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Strategies to Pass Along to Your Students
The beginning of this Winter term has proven to be quite challenging, on many levels, for our campus community. Historically, Winter term can be difficult, given the long winter days, reduced amounts of sunshine, only one holiday between January and March, and so on. As a result, I am writing today with some strategies that your student might find helpful in easing back into the swing of things. Feel free to share with them – and you might find something useful for yourself as well!

• Keep active – It can be really tempting to feel like curling up and hibernating for the Winter – especially since we have had such bad weather for the past several months – but make a concerted effort to keep moving. 
  •  Tech Rec is an amazing facility right here on campus, and they have extended hours so you can use the open courts or exercise equipment, out of the cold and snow! 
  • Another option is to join the Healthy Active Challenge, a Student Health-sponsored program that started January 23rd and lasts for 5 weeks; each week during the program, participants are encouraged to add one healthy behavior into their routines, and prizes are given each week.
• Prioritize your health – Each January all across the country, people make New Year’s Resolutions only to find that they disregard them shortly after. Many times, the resolutions are simply too unrealistic, and we find it difficult to stay motivated to follow through. Research tells us, though, that if we can link our motivation to our health (and not, for instance, our appearance), then we are far more likely to “stick with it,” so to speak. 
  • So, set goals for yourself that center around your health – Want to lose weight? Focus on the health benefits (lower blood pressure, more energy, better quality of life). Want to study more? Focus on the benefits of having less stress (better sleep, ability to focus) as a result of keeping up in class. 
  • And, as always, pay attention to your body; if something doesn’t seem typical for you, give Student Health a call at 541-885-1800
• Take advantage of resources – Sometimes Fall term didn’t go the way that students had hoped, and now at the start of Winter term you may be concerned about what is in store for you across the next 10 weeks. Remember that ˿����Ƶ Tech has support across a variety of areas to help you navigate college life.
  • Tutoring is available on-campus for free! Peer Consulting is located in the lower level of the LRC, and several departments (Math, CSET, Mechanical Engineering, and Natural Sciences) offering their own tutoring across campus. It’s a good idea to check out the tutoring options before you actually need them, and don’t wait until it’s too late in the term to turn things around to get their help.
  • Feeling down or overwhelmed? Give Student Health a call at 541-885-1800; your Student Health fee allows you to see confidential counseling staff at no cost, and they can typically see you either that same day or within the same week.
  • Disability Services (access@oit.edu) can help with academic accommodations for students who have a physical or mental disability. Send them an e-mail for more information.

Thank you for supporting your students as they navigate one of the more challenging terms of the academic year!
Take care,
Gaylyn

1. Students who experience food insecurity were able to pick up a “Hootie Meal in a Bag” during Fall term. Over 120 simple meals with recipe cards were available. Student workers and student clubs volunteered their time to assemble the bags.
2. The Book Depot saw an increase in students checking out books for the term.
3. The Book Depot has formed a new “branch” with Student Veterans Program. Students can now see what books are available in both libraries.
4. The Owl Feathers Clothing Closet had winter coats and apparel available for students when the cold weather arrived. One parent graciously donated several handmade winter hats, sweaters, and scarves for students.
5. The Owl Feathers Clothing Closet received donations from University Advancement office and several other staff and faculty. These donations allow for more clothing access for students, especially when it comes to interview clothing.
6. Four student workers were hired to work 5 hours a week each to assist with the Basic Needs Hub.
7. There are now collaborative puzzles in the Basic Needs Hub as well as in the CU. These are community puzzles where students help build the puzzles to destress.
8. The Basic Needs Hub received 180 COVID rapid tests to distribute to students.
9. Students can make appointments for one-on-one assistance to help meet their basic needs.
10. The ˿����Ƶ Tech Foundation set up a fund to assist its students with basic needs. If you want to help this fund grow, donate at .

Winter term 2023 welcomed back a robust number of residents who were excited to start the new year and the new with us in Housing. The Residence Life staff team began the term in high gear to be prepared to offer the 9th annual Tech Con. This year’s theme was Cyber Punk, and we were able to host over 500 guests the first day and well over 200 the next. Students, faculty, staff, and guests were treated to a variety of games, from retro to modern day video gaming, a Baja simulator, casino games, and tabletop games. There was something for everyone to enjoy-if gaming was not an interest, glow in the dark dodgeball, foam sword fencing, cornhole and mini-golf were also available! Participating in various events allowed participants to earn credits, which they could then use to win prizes at auctions throughout each day-with prizes geared toward tech needs and fun items to adorn rooms with. The weekend festivities wrapped up Sunday night with a Silent Rave dance-quite entertaining to watch students dancing in silence as they listened to their favorite songs on headphones! 

Winter term also saw Grocery Bingo come back for on-campus residents to enjoy a game of bingo, attempting to grocery type items as prizes. Coming up next is a Minute to Win It tournament with teams competing against each other in various minute games. Ice skating has also been popular this term, with our frosty winter weather settling in, seems the time to go out and enjoy the rink!

Winter term also brings on hiring season for Housing and Residence Life. Students are in the thick of their work applying to join the 2023-2024 Residence Life staff! This is a lengthy process as we work to hire a diverse, dedicated group of student staff to support our upcoming class of students in on-campus housing. If your student shared that they are applying, encourage them to be themselves, have some fun, and trust in the process. We also encourage them to ask questions along the way, as we know the process is long, but we also know it is worth the effort. Additionally, Housing and Residence Life will soon be posting for summer 2023 student employees, 2023-2024 Service Desk staff, and Tech Assistants. All positions are posted on Handshake, so encourage your student to continue to check this site out through Career Services! 

And finally, applications for on-campus housing and dining for the 2023-2024 academic year are live. If your student is considering living on campus next year, now is the time to apply! Just visit and follow the instructions to apply found there. As a bonus, current residents do not have to pay the $100 deposit or the $50 application fee as their housing deposit continues from this year. And current residents who complete the housing and meal plan contracts get the first chance to Choose A Room, opening in late April! This program allows students to choose the place they want to call home for the 23/24 academic year. Please know, we anticipate another very full academic year in on-campus housing. We will have double rooms in the Res Hall available as well as space in the Village, but each space is first come, first serve through Choose My Room. Seniors get first choice, then juniors and so on. Those with a housing contract on file no later than Friday, April 14, 2023 are eligible to go through Choose My Room, and encouraged to pick a spot, and continue to check for openings if they don’t get their first choice until this program closes on May 19, 2023.

If you have any questions about on-campus housing, please contact us at 541-885-1094 or housing@oit.edu. All of us in the Housing Office as well as the entire Housing and Residence Life team are here to support our residents and help you as you have questions. Thanks for all you do to support your students too-the packages, notes, and email/text messages are often the high point in our student’s day!

WINTER 2022

2/15/23	Late Fees assessed on accounts with balances greater than $99*
2/15/23	Interest assessed on balances over 30 days @ 1%/month*
2/15/23	Statements generated (available on CASHNet Feb. 16)
3/24/23	Final Payment Plan payment due (or ANY remaining balance)
3/24/23	Last Day of Winter Term
3/27/23	Interest assessed on balances over 30 days@ 1%/month
3/27/23	Late fees assessed on accounts with past due balances greater than $99*
3/27/23	Final Winter Statements generated (available on CASHNet Mar. 28)
3/27-31/23	No Classes - SPRING BREAK
	*Only one late fee per student per term will be charged.

 

DATE	Event
2/20/23	Spring Term Tuition & Fees available on Web for Student after student registers
3/27/23	Spring Term Statements generated (available on Transact Payments Mar.28)
3/30/23	Financial Aid begins disbursing to students' accounts
4/3/23	Spring Term classes begin
4/14/23	Last day to drop courses for 100% refund (Deadline is 5:00 p.m. PDT/PST)
4/14/23	Full Spring Term balance due or 1st Payment Plan payment (at least 1/3 of balance)
4/17/23	Holds placed on accounts for students that failed to pay balance due or 1st payment plan payment
4/17/23	Statements generated (available on Transact Payments Apr. 18)
4/21/23	Last day to drop courses for 50% refund (Deadline is 5:00 p.m. PDT/PST)
4/28/23	Last day to drop course for 25% refund (Deadline is 5:00 p.m. PDT/PST)
5/1/23	Processing of refunds due to students for dropped courses begins this week
5/5/23	2nd Payment Plan payment due (second 1/3 of balance due)
5/8/23	Holds placed on payment plan accounts for students that failed to make 2nd payment plan payment
5/15/23	Late Fees assessed on accounts with balances greater than $99*
5/15/23	Interest assessed on balances over 30 days @ 1%/month
5/15/23	Statements generated (available on Transact Payments May. 16)
6/16/23	Final Payment Plan payment due (or ANY remaining balance)
6/16/23	Last day of Spring Term
6/19/23	Late fees assessed on accounts with past due balances greater than $99*
6/19/23	Interest assessed on balances over 30 days @ 1%/month
6/19/23	Final Spring Statements generated (available on Transact Payments June 20)
	*Only one late fee per student per term will be charged.

 

Winter Term 2023

Date	Event
Feb 20 - Mar 7	Registration begins Spring Term
Feb 24	Last day to withdraw from an individual course*
Mar 17	Last day to completely withdraw
Mar 20-23	Final Exams week
Mar 24	Winter Term ends

 

Spring Term 2023

Date	Event
Apr 3	Classes begin
Apr 7	Last day to use Web for Student for all registration changes
Apr 14	Tuition and Fees due
Apr 14	Last day to drop without a 'W'* must request by 5pm
Apr 14	Last day to register without late charge
May 1	Registration begins Summer Term
May 15-25	Registration begins Fall Term
May 19	Last day to withdraw from an individual course*
May 29	Memorial Day holiday
Jun 9	Last day to completely withdraw
Jun 12-15	Final Exams week
Jun 16	Spring Term Ends
.Jun 17	Klamath Falls Commencement
Jun 18	Portland-Metro Commencement
Jun 20	Seattle Commencement

Various regional events for alumni take place almost each month. Whether it’s a barbeque for alumni in Reno, a wine tasting event in Seattle, or the annual Blazers game in Portland…parents and supporters are always invited to attend alumni events! This is a great opportunity to meet graduates from ˿����Ƶ Tech to get to know the people who will soon be in your student’s personal network.
 
For upcoming event info, including the March 24, 2023 Blazers event and the April 21-23, 2023 Portland-Metro Family & Alumni Weekend, visit  or contact the Director of Alumni Relations at rebecca.burkeen@oit.edu. 

We love to have parents and supporters at our events! Go Owls!

Career Services hosted a Career Fair series open to all majors in February with a fair on our Portland-Metro campus on February 16th and our Klamath Falls campus on February 23rd. We are excited to see all our students and alumni attend these fairs. Career Fairs are always open to students of any grade level as well as alumni looking for new connections. Fairs are a wonderful opportunity for our students to begin networking with industry professionals to make more informed decisions on their future employment options.

To help students prepare for the Winter Career Fairs, Career Services hosted a resumé review marathon on each campus. Students were able to get one to one time with a career professional to review their materials. Moreover, Career Services continues to visit many classrooms and club meetings to host prepare for the fair workshops in areas such as resume creation, cover letters, elevator pitches and LinkedIn profiles. Appointments with Career Services are made through our job board platform, Handshake.

Handshake is a unique tool for our students because all the jobs posted on the platform are received from employers hoping to recruit ˿����Ƶ Tech students specifically. When students fill out their Handshake profile, Handshake will give personalized job recommendations that match their interests and skills. In addition, the Handshake platform is also used to apply for on-campus student employment, register for virtual and in-person events, and schedule appointments with the Career Services Team.

We will also host our annual Professional Etiquette dinner on March 1st in Klamath Falls and an inaugural Professional Etiquette Dinner for our Portland-Metro students at The Grand Hotel-Bridgeport. Our Professional Etiquette dinners are designed to help students navigate the intricacies of attending an interview with a meal component. This is a free meal and professional development opportunity for our students. Faculty, alumni, and staff partners play a large role in being table hosts or guest speakers at this very popular event!

Spring term marks graduation and summer internship season, thus making it a great time for students to focus on their resumés and other career planning. In April we will host a targeted networking fair for our students in the Emergency Medical Services program on the Portland Metro campus. We are working collaboratively with faculty and staff to plan future events that meet our students’ diverse needs.  We highly encourage students to make appointments with our staff and visit our online Canvas course called “Internship and Job Search Resources,” where they will find extensive information on resumé building, writing cover letters, job and internship searching tips, building a LinkedIn profile, and much more!

 

Don’t forget to encourage your students to attend free tutoring sessions. Midterms are coming!

Each month, the alumni newsletter and website feature an Alumni Spotlight story, highlighting alumni who are doing great things in their careers and for their communities. These exemplary models of ˿����Ƶ Tech graduates bring us so much pride and are inspiring for current and future students. Recently we featured , a computer software engineer who started a business on the side making family card games, and , alumni who recently became the new owners of SmithBates, a branding and printing agency that has been in Klamath Falls for over a century. Read about these and more owl-mazing alumni at: (Helpful tip: Click on “Archive Stories” for the full list!)

In honor of ˿����Ƶ Tech’s 75th Anniversary, the Owl Citizenship Award was established by generous donors to recognize acts of service that make our university and communities a better place. The ˿����Ƶ Tech Foundation is pleased to announce our first round of awardees, who were recognized at the January 20th Hustlin’ Owls Basketball game: 

• Student Matthew Tugg in Portland-Metro, for his hurricane relief efforts in the Philippines
• Student Abigail Schubert in Klamath Falls, for her support and encouragement of underclassmen in the DMS program as a dedicated “Junior Buddy”
• Our Athletic Director, John Van Dyke, for his extraordinary care for a beloved member of the ˿����Ƶ Tech community who is facing health challenges
• Student Daniel Hartsell in Klamath Falls, who fills his church congregation with beautiful piano music every week
• Portland-Metro student Zoltan Szabatin, for volunteering in various events to help honor and share his Hungarian culture and community with others
• Portland-Metro EMS faculty member Chris Hamper, for going above and beyond to serve his students and program in a number of ways
• Student Keegan Dentinger in Klamath Falls, for his expertise and compassion to the Financial Aid office staff and students in applying for VA Benefits
• Online Student Laura Townsel, for her efforts to improve cardiac healthcare in her community through applying for and receiving grant funding to provide AED’s in rural communities in Southern ˿����Ƶ.
• The ˿����Ƶ Tech Cross-Country teams, for stepping up to aid and support their injured peers in a time of crisis after experiencing a crash. 
   

Nominations will be encouraged and welcomed throughout the academic year. For more information and to submit your nomination

We have started awarding for the 2023-24 award year. Students should be watching their email for a notification that they have been awarded or for a request for more information. If you are an ˿����Ƶ Resident and are expecting an ˿����Ƶ Opportunity Grant, those lists had not yet been distributed by the state when we began awarding.  As soon as they are available, we will update award notifications. If you have not filed your '23-24 FAFSA it is not too late. 

The ˿����Ƶ Tech Foundation is here to show support for your students! Through initiatives that fund priorities such as academics, classroom upgrades, student projects, faculty development, capital projects, athletics, and scholarships, we work to further the goals of the university and enrich the educational experience for all students, supporting the greatest needs of the University. 

One of the ways in which we strive to assist students is through our scholarship program. This year, in honor of ˿����Ƶ Tech’s 75th anniversary, we are thrilled to have awarded over $1,030,000 in scholarships to very deserving students – our largest single award year in history! This means that over 340 young people will have a brighter future, a boost in morale and a vote of confidence. Each scholarship represents a student who is one step closer to getting their hard-earned degree and following their dreams.

This year’s milestone is possible through the generosity of individuals, including faculty, staff, alumni, students, industry partners and community members, and foundations, organizations, and businesses who believe in our exceptional students.

Applications for the 2023-2024 ˿����Ƶ Tech Foundation scholarship program opened in December, 2022 and will close March 1st, 2023. Students can apply through their TECHweb account and details are available at www.oit.edu/otfscholars and through the Financial Aid Office. We hope you will encourage your student to apply! For more information regarding the scholarship program or the ˿����Ƶ Tech Foundation, please contact Executive Director of Development, Mira Wonderwheel, at 541-851-5679 or mira.wonderwheel@oit.edu.

The ˿����Ƶ Tech Foundation surpassed a historic milestone this year, awarding $1,030,000 in scholarships to ˿����Ƶ Tech students. The new record was celebrated October 29 as participants gathered at the Klamath Falls campus and live-streamed to a gathering at the Portland-Metro campus for the Annual Scholarship Awards Banquet. This special event honors the achievements of scholarship recipients and recognizes the philanthropic donors who make scholarships possible. Click here to read more. 

Owls’ Worth is ˿����Ƶ Tech’s financial literacy program.  It is important to learn how to manage your money both while you are a student and after you graduate. This page offers advice on budgeting, loans, terminology, and more to help you make wise financial decisions.  All events will have scholarship drawings for attendees and will be virtual.  For information, upcoming events and Zoom links please see our webpage at: .

• Feb.  16th     3pm        Financial Planning
• Feb.  22nd    3pm        Identity Theft Prevention
• Mar.  2nd      3pm        Mortgages
• Mar.  8th       3pm        Game of Kahoot          
   

˿����Ƶ Tech’s 4th Annual Give A Hoot Day is Wednesday, April 19, 2023! It’s a 24-hour fundraising extravaganza when Owls everywhere join together in support of their personal passion for the people, programs and projects they care about at ˿����Ƶ Tech. 
Participation is easy! Below are the top 4 ways for parents to participate in Give A Hoot Day!
 
GIVE - Support your passion and make a donation all-day April 19, 2023, when the event is live for 24 hours!
WEAR - Sport your Blue & Gold and ˿����Ƶ Tech gear on Give A Hoot Day!
CARE - Spread kindness and generosity through volunteer action.
SHARE - Post pictures, share links, and spread the Give A Hoot Day message with alumni, friends, and family via email and on all of your social networks.

Your Give A Hoot Day Contact: 
Jacen Bridges
Annual Giving Manager
˿����Ƶ Tech Foundation
jacen.bridges@oit.edu | O: 503-821-1164
 

Student organizations add another important dimension to life on campus. Our over 60 student organizations span across four categories to meet, study, and take part in professional development opportunities such as conferences and competitions related to their majors. These student club categories include: (1) academic-based, (2) identity and cultural-based, (3) social and recreational-based, and (4) fraternity/ sorority organizations. Student organizations also work together to support service learning by participating in a variety of community service projects in our local campus community, at home and abroad.

Our Get Involved Expo was held on January 25. Student organization leaders were able to showcase the exciting involvement opportunities for our ˿����Ƶ Tech Owls. During the 2022-23 school year, we have welcomed over 10 new additions to our student organization community: 

• 8 Ball Pool Club 
• Asian Culture Club 
• Business and Innovation Club
• Hot Beverage Club 
• Information Technology (I.T.) Collaboration Club
• N.E.R.F. (Novel Experimental Recreational Foam) Blaster Club
• Pre-Medical Laboratory Science Club 
• Statistics and Research Club 
• Target Shooters Club
• Unmanned Aircraft Club
• Women's Rugby Club 

Congratulations to the newly organized student clubs and wishing much success to their future events and activities for our ˿����Ƶ Tech students.

Winter Term happenings to bring diversity and belonging includes:

• Acknowledging Chinese (Lunar) New Year
• Celebrating Black History Month
• Empowering others in Women’s History Month

Student Involvement and Belonging, The Treehouse, and the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Engagement works tirelessly to put forth and promote the opportunities for students and the overall campus community to attend. These opportunities helped engage our students in feeling a sense of belonging and learning about new things they never knew before. These students are actively engaging in fruitful conversations to build a sense of belonging.
Our campus community also engaged in offerings that highlighted our Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Week of Service

• Hootie’s Meal in a Bag: We created meal kits to be donated by to our campus community to help those who experience food insecurities.
• Winter Kits: We created and donated winter kits to seven different local organizations in Klamath that cater to those who may need a little assistance and those living on the streets.
  

BASKETBALL – The ˿����Ƶ Tech basketball seasons are into the final stretch, with the Lady Owls clinching a postseason berth before the start of the month of February. Led by the Cascade Conference scoring leader, Olivia Sprague and senior post Maddyson Tull, Tech heads into February with a 15-7 overall record…the men’s team heads into February with a 10-12 overall record – including a rivalry road win against Southern ˿����Ƶ…the two teams combined for 13 Academic All-Cascade Conference selections.

SPRING SPORTS – Both the baseball and softball teams will open up 2023 play during the first week of February, with the home opener for softball on Feb. 24 vs. Corban and the home opener for baseball on March 11 vs. Bushnell…the ˿����Ƶ Tech track team will compete in a pair of indoor meets during the month of February, traveling to Portland and to La Grande…the golf team will open up their spring season in mid-March.

NEWS AND NOTES – Mike Anderson has been hired as the head coach for the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field programs.

 

FOLLOW OREGON TECH ATHLETICS - 

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