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Today in the News Media is a synopsis of some of the most prominent coverage of OSU people and programs. Inclusion of any item constitutes neither an endorsement nor a critique, but rather is intended only to make the OSU community aware of significant items in the media. 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.
Some common virtual reality movements contribute to muscle strain and discomfort, according to a recent Oregon State University study. The work is an effort to ensure user safety in a technology that is used not only for gaming, but also education and industrial training. (see also KPTV)
A piece by Dan Larson, vice provost for student affairs at Oregon State University.
“On the Oregon Coast in the wintertime, we have sea level rise of 18 inches in the winter, because of various reasons,” said Patrick Corcoran, a coastal hazards specialist with Oregon State University’s Extension Service in Astoria. “When you combine that with king tides, that’s when things start flooding.”
“Currently, employers in only eight states in the U.S., and Washington D.C., are required to offer paid family leave for employees to bond with a new child, care for their own or a family member’s serious health condition and take time off when a family member is on active duty,” said Kelly Chandler, a professor at Oregon State University.
Additional co-authors include Scott A. Heppell of Oregon State University; Phillippe Bush and Bradley C. Johnson of the Cayman Islands Government Department of Environment; and Croy McCoy of the Cayman Islands Government Department of Environment and Bangor University.
Study co-author Steven Strauss, distinguished professor of forest biotechnology at Oregon State University, added: "That's what we wanted to examine—can you turn down isoprene production, and does it matter to biomass productivity and general plant health? It looks like it doesn't impair either significantly."
Oregon State University announced plans on Tuesday to build a $10 million student housing complex in Newport to serve students in the university’s Marine Studies Initiative.
Virtual reality, real pain: OSU researchers placed sensors on students' joints to measure their muscle activity as they performed gestures commonly used in virtual reality, to assess how VR might contribute to muscle strain. Learn more here: https://beav.es/ZCw
Emotional Intelligence: Learn more about emotional intelligence and mindfulness during this month’s event hosted by the Professional Faculty Leadership Association, “Emotional Intelligence,” presented by OSU’s International Admissions Specialist and LBCC’s Human Resources Generalist from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, in Hallie Ford Center 115. This event is free to PFLA members and $10 for non-members. Beverages will be provided and you are welcome to bring your lunch. For more information about the event and how to register click here: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6G8HOdX4ncFAmMJ
WRGP Guest: Michelle Marie, “Discover how an entrepreneurial mindset supports career success!” Michelle Marie of OSU’s InnovationX program and the College of Business will be giving a seminar from noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8 in ALS B 4001. Free.
BEavers HERE NOW Drop-In Meditation: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 3 p.m. in the new Wellness Nook in the MU (mezzanine level near the Bites Convenience store). No experience necessary. All are welcome. Enjoy a different 15-minute guided meditation each week. Benefits of meditation include stress reduction, better sleep, sharper concentration, anxiety management and happier relationships. Contact [email protected] to coordinate extra credit for student attendance.
Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology Seminar: Selina Heppell, professor and department head in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, will speak on “The Future of Sea Turtles on a Warming Planet,” at 4 p.m. Jan 8 in Withycombe 109. Heppell is a conservation biologist with expertise in population modeling and marine conservation. She devotes most of her research to some of the oldest and slowest-growing animals in the sea: sea turtles, sharks, sturgeon and rockfish. These marine animals share three traits: long lifespans, late age at maturity and threats from overharvest. Her research strives to help us understand how these animals respond to human impacts and to guide research and management policy towards their recovery.
Orange Media Network Open House: Looking to get more involved on campus? Orange Media Network is currently looking to fill student positions in journalism, marketing, graphic design, engineering, TV production and more. Come to our Winter Open House to learn more about OMN, the opportunities available, and next steps for joining our team. Open house is 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8 on the fourth floor of the Student Experience Center.
NEW! OSU International Scholar and Faculty Coffee Social: OSU Folk Club, Crossroads International and OSU Office of International Services would like to invite you to join international visiting faculty, scholars, students and their families for conversation, coffee, tea and light snacks at the Corvallis Multicultural Literacy Center (CMLC) in the Einerson House (EINH) between 10:30 a.m. and noon on Friday at 2638 NW Jackson Ave, Corvallis. https://www.facebook.com/events/388435441832420/
NEW! Music à la Carte: The Oregon State University Music à la Carte concert series opens the winter 2020 season at noon on Friday, Jan. 10 in the MU Lounge with a jazz performance by trumpeter-composer Douglas Detrick, guitarist Michael Gamble and drummer Ryan Biesack.
NEW! Budget committee: The University Budget Committee will meet from 2-3:30 p.m. this Friday in Kerr 102. The UBC is OSU’s advisory body to the Provost for recommendations on tuition rates, budget priorities, and budget policies. This Friday the committee will discuss projections and planning relevant to developing undergraduate tuition recommendations for 2020-2021. Members of the university community are welcome to join meetings of the UBC as observers. Future meeting times and locations can be found at https://fa.oregonstate.edu/budget/university-budget-committee/ubc-meeting-schedule.
NEW! MLK Celebration: Free tickets for the 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. peace breakfast are now available to OSU faculty, staff and students for the 9 a.m. event on Monday, Jan. 20 at the CH2M HILL Alumni Center ballroom. The celebration week runs Jan. 18-24. After the breakfast, Raquel Willis, a black queer transgender activist, writer and the executive editor of Out Magazine, will be the keynote speaker for the celebration lecture at 11 a.m. at the LaSells Stewart Center. The keynote session is free and open to the public; tickets are not required. To register for the breakfast and for a full list of events, visit https://diversity.oregonstate.edu/mlk. For info, contact [email protected] or 541-737-4717.
The Visiting Writers Series with Namwali Serpell: Namwali Serpell, author of “The Old Drift,” will give a reading and Q&A from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9 in The Valley Library Rotunda.
OSUsed Store Public Sales: The OSUsed Store is open for its weekly public sales 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and noon-3 p.m. Fridays at 644 SW 13th. Personal purchases must be made during public sales. Staff may shop for their department 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. More information on our website.
Puerto Rico program: Puerto Rico will be our classroom for this course which includes a one-credit spring preparation class and a three-credit, 16-day trip, June 22 through July 8, 2020. We will visit with local farmers, activists and educators working to recover from Hurricane Maria and build resilient food systems for the future. Join Christina Walsh, Ingrid Arocho and Jen Myers for this faculty-led program. See our program brochure and attend an info session at 5 p.m. on Jan. 15 or Feb. 12 in Strand 148.
$5K Innovation Days Award & Innovation Days event: OSU faculty are invited to join the OSU Advantage office for an Innovation Days event at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16 in the MU to learn about the resources OSU has to help research and technology achieve greater societal impact via tech commercialization. Hear from an OSU faculty member and a student as they share their journey. Faculty participation in Innovation Days enables eligibility for a $5,000 innovation award. This session is focused on autonomous systems and AI but is open to faculty from any discipline. For more information and to RSVP, visit https://innovationenterprise.oregonstate.edu/innovation-days. Registration is free but is required. A hosted networking reception is provided from 5-6:30 p.m.
PFLA Winter Luncheon: The Professional Faculty Leadership Association (PFLA) and TRIAD invite you to attend the annual Winter Luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, at The LaSells Stewart Center, Giustina Gallery. The guest speaker will be Jason O’Brien, Oregon Master Naturalist Program Coordinator. Lunch will be provided by OSU Catering and the cost is $15 for each attendee. For more information about the event and how to register, click here: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4Usv2qyyFz9qqf
Citizen science & education lecture: Tali Tal, professor of science education at the Technion and current NARST President, will give a talk and Q&A session on citizen science as a bridge between formal and informal education. She will speak from noon-1:50 p.m. on Jan. 9 in Furman 404. Click here for more information.
TRIAD: Looking for networking opportunities in the new year? Weekly Triad luncheons will be starting up for the winter term on Thursday, Jan. 9. Triad is a campus organization open to faculty and staff that offers an opportunity to gather over a meal to network and learn something new. The first program of the term will feature Rorie Solberg, School of Public Policy, noon, Jan. 9, MU 211, “Impeachment: A primer.” Event is free; optional catered lunch is available for $13. Contact Janice Nave-Abele, [email protected] to reserve a lunch. For more information about Triad go to https://triad.oregonstate.edu/.
Curriculum maps: These planning tools provide clarity to the program assessment process. By diagramming existing and potential courses, curriculum maps identify program strengths, requirements and student learning objectives. Join the Office of Academic Programs and Assessment as we facilitate developing, creating or fine-tuning unique curriculum maps for undergraduate major, minor and certificate programs. Join us from 10-11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15 in Milam 215. Register for the Curriculum Mapping Workshop
Winter 2020 Black Minds Matter Course: The Educational Opportunities Program (EOP) and Advancing Academic Equity for Student Success will again host the Black Minds Matter course. This free seven-week hybrid course provides academic teaching and professional faculty members an opportunity to engage in conversations and activities that focus on issues affecting Black students' success in higher education. The kickoff session will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 17. Register for the course this winter by emailing [email protected].
The Social Justice Education Initiative: The Social Justice Education Initiative is open for registration through summer 2020. From Faculty Affairs, the SJEI is a 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]
NEW! Emergency posters: Announcing the new “In Case of Emergency” poster. We have updated the look and content of the orange emergency poster. Contact [email protected] to request copies for your area. When emailing, give us the location for delivery and the quantity needed. Or download a printable version from https://emergency.oregonstate.edu/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-topics.
NEW! Animal Connection: The Animal Connection newsletter from the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine includes stories about a new surgical procedure that helped a puppy with heart defects, a memorable internship for veterinary students in India and a sick horse who was saved by a huge team effort.
NEW! OSU Food Drive: Do you know who your OSU Food Drive unit coordinator is? Find out at https://communications.oregonstate.edu/events/food-drive. The Food Drive is an annual February tradition at OSU to help fight hunger in our community and we need all the help we can get. If you don’t know who your coordinator is – perhaps it could be you. Email [email protected] for more information.
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.
Trip to France: Join Professors James Sterns and Dominique Bachelet for a 4-credit faculty led program in France from June 16-July 3, 2020. Let the cities of Lyon and Paris be your classrooms for 18 days. Explore France’s response to climate change and experience French food culture. Students will meet food producers as well as climate scientists, explore farms, vineyards, food processors and distributors, retailers and restaurants and cafes while also discovering a number of museums and historic sites as well as a nuclear power plant. For more information, pick up the program brochure at https://oregonstate-idea.terradotta.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=10462, attend the faculty-led program-focused EXPO on Jan. 22, and/or contact the organizers.
Working with students in distress: Faculty and staff may be the first to notice a student is struggling and may be in the best position to reach out with care and concern. The Office of Student Life, in collaboration with Counseling and Psychological Services, developed a CARE folder, which is intended to provide you with resources and referral information that we hope you find valuable. Simply click on this link and you will be directed to login to Box to access these resources. We recommend you bookmark this link for easy access on your phone, laptop or tablet.
Mindful @ Oregon State University is an e-newsletter that delivers a weekly care package of mindfulness tips, resources and events to your inbox. Curated by CAPS staff, the newsletter features a weekly guided meditation, "Learn more" section, mindfulness challenge, OSU mindfulness event calendar and crowd-sourced knowledge and recommendations. Subscribe here: http://bit.ly/mindfulOSU
Next Great Startup competition application open now: The fourth annual multi-round NGSU competition is looking for OSU student-led teams who want to turn a startup idea into a real company. Apply by Jan. 16 for the chance to pitch to VC coaches, receive 10,000 AWS Credits and win combined prizes and services worth $20,000. Full details at https://nextgreatstartup.oregonstate.edu/
Difference, Power, and Discrimination Academy Applications: Faculty applications are being accepted for the DPD Academy scheduled to be held from June 15-26. The DPD Academy facilitates focused and productive engagement with contemporary, multidisciplinary scholarship on difference, power and discrimination; critical pedagogies; and curriculum transformation. Individual and team applications are welcome. For more information and to apply, visit the DPD Academy web page. Deadline: Feb. 7.
Applications for PCOSW scholarships and event co-sponsorships for spring term projects are now being accepted: The President’s Commission on the Status of Women provides funding to faculty, students, and staff who are pursuing professional development, research, outreach or creative projects related to women’s issues. Scholarships average $300 and are paid by reimbursement. Applications are due Friday, Feb. 7, with notification in Week 7. Visit http://leadership.oregonstate.edu/pcosw/awards-scholarships for detailed guidelines, qualification requirements, and application links. Questions? Contact Joy Jorgensen at [email protected]
Metabolic Research Study: We are examining how insulin release is triggered by tasting carbohydrates. Participants must be non-smokers and non-diabetic, aged 18-35. The study will involve having body measurements taken, having saliva collected, performing taste tests, having blood drawn and filling out dietary surveys. Email [email protected] for more information. Study name: Taste Perception of Carbohydrates. PI: Juyun Lim.
Honors College course proposals and grants: OSU tenured/tenure-track, senior instructor and emeritus faculty are invited to submit honors course proposals for 2020-2021 at honors.oregonstate.edu/course-proposals. Any General Catalog course can be offered as a small, highly-engaged honors course; proposals for interdisciplinary colloquia are also welcome. Faculty may apply for Meehan course development grants of up to $3,000 to develop experiential learning opportunities for honors courses. More information: [email protected] or 541-737-6412. Deadline: Jan. 15.
Health & Safety: The University Health & Safety Committee wants to promote health and safety by providing SAIF online information on ErgoPoint for office ergonomic assessments, which is available online at https://www.saif.com/Documents/SafetyandHealth/Ergonomics/S-1081_Ergopoint.pdf. 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.
Grant Funding Available: The OSU Women’s Giving Circle is accepting proposals for grant funding to be awarded in May 2020. Projects that enhance the undergraduate experience, directly impact as many OSU students as possible and improve student retention are eligible. The applications are due by 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 13. To apply for a grant, visit www.osufoundation.org/wgc_grant. Questions: Contact Molly Moriarty Russell at 541-737-4044 or [email protected].
"As you get older, the questions come down to about two or three. How long? And what do I do with the time I've got left?" ~ David Bowie, who would have been 73 today.
Corvallis: Showers likely today, high of 45, low of 36. Chance of showers Thursday.
Central Oregon: Snow likely, high of 38, low of 26. Chance of snow Thursday.
Newport: Showers today, high of 47, low of 38. Chance of showers Thursday.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/