Timberland Investment

On Tuesday Nov 8th we will have Clark Binkley visiting the college, and he will give a presentation on “Institutional Investment in Timberland:  Past, Present and Future”.  The talk will be at 3:00pm in the afternoon in Richardson Hall 107. 

Clark will talk about what “institutional investment” is, why institutions invest in timberland, a brief history of institutional investment and the TIMOs who support it, and finally what the future looks like, both from the perspective of those working in it and what it means for the forest landscape in the US.  Clark was Dean of the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia for 8 years, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of the Hancock Timber Resource Group, and is now Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of GreenWood Resources, Inc.

A reception follows.

Advising for Winter term

Now’s the time to start thinking about visiting your advisor for winter term planning.  Many advisors have already sent out emails to ONID accounts explaining how to go about scheduling an advising appointment.  So, be sure to read your ONID email!  If you haven’t yet heard from your advisor send a message or stop by his or her office.  You’ll need to set up an advising appointment and the sooner the better!   If you don’t know when you’re eligible for Phase 1 registration, check Online Student Services.  Your first eligable registration date is listed in the “Registration” section.  If you’re a FOM, FE, or FE/CE student and don’t remember who your advisor is, visit the FERM Department Office in Peavy 204.

OSU Career Fairs!

CAREER FAIRS are ALMOST HERE!  You won’t want to miss out on this great opportunity!  190 Employers will be here recruiting Beavers (YOU!) for both jobs AND internships!  Plus, we have 15 exciting prizes you could win if you attend the Career Fair!

WEDNESDAY, October 26th: ALL MAJORS CAREER FAIR
11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., CH2M Hill Alumni Center

THURSDAY, October 27th: ENGINEERING FAIR
11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., CH2M Hill Alumni Center

For more information about the employers attending, and how you can prepare for the Career Fair, please click here.  Also check out our blog, here for our Tip of the day, to help you prepare!

Please note that most employers attending are recruiting all majors.  No matter your major, there are opportunities for you!  We would also love to have you join us for our upcoming workshops, listed below. 

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS:October 24, 2011 at 3pm-4pm, Kerr Administration Bldg. – B008
Success at the Career Fair –
for more information please click HERE

October 25, 2011 at 12pm-1pm, Kerr Administration Bldg. – B008
How to Ace Your Job Interview  –
for more information please click HERE

If you have any questions about the Career Fairs or the upcoming Workshops, give us a call at 541-737-4085, or e-mail us at career.services@oregonstate.edu.

SAF Student Chapter Job Fair

The annual SAF Student Chapter Job Fair is not too far away.  Mark your calendars now for Tuesday, February 7, 2012 and plan to be there!  As always, the fair will take place in the 3 “knuckles” or lobbies of Richardson Hall.  We usually see around 30 companies/agencies from around the state and region.  What can you do now to prepare?  Well, I’m glad you asked!  Visit Career Services in the Kerr Admin Building for help in preparing or improving your resume.  You may already have a resume but maybe you want to consider alternate or more noteworthy ways to visibly show your skills and experiences.  Or perhaps you don’t have a resume or much job experience.  Career Services can help you highlight your education, transferrable skills, and extra-curricular activities in such a way that your abilities stand out over your lack of employment history.  It’s worth a trip to Kerr.  But, here’s a hint, don’t go unprepared!  Draft out a resume that you can work from.  Be sure to list any jobs you’ve had, any special certificates, awards, etc. you’ve earned including scholarships, sports you’ve played, clubs you’ve joined especially if you’ve had a leadership role…you get the idea.  Career Services also offers mock interview workshops and cover letter assistance.  It’s nearly too good to be true and way too good to pass up!  So, make way over to Kerr and get yourself prepared for the SAF Job Fair!

What can you expect from the job fair?
There will be tables or booths set up in the RH lobbies for each employer.  They’ll have displays, information, and representatives ready to talk to all interested students.  They may also be conducting interviews that same day or later in the week.  They may want your resume. 

What do potential employers expect of you?
First and foremost, employers will expect you to present yourself and behave professionally.  And while that doesn’t just mean LOOKING professional it doesn’t hurt to mention here that you should NOT wear jeans and a t-shirt to the job fair.  Rather, dress as you would for an interview – and for lack of an easier way to describe it, the term “business casual” will generally suffice for the job fair.  They will also expect you to be prepared with your resume in hand.  They will expect you to have questions and show interest in their organization.  They will want you to know your schedule so that if they offer you an interview you can set up a time without hesitation.  They will expect you to speak clearly and competently (no slang, “likes,” “you knows,” “OMGs” or other texting jargon, etc.).  And while you might never think of it they’ll expect you to have a confident handshake – no limp fish at the job fair!  And don’t forget to smile!  Need more guidance?  Visit Career Services for the full array of assistance!

What the heck is S/U and P/N grading?

 P/N Grading
This grading system is determined by the instructor of the course and is used for enrichment or skill-building courses such internships or seminars where credit is available.  You CANNOT elect to take a class Pass/No Credit, instead selected courses will be available only as P/N.  As a bonus, P/N classes do not affect your GPA.  

If you are concerned about your performance in a class but perhaps you’re still doing well enough that WITHDRAWAL is not warranted,  you should talk with your advisor about S/U grading which, when used strategically, can help to preserve your GPA and, if you earn a S (Satisfactory) will still give you a passing score for a required class.

S/U Grading
S/U stands for Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading.  The last day to change your grading status in a class from the standard A-F grading to S/U is Friday, November 11.  If you want to do this, visit the Student Services Office in Peavy 140 and ask for a Change of Grading Basis form.  Fill it out and take it to your advisor for the required signature.  You CANNOT take a class for your major on the S/U system.  Also remember that if a Baccalaureate Core class is counted towards your major, that can’t be taken on an S/U basis either.  There is a university limit of 36 credits that can be taken  S/U.  Your best bet, talk with your advisor!  They’re here to help!

This week’s photo is by Luke Pangle of the South Sister. 

Volunteers Needed – Cutthroat Trout Migration Study

In lieu of telling you all about the S/U and P/N grading procedures, I want to bring you news of this this awesome opportunity.  Check back next week for info on when and how to S/U a class.

The Long Tom Watershed Council is recruiting volunteers to assist us with our cutthroat trout migration study again this year. We will be checking traps three days a week: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Volunteers can commit to 1 day every 1-2 weeks to tag trout in the Ferguson Creek area near Monroe/Junction City. The tagging season will go from November through about the end of May. If people who are interested don’t know if they can commit for the entire season yet, they should still feel free to contact me and see where they might be able to fit in. There is also a mandatory training session on Saturday, November 5 at one of the tagging sites in the Ferguson Creek area.

Last year, we had a really great presence from OSU, and we’d love to recruit some students again this year! This is a really great opportunity for people looking for field experience–the volunteers really enjoyed it last year.

Anyone interested should contact me at 541-338-7060 or operations@longtom.org by Friday, October 28. The response was great last year, so people should contact me soon if to make sure they fill an open slot.

Rob Hoshaw
Operations Manager
Long Tom Watershed Council
751 S. Danebo Ave.
Eugene, Oregon 97402
*NEW OFFICE NUMBER: 541-338-7060
operations at longtom dot org

Drop vs. Withdrawal

What’s the difference between a drop and a withdrawal from a class? 
Well, first of all it’s the deadline.  You may DROP a class through the second week of the term.  For Fall term that’s this coming Friday, October 7th.  If you drop a class by this deadline, the class effectively disappears from your transcript as though you never registered for it and if tuition or course fees were assessed, they will be reimbursed to your student account.    You may WITHDRAWAL from a class through the seventh week of the term.  For Fall term that’s Friday, November 11th.  If you withdraw from a class by this deadline, you receive a “W” on your transcript.  The credits for that class are removed/subtracted from your overall total credits earned for the term and there is no effect on your GPA.  Note, these credits still count in your “attempted” credits and count towards maximum credits allowed for financial aid purposes.   So, you should consider these things if you are receiving financial aid and need to be a full time student.   

Why would you choose one over the other? 
Well, perhaps you realize you are in over your head in a class (either you’re not prepared for the material or you’re taking a lot of classes this term or you’re working a lot or…) and it’s before the DROP deadline.  First you should talk with your advisor to make sure dropping won’t put you behind or delay entry into another class or… but if you DROP the class before this Friday (October 7th) your account will be credited if it changes your tuition assessment level. 

If you miss the DROP deadline and find you just can’t make it through a class for any number of reasons (again you really need to speak to your advisor before you make any final decision on withdrawing from a class) you can strategically use WITHDRAWAL to maintain an acceptable GPA and plan to take the class again (or perhaps a different class that meets the requirement) when you’re more prepared or have adequate time in your schedule.  Your GPA is protected from poor performance in that class and as long as at the end of the term you successfully complete 67% of the total number of credits your originally registered for you will have met the requirement for continuing financial aid.    

How do I DROP or WITHDRAWAL?
Both functions are available through Student Online Services.  However, before you do either, speak with your advisor to make sure you have the full story and aren’t putting yourself into a negative situation for future registration/course enrollment.

What do I do if I have a HOLD on my record?
If you have a HOLD on your record that would prevent you from DROPPING or WITHDRAWING from a course, you should visit the Registrar’s Office in the Kerr Admin Building for assistance as the staff there can administratively drop or withdraw you from a course(s).
What other strategies for achieving or maintaining academic success are out there?  Tune in next week to learn about S/U and P/N grading!

Welcome to Fall term 2011!

Welcome new students and welcome back continuing students!    We hope you had a great summer!   Things will get underway quickly this term so here are a few important dates to remember:

October 2 – Last day to add a class via the web without departmental approval
October 5 – Tution bills mailed to ONID email accounts
October 7 – Last day to apply for graduation
October 7 – Last day to drop a class via the web

Remember that the Student Services Office in Peavy 140 can be a great resource for you if you have questions, need academic advice, or are otherwise lost.  And if you stop by today – we have free homemade cookies!

Have a great term!

Fall term begins next week!

Are you dreading the thought of getting up for that 8am class on Monday?  Where did summer go?  And if you stayed in Corvallis, when did it even arrive?  Never-the-less, Fall term starts in just a few days.  We here in the Student Services Office are happy to have you all back and hope you had a great vacation.  If you traveled or worked at a really awesome job this summer, let us know about it!  This year we want to spotlight student activities in the Fernhopper Newsletter and on our website so please contact Elijah at forestrystudentservices@oregonstate.edu and tell him your summer story. 

Have you fully succumbed to the brain-drain that summer brings and forgotten to register for Fall classes?  If so, stop by Student Services in Peavy 140 at 2pm on Monday, September 26th and we’ll help you get going for the term. 

Those of you who are required to complete 6 months of work experience as a graduation requirement and worked at an applicable job this summer – please don’t forget to stop by Peavy 140 to pick up a Work Experience Form.  We’ll use the information on this form to send an evaluation to your supervisor which will then be reviewed by your advisor and your work experience recorded in MyDegrees.  This is super important!  Don’t delay! 

Upcoming Events:

Clubs Day, October 6th 9:30-11:30am in the Peavy Courtyard.  You’ll have the chance to meet forestry student club officers, learn what’s on the agenda for the year, and get connected so you can attend the next meeting.

Graduation, Summer, Vacation…

Congratulations graduates!  Best of luck to you in all your future endeavors.

Students, enjoy your summers!  Don’t forget to fill out your work experience forms when you arrive back on campus in the fall.  Where can you get those forms?  Why, the Student Services Office in Peavy 140.

The Fernhopper Blog will be on vacation for the summer.  We’ll post again as Fall term nears.  Meanwhile, if you have any questions contact us at 541-737-1594.