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Questions, comments and ideas for news briefs may be sent to Kevin Hanson at osutoday or Kevin Hanson.
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.
Agile, fast and fierce, cougars once hunted their prey throughout Yosemite National Park, but as human invasions and hunting began about 80 years ago, the predators steadily disappeared, and the entire ecology of the fabled valley was disrupted, researchers say they have discovered. A new study by OSU scientists says the vanishing of the cougar had long-term effects on Yosemite that closely resemble the ecological impact of the disappearance of wolves in Yellowstone. "The loss of top predators, whether it's wolves in Yellowstone or cougars in Yosemite, is having a severe and degrading impact on plant communities," said William Ripple of OSU’s department of forest resources. The study by Ripple and his Oregon State colleague Robert Beschta is the first of its kind ever conducted in Yosemite.
About 350 middle school students from around the region visited OSU’s Hinsdale Wave Research Laboratory on Thursday to test model tsunami shelters. About 10 schools participated in the project, in which students built models of vertical-escape shelters. The idea is that more lives could be saved during a tsunami by getting people to the upper floors of a building and above waves, rather than having them flee from the tsunami impact zone, which could take too much time. “The structure has to survive, but at the same time, the structure has to be tall enough,” said OSU engineering professor Harry Yeh, before waves swept into the models. OSU’s Tsunami Wave Basin, at 50 meters by 25 meters, is the largest facility of its type in the world.
Killer fungus is only one of the perils amphibians face today, said Oregon State University biologist Andrew Blaustein, whose own research has shown that UV radiation can harm amphibians and their eggs. Chemical contaminants, parasites and other diseases also take a toll. Susceptibility varies by species, and factors interact, Blaustein pointed out.
Congratulations to the OSU College of Business, which formally marked its 100th anniversary last night with the Centennial Alumni and Business Partner Awards Dinner at the Governor Hotel in Portland. Some 500 attended the event, which, among others, honored Donald L. Bower (’48), a longtime Chevron executive. Bower was the evening’s sole inductee into the college hall of fame.
The three ROTC branches at OSU will combine today for their annual Joint Service Review. The event begins at 11 a.m. with a parade in the Memorial Union quad. It is free and open to the public. OSU is one of only a handful of universities across the nation that offers education for Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. Its Army ROTC program is the host of this year’s review.
A group of local musicians will present two performances of The Beatles' "Revolver" and Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" at 7 p.m. on May 3. The performance takes place in Milam Auditorium on the OSU campus. Proceeds benefit the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence, and the event is sponsored by the OSU Women's Center. Tickets are available in advance at the OSU Women's Center or online at http://www.beatlesatosu.org for $5.
On Tuesday at 7 p.m., Christine Sleeter will give a public talk, "Intellectually Challenging Teaching in Multicultural Classrooms," in the C&E Auditorium, LaSells Stewart Center. Sleeter is a leader in the field of Multicultural Education from California State Unversity, Monterey Bay. Sleeter's talk is the culminating event of the annual conference of the Oregon Chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education. For more information please see: http://oregonname.org/
A TIAA-CREF representative will be on campus May 6 - 8 to discuss workplace savings plan benefits and Optional Retirement Plan options. Location: MU 110 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule a confidential consultation, visit www.tiaa-cref.org/moc. For additional information visit the OHR website at http://oregonstate.edu/admin/hr/workshops.html.
The OSU volleyball team will play host to "Fill Gill Night" on May 10 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Willamette Volleyball Classic weekend. During the free event, OSU will play three games against Portland State.
The Research Office is now accepting applications for the Faculty Release Time for Spring 2007-08 (for Fall Term 2008-09 release). Applications are due in the Research Office by Monday, May 5, 2008. The complete program description, application materials and proposal criteria can be accessed at the Research Office web site. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Delmore at 737-8390 or debbie.delmore@oregonstate.edu.
The Office of Business Affairs is seeking an Assistant Director for Financial Accounting and Analysis to join the financial services team and to be charged with ensuring the propriety of university-wide accounting practices and policies. This position has primary responsibility for leading communication and training efforts for campus personnel on accounting issues; advising University leadership as to requirements for establishing and maintaining an effective internal control environment; creating a campus-wide quality assurance program for fiscal accountability and financial integrity; coordinating financial audit activities performed by both internal and external auditors; and maintaining accurate and reliable financial reports and analyses as required by regulatory agencies. Position: full-time,12 month, fixed term, professional faculty appointment. Salary $68K-$75K plus competitive benefits. For a complete copy of the announcement and to apply, please go to http://oregonstate.edu/jobs and see posting #0002445. Closes 05/06/08. OSU is AA/EOE.
Academic Affairs is accepting nominations and applications for the Associate Provost for Academic Success and Engagement position. The Associate Provost will be responsible for advancing the academic components of the Provost's student success and engagement agenda. To apply, and view position details, go to http://oregonstate.edu/jobs and see posting #0002305. Applications are due no later than May 15.
The OSU Outdoor Program partners with National Outdoor Leadership School to host Wilderness First Responder training, May 7 - 16. Essential for anyone who spends significant time in remote places or who has a professional career in the outdoors, this 80-hour certification course emphasizes prevention and decision-making. The intensive curriculum is nationally recognized and supported by the Wilderness Medicine Institute's Medical Advisory Panel. The Patient Assessment System trains students to evaluate backcountry patients and take appropriate action in emergencies. Practical simulations and labs provide practice in backcountry leadership and rescue skills. Instructors are dynamic educators who have practiced both wilderness and urban medicine. Adult CPR certification is included. For more information, please contact Sheila Evans in the Department of Recreational Sports at sheila.evans@oregonstate.edu or 737-6833.
A Defensive Driver Class "Coaching the Experienced Driver" is scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 1:30 - 5:00 p.m., MU 213. The course is designed for drivers who are already skilled in the basics of handling a vehicle. The objective of the course is to review and build on current driving skills. The class is offered by the Oregon Technology Transfer (T2) Center, which is jointly sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the counties and cities of Oregon, and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). There is no cost to attend for OSU employees or students. A certificate is awarded at completion. Note that some insurance companies offer discounts for drivers who have attended the course; ask your provider about their policy. To register, contact Kay Miller at kay.miller@oregonstate.edu or 737-7083.
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