors and University Standard: 576-055 Criminal History Check. Process questions? Send an email to [email protected]. Policy questions? Contact Linda Nye at [email protected].

NEW! OSU Press: Through the end of August, OSU Press is offering 30% off and free shipping on a selection of books that illuminate the experiences of marginalized communities in Oregon and beyond. Enter the promo code AMPLIFY at checkout on the Press website to obtain the discount. http://osupress.oregonstate.edu/blog/amplifying-underrepresented-voices

Beavers Read: During social isolation, it can help to have good things to read -- to pass the time, to calm your mind, to help you keep learning. OSU Libraries is here to help you find your next good read -- and make sure it is something you can read safely from home. Just fill out this survey to get an email with personalized recommendations: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4GHk9YYcjKaHSfz
 
Monthly Emergency Preparedness Topic: Waste: Natural and man-made disasters, that flood the sewer system, can cause additional personal and community disasters. You may be unable to flush the toilets or run water for weeks or even months. Failure to properly dispose of human waste can lead to epidemics. This month’s poster can be downloaded at: https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-topics/waste-disasters
 
OSUsed Store ready to serve your needs: While not open to the public for personal purchases, the OSUsed Store, run by Surplus Property, is open to staff shopping for their departments weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store carries equipment for remote or onsite work such as computer equipment, furniture, office supplies and more. We are also selling online on the Public Surplus website; if you see something that interests your department, call for availability: 541-737-7347.

Traffic and Maintenance

UPDATED! Summer paving: As part of the summer 2020 parking lot paving schedule, parking lot closures for asphalt renewal are planned for the following parking lots: #3278 (Sports Complex East), #3205 (Adams Northeast) and #3313 (Bates North). The lots will be fully or partially closed for construction and planned closure durations are subject to change as construction proceeds. Work for lot #3313 (Bates North) is scheduled to start on Thursday, July 23, and continue through Tuesday, Aug. 11. Work for lot #3205 (Adams Northeast) is scheduled to start on Friday, Aug. 7, and continue through Wednesday, Aug. 26. Work for lot #3278 (Sports Complex East) is scheduled to start on Friday, Aug. 7, and continue through Tuesday, Sept. 1. For questions or comments on this closure, contact Infrastructure Project Manager Aaron Collett at 541-207-2780.

Irish Bend Covered Bridge Rehabilitation: Construction is scheduled to begin on the Irish Bend Covered Bridge along Southwest Campus Way on July 6, lasting until September. The bridge rehabilitation includes installing a fire suppression system, repainting and repairs to the wood structure. The covered bridge and Campus Way Path will be closed; Campus Way will remain open.

Postponed: Annual Steam Shutdown-Campus Wide: Each year Facilities Services performs necessary maintenance on the university’s steam system, which requires shutting off the steam throughout campus, to complete maintenance services at the plant, throughout the steam tunnels and in each building. This process affects hot water supply, heating and all equipment that uses steam, campus wide. The decision has been made to postpone the annual steam shut down until August in order to stay within the guidelines from the Governor, university, state and CDC’s orders. The steam shutdown for 2020 will occur from Aug. 24 at 11 p.m. to Aug. 27 at 8 a.m. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you all for your understanding. For questions or comments on this closure, contact Facilities Services at 541-737-2969.

Jobs

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 http://oregonstate.edu/jobs unless otherwise specified.

NEW! Oregon State University and its Extension Service invite applications for a short-term, full-time (1.0 FTE), Master Gardener and Small Farms Coordinator position that will serve the Tillamook and Clatsop counties in Oregon. Posting #P03886UF. Closes Aug. 11.

NEW! Office Manager – The School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, Office Manager position. Posting #P03893UF. Full consideration date Aug. 17. Closes Aug. 31.  

NEW! Ecampus is seeking a Student Success Coach to join our team. This is a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term professional faculty position. Posting #P03907UF. Closes Aug. 25. 

Weather

“People pay for what they do, and still more for what they have allowed themselves to become. And they pay for it very simply; by the lives they lead." ~ James Baldwin.

Corvallis: Sunny today, high of 83, low of 57. Chance of rain tomorrow.

Central Oregon: Slight chance of showers today, high of 83, low of 51. Sunny tomorrow.

Newport: Decreasing clouds today, high of 62, low of 55. Chance of rain tomorrow.

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