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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! Today’s Timely Teaching Tip: Seeking strategies to engage your Summer students? Use low-stakes formative assessments to help monitor their learning and provide constructive feedback throughout the course. Solicit midcourse student feedback now to encourage student reflection on learning, and to possibly prompt you to make beneficial course adjustments. Visit Keep Teaching for all the Mid-Summer Timely Teaching Tips.
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.
Oregon State University has a new president for the first time in nearly 20 years after Ed Ray recently retired. While Ray won’t be in the top job anymore, he says he won’t be leaving campus just yet.
There’s also been an uptick in cases among younger people in Benton County, home to Oregon State University. OSU has an enrollment of almost 29,000 students. Over the holiday weekend, five out of six new cases were people in their 20s, said Charlie Fautin, Benton County’s health department director.
TRACE-COVID-19, the groundbreaking Oregon State University project to determine community prevalence of the novel coronavirus, will return to Newport for two more days of sampling this weekend, July 11-12. (see also KLCC, Gazette-Times)
The University of Oregon is fighting new proposed rules from the Trump administration to help keep international students in class. And Oregon State University said they are also standing by their international students.
Cutler teamed up with researchers from Oregon State University to model the distribution of different fish within Gabon and the possible impacts of dam development.
OSU Food Science Professor Juyun Lim studies how people experience taste, smell, and other related chemosensory stimuli. Her research focuses “primarily on understanding how human taste and smell work and the role of underlying human taste and smell perception and the role of human sensory perception in food preference,” she said.
In April, Ashley Thompson, Fruit Horticulturalist at Oregon State University Extension Service in Wasco County, administered a survey to local orchardists to gauge interest in wifi hot spots.
Bruno Barbosa has always loved math. When he was younger, he participated in math competitions that led to scholarships. And that, eventually, led him to Oregon State University in 2014.
Oregon State University’s regular Science Pub event will delve into history at its next offering.
“When your body doesn’t get enough zinc, the immune system is compromised and doesn’t work as well,” says Emily Ho, Ph.D., director of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University in Corvallis. In some cases, that may cause it to overreact by creating inflammation, or it may not work as well to fight off infections. The upshot? “When you don’t have enough zinc, your ability to get sick from infections will increase.”
Archaeologist Loren Davis of Oregon State University, who was not involved in research, explained that very little evidence of early humans survives in the Yucatán. “It is a hot, steamy jungle and things just don’t preserve well there,” he said. “The researchers have basically found the sweet spot where archaeological information is going to be preserved.”
Solar energy researchers at Oregon State University are shining their scientific spotlight on materials with a crystal structure discovered nearly two centuries ago.
Today’s workspaces: We've got double cat action today. First up is Callie, showing her affection for mice of the computer sort. She lives with Rhonda Head, office specialist for Student Experiences & Engagement.
Andrea Johnson, administrative assistant with Extension Service Outdoor School, says her cat Teddy, “is a great assistant but I think he is falling down on the job.” Follow OSU Today on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/osutoday1/ and catch up on any workspace photos you might have missed so far.
NEW! Public Health Insider free webcast: What makes a healthy life possible? Unequal social structures create unequal opportunities, and that’s true in public health as well. In the final Public Health Insider webinar, join Kari-Lyn Sakuma from the College of Public Health and Human Sciences to examine how ZIP code can be as effective a predictor of health as genetic code. July 8, noon to 1 p.m. Discover how environments impact access to food, safe outdoor activity, mental wellness, medical care and more — and learn how we can work together to change the systems that make location such a powerful indicator of health. osualum.com/PublicHealthWebcasts
SEIU OSU workers meeting: SEIU will provide some updates, action items and answer any and all questions. July 8, noon to 1 p.m. Join Zoom Meeting http://www2.seiu503.org/e/171302/j-98231667690/2j393l/378514895?h=U0RMPNOxwUXXbKy4heUGyfDiRBjD_GE2-ECIzH-QyO4 Meeting ID: 982 3166 7690.
Celebrate Larry Roper’s retirement: Let’s celebrate Larry Roper’s important contributions, from national leadership to supporting students. We can share our appreciation for how he has changed OSU and wish him well as he takes this next step in life. Zoom gathering: Wednesday, July 8, noon to 1:30 p.m. For Zoom details, email [email protected] or [email protected] as soon as possible.
NEW! Research Seminar: Gitali Indra (candidate for a tenure track assistant professor position in the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics) presents "Role of transcriptional regulator CTIP2 in wound healing, regeneration and remodeling," Thursday, July 9, 10 a.m.: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/96562840114
NEW! 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. Thursday, July 9, noon: Investing With Social Responsibility. 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.)
NEW! Research Seminar: Carl Ruby (candidate for a tenure track assistant professor position in the Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics) presents "Selected challenges confronting the future of cancer immunotherapy," Thursday, July 9, 1 p.m.: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/99541574037
NEW! Faculty Staff Fitness: OSU’s Faculty Staff Fitness Program is starting in-person fitness programming on campus July 20-Sept. 18. Registration opens July 1. Please see https://health.oregonstate.edu/fsf/schedule/summer for the full list of classes. Not going to campus? FSF is offering over 200 pre-recorded, accessible any time, online fitness classes for summer term June 15-Sept. 18. Classes range from 10, 20, 30 to 60 minutes and involves 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.
NEW! BLM Science Pub: The influence of the Black Lives Matter movement, which has gained prominence this year with protests over killings of Black people in the United States, will be the focus of a virtual Oregon State University Science Pub on July 13. Christopher Stout, associate professor in the OSU School of Public Policy, will analyze the movement, its origins and political impacts. He will also reflect on why there was a lull in racial activism after the civil rights movement and on how Black Lives Matter has reshaped American politics and will influence the upcoming presidential election. The science pub will run from 6-7 p.m. and can be viewed for free by anyone. The event will be broadcast on Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Registration for the event is required and can be completed at https://beav.es/4CG.
NEW! Marine Science Virtual/Hybrid Summer Camps: Looking for fun, interactive, marine science-themed activities for your child this summer? Oregon Sea Grant’s virtual/hybrid camps will provide students ages 8-18 the opportunity to connect virtually with marine researchers and educators and engage in "Camp in a Box" activities from their own home. Click here for information on camp dates, cost, additional details, and registration.
NEW! 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 short (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.
Department of Integrative Biology M.S. Defense Seminar: Emily L. Boring will present “Genetic structure, diversity, and mating system of Leptasterias sea stars: Potential for local adaptation?” on Friday, July 10 at 9 a.m. via Zoom. Boring is completing her M.S. in Integrative Biology under the guidance of Bruce Menge and Felipe Barreto. Free and open to the public. https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/94274096051
Managing People Through Change: If progress requires change, why can change be so difficult? Understanding how the change process impacts us is important to directing change efforts. Several change models will be integrated. As a participant, you will learn what to expect in the cycle of change and how to work with each phase to ease transitions for yourself and others. Recommended for managers and leaders. July 13 via Zoom, 1-3 p.m. Registration required.
Situational Leadership: The Situational Leadership model illustrates how to adapt your supervisory or lead work style to support a range of employees, from new to experienced, as a way of bringing out the best in their performance. Scenarios will help you to gain practical knowledge and readily use the ideas to encourage employee development and success. Recommended for managers and leaders. July 15 via Zoom, 10-11:30 a.m. Registration required.
Review an open textbook workshop: Interested in open educational resources but not quite ready to adopt an open textbook for your course? Unsure about the quality and content of OER? One way to get started is by reviewing an open textbook. Join OSU’s Open Educational Resources Unit on July 17 for an OER workshop and learn where to find free and openly licensed course materials. Sign up to review an open textbook and receive $200.
Accountability - Commitment and Responsibility: There is a subtle distinction between accountability and responsibility that when understood changes the conversation when accountability issues arise. This short program will illustrate this distinction and allow you to consider the distinction by examining accountability issues. The end goal is greater commitment that results in increased productivity and personal effectiveness. July 22 via Zoom, 8:30-9 a.m. Registration required.
Developing High Performance Teams: Why do some teams consistently produce outstanding results and other teams perform moderately at best? We will examine distinguishing characteristics of high performing teams and provide tools and principles you can use to develop high level teams. Recommended for managers and leaders. July 22 via Zoom, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Registration required.
Time Awareness: Too much to do and not enough time? We can't add more hours to the day, but we can be more aware of how we spend our time and make better choices about how we use it. As part of this session, you will learn how to increase your awareness of time-task relationship, empowering you with a useful tool when considering how to best use your time. July 28 via Zoom, 8-9 a.m. Registration required.
Work-life Balance & Integration: The essence of work-life balance is to integrate effectively work responsibilities with the domains (or buckets) in our personal lives. We will share counterbalancing techniques, and you will have an opportunity to get started by mapping out your responsibilities and other “buckets” unique to your situation. July 28 via Zoom, 9:30-11 a.m. Registration required.
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. Aug. 10-13 via Zoom, 8:15 a.m. to noon each day. Registration required; closes Aug. 7.
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.
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 July 3 and Aug. 6.
Cultivating Emotional Balance (CEB): 8-Week Series: CEB is a practical skills training committed to utilizing the experience of emotion as a path for developing well-being. By integrating wisdom traditions, modern psychology, current emotion research, and contemplative practices, CEB provides a secular platform for transformation. Led by Jacob Lindsley, an incoming member of OSU's SPS, and sponsored by OSU's Contemplative Studies Initiative. Eight Sundays: July 12-Aug. 30 noon to 3 p.m. via Zoom. $300 if registered by July 1. $100 for OSU Students. Email [email protected]. More info here.
Community Building & Social Distance Webinar: Join the Adventure Leadership Institute as we host a webinar on community building during the age of social distancing. Learn some activities and talk about why maintaining community is crucial during this time. Click the link to register: Community Building & Social Distance, Thursday, July 16, 2-3 p.m. Check out more of our webinars offered summer term here. Questions? Contact Emily Abrams.
Remote Floor Monitor Training: The Office of Emergency Preparedness is offering remote Floor Monitor and Building Manager evacuation training. This is open to OSU floor monitors and building managers to assist in their roles during building evacuation. To schedule, contact [email protected].
NEW! Build community in the Beaver Lodge this summer: Beavers all over the world are staying connected through the Beaver Lodge digital engagement hub — host to OSU live webcasts, activities for kids, career resources and much more to enrich life at home and support the Oregon State community. Check in for frequently updated content, sign up for the newsletter and share at osualum.com/BeaverLodge.
OSUsed Store Hours Extended for Staff: It is more important than ever that OSU use the resources it has and units save on their supplies budgets. Surplus Property now welcomes employees to shop for their OSU departments on Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the OSUsed Store at 644 SW 13th Street. Personal purchases may not be made at these times.
OSU Research for Undergraduates Network: The OSU Research for Undergraduates Network (RUN) provides space for undergraduate research mentors (faculty, graduate students, post-docs, etc.) and those who facilitate undergraduate research programs to collaborate and share promising practices. In addition to weekly conversations about undergraduate research, this year’s programming will cover topics like using Canvas to streamline undergraduate research experiences, culturally competent mentorship, navigating liability, strategies for remote mentoring, and more. Visit the OSU RUN website for more information: https://undergraduate.oregonstate.edu/research/run
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.
Beaver Champion Award: Every year on University Day the president awards the Beaver Champion award to an individual (or individuals) for outstanding effort, the achievement of excellence, extra effort beyond that requested, and performance of the highest quality that has yielded university-wide impact. The President’s Office is seeking nominations for this award. Send nomination letters to F. King Alexander, President, Office of the President, 600 Kerr Admin. Bldg. or to [email protected]. The nomination deadline is Friday, Aug. 14.
ADVANCE Journal: The ADVANCE Journal, hosted by OREGON STATE ADVANCE, announces the publication of its second edition. This issue of ADVANCE Journal highlights effective interventions to support the success of faculty women in STEM. Of particular note are faculty development opportunities that enhance peer support and mentoring. https://www.advancejournal.org/issue/1525
Call for submissions: The ADVANCE Journal, hosted by OREGON STATE ADVANCE, announces a special issue in honor of the 20th anniversary of the National Science Foundation’s ADVANCE program. The special issue theme is Collaborations, Collisions, and Connections. The goal of ADVANCE "is to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers." Additional information and submissions portal found here: https://www.advancejournal.org/post/444. Deadline for submissions is March 31, 2021.
New Guide to Low-Waste Events: Students and staff from University Events, Campus Recycling, University Catering, Student Leadership & Involvement, and the Memorial Union partnered to develop an OSU-specific guide for hosting low-waste events. This resource is meant to help event planners, be they students or staff, shrink the waste footprint of their event. The document includes tips on reducing plastic, paper, and food waste as well as resources for collecting and managing waste at your events. Access the resource here.
Faculty & Staff COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund Under IRS Code Section 139: In collaboration with the OSU Foundation, Oregon State University is offering emergency financial assistance grants through the OSU Faculty and Staff COVID-19 Disaster Relief Fund. The purpose of this fund is to help regular classified and unclassified employees in our university community with unexpected needs during this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic. All classified staff, professional faculty and academic/research faculty are eligible regardless of service time or FTE. An individual must be actively employed on the date of grant distribution. Read more about the details of the program here. Student hourly employees, graduate assistants, and stipend recipients (e.g., fellows) are not eligible. There are separate programs for students located here: https://financialaid.oregonstate.edu/covid-19.
Irish Bend Covered Bridge Rehabilitation: Construction is scheduled to begin on the Irish Bend Covered Bridge along SW 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; SW Campus Way will remain open.
Planned Power Outage (limited impacts): July 16-18. There will be a planned power outage beginning Thursday, July 16, starting at 5 a.m. and lasting until Saturday, July 18, at 7 a.m. so that Pacific Power can replace switches and cables that feed various buildings along SW Jefferson Way. Fairbanks and Moreland Halls will be without power the duration of the outage; a number of buildings will be affected at the beginning and at the end of the outage. Visit powergrid.oregonstate.edu to learn more.
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.
“Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground." ~ Frederick Douglass.
Corvallis: Gradual clearing today, high of 76, low of 54. Mostly sunny tomorrow.
Central Oregon: Sunny today, high of 76, low of 49. Sunny tomorrow.
Newport: Patchy fog and then mostly sunny, high of 64, low of 52. Slight chance of rain tomorrow.
Statewide: For OSU employees around the state, find your local forecast here: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/pqr/
