This conference is of interest to graduate students and post-docs in physical chemistry, physics, and related areas of biology.  It takes place January 29 – February 1, 2015 at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California.  More information is available at our website www.pacificspectroscopy.org.  The early registration deadline is just around the corner:  November 24, 2014.

One of the hallmarks of this conference is that 100% of the contributed talks are reserved for graduate students and post-docs—many of our invited speakers gave their first talk at this conference 10, 20, even 40 years ago!  Because of this policy the conference has special value and draw for students and post-docs.

Thank you for your help in sustaining and strengthening the Pacific Conference on Spectroscopy and Dynamics and providing your students and post-docs with a great opportunity to learn about cutting edge advances in spectroscopy and the science it enables.

The Center for Teaching and Learning provides $2,000 to OSU faculty for the redesign of established undergraduate classroom courses as hybrid courses through the Hybrid Course Initiative. These funds are in support of participation in the hybrid faculty learning community and the development of a new hybrid course. Request for Proposals now available; proposals are due Dec. 20, 2014. Contact cub.kahn@oregonstate.edu for more information.

The Graduate School will host Renetta Tull on Monday, Nov. 24. Tull will be at OSU to meet with faculty, students and staff about best practices in graduate education to increase student success.  She will give a presentation, “Professional Development and Mentoring Interventions for Graduate Student Success” on Monday, Nov. 24 at 2:30 p.m. in MU 208.

We are looking for STEM graduate students and undergraduates interested in grad school in STEM fields for a Psychology study at Oregon State University. The study involves a grad and an undergrad from the same discipline talking about the undergrad’s prospects for graduate school. We are asking grads to participate 3-5 times (with different undergrads); undergrads can participate once. Each session takes 1-1.5 hours and participants are paid $13-16/hr (grads get the higher rate). We’ll work every way we can to accommodate people’s schedules. Please contactkathleen.bogart@oregonstate.edu for more information or to participate.

For those of you who haven’t heard, we regret to inform you that Malcolm Daniels has passed away.  I was asked to share his obituary with you all.

http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/obituaries/malcolm-daniels/article_1dccfd2a-5044-11e4-a815-d3adf3337619.html

Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.

OSU’s President’s Commission on the Status of Women (PCOSW) is offering funds to cover registration costs for OSU Faculty, Staff, and Students to attend the 2015 Oregon Women in Higher Education (OWHE) conference in Bend, Jan. 22-23, 2015. To apply, please complete the Application Form no later than Sunday, Nov. 23. Questions? Contact: Natalia Fernández natalia.fernandez@oregonstate.edu

Four Search Advocate full-day workshops are now available!  Be prepared to work with search committees by completing this workshop covering strategies to enhance validity, fairness, and diversity in the search process.  Instead of requiring the typical two-workshop series (totaling ten hours), this workshop is a single day ( 8 am to 5 pm, breakfast and lunch included).  Register at the OSU Professional Development website http://oregonstate.edu/training/index.php for one of the following offerings: Dec. 1 in Clatskanie, Dec. 15 or 17 in Corvallis, or Jan. 9 at North Willamette Research and Extension Center.  Questions?  Contact Anne Gillies anne.gillies@oregonstate.edu, 541-737-0865.

I am pleased to announce a call for proposals for
individual Learning Innovation Grants to help faculty bring innovation through technology to the learning experience.

Faculty are invited to apply for grants of up to
$10,000 for educational technology that improves the student experience in courses, in informal learning experiences, or in student life.

Grant guidelines and information about how to apply
can be found at http://oregonstate.edu/leadership/information/tech-funding/innovation-grant/individual.
Proposals are due by December 18, 2014.

An informational session will be held on Friday,
November 21, 1-2pm, in Kidder 202
to answer questions you may have about these grants. You will also be able to participate remotely
via
live.oregonstate.edu.

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Change

Do you know of a student, faculty or staff member who enriches our OSU community in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King?

Join us in acknowledging individuals who work to create inclusive communities and support diversity at OSU. We welcome nominations for recipients of our two community awards which are recognized yearly at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Breakfast in January.  The two awards include:

·      The Frances Dancy Hooks Award recognizes students, staff, or faculty who embody Frances Dancy Hooks’ work of building bridges across cultures, showing courage in promoting diversity, and “walking the talk” proudly;

·      Phyllis S. Lee Award honors a member of the OSU community who exemplifies Dr. Lee’s commitment and dedication to social justice and the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We are requesting that nominations be submitted by December 10th, 2014. To find out more information or to submit a nomination visit:  Frances Dancy Hooks and Phyllis S. Lee Award Information and Nomination Page

The OSU Homestay Program is seeking local families to share their Thanksgiving festivities with international students.  Applications are currently available at https://jfe.qualtrics.com/form/SV_1yTjGUsntSs1cu9.   Hosting application deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 5 p.m.  Hosts will be informed of student placement Monday, Nov. 24.  If you have any questions, please contact homestay@oregonstate.edu.