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Graduate Studies in Chemistry
at Oregon State University Corvallis & Life in the Northwest |
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Graduate Studies in Chemistry
at Oregon State University Corvallis & Life in the Northwest |
Corvallis is located in the Willamette Valley which extends from the Coast Range to the Cascade mountains. The countryside around this town of 50,000 is dominated by farming and forestry. Some of Oregon’s best vineyards and wineries are in the rolling foothills nearby. The old downtown section of Corvallis sits adjacent to the University campus.
Our city offers a substantial number of opportunities for cultural and intellectual enrichment. There are frequent concerts throughout the year, an annual arts festival, and a science & technology fair known as Da Vinci Days. Several excellent plays are produced each year on campus, and there is a modern theater venue downtown. Portland and Eugene are only a short drive away. Both of these cities have extensive live music and theater programs.
Corvallis enjoys a pristine natural environment and friendly folks with a strong sense of community. The two major employers of the area, the University with about 7,000 and Hewlett Packard with over 5,000 employees, have attracted individuals and families from all over the world who share the ideals of those who shaped the community: excellence in research, education, and quality of life.
Willamette Valley
The climate in the Willamette Valley is mild. High temperatures in July and August average about 85°F (29°C), and the lows in the coldest months average 37°F (5°C). Summer weather is characterized by clear blue skies and the absence of humidity and thunderstorms. The rain for which the Pacific Northwest is famous generally falls between November and April. But it is noteworthy that the annual rainfall in Corvallis is about 42 inches, less than that of New York, Chicago, or Miami!
Western Oregon provides an enormous diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities. Miles of country roads and trails that wind across covered bridges or through the picturesque hills offer possibilities for hikers and cyclists. On the western edge of Corvallis is Mary’s Peak, the highest mountain of the Coast Range, with excellent views and a selection of sites for hiking, picnicking, and camping.
The rugged Oregon coast of the Pacific Ocean, popular for clamming, camping, and whale-watching, are about an hour’s drive to the west. A two hour drive to the east. of Corvallis, in the Oregon Cascades, enough snow for winter sports is a virtual certainty from Thanksgiving through Spring. The snowmelt feeds a myriad of lakes and mountain streams, providing excellent steelhead fishing and boating. Some of the finest whitewater canoeing and kayaking in the country is within a day’s drive of Corvallis.
Living in Corvallis
Privately owned apartments, houses, and rooms are available throughout Corvallis. For information, send for: "Apartment Renter's Guide" from the Student Involvement Office at OSU. (541-737-2101) The College Inn, located directly across from Gilbert Hall houses graduate students. Interested students can write or call directly to College Inn, 155 NW Kings Boulevard Corvallis, OR 97330 (541-737-4100). A good source of current information is the local newspaper, The Gazette Times,600 SW Jefferson Ave, Corvallis, OR 97333 (541-753-2641) http://www.mvonline.com/gazette_times/
Employment Opportunities
OSU is sensitive to the needs of dual career couples. Employment assistance is available for students' spouses, both through the Department of Human Resources on campus and through the local State Employment Office. Contact the Department of Human Resources, Kerr Administration Bldg., Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, (541-737-3103).
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