Spring 2020 Week 1 – Monday Message

HC Announcements and Events NEW! VIRTUAL Spring 2020 Study Group Sign Up Consider joining HC study groups and stay connected with other students this spring virtually through Zoom! For sign up and more information regarding study groups please visit the link here.  NEW! HC Wellness Wednesday: Hiking in the Age of Social Distancing Join us as we partner with […]


March 29, 2020

HC Announcements and Events

NEW! VIRTUAL Spring 2020 Study Group Sign Up
Consider joining HC study groups and stay connected with other students this spring virtually through Zoom! For sign up and more information regarding study groups please visit the link here

NEW! HC Wellness WednesdayHiking in the Age of Social Distancing
Join us as we partner with the Adventure Leadership Institute to learn about local and online resources for hiking during the age of social distancing. This includes how to plan your trip, what to bring, and how to interact with people on the trail. Visit this link to register in Hiking in the Age of Social Distancing on Wednesday, April 1 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. 

NEW! Words With Friends: HC Tournament
Calling all who love to play scrabble! Challenge your fellow HC students in the Word with Friends HC Tournament. 

The tournament is single-elimination, with games being played Friday (4/3), Saturday (4/4), and Sunday (4/5) from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Participants will be seeded base on experience level. Prizes will be awarded to the top two finishers and announced in the Monday Message. Register by Thursday at 12:00 p.m. Good luck to all! 

NEW! Remote Dean and Friends on Careers in Health Policy
Join us on Tuesday, April 7 at 12:00 p.m. for a remote Dean and Friends discussion with former Honors College student SreyRam Kuy on careers in health policy!

Dr. Kuy graduated from OSU in 2000 with degrees in philosophy and microbiology. She went on to earn her MD at Oregon Health and Science University and her Master of Health Science degree at Yale University, where she also completed her fellowship. She has served a special advisor to the U.S. Veteran Affairs Secretary and Deputy Under-Secretary for Community Care, overseeing a $14.5 billion budget and 7,300 staff. Before this, she was Louisiana Medicaid’s Chief Medical Officer.

Currently, she is a practicing general surgeon, healthcare executive, and quality improvement researcher at the Houston Veteran Affairs Medical Center and deputy chief medical officer for quality and safety for the South Central VA Health Care Network (VISN 16). She’s a recipient of the American College of Surgeons Mary Edwards Walker Inspiring Women in Surgery Award, President George H.W. Bush’s Daily Point of Light Award, OHSU’s Early Career Achievement Alumni Award, L’Oréal Paris’s Women of Worth award, Business Report’s 40 Under 40 Award, and was named by Modern Healthcare as one of the top Minority Healthcare Executives to Watch.

This discussion will be held on Zoom; please RSVP to Kevin Stoller at stollerk@oregonstate.edu to receive a link.

NEW! Spring Term Classes With Open Spots!
Still looking for a great spring term class? There are spots in the following:

Colloquium: HC 407. Plastics for Poets. Th 4:00 p.m. – 5:50 p.m.
This colloquium will expose students to their reliance on plastics in every aspect of their daily lives — from soft drinks, shampoos, and baby diapers to automobiles. The material will be presented in such a way that it is accessible to students from all majors. There are no pre-requisites for the course — other than a genuine interest in learning how and why many of the items we encounter each day are made.

Colloquium: HC 407. Imaging the American West. W 10:00 – 11:50 a.m.
Images of the American West are formative in American and, to some extent, world culture. The Western landscape has been portrayed as iconic: a stage on which cultural constructions of individualism, gender, empire, otherness, and nature are graphically enacted. Western peoples, similarly, have often been presented as archetypes (or as stereotypes), representative of American myths, fears, and ideals. In this course, we will explore images of the West—paintings, photographs, and Western films—and their implications for contemporary culture and identity. As an integral part of this exploration, we will create original images in order to experience the power of visual depiction in a landscape context.

Colloquium: HC 407. Humans and the Ocean. MW 9:00 – 9:50 a.m.
The purpose of this course is to introduce students from diverse backgrounds to ways in which humans understand the marine environment, through scientific, literary and artistic approaches. Lectures, group and individual library research, field trips, and assignments will collate approaches from a range of disciplines including marine science, history, literary study, and other arts and humanistic disciplines. Through fiction and non-fiction literary perspectives designed to enhance critical reading skills, students will learn about historic and contemporary ocean and coastal issues, such as sustainable fisheries, plastic pollution, and climate change, with perspectives from faculty in the humanities, arts, and sciences. Interactive lessons will focus on how humans have come to understand the marine environment, by elucidating both the history of how scientific knowledge has developed and the ways in which that knowledge is represented in literary and other artistic mediums. This historical perspective will facilitate learning via discussion and storytelling

Bacc Core (Western Culture): WL 429H. French Society Through its Cinema. F 12:00 – 2:50 p.m.
An examination of French society through its own cinema. Via the screening and study of films from the various periods of French history, students will delve into the heart of French society and will discover the socio-historical, political, economic and cultural context. 

Remote Support for TheSIS Stages
The HC and HC Academic Advisors will continue to support students through all stages of the TheSIS process during the Spring 2020 term. Feel free to contact an HC Academic Advisor if you want to discuss the TheSIS, TheSIS stage requirements, brainstorm ideas, or need assistance. Completing Thesis Stages 1 or 2 during the Spring 2020 term is very much possible.

Stage 1:
The Honors College will be holding Stage 1 workshops remotely via Zoom throughout the Spring term. The dates and times for these workshops will be announced on the Monday Message and available on the Stage 1 website here.

Stage 2:
The Honors College will provide a number of resources this Spring to support the completion of Stage 2. 

The dates, times, and presenting faculty information for remote Student & Faculty Mixers in Spring term will be announced on the Monday Message and available on the Stage 2 website here.

You will also find numerous resources on the HC Academic Advising Canvas Page, including: the HC Academic Advising Canvas Page – Honors Thesis, which can be found here; the Resources for Completing Stage 2 on Your Own, which can be found here; and the Past Theses Directory, which can be found here, and other tools to help you explore your options.

For those focused on progressing through Stage 3 & Stage 4 rest assured that we are here to support you and will do whatever we can to remove barriers in your way. Please feel free to contact us at any time here.

Save the Date: Networking Tips and Tricks Event!
Join the Honors College and the Career Development Center for a Networking Tips and Tricks workshop on Tuesday, April 21 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. PT. RSVP for this virtual Zoom workshop here!

Scholarship Opportunities

EXTENDED! Honors College Tuition Scholarship and Grants The Honors College recognizes that this may be a challenging time for students and families.

We have extended the deadline for the 2020-2021 Honors College Differential Tuition Scholarship to April 12, 2020. Continuing students can apply for tuition scholarships through ScholarDollars by completing the Honors College application and applying to the “Oregon State University Differential Tuition Scholarship.” All continuing students who wish to be eligible for a tuition scholarship from the Honors College in 2020-2021 must apply by April 12!

We also want to make sure that you are aware of the option of applying for an Honors College Differential Tuition Grant for spring term, 2020. These grants are for students experiencing particular difficulties in paying the HC differential tuition. The HC does not want inability to pay differential tuition to be the determining factor in whether a student graduates from the college or continues as an honors student. All students considering withdrawal for financial reasons should consider submitting a grant application here.

If you have any questions, please direct them to honors.college@oregonstate.edu or an HC adviser.

NEW! Nationally Competitive Scholarships: Q&A Session
On Thursday, April 9th at 6:00 pm PDT, tune in for a virtual information session about applying to nationally competitive scholarships and opportunities abroad!

This event will be hosted by LeAnn Adam from the OSU Prestigious Scholarships Office and a panel of recent scholarship recipients. Join the meeting via this Zoom link.

Job and Internship Opportunities

TOMORROW! PSU Summer REU 2020 Program Accepting Applications
Portland State University’s Summer 2020 REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) Program in microscopy and micro-analysis is now accepting applications! Highlights of this program include:

  • Learn electron microscopy in state of the art FIB and SEM labs
  • Visit local high tech companies
  • Network with industry experts
  • Opportunities in physics/nanotechnology, chemistry, biology, geology, environmental science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical and materials engineering

The program will run from June 22 through August 14, 2020, and participants will receive a $4,000 stipend. 

The program is open to all undergraduate students who are US citizens or green cardholders. Graduating seniors will only be considered if they have an acceptance in hand for a STEM-field graduate program in Fall 2020. The program emphasizes its interest in receiving applications from minorities, women, veterans of the US Armed forces, and nontraditional students.

Applications are due March 31. To apply or learn more about the application, please visit the link here.

Campus-Wide Opportunities

NEW! ‘Punch Through Pandemics’ Course Available For OSU Students and Public
To help combat feelings of isolation and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, professors in Oregon State University’s School of Psychological Science have put together a new course to help explain what’s happening in our brains and offer evidence-based coping mechanisms. The class will include a combination of scientific discussion of the effects of stress on the body, and practical opportunities for students to provide real-time help to others, like volunteering for the crisis line. The PSY 499 course is led by Dr. Kathy Becker-Blease, Dr. Regan Gurung, and Kate Gallagher.

Students who wish to earn credit can enroll in an Ecampus or Corvallis section through myOSU here. Students and members of the public who wish to join a free, noncredit version of the course can enroll for free on Canvas here. You can also follow along with the content and activities and participate in discussions casually on their website here.

NEW! BEavers HERE NOW Drop-In Meditation Via Zoom
Enjoy a different 15 minute guided meditation each week! No experience necessary. All are welcome. Benefits of meditation include: stress reduction, better sleep, sharper concentration, anxiety management and happier relationships.

The meditation will be on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. Visit this link to access each session.

Contact tess.websterhenry@oregonstate.edu to coordinate extra credit for student attendance. Faculty and staff are welcome too.

NEW! Intramural Sports Update
In light of recent COVID-19 developments, all in-person intramural sports for spring term are suspended until we can safely have activity.

However, we are excited to offer virtual and remote programming! All virtual intramurals are free.

Here is our virtual line-up:

E-Sports (multiple platforms)

App Games (download Apps and we’ll schedule games)

Just Keep Stepping: Step Count Competition

  • Everyone still need to get their steps in!
  • Teams of 4 will report their weekly step totals.
  • Join as a free agent and we’ll get you on a team!

Virtual Running Groups

  • You don’t have to run alone with your virtual running group!
  • Mondays at 10:10 a.m., Tuesdays at 5:10 p.m., and Fridays at 12:10 p.m.

Weekly Trivia

  • Weekly Trivia on Wednesdays at 7pm, hosted via Zoom!
  • Sign up by 6pm on the Wednesdays of the week you want to play.
  • Themes vary from week to week!

You must have a current recreational sports membership to participate. Most registration deadlines are Friday, April 3, so please visit the link here to sign up. Visit this link to view other remote programming offered by the Department of Recreational Sports. Winners will receive an Intramural Champion Shirt.

COVID-19 Resources

NEW! Human Services Resource Center (HSRC): COVID-19 Resource Updates!
The HSRC has many resources to help students financially through textbook and laptop loaning to food assistance!
-Remote Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP application now has support in nine languages. Our diverse and talented student workforce is ready to help students navigate the SNAP application – and help students find related resources (food pantries, etc) in whatever location our students will be. Please visit the link here for more information.
-Food Pantry and Grocery support
The HSRC will continue on-site food assistance at Champinefu Lodge for local students. This will include food boxes from our local food bank and “Healthy Beaver Bags.” Food box distribution will be Wednesdays from 10:00 – 3:00 p.m. Healthy Beaver Bags will be distributed Fridays from 12:00 – 2:30 p.m. and will only be available to members of the OSU community.  
-Laptop, Calculator Loans & Internet Access
HSRC is assisting students who may not have access to technology they need – both laptops and calculators. HSRC is working to be the central point where students with need are being directed  – which is through the single support form here
-Basic Needs Navigation and Emergency Housing
Emergency housing is still available for eligible local students experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness. Please visit this link to schedule a basic needs support meeting with Miguel.
-Textbook Support
Due to increased shipping times from Amazon and other delivery services, digital books can be accessed sooner than a physical book. For more information please visit this link.

How To Prepare For Spring Term With Zoom!
The past few weeks have brought a lot of change – socially, emotionally, physically, and of course, academically. To help you prepare for your spring term classes, here are some helpful links that explain how best to use Zoom for remote learning.

-Download Zoom here.
-Review the tips and tricks for using Zoom as a student here.
-Watch Zoom tutorials to prepare for class here.

Laptops For Loan!
Need a computer with video? The OSU Valley Library has a laptop loan program. Loans are available for 1 day, 1 week, and 1 term. To request a laptop on loan, please visit this link.

CAPS COVID-19 Adjustments
Due to concerns about COVID-19 at OSU, CAPS is following Provost Feser’s recommendation to deliver our services remotely when possible.

-CAPS’ on-call clinic will operate regular hours (M-F, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. during the academic term,10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. during spring break), but on-call appointments will be provided over the phone (call 541-737-2131) starting Monday, March 16. 
All first and return appointments (all appointments other than on-call appointments) will be provided through secure Zoom videoconferencing (specific instructions for this will be sent to CAPS clients). This will be implemented until April 10th, when it will be reassessed.
CAPS Single Session Clinic appointments will be offered starting March 30 through Zoom. 
-CAPS’ after-hours crisis line will remain available (541-737-2131).
If you are currently in crisis, please call CAPS to talk with a counselor (541-737-2131). 

Please consider using the following resources to help you cope during these challenges.
Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
Why Pandemics Activate Xenophobia
Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty
How to Survive Coronavirus Anxiety

COVID-19 Information Per the World Health Organization

  • Practice social distancing
  • Maintain a distance of approximately 6 feet from others
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
  • Pay attention for potential COVID-19 symptoms – mainly fever, tiredness, and dry cough
  • If you are sick, wear a face mask around other people
  • If you are not sick, do not wear a face mask unless caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a face mask)
  • There is a worldwide shortage of face masks – use them wisely
    -Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily

Learn more about COVID-19 here.

HC Resources

These resources are available throughout the term.

HCSA/Honors X: Join Us Virtually
Meetings will begin again today, Monday, March 30th and will be held every Monday from 7:00 – 8:00 pm in Zoom Meeting ID: 360 964 580. All Honors College students are welcome to join!

HC Drop-In Advising Hours
Need help now? Drop-in advising is available remotely Monday – Thursday from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Use this link
 to access the Zoom sessions.

HC Graduate Teaching Assistant Spring Office Hours
Rachel Navratil, the HC Graduate Teaching Assistant, will be hosting office hours virtually via Zoom throughout spring term.

Whether you have a question related to the Honors College, OSU in general, or just need a friend to chat with, you may enter the office hour waiting room during the scheduled times by using this link here.

Rachel’s Spring Office Hours:
Monday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

By: Sukhjot Sal

CATEGORIES: Monday Messages


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