In this issue:

  • Graduate Student Commons in fall term
  • Graduate writing groups signup
  • GRAD courses this fall
  • Graduate School IT open office hours
  • Writing a Scientific Paper in the Biological Sciences
  • Introduction to Research Data Management Planning
  • Graduate Health Plan information session
  • National Student Parent Month
  • DOE's Office of Science research opportunity
  • K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award call for nominations
  • Beaver Community Fair
  • Career Summit for Master's Students

Graduate Student Commons this fall

The Graduate Student Commons is a place for graduate students on the sixth floor of the OSU Valley Library. The GSC also offers online services for students at a distance. Here's a list of what you can find and do at the GSC. Visit the website to make reservations.

  • Study in the comfortable Reading Room, at a single study table, or at a group table (movable dry erase boards available)
  • Reserve a small meeting room (dry erase board and monitor equipped)
  • Reserve the 24-seat classroom for a committee meeting, gathering, presentation practice or lecture (online meeting capabilities)
  • Borrow a laptop for up to 10 weeks
  • Reserve a research room for a whole term
  • Use a computer with a variety of computational and statistical software preloaded
  • Meet with a counselor from the Graduate Writing Center
  • Get free statistical advice from the Department of Statistics

Appointments for support services at the Grad Commons run week 2 through week 10.

Graduate Writing Center support - Graduate Writing Consultants are available for one-on-one or written feedback sessions. Please make an appointment to schedule a time. Available all year long.

Statistics short format consulting - Stats got you stuck? Online consulting is available for students working on projects. Get help designing your study or analyzing your data. To learn more and sign up for a consultation, please visit the statistics consulting website. Consultations will take place 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays at the Graduate Student Commons. If you are more comfortable meeting with the consultants remotely, please email Peter Boyd to request a Zoom meeting link after reserving a time on the calendar. Offered fall, winter, and spring terms.

CAPS single session clinic for graduate students - The Single Session Clinic has moved to virtual format. Learn more on the SSC website.

Head over to our Instagram account to check out the GSC and GWC. Questions? Please contact [email protected].


Writing groups from the Graduate Writing Center

As a member of a graduate writing group, you will spend an hour and a half each week with consultants from the Graduate Writing Center. Activities for each week vary based on students' needs, but mainly focus on guided peer review of your own writing, individual writing time, and conversations about scholarly writing.

Register here for all fall term writing groups.

Master's Writing Groups

  • Writing Group I: Mondays, 3–4:30 p.m. with Chris Nelson, in person
  • Writing Group II: Tuesdays at 3–4:30 p.m. with Valerie Goodness, remote

Ph.D. Writing Groups

  • Writing Group I: Tuesdays at 3–4:30 p.m. with Chris Nelson, in person
  • Writing Group II: Mondays at 10:15–11:45 a.m. with Adam Haley, remote
  • Writing Group III: Fridays at 10:15–11:45 a.m. with Adam Haley, remote

A Kaku-Ixt Mana Ina Haws Writing Group: TBD. The Ina Haws Writing Group provides space for Indigenous graduate students to collectively work on writing projects, receive feedback as needed from peers and Graduate Writing Center consultants, and create a sense of community.


Cross-discipline GRAD courses this fall

GRAD courses are available to students in all disciplines.

GRAD 516: Graduate Teaching Seminar

This is a 1-credit, just-in-time pedagogy and teaching support course for Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) at Oregon State University. This course will provide support for GTAs and other graduate students across OSU's academic disciplines who teach site-based, hybrid, and online courses. The course focuses on evidence-based pedagogical practices with an emphasis on practical strategies and problem-solving, and will be tuned to graduate students' needs and the classes they are instructing. View GRAD 516 in the Schedule of Classes.

GRAD 520: Responsible Conduct of Research

Fall term, 2 credits, Corvallis and online

Covers 10 topics in responsible conduct of research: ethical decision making; human subjects; animal welfare; data acquisition, sharing and ownership; research misconduct; conflicts of interest; authorship; peer review; mentor/trainee responsibilities; and collaborative science. Weekly writing assignments. Useful to all students who conduct scholarly activity. Provides transcript-visible training in research ethics relevant to the Graduate Learning Outcome established by Faculty Senate to be able to conduct scholarly and professional activities in an ethical manner. View GRAD 520 in the Schedule of Classes.

GRAD 550: Introduction to Online Course Development and Facilitation

Fall term, 2 credits, online

Prepares students to develop and teach distance courses. Students explore practical aspects of course development and facilitation: a brief history of distance education and pedagogical theory; course design principles; engagement of adult learners; active learning; and investigation of how online instruction, besides offering flexibility and convenience, also offers distinct pedagogical benefits. Open to students in all disciplines. View GRAD 550 in the Schedule of Classes.


Graduate School IT open office hours

Are you having a technical issue with a Graduate School service, page or form? Are you a current Oregon State student, faculty or staff? Join us for real-time help.

When: Every Thursday, 9 to 10:30 a.m. (PT)
Where: https://beav.es/GS-Help


From our partners

MB 699 Writing a Scientific Paper in the Biological Sciences

This class is for graduate students in any biological, agricultural, and natural resource science who have completed research and data analysis and are ready to write a journal article for publication. As a model, you will choose a specific scientific journal in your field that is an appropriate outlet for your research. This course will take you through all the stages of preparing an article to submit to your chosen journal. You will have a solid draft by the end of the class. 2 credits, TR 3–4:50 p.m., Corvallis, CRN: 18357, pass/no pass.


Introduction to Research Data Management Planning

Do you create or use data in your research? Looking for tips and tools to better help you manage and share your data? The OSU Library is offering Introduction to Research Data Management Planning, an asynchronous online workshop for OSU community members. The fall workshop is Oct. 10–13. Register at https://beav.es/ot3.


Graduate Health Plan information session

If you have Graduate Health Plan questions, make plans to stop by their drop-in session where benefits team members can answer your questions. Light refreshments will be served. Visit the event page to learn more. Add to your calendar.

When: 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Sept. 21
Where: Memorial Union, Room 13


National Student Parent Month

September is National Student Parent Month and the Family Resource Center welcomes parenting students to campus and supports their unique parenting student journey through the following programs and services:

  • Child care assistance funds
  • Family Resource Center student scholarship fund
  • Campus based full time early care and education centers
  • Free short-term campus child and youth care
  • CCAMPIS (Child Care Access Means Parents in School) funding
  • Lactation rooms, parking permits and Milk Stork breastmilk shipping service
  • Weekly student parent connections
  • Advocacy and special events
  • Individualized support as needed

Visit their website to learn how to access these services and programs.


DOE's Office of Science is now accepting applications for Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Awards

The SCGSR program supports awards to outstanding U.S. graduate students to conduct part of their graduate thesis research at a DOE national laboratory or host site in collaboration with a DOE laboratory scientist with the goal of preparing graduate students for scientific and technical careers critically important to the DOE Office of Science mission. Applications are due at 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. Learn more.


Call for nominations: K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award

The K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Awards recognize graduate students who show exemplary promise as future leaders of higher education and who are committed to academic innovation in the areas of equity, community engagement, and teaching and learning. All nomination materials must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on Sept. 30, 2022.

All doctoral-level graduate students who are planning a career in higher education are eligible, regardless of academic discipline. Graduate students in fields where the master's degree is the terminal degree, such as the MFA in art, are also eligible. The K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Awards provide full financial support for recipients to attend AAC&U's Annual Meeting, which will be held from January 18–20, 2023. Learn more.


Beaver Community Fair 2022

Registration is open for the Beaver Community Fair. Annually, the Fair draws together the OSU and greater Corvallis communities to celebrate the start of the academic year. This year's event will be Sept. 30, noon to 4 p.m., in the Memorial Quad & SEC Plaza. Event information. Questions? Contact [email protected].


2022 Career Summit for Master's Students by Beyond Graduate School

When: Sept. 26–30
Where: Register for the summit

Job searching while completing your master's can feel like a huge, daunting task.

During this online career summit you will learn:

  1. How to create a job search plan while managing graduate school
  2. How to find the right role and organization for you
  3. How to pitch yourself to employers
  4. And how to job search during a recession

This career summit will help you build a foundation for your job search. Beginning your career planning early means that you set the foundation for success in your job search without the overwhelm and stress that will inevitably come if you wait until graduation.