November 5, 2019

Posted on by

In this week’s issue:

Government Relations director candidate open forums

Government Relations director candidate open forums will take place on November 5, 6 and 8. This is a critical role for the OSU Extension Service. Please attend as you are able (these will also be livestreamed on OSU Live). Information will be posted online, which will include bios and candidate evaluation forms as soon as they are available.

Elevate the student success impact of OSU Extension

Extension plays an important role in contributing to the success of OSU students who continue their journey from Extension programs into on campus, online, or Workspace (PACE) coursework. Elevate the awareness of Extension within the OSU community by responding to a call for proposals. Possible topic areas include interactive engagement and cooperative learning, DEI, easing students’ navigation of the university and maximizing the opportunities available at OSU, and many more. Learn more and/or submit a proposal.

Employee feedback needed from Transgender and other LGBTQ+ faculty/staff members

In preparation for the Extension Annual Conference Tuesday workshop session by Basic Rights Oregon, we invite members of the LGBTQ+ community to provide confidential feedback on their experiences working with OSU Extension. Basic Rights Oregon specializes in providing trainings on transgender inclusion in the workplace and the training at the conference will be written and presented by primarily transgender people. This call for feedback is part of their usual process to inform workshop content and Basic Rights will not share any information with OSU or OSU Extension. To participate, please contact trainings@basicrights.org directly or visit this page to submit anonymous feedback.

Communication and connection opportunity

Is there anything about which you are interested, curious, or concerned? Here are some ways to share and ask:

  • Online form to submit questions (Think of this like a virtual comment box.)
  • OSU Extension Slack workspace or informal communication and collaboration
  • Read ConnEXTion weekly, and contribute!
  • O&E blog with First Monday videos (Engage via the comment section!)
  • Outreach & Engagement Quarterly Conversations (Next: November 15, 2019)

Navigator Digital Strategy Update

A year ago, the majority of archived county and program sites on Drupal 6 went away for good. The flurry in putting content on the new Extension website meant some content didn’t get thoroughly reviewed. Others got left in Box unless someone asked for it. Do you have content that needs a second look? Some low hanging tasks are covered in this week’s blog post “How keeping your content fresh makes for happy visitors.”

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions, and if you have suggestions for content to include in Diversity Highlights.

Statewide Events & Resources

Health Equity Benefit Dinner: Transforming Trauma into Truth (Portland)
November 7, 2019 at the World Forestry Center in support of the Oregon Latino Health Coalition. This event will introduce their newest program, the Latino Emotional Health Collaborative, which aims to shift traditional thinking away from the cultural stigmas associated with mental illness. For more information, contact info@orlhc.org or call 971-229-0482. Tickets available at www.orlhc.org.

Womxn of Color Student Support Group (Corvallis)
Nov. 14 and Dec. 5 at the CAPs office in Snell Hall. Contact: Shaznin Daruwalla at shaznin.daruwalla@oregonstate.edu or CAPS at 541-737-2131.

ScholarDollars Scholarship Application Now Open
ScholarDollars is Oregon State University’s online search and application portal. All OSU students are encouraged to use ScholarDollars to submit an application to be considered for campus-based scholarship funding that will be awarded for the 2020-2021 academic year. By submitting one application, students will be considered for over 1,600 OSU scholarship opportunities! If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office. Submit your application today.

DEI In the News

UC Berkeley Students Create a Class for ‘Coming Out’ (Insight Into Diversity)
“I remember wishing for some sort of guidance, some way of knowing how to move forward in accepting myself and coming out to my parents, friends, and everyone else,” Kamkar, now a senior, says. “I knew that I probably wasn’t the only closeted student who might be wishing for this, and I could help [others] by bringing students in the LGBTQ+ community in communication with each other.”

Getting girls interested in STEM (Diversity Global)
How can we break the stereotypes around STEM education and career pathways? Can we raise girls’ interest in STEM by enhancing the STEM curriculum in education from early age? Microsoft and UNESCO presented their findings during the event ‘Changing the FACE of STEM’.

College Athletes Push for More Mental-Health Care, Fighting ‘Tough It Out’ Culture (The Chronicle)
Students from Oregon State University’s group, Dam Worth It, recently got a grant from the Pac-12 Conference to spread its model across the West Coast.

Extension in the News

Researchers dig into vineyard science
Western Farmer-Stockman
“In a widely spaced vineyard,” explains Patty Skinkis, an Oregon State University horticulture professor and viticulture Extension specialist, “two-and-a-half tons of fruit would be all they could yield per acre before crop thinning. But on the high-density plantings, which became more popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, crop thinning to two-and-a-half tons per acre cuts more than 50% of the fruit off the vine.”

OSU hires new wheat extension agent for Wasco, Sherman counties
Capital Press
Oregon State University has hired a new extension agent for dryland wheat growers in Wasco and Sherman counties.

OSU Extension building partnerships in new fire program
KTVZ
In a time of increasing wildfire activity, Oregon State University Extension Service said Friday it has implemented a new statewide fire program to help facilitate forest and range management plans, as well as create a healthy respect of fire through education and outreach efforts.

October 29, 2019

Posted on by

In this week’s issue:

Bright Spots

Clackamas County Commissioners gave the green light on Tuesday, October 22 to begin construction for a new Oregon State University Extension Service Education Center in Oregon City on their Red Soils campus.  The new building will be located on the southeast corner of Beavercreek and Warner Milne Roads—about two blocks east of OSU’s current Extension office location.  Ground breaking is expected this coming spring.  Occupancy is projected for year-end 2020. Read more here.

Alda Center helps Gail Langellotto get revitalized. Alan Alda himself comments! Read about it here.

Mary Stewart won an award for best poster at the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Conference in Astoria conference in Astoria. Good job Mary!

Employee feedback needed from Transgender and other LGBTQ+ faculty/staff members

In preparation for the Extension Annual Conference Tuesday workshop session by Basic Rights Oregon, we invite members of the LGBTQ+ community to provide confidential feedback on their experiences working with OSU Extension. Basic Rights Oregon specializes in providing trainings on transgender inclusion in the workplace and the training at the conference will be written and presented by primarily transgender people. This call for feedback is part of their usual process to inform workshop content and Basic Rights will not share any information with OSU or OSU Extension. To participate, please contact trainings@basicrights.org directly or visit this page to submit anonymous feedback.

Professional Development Fund

Next Application Deadline — November 1, 2019

The next quarterly deadline for the Extension Professional Development Fund is November 1st. Applications that will be considered must be submitted BEFORE the deadline and BEFORE the professional development opportunity.

“Growing the Fund”

Extension faculty and staff may help“GROW the Fund” at any time during the year. Keep the following in mind:

  • The principal of the OSU Extension Professional Development Fund is an endowment.
  • The earnings from the endowment feeds into the current-use-fund.
  • Each quarter, the amount in the current-use-fund pays for the professional development requests selected for funding.
  • The fund supports on average, about 100-160 different professional development opportunities a year.

The two ways individuals may currently contribute throughout the year are:

  • Through payroll deduction (deductions could range from $5.00 a month to any larger amount)
  • Through individual contributions (payable by check or credit card)
  • Either of these types of contributions may be processed on-line through the OSU Foundation at: http://www.osufoundation.org/s/359/foundation/index.aspx?sid=359&gid=34&pgid=4353
  • Contributions may be made to the endowment as you complete the on-line process.Be sure to note the following information when completing the on-line process: 6220-820450 OSU Extension Professional Development Fund.

Communication and connection opportunity

Is there anything about which you are interested, curious, or concerned? Here are some ways to share and ask:

  • Online form to submit questions (Think of this like a virtual comment box.)
  • OSU Extension Slack workspace or informal communication and collaboration
  • Read ConnEXTion weekly, and contribute!
  • O&E blog with First Monday videos (Engage via the comment section!)
  • Outreach & Engagement Quarterly Conversations (Next: November 15, 2019)

Evening Wine Tasting Experience from WorkSpace

Enjoy this two-hour sensory evaluation of Prosecco available in Portland and Corvallis. More details here.

Navigator Digital Strategy Update

The benefit of using CRM software is it provides the ability to make data-informed decisions. Read about how it can help send better emails.

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions, and if you have suggestions for content to include in Diversity Highlights.

Statewide Events & Resources

Get Out the Count (Webinar)
The Asian & Pacific Cultural Center is hosting a Census 2020 webinar on Oct. 29, 1-2:30, to focus on how college students, organizations and staff can get involved in ensuring that college students are counted. Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP here before the session, and send any questions to Raima Roy (rroy@advancingjustice-aajc.org). If you missed September’s webinar on Census data, you can view the webinar recording online.

Learning Circle Webinar Series: Heal, Repair, Recover: A Learning Community for Agents Leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace or Community (Webinar)
Community organizers and educators leading or engaged in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work are generally highly committed but have odds stacked against them. The chance for social change can feel slim and the resistance we face can feel painful. Together we must take turns feeling what is happening to and around us, and letting our feelings guide us into solidarity action for systematic change in university and community settings. Webinars are from 12–1 on November 4, 11 and 18. Register here.

Working in a Changing Environment workshop (Webinar or Corvallis)
Cascade Employee Assistance Program is providing a workshop for all OSU employees on Nov. 6, 9-10 a.m. in MU, Room 13. The topic of the workshop is: Working in a Changing Environment – Strategies to Cope with Change and Transitions in the Workplace. During this presentation EAP staff will address the elements of change, different types of loss individuals experience related to change and the transitional stages in the process. They will also offer ideas regarding healthy ways of coping with stress and change. To register: https://hr.oregonstate.edu/workshops-open-registration. This is also offered through Zoom if you would like to attend remotely: https://hr.oregonstate.edu/workshops-open-registration. Questions? Contact Employee Benefits at employee.benefits@oregonstate.edu or 541-757-2805.

DEI In the News

Hundreds of Colleges May Be Out of Compliance With Title IX. Here’s Why. (The Chronicle)
Lisa Niblock had no intention of suing the University of Kentucky when she transferred there two years ago. She just wanted to be closer to home and surrounded by classmates at a bigger school with a bigger atmosphere. Then Suzie Stammer approached her.

Universities Take Steps to Remain Vigilant of Hate Groups on Campus (Insight Into Diversity)
“Showing solidarity in the face of hate speech and ideologies is key to ensuring students feel safe and supported and in sending a message that such values have no place in higher education,” says Elissa Buxbaum, director of National College and University Programs for ADL.

Running program supports rehabilitation for women in Wilsonville prison (Oregon Live)
Run is not a word you usually want to associate with a prison. Yet a running program at Wilsonville’s Coffee Creek Correctional Facility offers women a different kind of an escape.

Extension in the News

Think Too Much: Firefighting work forges bonds on rangelands
Albany Democrat Herald
The study’s lead author, Emily Jane Davis, an assistant professor and Extension specialist in OSU’s College of Forestry, said that finding ways to bridge the gap between landowners and firefighting agencies, especially in vast rangeland areas such as the Great Basin of Oregon and Idaho, makes sense: “They’re closest to the land. They know it the best.”

Sheep and other wine-growing tips
The Mail Tribune
Since the late 1960s, conducting research into best practices and providing advice to Southern Oregon wine grape producers, known as winegrowers, has been the business of the Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center, a facility of the Oregon State University Extension Service.

OSU Extension celebrates Redmond expansion
KTVZ
The OSU Extension Service in Deschutes County celebrated the expansion of its Redmond facilities Friday evening, providing more classroom space.

October 22, 2019

Posted on by

In this week’s issue:

Bright Spots

Hopefully your office took the Great Shake Out on Thursday seriously. Here are some pics from Clackamas County:

     

Cindy Brown of Oregon State University, Sherman County Extension, was selected as the First Place Western Region Winner for a Communications Written Press Release at the National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences conference in Hershey, Pa.  See the press release.

Glenda Hyde, an associate professor of practice with Oregon State University Extension Service, was recently awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. See more here.

Angela Sandino is making a difference in Clackamas County, read about it here.

Transport Webinar recording now available

Did you miss the webinar on Friday? The recording is now available here.

OSU Faculty and Staff win awards at 2019 Epsilon Sigma Phi National Conference

Last week, at the 2019 Epsilon Sigma Phi National Conference in Colorado Springs, CO, five Oregon Extension Service Employees and one team received Recognition Awards for their service and accomplishments nationally, or in the Western Region:

Patricia Dawson, Professor, 4-H Youth Development, received the 2019 Distinguished Service Ruby Award

Kristopher Elliott, Extension Service Assistant Director and Outdoor School Program Leader, received the Western Region Visionary Leadership Award

Jose Garcia, Juntos Coordinator for Yamhill, Polk, and Marion Counties, received the Western Region Early Career Service Recognition Award

Joy Jones, Tillamook County, received the Western Region Continued Excellence Award

Deb Warnock, Wallowa County, received a Western Region Distinguished Service Award

The SMILE Program Team (Science and Math Investigative Learning Experiences): Barbara Brody and Ken Dickey (Nyssa High School SMILE Instructor), received a Western Region Mulitcultural/Diversity Team Award

Journal of Extension features OSU contributions

The October 2019 issue of the Journal of Extension is now available. The entire issue can be accessed directly on the JOE website at www.joe.org.
Several of your colleagues were published this month! Congratulations go to:
Curious about publishing your Extension impacts in the Journal of Extension? Check out ‘Getting Published in JOE-Strategies for Success‘ and consider submitting! 

Seeking topic ideas for internal communication channels

Share with Anita Azarenko and Lindsey Shirley the topics you would like to see discussed or learn more about during Quarterly Conversations and First Monday Update videos. What do you want to know about what’s happening in the Division and around the university. Share your ideas with Ann Marie Murphy.

Navigator Digital Strategy Update

To Box or not to Box? Benefits to using Box for managing your files. Read more here.

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions, and if you have suggestions for content to include in Diversity Highlights.

Statewide Events & Resources

Men’s Mini-Gathering of Native Americans (Mission, OR)
The Men’s Mini-Gathering of Native Americans (GONA) is an opportunity for males in the community to connect. This is the second Men’s Mini-GONA that will be held. The first was held during Men’s Health Month in June. There was a great turnout and great discussion. Males, youth through elder, participated and wanted a space to continue to meet and share. Friday, Oct. 25 from 6-8pm at the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center in Mission, OR.

Supporting Literacy in Our Community (Roseburg, OR)
Join the Altrusa Club of Roseburg at the Roseburg Public Library on Sat, Oct. 26 from 11am – 12:30pm for crafts, story time and free book giveaways.

OSU Fall Drag Show (Corvallis, OR)
Saturday, Oct. 26 from 7-9:30pm. Hosted by Rainbow Continuum, the OSU Fall Drag Show is a long-standing tradition on campus. Engage with the LGBTQ+ community for a night of music, dance, and amazing looks and performances. Tickets will be available at the Student Experience Center. Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made to the Pride Center at 513-737-9161 or Pride.Center@oregonstate.edu.

Native Artist & Storyteller Symposium (Portland, OR)
Wisdom of the Elders, Inc. is happy to announce our fall 2019 Native Artist & Storyteller Symposium. We will be showcasing Native Artists and Storytellers from our region. In addition to serving a community meal, our invited artists and storytellers will have art and wares for sale. A moderated panel discussion and Q & A will closeout this wonderful afternoon of cross-cultural and intergenerational teaching and learning. Saturday, Oct. 26 from 12 – 6pm at the Portland State University Native American Student and Community Center.

DEI In the News

OSU may cut ties with state police, Ray slams arrest of OSU bicyclist (Gazette-Times)
Oregon State University could pull out of its law enforcement contract with the Oregon State Police in the wake of the controversial arrest of an OSU student on Sunday. (see also KATU)

Optimism, not resentment, rules as Oregon enters version 2.0 of school improvement crusade (Oregon Live)
Last fall, educators at Oliver Elementary in outer Southeast Portland got the news: Due to your students’ low reading and math scores and rampant chronic absenteeism, your school is officially one of lowest performers in Oregon. As a result, the school and its parent district, Centennial, were subject to state oversight, offered technical assistance and awarded a modest federal grant. The message? You must do better.

6 Takeaways for Colleges That Want to Help Low-Income Students Get Career-Ready (The Chronicle)
With the rise of the gig economy, the erosion of job security and employer-provided training, and the threats to jobs from a coming wave of automation, the role of education in helping people prepare for their working lives — perhaps over and over again — couldn’t be more pressing.

Extension in the News

Fall’s the best time to harvest discounts at garden centers
Associated Press
“Containers are vulnerable to freeze damage,” said Weston Miller, a horticulturist with Oregon State University Extension Service.

Climate Change Has Some Willamette Valley Farmers Adapting An Ancient Way To Grow Food
OPB
Oregon State Extension small farms specialist Amy Garrett has been researching dry farming since 2013 and started her own case studies in 2015 in the Willamette Valley.

Four ways to make beef more sustainable
Popular Science
In many rangelands, the problem isn’t too many cattle, it’s that the cattle aren’t using the land evenly, says Leticia Henderson, a livestock and range science professor and Extension specialist at Oregon State University.

October 15, 2019

Posted on by

In this week’s issue:

Bright Spots

Klamath County School District, in partnership with Oregon State University-Klamath Basin Research & Extension Service, has been awarded a competitive $96,538 USDA implementation grant for its Farm-to-School program. Read more here.

Livestream the Ruby Lecture by OSU’s Patricia Dawson

For more than 33 years, Patricia Dawson has devoted her Extension career to delivering high quality educational programs and resources that met the needs of colleagues and constituents at the local, state and national level. Recognized nationwide for her visionary leadership, she has served in countless roles including National ESP President, National Editor for the Journal of Youth Development – 12 years, NAE4-HA Board of Directors, JCEP Board Secretary and JOE Board of Directors. A prolific writer/researcher, Patricia’s youth development curriculum has been showcased at over 100 refereed state and national presentations. Recently retired from Oregon State University, Patricia maintains an active role with Epsilon Sigma Phi.

Presentation is scheduled for approximately 11:45 pm (Pacific), Tuesday, October 15. As this is a live event, streaming could start early.

The presentation will be taped and made available on the ESP website after the conference

Live link: https://zoom.us/j/571784677

Transport translations tool available

OSU Extension is committed to ensuring that all people, including those with Limited English Proficiency, have meaningful access to our programs and activities.

As part of our overall language access strategy, OSU Extension has contracted with Translations.com to provide a tool called Transport. It is an online translations platform you can use to submit documents for translation, or to get a price quote to help with program planning. Transport:

  • Is accessible via OSU ONID single-sign on
  • Routes for OSU budget authority approval
  • Saves historical information so we have better data on translation needs and costs across our organization

A Transport login link, user guide, and additional information are available on our language access resource page.

A brief demo and Q&A session will be offered (and recorded) on Friday, October 18 from 10am – 10:45am via Zoom video conference. Join here: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/192577911

Learn more about language access and see a preview of the Transport tool in the August Outreach & Engagement Quarterly Conversation.

Questions? Please contact Transport.Support@oregonstate.edu

Navigator Digital Strategy Update

What we love about Clackamas County 4-H
We share what is working so well.

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions, and if you have suggestions for content to include in Diversity Highlights.

Statewide Events & Resources

Tuesday Teaching + Tech Talks: Supporting Diverse Learners through Culturally Responsive Teaching: Join Jeff Kenney to explore the theory and practice of culturally responsive teaching. +Tech Talk: Learn about polling options for small group and/or non-course settings for gathering informal feedback. This workshop will be facilitated twice in OSU Corvallis Milam Hall, Rm 215 Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. No need to register – just come on by. Learn more here. Contact us here.

Sense of Place: Traditional First Foods & The Creation Story
Each year, tribes in the Columbia River Basin celebrate the return of the salmon. It is part of an annual First Foods ceremony that honors the tribes’ Creation Story and their unique connection to the Pacific Northwest. This relationship has spanned thousands of years and hundreds of generations and their traditional First Foods give insight into how this coexistence between people and place has endured. Wednesday, Oct. 16 from 6:30-8:30pm at the Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River. $10 suggested donation. More information here.

WIC at NAYA (Portland): Receive information about Women, Infant and Children (WIC) services at the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA). Thursday, Oct. 17 from 1-4pm. Appointments, breastfeeding support, food package changes, answers to your questions and more. Call (503) 988-3503 to schedule an appointment; WALK-INS WELCOME and will be seen as time allows.

Applications for PCOSW scholarships and event co-sponsorships for winter term projects are now being accepted: The President’s Commission on the Status of Women provides funding to faculty, students, and staff who are pursuing professional development, research, outreach or creative projects related to women’s issues. Scholarships average $300 and are paid by reimbursement. Applications are due Friday, Nov. 1 (week 5), with notification two weeks later (week 7). Visit http://leadership.oregonstate.edu/pcosw/awards-scholarships for detailed guidelines, qualification requirements and application links. Questions? Contact Joy Jorgensen at joy.jorgensen@oregonstate.edu

DEI In the News

New ACT Test Options Could Help Disadvantaged Students (Insight Into Diversity)
The ACT exam will begin offering new options in September 2020 in an effort to make the standardized college admissions test more flexible for students, the nonprofit testing service announced on Tuesday.

New Role: Taking an Unblinking Look at a University’s Past (The Chronicle)
As colleges in several states struggle to reconcile their current values with their historic ties to slavery, one in Virginia took the unusual step of hiring a historian to explore that past.

Program gives underrepresented STEM undergraduates a boost (LIFE@OSU)
OSU STEM Leaders provides students with mentors, lab time.

Extension in the News

Tourism conference sparks conversation
The Astorian
The story helped kick off the biennial Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Conference, hosted by Oregon State University Extension Service and Oregon Sea Grant at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites.

Argus Observer
Some of these were presented during the Fall Cover Crops Tour hosted by Christy Tanner, Oregon State University Extension agent, on Monday, beginning with some crop trials she is conducting at the Malheur Experiment Station.
Ashland Tidings
“I didn’t hear any really big negatives. Some folks said the yield was light, others said the yield looked good,” said Rick Hilton, entomologist with the Oregon State University Extension Service in Central Point.

October 8, 2019

Posted on by

In this week’s issue:

Bright Spots

On Sept. 20, the Harvest Dinner at the North Willamette Research and Extension Center (NWREC) in Aurora brought together 300 local farmers, agricultural industry and business leaders, university faculty and elected officials — including Gov. Kate Brown — in Clackamas County. See more here.

Professional Development Fund

Next Application Deadline — November 1, 2019

The next quarterly deadline for the Extension Professional Development Fund is November 1st. Applications that will be considered must be submitted BEFORE the deadline and BEFORE the professional development opportunity.

“Growing the Fund”

Extension faculty and staff may help“GROW the Fund” at any time during the year. Keep the following in mind:

  • The principal of the OSU Extension Professional Development Fund is an endowment.
  • The earnings from the endowment feeds into the current-use-fund.
  • Each quarter, the amount in the current-use-fund pays for the professional development requests selected for funding.
  • The fund supports on average, about 100-160 different professional development opportunities a year.

The two ways individuals may currently contribute throughout the year are:

  • Through payroll deduction (deductions could range from $5.00 a month to any larger amount)
  • Through individual contributions (payable by check or credit card)
  • Either of these types of contributions may be processed on-line through the OSU Foundation at: http://www.osufoundation.org/s/359/foundation/index.aspx?sid=359&gid=34&pgid=4353
  • Contributions may be made to the endowment as you complete the on-line process.Be sure to note the following information when completing the on-line process: 6220-820450 OSU Extension Professional Development Fund.

Transport translations tool available

OSU Extension is committed to ensuring that all people, including those with Limited English Proficiency, have meaningful access to our programs and activities.

As part of our overall language access strategy, OSU Extension has contracted with Translations.com to provide a tool called Transport. It is an online translations platform you can use to submit documents for translation, or to get a price quote to help with program planning. Transport:

  • Is accessible via OSU ONID single-sign on
  • Routes for OSU budget authority approval
  • Saves historical information so we have better data on translation needs and costs across our organization

A Transport login link, user guide, and additional information are available on our language access resource page.

A brief demo and Q&A session will be offered (and recorded) on Friday, October 18 from 10am – 10:45am via Zoom video conference. Join here: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/192577911

Learn more about language access and see a preview of the Transport tool in the August Outreach & Engagement Quarterly Conversation.

Questions? Please contact Transport.Support@oregonstate.edu

Navigator Digital Strategy Update

Read the blog this week for Tips for program pages. Top 5 tips for program pages to save time and improve content.

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions, and if you have suggestions for content to include in Diversity Highlights.

Statewide Events & Resources

Decolonizing the Rhizosphere and Gut Microbiomes: Indigenous Agroecology, Heritage Cuisine, and Community Health 
On Wednesday, October 9, 4:00-5:30pm, in Memorial Union 109, Dr. Peña will discuss how food sovereignty and indigenous agroecology are pathways to the recovery of the health of the soil and the community. Drawing from his own work as a biodynamic farmer, he will discuss the history of indigenous soil knowledge and how these practices affect soil health and the nutrient density and quality of native crops. Decolonizing the root zone (rhizosphere) involves the resurgence of indigenous farming practices. Decolonizing the gut microbiome involves a commitment to care for soil and the self by eating more like our ancestors.

Mindfulness for Educators with Classroom Integration: This event will teach participants about the neuroscience of stress, resiliency, and why mindfulness is such a potent solution for today’s educator. Participants will learn an overview of current research to inform their practice, and walk away with activities they can implement right away within their existing classroom structure. Friday, Oct. 11, 8:15am – 2:30pm at the Abiqua Academy in Salem, OR. Register here.

Great Shake Out Resources for People with Disabilities: On October 17. 2019 at 10:17 am, the OSU community will join the rest of Oregon and the nation and Drop, Cover, and Hold-On for 60 seconds to simulate the response to an earthquake. View the Emergency Management event webpage for tips and guidance on how to stay safe during an earthquake with a disability or other access/functional needs.

DEI In the News

Want a More Diverse Campus? Start at the Top (The Chronicle)
When Nair, who’s Indian American, became president of Arcadia University last year, he was the only person of color in the executive cabinet. Now, less than a year and a half later, 40 percent of his team are people of color, and 60 percent are women. His governing board’s racial diversity has jumped by nearly 20 percent.

Women in STEM face unique challenges (Diversity Global)
Women accounted for nearly 28 percent of the workforce in science and engineering careers in 2015, according to the National Science Foundation. From 2005-’13, females consistently accounted for about 40 percent of all STEM majors at Marquette, according to the Office of Institutional Research and Analysis.

This artist’s subjects: Exonerated prisoners’ first taste of freedom (LA Times)
“Some years past, and we still have capital punishment,” Green said by phone from Corvallis, Ore., where the artist teaches at Oregon State University. “So I thought I should start this new project.”

Extension in the News

Battling the spruce aphid on the North Coast
The Astorian
“This is something that’s happening in our own backyards, in our own neighborhoods,” said Oregon State University Extension Forester Dan Stark, who organized an informational meeting held at the Bob Chisholm Community Center in September.

Youth groups: Finding the best fit for your child
East Oregonian
We’ll start with the big one in our agricultural-based economy: 4-H, which offers youth programs in every county in Eastern Oregon. Most people associate it with showing animals or projects at the county fair. Erin Hansell-Heideman, who works with 4-H Youth Development in Morrow County, says there’s much more to it.

Mice, other pests take their toll on crops, equipment
Capital Press
Javier Fernandez-Salvador, Oregon State University Extension small farm and berry assistant professor for Marion and Polk counties, has heard of berry farmers with full-time crews dedicated to checking and repairing drip irrigation where rodent damage is severe.

October 1, 2019

Posted on by

In this week’s issue:

Bright Spots

Lillian Larwood, a 35-year veteran of 4-H professional leadership, joins nine other Oregonians inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame since it began in 2002.

Larwood will be inducted along with 16 other individuals from around the country on Oct. 11 at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Read more about her great career here.

Communication and connection opportunities

Is there anything about which you are interested, curious, or concerned? Here are some ways to share and ask:

  • Online form to submit questions (Think of this like a virtual comment box.)
  • OSU Extension Slack workspace or informal communication and collaboration
  • Read ConnEXTion weekly, and contribute!
  • O&E blog with First Monday videos (Engage via the comment section!)
  • Outreach & Engagement Quarterly Conversations (Next: November 15, 2019)

Why ConnEXTion?

ConnEXTion is published weekly as a source of news, updates and dialogue. Submissions are welcome from all in Extension.

With your contributions, ConnEXTion can become our one-stop-shop for timely items of interest and help cut down on the many emails we all receive.

Over the years, ConnEXTion has evolved based on your feedback—in terms of format, publishing frequency, and types of content included. This will continue, and we welcome your questions and ideas anytime.

For major announcements and things that need to be sent right away, our email lists including the “OES State” are always an option.

We look forward to hearing from you! (Your colleagues do, too!)

Vaping Illnesses: Resources for Extension educators

In response to the national outbreak of severe lung illnesses associated with vaping and use of e-cigarettes, the Oregon Health Authority, is warning all Oregonians to not use vaping products or e-cigarettes.

Those who want to break their nicotine addiction or need help to stop vaping can visit https://smokefreeoregon.com, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, or see a health care provider about FDA-approved nicotine replacement and cessation options, such as skin patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, and medicines.

Here is additional educational information about vaping and e-cigarettes from the American Lung Association:

In the course of your Extension work, you may have opportunities to share this information with audiences who are outside of the usual health department reach.

For other questions, contact Marc Braverman, 541-737-1021, , or Marion Ceraso, 541-737-2663, marion.ceraso@oregonstate.edu

Navigator Digital Strategy Update

This week we respond to questions about how teams can maintain the quality of content on the Extension website by starting to discuss their content processes. Learn more about the three steps to get started and related tools in our post “The roadmap to taming the wild west of content quality.”

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions, and if you have suggestions for content to include in Diversity Highlights.

Statewide Events & Resources

I’ll Go with You Re-Launch: In solidarity with Trans, Nonbinary, and Gender-Conforming people on our campus, we will be relaunching our I’ll Go With You button campaign. Join in creating buttons and discussing what the I’ll Go With You campaign is and what it means to be a part of it. Wed. Oct. 2, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Centro Cultural Cezar Chavez on OSU’s Corvallis Campus. More information here.

Newport Pride Exploratory Committee: All are welcome to join an exploratory group forming to determine if we can pull off a Pride here in Newport – The Friendliest – in 2020. In addition to larger cities, many smaller Oregon communities now host a Pride celebration. Why not Newport? Let’s see what is possible for hosting a 2020 Pride. Sunday, Oct.  6 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Newport Public Library.

Teatro Milagro- Judge Torres: An immigrant. A dreamer. A survivor. This is the story of Xiomara Torres. Milta Ortiz’s Judge Torres recounts the inspiring story of one of Oregon’s finest judges, woven together with magic realism and Mayan folktales from her home of El Salvador. Friday, Oct. 4 from 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at OSU Cascades Campus Tykeson Hall, Room 111.

DEI In the News

Research shows acceptance is key to prevent suicide among LGBTQ people (Commonwealth Times)
LGBTQ youth are 40% less likely to attempt suicide if they have just one accepting adult in their lives, according to new survey data released by the Trevor Project.

4 Common Diversity And Inclusion Myths In The Workplace (Forbes)
Myth #4: D&I is a Human Resources responsibility. Reality: D&I should be a leadership priority and embraced by all. “CEOs and leaders must articulate a compelling vision, embedded with real accountability for delivery, and cascade down through middle management.”

Interview with an Expert: How PricewaterhouseCoopers Recruits for Diversity (Insight Into Diversity)
Having won numerous accolades for workplace diversity and inclusion, the company ranks sixth on a 2018 Universum list of most attractive employers.

Extension in the News

Infestation bugs Baker residents
Baker City Herald
After examining the Tweits’ close up photo, Silvia Rondon, a professor and extension entomologist specialist for Oregon State University, said the specimen was an immature bug rather than the adult that experts prefer when making an identification.

Molalla Log House relocated to Oregon City area
Molalla Pioneer
“We educate about the use of wood, and the Molalla Log House is the perfect example of bringing the past into the future here in Oregon and why managing our forests ties all that together,” said Peter Matzka, a forestry educator at Hopkins Demonstration Forest for the Oregon State University Extension Service.

September 24, 2019

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In this week’s issue:

Bright Spots

Master Gardeners are doing great things in our state, here is an example.

Navigator Digital Strategy Update

Some people are interested in what a CRM can do, but are curious how it really works. Here are some practical examples.

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions, and if you have suggestions for content to include in Diversity Highlights.

Statewide Events & Resources

Diversity & Cultural Engagement Welcome Week events: These events on the Corvallis campus include the Ettihad Welcome, Black Connect and more! Take advantage of these great opportunities to get to know your cultural resource centers during the week of 9/23-9/27.

Bend Language Institute Grand Opening: Friday, September 27 from 5-8. This is an opportunity to meet the Bend Language Institute team and other members of the Central Oregon community who are interested in different languages. Check out our their classroom space just inside the Mactek building at 416 NE Greenwood Ave, while enjoying tasty food and drinks.

Hood River Veterans Support Group: This group meets monthly on Fourth Tuesdays from 6 – 7:30pm at the Hood River Elks Lodge #1507. Gorge area Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel are invited to join, free of charge – no registration required – come as you are. You need not be an Elks member to attend.

Making Waves Podcast: “Making Waves” is a podcast created by OSU students Audrey Kadoya, Erica Suh, and Sophia Kea, that explores topics of identity, race, and the Asian and Pacific Islander experience. Listen to this podcast (and others!) on OSU’s KBRV radio station webpage.

DEI In the News

SNAP moved 3.1 million people out of poverty in 2018 (Census.gov)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reduced poverty by just over 1 percentage point for the three-year period from 2016 to 2018, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau today.

Inside a New Effort to Change What Schools Teach About Native American History (Smithsonian)
A new curriculum from the American Indian Museum brings greater depth and understanding to the long-misinterpreted history of indigenous culture.

Canadian workplaces: The most welcoming in the world (CNBC)
The results, published Tuesday, detailed that Canada’s strength stemmed from female representation at senior levels, as well as the majority of Canadians believing their employers were actively pursuing a more diverse and open workplace.

Extension in the News

A great collaborative’: Event puts poverty in the foreground with goal to reduce it
Argus Observer
The Poverty Simulation is sponsored by Oregon State University Extension Service in Malheur County, TVCC, Malheur Education Service District and Four Rivers Healthy Community and the Oregon Department of Human Services.

Lessons in the woods: Sixth-graders participate in 56th annual Klamath County Forestry Tour
Herald and News
Daniel Leavell, an Oregon State University forestry professor who works with the OSU Klamath Basin Research and Extension Center, said the event provides students with knowledge about the forests they use for camping, hunting and fishing.

Horneck events benefit 4-H programs, Funland Park rebuild
East Oregonian
In addition to donating proceeds to Umatilla County 4-H, money also will go to Hermiston’s Funland Park rebuild project.

Oregon wine continues to rise in sales, production
Capital Press
Steve Renquist, extension agent for Oregon State University in Douglas County, said the bulk of newly planted acres in the Umpqua Valley do not appear to be coming from new growers, but rather existing businesses that are expanding their capacity.

After school program teaches elementary, middle school students skills in the kitchen
The News-Review
Oregon State University Extension Service and the Mercy Foundation have teamed up to teach cooking skills to students in schools where more than half of the students qualify for reduced cost or free lunches.

September 17, 2019

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In this week’s issue:

Transport translations tool available

OSU Extension is committed to ensuring that all people, including those with Limited English Proficiency, have meaningful access to our programs and activities.

As part of our overall language access strategy, OSU Extension has contracted with Translations.com to provide a tool called Transport. It is an online translations platform you can use to submit documents for translation, or to get a price quote to help with program planning. Transport:

  • Is accessible via OSU ONID single-sign on
  • Routes for OSU budget authority approval
  • Saves historical information so we have better data on translation needs and costs across our organization

A Transport login link, user guide, and additional information are available on our language access resource page.

A brief demo and Q&A session will be offered (and recorded) on Friday, October 18 from 10am – 10:45am via Zoom video conference. Join here: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/192577911

Learn more about language access and see a preview of the Transport tool in the August Outreach & Engagement Quarterly Conversation.

Questions? Please contact Transport.Support@oregonstate.edu

Brand font change: Rufina Stencil is discontinued

After careful consideration, University Marketing has decided to discontinue use of the brand font, Rufina Stencil. OSU’s commitment to equal opportunities and access for all is in direct contrast to a font that many have found to be difficult to read and inaccessible. The replacement for Rufina Stencil is Georgia, an elegant serif font known for its legibility and clarity at small sizes and on digital displays. Georgia is a systems font available in Microsoft Word. Over the coming weeks, OSU and Extension typography on the web and downloadable brand templates will reflect this change. Please make the shift to the Georgia font as you create new communication materials. Contact Ann Marie Murphy if you have concerns or questions.

Navigator Digital Strategy Update

Here are some tips for writing content for county pages. We will be collaborating with each county on developing their county pages.

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions, and if you have suggestions for content to include in Diversity Highlights.

Statewide Events & Resources

Disability Access Services Open House (Corvallis Campus): Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1-4 p.m. Visit A200 Kerr Admin to play with technology and our Testing Center on the 3rd floor of Heckart Lodge to get a tour. Learn about services, technology, see the facilities, meet the staff, and ask questions.

Third Thursday Veterans Coffee Club in Salem: Join us every third Thursday for a casual cup o’ joe and camaraderie in a safe place to share your military memories. Jokes, photos and artifacts are always welcome. You’ll find support and friends at the B-17 Alliance Veterans Coffee Club. This coffee club is free open to all veterans and to those who wish to honor our veterans. Coffee Club is held at the B-17 Alliance Museum & Restoration Hangar in Salem, every third Thursday of the month from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Portland Queer Film Festical 2019: Now in its 23rd year, the Portland Queer Film Festival (PDXQ) takes place September 20 – 26, 2019 at Portland’s historic Cinema 21. The festival showcases feature, documentary and short films from all over the world that are made by, about or of interest to the Queer community.

Introduction to Transgender Health for Health Professionals: The OHSU Transgender Health Program faculty and staff are offering “An Introduction to Transgender Health for Medical and Mental Health Professionals” to learn about gender affirming care across the lifespan. The target audience includes primary care and specialty physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and mental health providers. Saturday, Sept. 21, 8am – 5pm at the OHSU Robertson Life Sciences Building. For registration, fees and detailed agenda, visit the registration link.

DEI in the News

A nation of neighbors (Source Weekly)
“We have more diversity in our community than a lot of people realize,” Rook, who works in educational equity at Oregon State University-Cascades, said. “I think it’s really commonplace to talk about how un-diverse or white Bend is—and certainly there are plenty of white people in Bend. But we do have significant communities … folks who are not white, not straight, not English as their first language.”

Cradle-to-Prison Pipeline Becomes Cradle-to-College Pathway Under Groups’ Efforts (Insight Into Diversity)
A crucial part of clearing the pathway to college is reducing exclusionary discipline policies at K-12 schools. Such policies include suspending students for long periods of time, often for vague and highly subjective infractions. Underrepresented groups who are disproportionately targeted by punitive discipline include Black and Brown youth, children with disabilities, foster youth, LGBTQ individuals, girls of color, English language learners (ELLs), children with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and poor children.

The Women Leading Power Five Athletic Departments (NY Times)
Women make up close to half of college athletes, but only a few are athletic directors in America’s wealthiest and most powerful sports conferences. Of the 65 colleges in the nation’s most powerful sports conferences, only four have women leading the athletic department.

Extension in the News

Evaluating pollinators for abundance and diversity
Western Farmer-Stockman
The study’s findings have value because both pollen abundance and diversity are critical for colony growth and survival of the honeybee, says Ramesh Sagili, the study corresponding author and an OSU associate professor of apiculture and honeybee Extension specialist.

Cruising through school
Newport News Times
“This is the third year we’ve been out doing this research cruise,” said Tracy Crews, Oregon Sea Grant’s marine education program manager. “We take out high school students, community college students to work with graduate students and researchers here at Oregon State University.”

September 10, 2019

Posted on by

In this week’s issue:

LDPE Application Still Open

It’s time for sixth cohort of the Leadership Development Program for Executives (LDPE). We are currently accepting applications for the 2019/20 cohort. The application details and program outline are available here; program requirements available here. The deadline is September 15th.

The application must include a brief biography and reference letters from the following three people, which speak to your suitability and interest in this program:
1) Immediate Supervisor
2) Program Leader or Unit Director
3) A Peer
Notes: If your immediate supervisor is also your unit director, only two letters are required. Letters can be attached to the application or sent in separately.

LDPE is a unique and collaborative leadership program for employees within the Extension Service, Ecampus, and the College of Agricultural Sciences. The year-long program includes facilitated workshops, interpersonal assessments, executive mentoring, peer-coaching, book clubs, projects, and more!

Please let Amanda Bielenberg-Hayes or Jeff Sherman know if you have any questions about the program or application process.

Navigator Digital Strategy Update

Regional trainings this week:

Central Region:
Sept. 17 (Tue.), Wasco County Office (The Dalles)
Sept 18 (Wed.), Deschutes County Office (Redmond)

Check our blog for a training coming to your area in September and October.

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions, and if you have suggestions for content to include in Diversity Highlights.

Statewide Events & Resources

10th Annual Neerchokikoo Powwow: This (free and open to the public) celebration honors partners, volunteers, and donors whose contributions to the Native American Youth and Family Center’s work has enhanced the lives of our youth, families and elders over the past year. Saturday, September 14 from 1:00pm – 11:00pm at the NAYA Family Center in Portland.

Disability Access Services Open House: Participate in the DAS open house in Kerr and play with technology, as well as tour the Testing Center in Heckart Lodge. Learn about services, technology, see the facilities, meet the staff, and ask questions. Corvallis Campus, Sept. 18, 1-4 p.m., Heckart Lodge third floor.

LGBTQ Veterans: Cultural Considerations for an Intersectional Community: People in the LGBTQ community serve in the military at a higher rate than the general population and face a multitude of disparate outcomes based both on their military service and membership in the LGBTQ community. Join Nathaniel Boehme, MA, MSW, Oregon’s LGBTQ Veterans Coordinator for a conversation on cultural considerations for this unique community. 2 sessions on Tues., Sept. 24. AM: 9:30 – noon and PM: 1:00 – 3:30, both at the Benton County Sunset Building in Corvallis. Use password: SunsetConference1 for FREE registration. Seats are limited. 

In the News

The two-spirit, queer, disabled scholar making waves (The Advocate)

The 43-year-old is director of graduate studies and the queer studies curriculum organizer in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Oregon State University. Still, Driskill makes it a point to say, “I think that all labor is collective. I’m proud of my accomplishments, particularly if they’re useful to other people, but they’re reflections of elders, friends, families, movements, and communities to which I’m grateful.”

Plantation tours talk more honestly about slavery, receive pushback from visitors (Washington Post)
From Monticello in Virginia to McLeod in South Carolina, a push to deal more honestly with the brutal realities of slavery has generated a backlash but also drawn new visitors.

As rising heat bakes U.S. cities, the poor often feel it most (NPR)
Hotter neighborhoods tend to be poorer in dozens of major U.S. cities. That extra heat can have serious health effects for those living there.

Extension in the news

OSU Extension: Drink water your flavor-ite way
Hood River News
Many refillable water bottles are now insulated to keep water cold all day long. Some of our favorite infused water combinations at Oregon State University Extension Service are blueberry mint, orange basil and kiwi lime. It is fun and easy to experiment with new flavor combinations!

To help bees through lean times, plant a variety of blooms
RFD-TV
“People may run into city ordinances if they let their yards grow wild, so make them functional,” said Andony Melathopoulos, a bee specialist with Oregon State University Extension. “Make them into an attractive feature of your landscape while also making them into better pollinator habitat.”

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September 3, 2019

Posted on by

In this week’s issue:

LDPE Application Open

It’s time for sixth cohort of the Leadership Development Program for Executives (LDPE). We are currently accepting applications for the 2019/20 cohort. The application details and program outline are available here; program requirements available here. The deadline is September 15th.

The application must include a brief biography and reference letters from the following three people, which speak to your suitability and interest in this program:
1) Immediate Supervisor
2) Program Leader or Unit Director
3) A Peer
Notes: If your immediate supervisor is also your unit director, only two letters are required. Letters can be attached to the application or sent in separately.

LDPE is a unique and collaborative leadership program for employees within the Extension Service, Ecampus, and the College of Agricultural Sciences. The year-long program includes facilitated workshops, interpersonal assessments, executive mentoring, peer-coaching, book clubs, projects, and more!

Please let Amanda Bielenberg-Hayes or Jeff Sherman know if you have any questions about the program or application process.

OSU Juntos Family Day Video Available

On May 11, OSU Open Campus Juntos and student leaders from Mi Familia Weekend came together to host Juntos Family Day, welcoming more than 1500 Latinx students and family members from across the state to experience Oregon State University’s college and career opportunities, resources, and family support! Thank you to our partners, sponsors, donors, and volunteers that made this event a success. Watch our video to learn more about what this incredible day means to our families and to our university.

Navigator Digital Strategy Update

In celebration of Labor Day, there’s no blog post this week, but take a moment and visit a place on the Extension website you have never looked before. See the hard work that someone outside your sphere is doing as part of Extension’s mission. Then leave your Extension colleagues a comment in the feedback area to let them know your thoughts. Thanks!

Diversity Highlights

Please contact analu.fonseca@oregonstate.edu with any questions, and if you have suggestions for content to include in Diversity Highlights.

Statewide Events & Resources

Census Data Visualization tools: Visit the Census Interactive Gallery and Infographics and Visualizations pages for information and insight about our communities.

Student Veterans Networking Event: OSU Cascades
Please join us for Hawaiian food, Aloha music, lawn games and meet your fellow student veterans. It’s an opportunity for you to prepare for the Fall term and to make sure that all your beavers are in a row. All new and continuing veterans, dependents and their families are invited. RSVP is required. Please email veterans@osucascades.edu to RSVP. Friday, September 13 at 1:00pm – 4:00pm at Tykeson Hall.

Black Connect, Welcome Event: Come kick off the new year at the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center in Corvallis. Learn about services, programs, and meet other new students. Wednesday, September 25 at 5:00pm – 7:00pm.

Ettihad Welcome Event:  Come kick off the new year at the Ettihad Cultural Center. Learn about services, programs, and meet other new students. Friday, September 27 at 1:00pm – 3:00pm

In the News

How to create a garden that’s accessible to all (Oregonian)
“We all have challenges if we live long enough,” said Corinne Thomas-Kersting, a retired speech-language pathologist and five-year Oregon State University Extension Service Master Gardener. “We have different challenges. Even when you’re young and healthy there are things to do to prevent future disabilities.”

Extension in the news

Research shows that PE in schools can be life-changing
East Oregonian
Elementary schools are expected to start providing 120 of those minutes this year. That’s where Angie Treadwell, SNAP-Ed coordinator for Oregon State University Extensions, comes in.

To help bees through lean times, plant a variety of blooms
The Washington Post
“People may run into city ordinances if they let their yards grow wild, so make them functional,” said Andony Melathopoulos, a bee specialist with Oregon State University Extension. “Make them into an attractive feature of your landscape while also making them into better pollinator habitat.”

OSU names interim director for Hermiston research station
Capital Press
Clive Kaiser, horticulture professor and Umatilla County extension agent for OSU in Milton-Freewater, will take over as interim director at HAREC beginning Sept. 3.