OSU Today

NEW! The Collegiate Cup continues: OSU is competing against 49 schools across the U.S. and Canada in the EcoAthletes Collegiate Cup, a six-week movement challenge leading up to Earth Day (April 22). Every minute of activity counts (walking to class, biking, lifting, running, and more). Sponsored by Protect Where We Play, the challenge removes half a pound of ocean plastic for every participant who signs up, plus an additional pound for every 10 hours logged. We are currently in first place with over 2,425 hours of activity.

NEW! Congratulations to the 2026 Beacon of Hope Award Recipients: CAPS is proud to announce the 2026 Beacon of Hope Mental Health Champion Award recipients: student Jack McDonough, faculty member Dr. Lilian Wong (College of Veterinary Medicine) and Impact Award recipient Sara Trott (Valley Library). Learn about their leadership, advocacy and everyday acts of care that make them Mental Health Champions and reflect a shared responsibility to foster a more caring and compassionate campus. Each award recipient will be recognized at the annual Out of the Darkness Campus Walk on Saturday, April 18. We invite you to attend this meaningful event promoting mental health awareness, hope, and healing for those impacted by suicide.

Timely Teaching Tips: Point your students toward the Academic Success Center’s Online Workshop Series that runs throughout the term. Topics include concentration and distraction, AI & the writing process, test prep, personal statements, perfectionism and more. If you offer extra credit for attendance, students can request an email confirmation be sent to you to confirm attendance.

Call for nominations: Black and Orange Awards Celebration. The OSU Alumni Association needs your help to recognize Oregon Staters who have excelled in their field of study, dedicated themselves to serving Oregon State University and made a profound impact serving their community. During the Black and Orange Awards Celebration, we will be honoring individuals for eight awards on Oct. 15 during Homecoming Weekend. Nominations are due May 1 to the OSU Alumni Association via email at [email protected] or by mail to: OSU Alumni Association, 204 CH2M HILL Alumni Center, Corvallis, OR 97331. For awards categories, please visit us here.

CAPE Peer Educator applications now open: The Center for Advocacy, Prevention and Education is excited to announce that they are hiring 5-6 paid peer educators for the 2026-27 school year. Any students interested in sexual health education or gender-based violence prevention are encouraged to apply. This is a paid position with a time commitment of approximately 8-10 hours per week. Applications are now open and will close April 30. Email [email protected] with any questions.

Nominations open for University Mentoring and Professional Development Award: The President’s Commission on the Status of Women is accepting nominations for the University Mentoring and Professional Development Award. This award is given annually at University Day, and recognizes any classified, professional faculty, or academic faculty member who excels in mentoring and supporting OSU employees, particularly women and those from underrepresented groups or nontraditional careers. In addition to recognition as part of University Day celebrations, this award includes $500 from the Provosts’ Office, $500 in professional development funding from PCOSW and a commemorative plaque and certificate. Deadline for submissions is Friday, June 19. Visit the PCOSW Funding page to learn more about the UMPD award criteria and to access the nomination form.

Payroll Operations Relocating to University Plaza: Starting on Monday, April 6, employees or students picking up physical paychecks or who have payroll-related questions should visit Payroll Operations in their new location at University Plaza, Suite 150. This will be the only location for check pick-up. Please visit Payroll Operations for more information.

50 years of Master Gardeners: The Oregon State University Extension Master Gardener volunteer program is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. For 50 years, the program has brought people together through gardening, education and service, helping grow knowledge, partnerships and community across Oregon. To mark this milestone, we are inviting current and former volunteers, faculty, staff and supporters to share their stories. If the Master Gardener volunteer program has been part of your life, we would be honored to hear from you. Share your story and help us celebrate 50 years of impact.

Global Learning Community of Practice: “Bringing OUT THERE Into Your Teaching.” Do you integrate global perspectives into your teaching already? Would you like to start? Join the Global Learning Community of Practice. This group welcomes anyone looking to internationalize their courses as well as experienced champions of global learning. This community is designed to be practical, collegial and relevant to faculty in all fields, offering space to share ideas, ask questions and take steps toward enhancing global learning for our students. Please note: this COP will focus on campus-based and online courses, not faculty-led study abroad or student mobility programs. Wednesdays, 3-4 p.m., April 15, April 22, May 13 and May 20, LINC 414 (in person). Application form to participate

2026 Faculty Innovator Award: Two weeks left to submit nominations. This award honors an outstanding Oregon State University inventor who has made a contribution leading to commercialization that significantly impacts their field and society. For details on the process, criteria, and nomination form, please visit the 2026 Faculty Innovator Award website. Nominate yourself or someone you know that’s making an impact. Nominations open through April 17. The awardee will receive a $5,000 prize and desktop award.

Participate in the Wall of Fame for National Student Employment Week: Download and print hearts to write thank-you messages for student employees for their hard work. Be sure to ask for permission before posting. Add student initials only, their work unit and your message of gratitude. Drop off your hearts at the MU Info Desk before noon April 13, and they will be displayed in the SEC windows. OSU-Cascades supervisors should drop off hearts in Obsidian Hall Suite 208 before noon April 14.

Arts & Humanities Opportunity Fund: PRAx is now accepting applications for faculty support via the Arts & Humanities Opportunity Fund. Faculty working on arts & humanities projects and employed at 0.5FTE or higher are eligible to apply. The deadline is Monday, April 20. Learn more and apply.

Monthly Emergency Preparedness Topic: Power Outage. Are you prepared for a power outage? Power outages can leave people without food and water for a few days at a time. It is important to understand how to prepare and safely use appliances during a power outage. English and Spanish versions of this bulletin can be found here.

Emergency Management HazAdapt: Join others in the OSU community that have prepared for emergencies with HazAdapt. Take 30 seconds to prepare for tomorrow. Access resources, tips and emergency information tailored for our campus and your life. Web and phone app accessible.

NEW! Support for Equity, Access and Opportunity at OSU: The President’s Commission on the Status of Women (PCOSW) is dedicated to advocating for a campus community where all women and gender-diverse individuals can thrive. Through our Scholarships & Awards committee, we provide funding for professional development, research, and projects that advance gender equity at Oregon State University. Students, faculty and staff are invited to apply. If you have a conference, certification, creative project or initiative that supports gender equity goals at OSU, we’d love to support you. Next application deadline: April 20^. Learn more and apply here.

Fire safety product recall: Jim Patton, fire safety officer for OSU, is sharing a recall on DuraTrac stainless steel gas connectors, which might be used in some OSU labs. Click here for more information.

Registration for Spring Faculty Staff Fitness is open: Classes started Monday, March 30. You can take classes on campus or online to meet your health and wellness needs. Check out our spring term class schedule so you can reserve time on your calendar to take care of you. FSF programming is open to all faculty, staff, GTAs/GRAs, spouses/partners of faculty and staff, OSU retirees and OSU affiliates. Have questions? Call the Physical Activity Office at (541) 737-3222.

Health & Safety: The University Health & Safety Committee wants to promote health and safety by sharing resources from SAIF on how Friction is your friend in bad weather. You can also access OSU’s University Health & Safety Committee online, including past meeting minutes, information on how to contact a committee member and a link to report safety concerns online.

The 2026 Oregon Applied Sustainability Internships (OASIS) Program is now accepting applications: OASIS is a paid 11-week internship program (June 15-Aug. 28, 2026) that places third- and fourth-year undergraduates, recent graduates and graduate-level students with Oregon-based businesses to achieve sustainability goals while gaining hands-on experience. If you are passionate about waste and pollution prevention, this may be the perfect internship for you. See the OASIS website for more details. The application deadline is 4 p.m. April 16.

Dam Proud Day 2026: Mark your calendar for Oregon State’s giving day on Wednesday, April 29. Beavers everywhere will unite for 24 hours to celebrate OSU and make a lasting impact on students, faculty, the community and the world. Visit DamProudDay.org for ways to get involved. Can’t wait? Kickstart the excitement right now by adding your photo to the official Dam Proud Day online mosaic.

Apply for an OER Review Grant: If you're thinking about using an openly licensed, free textbook — also known as an open educational resource — in your course but aren’t sure where to start, consider applying for an OER Review Grant. OSU’s Open Educational Resources Unit will help you locate and evaluate potential OER for your class, and you can earn $500 at the same time. (All funding is a department-to-department transfer). Online applications are due April 10. Contact OERU Director Stefanie Buck at [email protected] for details.

OSU Engagement Awards of Excellence: Nominations are being accepted for the Engagement Awards of Excellence, recognizing outstanding community‑engaged work by faculty, staff and community partners. Award categories include the Extension and Engagement Award (deadline May 31), Community Engaged Scholarship Team Award (deadline June 30), and OSU–Community Partnership Engagement Award (deadline June 30). Each award includes a $2,000 honorarium. For more information and links to apply, please visit the OSU Engagement Awards of Excellence webpage.

Award Nominations Reminder: Due Date Extended to April 6. The due date for select university award nominations solicited by the Faculty Recognition and Awards Committee of the Faculty Senate has been extended to noon on April 6. We encourage you to nominate colleagues whose work has made a significant impact in their fields. If you have any questions, please contact the Faculty Senate Office at [email protected].

Timely Teaching Tips: Improving the digital accessibility of instructional materials can enhance learning for all students. The OSU Digital Accessibility Instructor Guide helps you identify which courses and what course materials to prioritize. It provides clear guidance to address five foundational accessibility areas: Headings, links, lists, use of color and alternative text for images.

Award Nominations — Due Date Extended to April 6: The due date for select university award nominations solicited by the Faculty Recognition and Awards Committee of the Faculty Senate has been extended to noon on April 6. We encourage you to nominate colleagues whose work has made a significant impact in their fields. If you have any questions, please contact the Faculty Senate Office at [email protected].

Fidelity on-campus consultations: Employees can meet with Justin Blatny, financial consultant from Fidelity to discuss your financial goals and savings plans for retirement. There is no cost for these consultations and they are available to all employees no matter what stage you are at in your career. Appointments are available on OSU Corvallis campus March 30-31. Schedule online here, or by phone at (800) 343-0860.

FY26 deadline for purchase requisitions/contracts: Purchase requisitions and contracts with a total contract value between $25,000 and $250,000 must be submitted in BennyBuy by 5 p.m. April 22. This deadline supports the Administrative Modernization Program (AMP) and the transition of requisition and contract processing to Workday in July. Review additional  P2P Cutover Deadlines  from the Office of Procurement, Payment and Travel to ensure you meet the FY26 processing deadlines.

Mid-Month Emergency Preparedness Topic: Medication. Do you have 3 weeks of medication in case of an emergency? Keeping an ongoing supply of medication may be imperative if a disaster strikes and pharmacies are shut down. English and Spanish versions of this bulletin can be found here.

Timely Teaching Tips: Getting Spring '26 courses ready for next week? See Learn@OregonState for guidance and resources about using Canvas, using media for teaching and using Poll Everywhere for student in-class engagement.

Spring FYI Fridays open for registration: The Learning & Development team is excited to announce that the FYI Friday schedule (Spring) has been released. This term features a Craft Center workshop, a tour of OSU's Edible Gardens, a behind-the-scenes look at the Orange Media Network and more. In-person events (Corvallis) are limited in space. See the full schedule and register here.

2026 Faculty Innovator Award: Submit your nomination today: This award honors an outstanding Oregon State University inventor who has made a contribution leading to commercialization that significantly impacts their field and society. For details on the process, criteria and nomination form, please visit the 2026 Faculty Innovator Award website. Nominate yourself or someone you know that’s making an impact. Nominations open through April 17. The awardee will receive a $5,000 prize and desktop award.

The 2026 Oregon Applied Sustainability Internships (OASIS) Program is now accepting applications: OASIS is a paid 11-week internship program (June 15-Aug. 28) that places third- and fourth-year undergraduates, recent graduates and graduate level students with Oregon-based businesses to achieve sustainability goals while gaining hands-on experience. If you are passionate about waste and pollution prevention, this may be the perfect internship for you. See the OASIS website for more details. The application deadline is 4 p.m., April 16.

Dam Proud Day 2026: Mark your calendar for Oregon State’s giving day on Wednesday, April 29. Beavers everywhere will unite for 24 hours to celebrate OSU and make a lasting impact on students, faculty, the community and the world. Visit DamProudDay.org for ways to get involved. Can’t wait? Kickstart the excitement right now by adding your photo to the official Dam Proud Day online mosaic.