BEAVER FAMILY NEWSLETTER

Photo of family posing durign Commencement

Dear OSU parents and family members,

Welcome to the first quarterly edition of Oregon State University Alumni Association’s (OSUAA) Parent and Family Newsletter. This newsletter supports the newly launched Parent and Family engagement ‘hub,’ where you can easily access key news, resources and opportunities pertaining to your student and OSU.

VISIT THE HUB

The Parent and Family Engagement Program is intended to connect you with OSU and fellow Beaver families as you learn how to best support your student throughout their academic journey. With your input and involvement, we will showcase a wide range of topics around what it means to be an OSU parent/family member during this exciting time in your Beaver’s life. Also, be sure to review more details below about our newly forming Parent and Family Council, one of the keystones of this new program.

We encourage you to reach out to us with ideas and information to support upcoming editions of our newsletter and events, spread the word through your social media networks and, if you feel inclined, apply to join the Parent and Family Council. I look forward to meeting you over the course of the academic year.

Warm regards and GO BEAVS!

Julie Schwartz
Senior Director, Parent and Family Engagement Program

Family of three signing the large OSU letters

Apply for OSU’s new Parent and Family Council

Calling all proud Beaver parents/families... do you want to be an active participant in your student’s success? If you have a current OSU student, we encourage you to apply for our new Parent and Family Council! The Parent and Family Council will meet twice a year (hybrid model with both in-person and digital options) around Parent and Family Weekends sponsored by the Office of Student Orientation.

The first meeting with be held over Fall Family Weekend on Nov. 12, and will feature answers to your top questions from a panel of campus experts. The meeting will be followed by an informal reception at the OSU Alumni Center for those of you who are able to attend in person. (Bonus: your student is invited to attend with you!) Look for more information soon or email Julie Schwartz for more details.

APPLY TODAY
Photo of student working on laptop in a campus setting

BEaver KIND—See how OSU alumni are brightening your student’s day!

A few words of encouragement makes all the difference for your Beaver. Earlier this year, we asked alumni to share brief inspirational messages with OSU students. The result? Nearly 200 alumni, friends and parents have supported this initiative with almost 220 notes.

Plus, we’re ensuring your Beaver is fully set up for success by creating easy access to key campus resources.

READ THE INSPIRATIONAL NOTES AND VIEW RESOURCES
Photo of person reading a book while sitting on a bench outside

Beaver book recommendation for new OSU parents/families

“Out to Sea: A Parents’ Survival Guide to the Freshman Voyage” by Kelly Radi

Leaving the nest is a major transition for all involved. That’s why we highly recommend this easy-to-read, informative guidebook that acknowledges that the college transition can be stressful and emotional for both students and their parents. With warmth, humor and real-world advice, the author covers such things as staying connected, mentorship parenting, money matters, roommate relations, health and wellness and much more.

READ THE BOOK
Photo of two students holding coffees and talking while outside on campus in fall

Beaver “bites” for parents and families

Fall Enrollment Update

We were very excited to welcome the Beaver community back to campus for in-person learning for the fall term! It was such a pleasure to meet so many of you during Move-in Weekend, and we hope to see you again soon at Fall Family Weekend (Nov. 12 – 14). In the meantime, here is an excerpt from President Johnson’s recent campus email that shares some impressive facts about OSU’s current enrollment for the 2021-22 academic year:

“This fall, OSU welcomed its largest student enrollment ever. Preliminary counts indicate a fall term enrollment of approximately 33,700 students – a 3% increase over last fall’s record enrollment. Our new first-year class is also our largest ever, growing by 12.8% from a year ago, and the number of first-year students of color grew by 5% over a year ago and 14% from 2018. It is very meaningful that so many first-year students – and more than 2,240 new transfer students – have enrolled at Oregon State after a year and a half of learning challenged by the pandemic. It sends a very strong message throughout Oregon and our nation that so many students are committed to advancing to their undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees at Oregon State University. It is clear that the pursuit of higher education makes a significant difference in life and career, and that an OSU degree is valued greatly.”

 

COVID-19 Safety & Success

OSU’s efforts to provide learning, working and living environments that contribute to wellness are rigorous. As of Oct. 8, more than 99% of Corvallis and OSU-Cascades students have complied with the university’s vaccination program and, of those, 93% are fully vaccinated. Among OSU employees, approximately 96% are compliant and, of those, 95% are fully vaccinated. Those who are not vaccinated due to an approved exemption will be required to be tested weekly for the time being.

Meanwhile, the university will offer COVID-19 testing for all university community members in Corvallis and Bend until further notice. Face coverings remain a state health requirement in indoor public places and in outdoor public settings, where physical distancing is not possible.

VIEW THE LATEST COVID PROTOCOLS AND RESOURCES
Black and Orange Awards graphic with awardee photos and names

Save the date: Join your Beaver at upcoming events

Families, mark your calendars for these fun-filled chances to join your Beaver on campus or online as you support OSU!

Black and Orange Awards | Oct. 21
Be inspired by alumni and dear friends of our Oregon State community, each with an extraordinary story to tell about supporting others, forging connections and building success in their careers and among their communities.

Homecoming Weekend 2021 | Oct. 21 - 24
Join your student in cheering on the Beavs as they tackle the Utah Utes – and take part in a variety of other memorable Homecoming weekend campus activities.

Fall Family Weekend | Nov. 12 - 14
Connect with your Beav and take part in a range of fun and informative activities and sessions geared toward our Beaver Nation families.

Helpful links for parents and families

 

Stay connected: Get all the Beaver buzz!

» Sign up for Beaver Lodge communications
»
Check out MORE ways to get involved
»
Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Oregon State University Alumni Association
204 CH2M Hill Alumni Center, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA

Manage your preferences | Update your information | View this message in a browser