OSU throws finals schedule into disarray (Gazette-Times)

The snow and ice that closed Oregon State University’s main campus Monday are particularly poorly timed — Monday is the first day for the university’s finals week. The university said in its release announcing the closure that it would announce a new schedule for finals Sunday night. (see also KVAL)

Christmas tree: Choosing beyond Douglas and noble firs (Mail Tribune)

Perhaps the green branches of the well-loved Douglas-fir or noble fir delight you. But if you want to give the star of your living room a different look this winter, Oregon State University Extension Service Christmas tree specialist Chal Landgren suggests Nordmann and Turkish firs — two closely related species with similar characteristics.

OSU Faculty Senate to vote on divestment resolution (Gazette-Times)

The Oregon State University Faculty Senate is scheduled to discuss and vote Thursday on a resolution that would encourage the OSU Foundation to divest itself of fossil fuel investments.

What Frankenstein can teach us about the real crisis in the humanities (Huffington Post)

A piece by OSU’s Evan Gottlieb.

Americans uninformed about fracking, says new study (KATU)

Most Americans have heard little or nothing of the oil and gas production process called hydraulic fracturing, and many don’t know if they support or oppose it, according to a new paper by researchers from Oregon State, George Mason and Yale universities.

OSU to aid research on Spotted Wing Fly (The Dalles Chronicle)

Oregon State University hopes to aid research on the fruit-damaging spotted wing drosophila, which has been a particular concern of local cherry orchardists, by providing online access to the fly’s newly sequenced genome.

Hemp not worth the risk for farmers (Capital Press Editorial)

The economics of growing hemp appear to be marginal at best. The folks at Oregon State University ran some numbers on it. Providing that a reliable market could be found or established, it would bring in upward of $400 an acre — a bit more than half what wheat would bring in, according to OSU. The kicker: It would grow best in eastern Oregon but requires 20 to 28 inches of irrigation.

OSU board member resigns to avoid conflict of interest (OPB)

Turner recently accepted a nomination to serve on Oregon State University’s first-ever board of trustees. Gov. John Kitzhaber had announced nominations this summer of Turner and 13 others after Oregon legislators authorized an institutional governing board at OSU to establish policies, oversee tuition and fees, guide academic programs, approve the university’s budget for submission to the state and appoint OSU’s president in consultation with the governor. In November, the Senate formally approved the nominations.

Today

OSU is closed today. All events scheduled today are cancelled. Check OSU Today for any events that have been rescheduled.

Upcoming events

NEW! Afternoon Public Sale at the OSUsed Store: The OSUsed Store is open for its public sale Wednesday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 644 SW 13th Street. Personal purchases must be made during public sales. Departments may shop 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, or during public sales on Wednesdays. For more information, visit our website.

Poinsettia plant sale: Now through Dec. 13, the OSU horticulture club is offering poinsettias for sale in the East greenhouses from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Plants are $15 each or three for $40.

Oregon Sea Grant Director Open Forums : Candidates for the position of Oregon Sea Grant Director will give presentations to the campus community and partners on the topic: “The Role of Sea Grant in the Future and Opportunities for Oregon” followed by questions and discussion.  Each presentations will take place at Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, in the Library Seminar Room, and will be available online live stream with chat, http://live.oregonstate.edu/  (Cancelled Dec. 9-10, to be rescheduled) Dec. 18, Martin Fitzpatrick; Dec. 19, Katherine Bunting-Howarth.

Lectures and webinars

NEW! Science and Advocacy Graduate Student Panel: “What have we learned about Science and Advocacy” Fall 2013 Graduate Student Seminar (FES 507), Dec. 12, 4 to 4:50 p.m., Richardson Hall 313.

Board of Trustees meeting: The Oregon State University Board of Trustees will hold its first meeting Dec. 10-11 on the OSU campus in Corvallis. The meeting, which is open to the public, will run from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10, and from 10:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11, in the CH2M-Hill Alumni Center’s Willamette Room. The center is located at 725 S.W. 26th St. in Corvallis. A public comment opportunity will take place from 3 to 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

All about fruit trees: The OSU Extension Service and the Lane Small Business Development Center are partnering to offer a class in Eugene titled All about Fruit Trees.  This class will taught be Ross Penhallegon with Lane County OSU Extension Service and will be offered on Dec. 11, 6 p.m. on the Lane Community College main campus in Eugene.  The cost is $25 and pre-registration is required at http://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/south-valley/events or call OSU Extension Service at (541) 766-3556.

Library Faculty Association Seminar Series: Amanda Whitmire, Data Management Specialist at OSULP, will present “Research Data Services at OSU Libraries and Press: What’s the Story?” on Dec. 13, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Dec. 13 in the Willamette Rooms (Third Floor) Valley Library.  This seminar is intended to be a “Who, what, when, where, why and how?” about research data services for audiences including faculty and staff within OSULP and the wider campus community.

Diversity workshop: “Welcoming Diversity: Valuing the Differences Among Us” registration is open. Dec. 13, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., MU 206. This interactive day-long workshop uses the award winning National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) community building model. Facilitated and sponsored by the OSU Campus Coalition Builders, Division of Student Affairs. Details and pre-registration (required) at  http://calendar.oregonstate.edu/event/85402/.

News for Employees

AOP Toy Drive for CARDV: The Association of Office Professionals are collecting toys for the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence (CARDV) this Holiday Season. Please donate unwrapped toys by Thursday, Dec. 12 by 5 p.m. at University Plaza Suite 250. For more information and types of toys please visit the AOP website: oregonstate.edu/aop or contact Laura Frye at (541) 737-8732

Deadline extended to register for Winter Intergroup Dialogue: Intergroup Dialogues are 9-week sustained learning communities carefully structured to explore social group identity, conflict and community. Participants will engage in the analysis and understanding of issues of diversity and social justice, as well as build practical skills to communicate across difference. Skills acquired through our program have multidisciplinary applications and are employable in diverse environments and among diverse populations. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 10. To register, visit the http://oregonstate.edu/oei/igd

Family Members attending other institutions: Staff Fee Privilege (Tuition Discount): Deadline is Dec. 23 to submit the application for family members attending other OUS institutions during Winter 2013-2014. Applications are to be submitted to your business center. For additional information, please visit: http://oregonstate.edu/admin/hr/benefits/stafffee

Sundown Towns: In collaboration with the Oregon Multicultural Archives, the students of the course TCE 408H “Sundown Towns in Oregon” have curated a display reflecting on their research process and showcasing their findings. The exhibit can be found on the fifth floor of Valley Library in the display case across from the main elevators and will be up through the end of January. Find out more on the Oregon Multicultural Archives Blog Post and check out the Digital Collection in Flickr For more information contact: Natalia Fernández, Oregon Multicultural Librarian, and visit the Oregon Multicultural Archives

Traffic and Maintenance

Bloss West: To facilitate Board of Trustees activities, 13 spaces will be closed in the Bloss West Lot, Dec. 10-11, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jefferson Street Closure: Due to utility work for the Memorial Union, Jefferson street from Waldo to 26^th will be closed Dec. 16-27 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sackett Place: Due to continued work at the new Classroom Building site, Sackett Place will be closed through Monday, Jan. 6, 2014.

Jobs

To apply for the below positions, visit http://jobs.oregonstate.edu unless otherwise specified.

EXTENDED! Executive Assistant to the Board of Trustees – The Office of the President invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, fixed term, Executive Assistant to the Board of Trustees position. Posting # 0011535. Closes Dec. 9.

Accountant 1– The Office of Business Affairs invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, Accountant 1 position. Posting #0011622. Closes Dec. 9.

INTO Oregon State University (INTO OSU) is recruiting for an Admissions Customer Service Representative.  This position will support the Office of International Admissions in providing high level customer service, maintaining the standards and integrity of the Office of International Admissions, and sustaining an efficient admissions process.This is a regular, 12-month, 1.0 (FTE) full-time position. To apply, submit one Word or PDF document containing a cover letter, resume, and a list of 3 professional references to https://home2.eease.adp.com/recruit/?id=9643792 Closes. Dec. 11.

OSU is seeking applicants for the Director of Public Safety. Full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term professional faculty position. See full announcement for minimum qualifications and application requirements at http://oregonstate.edu/jobs. Posting # 0011654. Closes Dec. 12.

Manager, Conference Services: University Conference Services invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE) 12-month position. Posting #0011627. Closes Dec. 12.

The College of Veterinary Medicine’s Small Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital is hiring for a Veterinary Technician 3 position.  Posting #0011659. Full consideration date Dec. 5. Closes Dec. 12. Applicants must be Certified Veterinary Technicians to be considered.

Education Program Assistant 1 –  Yamhill County Extension office invites applications for a part-time .20 FTE, Education Program Assistant 1 position located in McMinnville. Posting # 0011667. Closes Dec. 13.

Education Program Assistant 1 –  Douglas County Extension office invites applications for a part-time .45 FTE, Limited Duration, Education Program Assistant 1 position located in Roseburg. Posting # 0011669. Closes Dec 13.

Education Program Assistant 1 –  Union County Extension office invites applications for a part-time .15 FTE, Intermittent, Education Program Assistant 1 position located in La Grande. Posting # 0011636. Closes Dec 13.

Financial Aid Advisor – Financial Aid/Scholarships invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, Financial Aid Advisor position. Posting #0011634. Closes Dec. 15.

Office Specialist 1-Insurance-Student Health Services invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month OS1 in Insurance/Billing/Patient Accounts.  Posting #0011674   Closing Date:  Dec. 16.

E-Learning Game Designer – Extended Campus invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month,  E-Learning Game Designer position. Posting #0011655. Closes Dec. 18.

OSU is seeking two Postdoctoral Scholars to work with a transdisciplinary team focused on enacting and researching institutional and organizational change towards improved postsecondary STEM education at OSU through various curricular and instructional reforms. Position 1 – Organizational Change: This scholar’s focus will be to research the project’s attempt to secure wider organizational change. Position 2 – Student Gains: This scholar’s focus will be on student gains with respect to project activities. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt with a priority submission deadline of Dec. 1. Full announcement attached and can be found at http://stem.science.oregonstate.edu/postdocs-announcement.

Research Evaluation & Planning Coordinator –Student Affairs invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month,  Research Evaluation & Planning Coordinator position. Posting #0011651. Closes Dec. 22.

Corporate Business Manager –Professional and Noncredit Education invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month,  Corporate Business Manager position. Posting #0011673. Closes Dec. 25.

Grants/Contracts Coordinator – The College of Engineering invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month grants/contracts coordinator position. Posting #0011476. Closes Jan. 3.

Office Coordinator – The Office of Equity and Inclusion invites applications for a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, fixed term Office Coordinator position.  Posting # 0011677. Closes for full consideration apply by Jan 5.

Assistant Director – The Office of Institutional Research is recruiting for a full-time, 12 month, fixed term Assistant Director of Institutional Research. Requires at least 4 years of experience as a senior analyst in an institutional research office. Posting # 0011576. Closes Jan. 31, 2014.

Weather

Corvallis: Areas of freezing fog this morning, otherwise mostly clear. High of 29, low of 23. Slight chance of snow tonight and tomorrow morning.

Central Oregon: Mostly sunny today. High of 28, low of 11. Partly cloud tomorrow.

Newport: A slight chance of rain and or snow today, high of 39, low of 33. Chance of rain tomorrow.

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