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OSU Today is a daily e-mail news briefing provided by OSU News and Communication Services. To subscribe or unsubscribe to the mailing list, visit here.
Questions, comments and ideas for news briefs may be sent to osutoday or Todd Simmons.
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.
“You can tell a lot about institutions – and societies – by how they invest their money. This is why many public college and university leaders, myself included, are so concerned by the shameful spiral of disinvestment in public higher education in America,” writes President Ed Ray in today’s edition. “At a time when our global competitors from Ireland to China are investing aggressively in their higher education systems, almost every state in our nation is headed the other direction. This pattern, now nearly three decades old, not only hampers our ability to be engines for economic prosperity, it also threatens our historic — and essential — role in creating opportunity for students who have traditionally looked to us as their gateway to success.” (A shorter version of this commentary appeared recently in the Register-Guard.)
Oregon State University researchers say they have improved a monitoring system for detecting drugs in sewage water. The system announced last year can be useful for determining the extent of illegal drug use in entire communities by testing water at municipal wastewater treatment plants. It also measures the use of pharmaceutical drugs. The technique may be an effective tool for comparing general patterns of drug use in different regions of the United States and the world. The new test eliminates the need for sample preparation, saving time and money and decreasing the risk of contamination. The results of the test are in the Dec. 15 issue of the American Chemical Society journal.
American Ecology Corporation (NASDAQ: ECOL) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed James R. Baumgardner to the newly created position of President and Chief Operating Officer, effective January 5, 2009. American Ecology Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides radioactive, PCB, hazardous, and non-hazardous waste services to commercial and government customers throughout the United States, such as steel mills, medical and academic institutions, petro-chemical facilities and the nuclear power industry. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, the company is the oldest radioactive and hazardous waste services company in the United States. Prior to joining American Ecology in 1999, Mr. Baumgardner held various positions in corporate banking and corporate treasury. Mr. Baumgardner holds a MBA and BS from Oregon State University, where he was also a two-time All American wrestler. He is a member of the OSU Athletic Hall of Fame.
Finals week continues through Friday.
The Office of Community and Diversity continues its monthly screenings and discussions of the Voices Project on Friday, Dec. 12. Join us in the MU Journey Room from noon – 1 p.m. for “Saudi Students, Part 2.” The Voices Project is a series of documentaries featuring interviews with OSU students, staff and faculty around diverse topics. Bring your lunch and a friend and hear these unique stories. For more information or to request accommodation, please contact diane.davis@oregonstate.edu.
SAVE THE DATE: Every year, President and Mrs. Ed Ray invite the campus community to take a break from fall term finals and join them for gourmet coffee and treats in the Memorial Union. This year, the President’s Winter Coffee will be held in January – welcoming the campus community back from holiday break and celebrating a new year. Mark your calendars for Jan. 23, 2009, and join us for a cup of coffee or hot chocolate!
No. 24-ranked OSU will face No. 18 Pittsburgh in the 75th-annual Brut Sun Bowl on Dec. 31 in El Paso, Texas. This is the Beavers’ eighth bowl game in 10 years and the first time in nearly 20 years that two top-25 teams have played in the Sun Bowl. Tickets may be ordered via 1-800-Go-BEAVS, in person at the Gill Coliseum ticket office or via osubeavers.com.
For more upcoming events, go to http://oregonstate.edu/events/newsevents/events.html.
The English Language Institute (ELI) at OSU is in URGENT need of host families to host an international university student for a four-night homestay Feb. 6-9. The ELI pays a $20 per night stipend per student. Host families may host one or two students as long as the students sleep in separate beds. These students are here for a short language/culture program. The homestay provides an opportunity for them to practice speaking English and learn more about American culture. Please email or call Candy Pierson-Charlton, ELI Coordinator of Student Services, if you can help: 737-6981 or candace.pierson-charlton@orst.edu.
The 2008-09 OSU Directory has arrived, and all department pre-orders have been delivered. If your department needs more copies, please call Kami Hammerschmith in Student Media at 737-6379 or come to 118 Memorial Union East/Snell Hall. Directories are $2 each and can be billed to an OSU index. OSU Directories put out in the Memorial Union are free to OSU students only.
Registration is now available for the winter and spring term classes of Saturday Academy at Oregon State University, providing middle and high school students in the Willamette Valley enrichment courses on a variety of fun and exciting topics. More information about courses, topics, dates and registration can be found online at http://academy.engr.oregonstate.edu, or by calling (541) 737-8139. Saturday Academy is a non-profit program hosted by the College of Engineering and College of Science at OSU, in cooperation with local businesses and professionals. Small fees are charged for classes, most of which are a single day on a weekend, but tuition assistance is available. Students from Albany and Mill City schools pay half the regular fee schedule.
Need to update or write a new position description soon? Involved in recruitment? Sign up for a hands-on learning of the “OSU Online PD and Recruitment System” at http://oregonstate.edu/admin/hr/training/registration.html. This informative session is facilitated by Employment Services and will provide assistance through the online process.
Business suit donations needed: Lightly used business attire is being sought for the 4th-annual Career Makeover event scheduled for Feb. 11, 2009 in OSU MU Ballroom. The OSU MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences) Chapter hosts the event along with OSU Career Services and the generous sponsorship of Campbell’s Cleaners. Donations are tax deductible and accepted at OSU Bookstore Beaver Fan Shop, 121 SW Morrison #120, Portland, and OSU Career Services, 8 Kerr Administration Bldg. Questions, pickup arrangements: 737-2999.
The Office of Human Resources at OSU is recruiting for the position of HRIS Banner Analyst. Full-time, 12-month, fixed-term, professional faculty position. Salary range: $36,000-$37,800. See full announcement for minimum qualifications and application requirements at http://oregonstate.edu/jobs ; Posting No. 0003593. For full consideration, apply by Jan. 5.
Students may now apply for the 2009 Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Scholarships. Deadline: Friday, Dec. 19. Scholarships of up to $6,000 will be awarded and are only available to Oregon students attending Oregon Space Grant affiliate institutions. Awardees will be selected from applicant pools at each of the eligible schools. Scholarships are open to new and continuing students in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. The OSGC Undergraduate Scholarship Program supports the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) objectives of fostering and encouraging career goals in the aerospace industry. Individuals from under-represented groups are encouraged to apply. Info: http://spacegrant.oregonstate.edu/fellow.html. Questions: 541-737-2414 or spacegrant@oregonstate.edu.
Shopping for the Holidays? Don’t forget OSU-licensed merchandise and apparel, including the new “Junior Benny” products, for the Beavers in your family. Get a look at some of what’s available now at the Beaver Authentics Web site.
The Corvallis Transit System will not offer Beaver Bus Service over the Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 27-29. The Beaver Bus will run Dec. 4-6. Now is your chance to try the Beaver Bus before OSU’s Winter break. Beaver Bus service will be halted Dec. 7 – Jan. 7. The service operates on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 8:45 p.m. to 2:45 a.m. when OSU is in session. The last buses leave downtown at 1:45 a.m. or 2:15 a.m., depending on the route.
Due to reassignment of the Oak Creek Conference Room (Room 118), the room will no longer be available as a conference room. Effective immediately, please reschedule all meetings previously held in Oak Creek room 118 to Oak Creek room 201 or some other location. This space is being converted to offices for the Facilities SAS group. This space will be closed for use indefinitely at 7 a.m. on 12/12/08.
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