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John Glenn issues statement regarding NASA manned space flight

June 21, 2010

Statement from U.S. Sen. John Glenn (ret),
former astronaut, first American to orbit the earth,
adjunct professor of political science and public affairs,
and namesake of The Ohio State University John Glenn School of Public Affairs

June 17, 2010

These are critical days for the future of Manned Space Flight.  Conflicting views and advice come to the President and Congress from every quarter in the aerospace and science communities.  There is good reason for the concern.

The U.S. for the first time since the beginning of the Space Age will have no way to launch anyone into space - starting next January.

Our astronauts will have to be launched in Russian spacecraft, from a Russian base in Kazakhstan, to go to our International Space Station.

Starting at the end of this year, and probably for the next five to ten years, the launches of U.S. astronauts into space will be viewed in classrooms and homes in America only through the courtesy of Russian TV.

For the “world’s greatest spacefaring nation,” that is hard to accept.

I do not believe it has to be this way.

Importance Why is this important to our country and how shall we correct it?  This situation was, and is, avoidable, but requires an immediate correction if we are to avoid the January 2011 cutoff now in place.

Brief Past First, the big picture.  From Founding Days, our nation grew, prospered, and took over a leadership position in the world because of our preeminence in education and research.  The best educated citizenry in the world responded to macro-exploration and laboratory micro-research findings by creating new products, industries, and high level employment.

Geographic exploration did not have the sole purpose of just remaining alive during travel to new and distant places.  Travel was followed by a period of learning about, and how to use, the newly found destination to our advantage.  Space travel should be no exception.

Post Space Race - Research Cold war competition between the United States and Soviet Union was the initial driving force behind the manned “race” to space.  But following the Space Race, we turned to learning more about this new medium in which we now could travel.  Research was the objective.

Skylab It was a fruitful beginning.  Over 300 scientific and technical experiments were conducted on Skylab (early 1970’s) on medicine, solar, and earth resources.

Shuttle The Shuttle first flew in late 1981 with its greatly expanded research and heavy lift capability (e.g., Hubble), but with a flight duration limit of 14 days.  On Shuttle Discovery in 1998, we had 83 research projects on board.  Before Shuttle Columbia’s tragic accident, they had 90 projects, which was typical of most Shuttle flights.

Freedom Space Station Freedom with an eventual six person crew was authorized in 1984 as a semi-permanent high-capacity orbiting laboratory capable of years-long research projects including long-term experiments and training for human flights into deeper space.

ISS Freedom was soon renamed the International Space Station (ISS) as we invited 15 nations to join us as partners for these new space travel and research activities.  That has proven to be a highly successful cooperative international project, probably the most successful ever.

The ISS has been a long and expensive project.  After several years in the planning, the first of many elements of the ISS were taken into space, starting in 1998.  Russia put their “node” in place on the first two missions, but the heavy-lift Shuttle has done all the construction since that time.  The ISS has just now reached completion and ready for full service in the early summer of 2010.

ISS is a major national investment of $100 Billion, and has been officially designated a National Laboratory.  Our 15 space colleagues have invested $12-15 Billion.

It is the most unique laboratory ever conceived and can now start research never before possible.

And it comes at just the right time as we are encouraging innovation and research to help spur our economic future.  I believe major benefits for all right here on earth will come from this investment.

NASA 2000 NASA’s planned manned space activities at the turn of the century were generally accepted to be:

• complete construction of the ISS;
• make it into a fully functioning space laboratory;
• maintain and expand a robust robotic exploration program, valuable for its own data collection, but also functioning as precursor for manned space visits beyond low earth orbit;
• start the exhaustive planning process for manned missions to deeper space (Mars, asteroids, etc.) - at an appropriate time, move to that as a fully funded manned mission;
• and, of course, continuing NASA’s other highly productive activities in such diverse fields as aeronautics research, climate change, new power sources, “green” aviation, and STEM educational focus. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

Pivotal Year 2004 In 1989 on the 20th anniversary of the lunar landing, President George H.W. Bush proposed that we establish a program to return to the moon and go to MARS.  In retrospect, it appears that there had been insufficient advance preparation with the Congress, science and space communities.  There was little support, so the proposal was not pushed.

In January of 2004, however, President George W. Bush, reacting at least in part to the Columbia Accident Investigation Board’s (CAIB) criticism that NASA had no long term plan and support, didn’t just propose for discussion, he gave a new directive to NASA:

1. Establish a base on the moon.

2. Go on to MARS.

But there was one extremely important recommendation of the CAIB that was not followed in the President’s directive:  adequate funding.  There would be only a small token budget increase to start this very large, complex, and expensive program.  With that very small dollar addition, NASA would basically have to do the best they could on their existing budget.  To provide funding, the International Space Station (ISS) was to be closed down by 2015 and the Shuttles would cease operation by the end of 2010 (both by OMB direction).  The ISS was still building at that time - just completed now in 2010 - but ISS research money was cut starting in 2005.

A completely new heavy launch system (Constellation) - both cargo and later man-rated - was to be developed to go to the moon and perhaps to other space destinations.  Work has proceeded on Constellation through the years, with some $9 billion expended to date.

With these changes, NASA Administrators set about carrying out the new orders.  Congress, - first Republican controlled, then Democratic - while to some degree questioning the magnitude of change in this new directive, never mustered sufficient opposition to alter that course, and voted support.  But neither did they provide the appropriations to fund beyond what OMB had recommended to the President in his budget request.   That is, the Congress did not provide money for both the new direction and the longstanding ISS program.

The soon-to-be-terminated Shuttle has been and is our only means of transportation into space.  It has been a work horse as construction of the ISS has been completed, with a few added missions such as the Hubble heavy launch, and later repair missions.

Space Launch Gap With termination of the Shuttle at the end of 2010, and with its Constellation or other replacement still many years in the future, our “greatest spacefaring nation” will for the first time since the dawning of the manned space age in 1962 have no means of getting into space or to our own ISS.

The originally planned gap of two to three years of our having no U.S. manned launch capability will realistically be closer to eight to ten years - or more.

Russian Launch How is it planned for us to get into space during the interim?  Hard to believe, perhaps, but to save the expense of U.S. Shuttle launches (approximately $400 million each) we are contracting with the Russians for crew and light equipment launch services to and from our ISS at $55.8 million per astronaut.  Each total crew change of six, then, will cost nearly $335 million, with future charges expected to increase substantially.

In other words, U.S. astronauts will for the next five to ten years have to move to a Russian launch site in Kazakhstan to train for final launch preparation on Russian spacecraft, launch, and return to a grassland landing area at the end of the mission.

The Russians do not have a heavy lift capability, so launch service will be limited to personnel and light equipment.  Heavy “upload” or “download” will be nonexistent.

All this occurs just at the time we want to encourage researchers, scientists, and private industry to initiate use of the recently completed ISS.  That is not likely to be encouraged when they learn that their experiment packages (small and light only) will have to be taken to the Russian site in Kazakhstan along with check-out equipment and personnel, be prepared for launch there, and reclaimed after their time on the ISS is completed.  Unmanned cargo delivery systems via commercial operators are planned, but will not be operational until sometime in the future.

More Change The Obama administration, after a study by the Augustine Commission, made its own changes to the Bush directives of 2004:

• A base on the moon was eliminated, at least for now.
• Constellation was terminated.
• International Space Station expected termination was moved from 2015 to 2020.
• Commercial “contracting-out” of complete launch program, including manned missions.
• Terminating the Shuttle in 2010 was agreed to.

Comments

Moon The principal rationale for establishing a base on the moon, aside from international prestige, was to gain experience in extra-terrestrial living in preparation for future space destinations.  Those deeper space travels are far enough in the future that I agree with postponing a lunar base.

To establish a lunar base is extremely expensive and can wait, at least for now.  Other expenditures pale beside that one.

Another rationale for establishing a moon base is the proposal for development of Helium-3 sources on the moon which could factor into our future fusion based energy needs.

Once again, that need is far enough in the future that we can address it when we learn more about control of fusion energy.  The world’s preeminent multi-billion dollar fusion energy project is well underway at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory but it will probably be decades before that research could lead to a national need for quantities of H-3 from the moon.

I wish we could have appropriations to do all these things on a broader space agenda, but that does not appear to be possible.

Constellation We must have a heavy-lift space launch vehicle - whether Constellation or other - if we are to keep our options open.  Those options include future moon missions, building up a MARS vehicle in near earth orbit, going to an asteroid, direct launch to MARS, providing heavy download to bring hardware back to earth, or projects yet undreamed of since the vehicle we develop now will have a useful life of many decades.  Ideally, it should be flexible for various assignments.

A heavy-lift space work horse to someday replace the Shuttles is a necessity for our space future.  The flexibility that gives to our manned and unmanned programs will be key to continued world leadership as other nations develop their manned space capabilities.

International Space Station The life-extension of the ISS from 2015 to 2020 - with further extensions possible - is the right direction.  ISS research programs can now begin on a priority basis.

There are thousands of potential research projects - a few come immediately to mind just as examples:

• Flame was sustained in a combustion experiment on Columbia with only a small fraction of the normal fuel-to-air ratio.
• A project was started to stabilize and make practical a new but fragile insulation material that would improve heat/cold control by major magnitudes.
• Rice plant shoots growing during space flight have some different characteristics. Could further study lead to increased rice production for the billions of people dependent on that as a diet staple?
• Protein crystals, useful in new medicine development here on earth, can be grown in space to a larger size and purity than is possible here in a gravity environment.
• NASA has defined 52 changes that occur in the human body during extended space flight. Some of these changes are remarkably similar to what happens in the process of aging here on earth. The body’s immune system changes, we become less resistant to disease and infection; osteoporosis weakens our bone structure; and protein replacement in our muscles - protein turnover (PTO) - changes, to name just a few.

If we could determine different responses between older and younger astronauts in actual spaceflight, it might give us clues as to what in the human body turns these systems on and off, the objective being to provide not only extending the time astronauts can remain on a space mission (necessity for MARS), but also learning how to control or reduce the frailties of old age here on earth.

That research was started on a Discovery mission in 1998.

Investment Most people have no concept of the investment we have made in the ISS.  To date, it is approximately $100 Billion — $100 Billion.  Our allies have invested an additional $12-15 billion.  The ISS is finally completed and ready for use as the most unique laboratory ever conceived.

Long Duration Training It will be the only vehicle in existence capable of providing training and research for longer term space flights, a requirement if we are serious about establishing a Mars mission.  Importantly it will enable major research benefits to people right here on earth.

Commercial Contracting Under NASA’s very close direction, every manned U.S. spacecraft has been built by commercial companies.  In fact, 83% of NASA’s budget goes to commercial entities.  Depending on commercial companies is not new.  That process has included strong NASA control, oversight and safety concerns.  It is a procedure developed over many years and with great care.  It has worked well.  Change should be made with utmost caution and only if it brings some major advantage.

What is new is placing 100% confidence in smaller, less experienced companies if the Shuttles are retired, with no backup, for extremely complex missions.  I am glad to see multi-company interest in commercial space development, but at this early stage of their experience they should be phased in only after they demonstrate a high degree of competency and reliability, particularly with regard to safety concerns.

Shuttle The world’s only heavy lift spacecraft and the U.S.’s only access to space should stay in operation until suitably replaced by a new and well tested heavy lift vehicle.  The Shuttle system is working extremely well, has had systems upgrades through the years, and has had “the bugs” worked out of it through many years of use.  The Shuttle is probably the most complex vehicle ever assembled and flies in the harshest of environments.  Why terminate a perfectly good system that has been made more safe and reliable through many years of development?  The Shuttles are the world’s most advanced spacecraft.

Meticulous checkout procedures have been developed over many years.  The most skilled space technicians in the world put it back into flight readiness after each mission.

And the Shuttles are not worn out.  Far from it.  Design specifications were for a minimum of 100 missions per vehicle.  We have used up only about one-third of that design life.

Cost savings with Shuttle cancellation are minimal, if any, when all factors of Russian launch are considered, and with the charge per astronaut undoubtedly going higher and higher in subsequent years.

Plus, think of the difficulties it will entail in getting advanced research up to maximum on the ISS, if possible at all.

Additional Factors

Symbol As an important side benefit, the ISS stands as a symbol to the world not only of U.S. technical expertise and leadership but also a willingness to cooperate and share.

As a symbol, it can actually be seen from the ground as it passes over the major cities and nations of the world.

Inspiration Educators tell us repeatedly that the space program has been an inspiration to our young people as we try to keep them interested in STEM (Science, Technology Engineering Math) education.

How inspiring will it be for them to see manned launches only from Russian TV and landings somewhere in Kazakhstan grasslands?

ISS Partners What kind of confidence and commitment is generated in our 15 ISS partners when we have no space launch capability of our own?  I have talked to some representatives of our ISS partner nations.  In 2004, they were mystified by the Shuttle decision, and remain so.

People around the world have admired our manned space program.  It attests to our nation’s greatness.  That image before the world is hardly enhanced when our whole program will be dependent on the Russians.

Russian Failure And what happens if there is a failure of the usually reliable Soyuz?  Just a couple of years ago, they had two reentry mishaps that took them over normal G limits and some 400 miles from their intended landing point.  A grounded Soyuz would leave us with no access to the ISS.  I presume the crew on board would have to come down by the so-called “lifeboat” Soyuz currently docked at the ISS.  With no access, could the station even be abandoned, eventually to reenter the atmosphere in uncontrolled pieces, landing wherever?

Support Personnel Another consideration involves the non-astronauts involved in our space program.  Launch crews and support personnel are incredibly talented people whose expertise comes from long experience and dedication to these programs they not only work at, but believe in.  These are the trained experts we will depend on whatever direction the space program takes in the future.  To start over again years later with new unseasoned personnel when new equipment becomes available is doing it the hard way - and less safe.  To keep the Shuttle going now will ensure experienced people for now and future programs.

Cost $1.5+ Billion a year has been estimated as the cost to keep the Shuttles flying and to bring the ISS research programs back up to speed.  That is a very small price to pay for maximizing the benefits from a $100 Billion national investment, and may even be cheaper than the final bill from the Russians.

Final Decisions? If we assume for the moment that the above decisions are all final –no moon base, no Constellation, ISS termination in 2020, commercial contracting-out, and December 2010 Shuttle end — we are hardly looking at a robust program that will provide the benefits of space leadership into the indefinite future.

Suggested Different Objectives

Short Term

1. Extend the Shuttle.  It is key to ISS ready access.  Phase-in new space access providers only as they become experienced and have proven reliability.

2. Maximize research on the ISS - plan with the science community.

3. Use the ISS for long term MARS mission training.

4. Develop a fully tested replacement heavy-lift capability.

Long Term

1. Robotic exploration of MARS and other destinations such as asteroids.

2. Continue ISS research as long as it is making substantial contributions.

3. Increase preparation and planning for a MARS mission.

4. Determine - earth-to-MARS, or assembled-in-earth-orbit - to MARS.

5. Set a firm schedule –

6. Go for MARS.

There is another thing we’ve learned.  Whatever direction we take, appropriations must be made to do it right.  It cannot be done “on the cheap.”  Space travel is a perilous business at best and will become even more so the further we go from earth.

We are not alone in manned space flight plans.  The governments of China and India have declared their intention to develop robust and far-traveling manned spacecraft.  China has already accomplished manned space flight in low earth orbit.

While they have a considerable way to go to equal our current manned space abilities, they are dedicated, and are putting major resources into their programs.

In a lighter vein - but appropriate - the late astronaut Gus Grissom put it very succinctly many years ago during a discussion of funding adequacy for our first manned entry into space on Project Mercury:

“No bucks, no Buck Rogers.”

He was right.

More seriously, for many years NASA had appropriately-ordered Mission and Vision statements:

Mission

• To improve life here,
• To extend life to there,
• To find life beyond.

Vision

• To understand and protect our home planet,
• To explore the universe and search for life, and
• To inspire the next generation of explorers . . . as only NASA can.

And we are privileged to be the nation that can do it.

Board formally adopts Framework principles

June 16, 2010

Ohio State’s One University Framework already has changed the face of the Columbus campus. Get ready for more.

By Jeff McCallister

A few potential scenarios for campus development:

First, the Department of Chemistry, in critical need of some new, modern space for labs and classrooms, gets approval through all the right university channels for a new building. Meanwhile, the William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, needing new space of its own, moves out of the dilapidated Koffelt Lab and into Lord Hall after an expensive renovation. Continue reading ‘Board formally adopts Framework principles’

Ninjas, marbles and toast

June 16, 2010

Engineering capstone gives students creative carte blanche

By Adam King

When Sneaky Sausages attack Omnipotent Oranges with greasy backstabs and eggs are your best defense against muffins gone wild, it’s safe to say there is no creativity lost in CSE 786, a capstone class for late-term undergraduates and grad students. Continue reading ‘Ninjas, marbles and toast’

MacDonald’s Carmen Ohio riffs rocked Campus Campaign

June 16, 2010

By Adam King

Bill MacDonald practiced for two weeks just to make sure he would hit the right chords, riffing a hard rock version of Carmen Ohio on his electric guitar.

The dean and director of Ohio State Newark was only half-kidding when he said he’d do it on video to help drive participation in the Campus Campaign. Apart from jamming with friends once in a great while, MacDonald hadn’t really picked up the electric guitar since his days playing in a cover band in the 1980s. Continue reading ‘MacDonald’s Carmen Ohio riffs rocked Campus Campaign’

Semesters

June 16, 2010

With still two years to go before the calendar conversion, leaders are happy with the progress and the process

By Jeff McCallister

Ohio State has used a quarter-based academic calendar since 1923, so considering the nearly 90 years it’s been ingrained into the fabric, it’s not a small feat that the conversion to semesters has gone as smoothly as it has.

The University Senate voted to switch to semesters in March 2009 in response to a call from the Board of Regents for a common calendar across the University System of Ohio. Ohio State’s Board of Trustees approved the measure a month later.

In that time, numerous measures have come before the senate to amend the university rules and prepare for semesters — some simple housekeeping changes, others a dramatic shift in the way of doing things.

“This past year has been devoted to the academic changes that are coming,” said Randy Smith, vice provost for academic programs. “We’ve been helping to get units ready to submit their curriculum materials for review. It’s been a lot of process-related stuff.”

The process has resulted in some important decisions. There’s now a clear definition of a semester credit hour (750 minutes of instruction for one credit hour); a weekly semester calendar built on 55-minute blocks of class time (though longer blocks — of 80, 110 and 165 minutes — will be available on certain days of the week); a new four-digit course numbering system; and a series of electronic templates for the submission of courses and programs.

The start for the semester calendar also was moved ahead to summer quarter 2012 instead of autumn that year to avoid some scheduling overlaps.

“We’ve been engaged in a really strong dialog all year,” Smith said. “It’s been a very interactive phase and we’ve gotten support from all colleges and all campuses. There’s been a real spirit of cooperation, a real sense that people understand how important it is that we do this correctly.”

Smith said now that much of the academic work has been done, it’s time to move forward on getting course and curriculum proposals submitted and approved by the Office of Academic Affairs. All proposals are scheduled to be submitted by next winter and approved by summer 2011.

“Next we’ll move on to figure out what all we need to do with academic advising, and that will bring the students into the process much more than they have been to this point,” Smith said. “We just didn’t know what we didn’t know before, and now I think we’re ready to work with USG and Student Life and get their input.”

There also remain some unanswered questions regarding the May Term — what it is, what kinds of learning it could be used for, even who will teach.

Many more details relating to the conversion from quarters to semesters can be found at oaa.osu.edu/semester_conversion.php.

Faculty & Staff, 6/17/10

June 16, 2010

Books

Theodore Allen, Integrated Systems Engineering, Introduction to Engineering Statistics and Lean Sigma: Statistical Quality Control and Design of Experiments and Systems, 2nd Ed., (London: Springer Verlag, 2010).

Sandra Macpherson, English, Harm’s Way: Tragic Responsibility and the Novel Form, (Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2010).

Grants

Amy Collins, Surgery, has been selected to receive a $35,000 2010 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)-FNAB Fellows Grant for Translational Pancreatic Cancer Research for her study “The Role of Pancreatic Stellate Cells on MicroRNA Expression in Pancreatic Cancer,” Washington, DC, April 20.

Lynda Hartel, Prior Health Sciences Library and Center for Knowledge Management, and Lisa Murray-Johnson, Nursing and Patient Education, are the principal investigators of the study “Multiple Language Resources for Vulnerable Health Consumers Served by Ohio’s Public Libraries,” which received $39,991 from the National Library of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago.

Ronald Jacobs, Workforce Development and Education, received funds to develop and implement structured on-the-job training at Midwest Express Group, Marysville, 2010.

Rongxing (Ron) Li, Kaichang Di and Min Tang, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geodetic Science, with John Grant of the Smithsonian Institution, received a $400,000 NASA grant from the Mars Data Analysis Program for their research project “Integration of Orbital and Ground Data for Topographic Mapping and Generation of Crater Models at Gusev Crater and Meridiani Planum, Mars.” The goal of the proposed project is to develop a methodology for high-precision crater topographic mapping and use it to systematically map Martian craters observed along the traverse routes of the two MER (Mars Exploration Rover) mission rovers, Spirit and Opportunity.

Presentations

John Bennett, Avant Writing Collection/Rare Books and MSS Library, exhibited visual poetry in the four-person curated show “Homecoming: Fluxus and Visual Poetry by Regional Natives,” at the Regional Arts Commission Gallery, St. Louis, Mo., May-July 2010. He also gave a poetry performance at the opening, May 28.

Catherine Braun, Susan Delagrange and Ben McCorkle, English, presented “Stirred, Not Shaken: An Assessment Remixology,” at the Conference on College Composition and Communication, Louisville, Ky., March 18.

Ray Cashman, English, presented “A Sense of Place Beyond the Here and Now: Supernatural Encounters on the Irish Border,” at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Mich., March 22; “Official and Folk Religion in Ireland Since St. Patrick,” at the Erin Go Bragh Irish Festival, Columbus, March 31; and “Fieldwork, Service-Learning and Community Outreach through Low-Brow Technology,” at the Qualitative Inquiry Working Group Roundtable, Columbus, June 5.

Hilary Drew, Gilbert Greene and Susan Saltzburg, Social Work, presented “Using Live Supervision in Field Education: Preparing Students for Family Therapy Practice,” at the Council on Social Work Education’s 55th annual program meeting, San Antonio, Texas, November 2009.

Susan Johnston, Physical Activity and Educational Services, presented “An Examination of the Influence of Psychological Hardiness on Retention in Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Programs,” at the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society International Conference, Chicago, Ill., Oct. 23.

Judith Mayne, French and Italian, was a keynote speaker at the “Auteurs, Genres, Stars: French Specificities” conference, sponsored by the Université Paris Sorbonne Nouvelle and Studies in French Cinema, Paris, France, March 27.

Ross Nehm, Teaching and Learning, presented “New Computerized Approaches for Biology Assessment,” at the AAAS and National Science Foundation Conference, Washington, DC, September 2009, with Judith Ridgway, OSU Center for Life Sciences Education, and Hendrik Haertig, University of Duisberg Essen, Germany.

Maria Palazzi, ACCAD/Design, participated in the panel discussion “Corporeality and the Digital Gaze” and hosted the gallery talk “Synchronous Objects,” at the “Digital Incarnate: The Body, Identity and Interactive Media” Arcade Exhibition, Columbia College, Chicago, Ill., March 1-2.

Publications

Sue Ferguson, William Marras and Greg Knapik, Integrated Systems Engineering, “Loading along the Lumbar Spine as Influenced by Speed, Control, Load Magnitude and Handle Height during Pushing,” Clinical Biomechanics, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 155-63.

Elizabeth Lantz, English, “Wind Cave,” South Dakota Review, Vol. 47, No. 1 (Spring 2009), pp. 35-54.

Koritha Mitchell, English, “Generative Challenges: Notes on Artist/Critic Interaction,” Callaloo, Vol. 32, No. 2
(May 2009), pp. 605-15.

James O’Brien, Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, with Scott Aberegg and Naeem Ali, Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, and Stanley Lemeshow, Public Health, led a study at the OSU Medical Center that was recently published in the journal Critical Care. The study evaluates the factors doctors consider before choosing a specific treatment, drotrecogin alfa (activated), the only FDA-approved treatment for septic shock patients. The study concluded that clinicians do not seem to follow recommendations by the FDA when selecting appropriate treatment for patients.

Barbara Polivka, Nursing, “Factors Associated with Healthcare Visits by Young Children for Nontoxic Poisoning Exposures,” with M. Casavant and B.D. Baker, Journal of Community Health.

Paula Renker, Nursing, “Breaking the Barriers: The Promise of Computer-Assisted Screening for Intimate Partner Violence,” Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, Vol. 53 (2008), pp. 496-503.

Wynne Wong, History, “Reflections on Grammar Instruction in the Preparation of TAs and Part-Time Instructors,” NECTFL Review, Vol. 65, pp. 8-21, with Carolyn Gascoigne and Sarah Jourdain.

Stuart Zweben, Computer Science and Engineering, “Undergraduate CS Enrollment Continues Rising; Doctoral Production Drops,” Computing Research News (May 2010), pp. 7-24.

Recognition

Dennis Cannon, Art Education, was named “Ohio Art Educator of the Year,” by the National Art Education Association at its national convention, Baltimore, Md. The award recognizes excellence, accomplishment and service as an art educator.

Angie Estes, English, is one of two nominated finalists for the Pulitzer Poetry Prize for her book, Tryst. She also has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship.

Kyle Ezell, Architecture, received Ohio State’s 2010 Faculty Award for Excellence in Community-Based Scholarship for his studio teaching in working with the City of Columbus in designing its neighborhood stabilization program that led to the expenditure of $23 million.

Mitchell Henry, Surgery, has been selected president-elect of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons. The society is dedicated to fostering and advancing the practice and science of transplantation for the benefit of patients and the community. He becomes president of the organization in May 2011.

Richard Herrmann, Political Science, is the 2010 Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teaching Award recipient from the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council. Herrmann was recognized at the Arts and Sciences Spring Recognition Reception and will receive a $1,000 grant in support of his academic work. Alan Farmer, English, Peter Mansoor, History, and John Wenzel, Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, also were recognized at the Spring Reception as Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teaching Award finalists.

Ruthmarie Mitsch, African American and African Studies, served as deputy editor for the recently published Oxford Encyclopedia of African Thought. The encyclopedia offers entries covering the fields of philosophy, political thought, religion, literature and important social movements and was edited by F. Abiola Irele, formerly of the Department of African American and African Studies, and Biodun Jeyifo of Harvard University. Among those contributing entries to the encyclopedia were Kwaku Korang and Adeleke Adeeko, African American and African Studies.

Marc Tassé, Psychology and Psychiatry, has been elected to a progressive, four-year leadership term with the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. In his first year, Tassé will serve as vice president, followed each subsequent year as president-elect, president and past president. The association promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices and universal rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Service

Lee Martin, English, served as the final judge for the Reynolds Price Fiction Prize, sponsored by Salem College, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Carolyn Merry, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geodetic Science, was sworn in as president of the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing at its annual meeting, San Diego, Calif., April 28.

Calendar, 6/17/10

June 16, 2010

Conference

June 15-17, Ohio Collaborative Conference on Bioinformatics (OCCBIO), hosted by the Office of Research and Biomedical Informatics Department, Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St., registration required, occbio.org, call 688-3071 for more information.

Events

FLC broadcasting World Cup in native languages
Through July 11

The Foreign Language Center is broadcasting the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament in the Crane Café of Hagerty Hall. When available, broadcasts will be in languages of the participating nations: Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, English and more. Most games will be played at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (EST). The Crane Café is located in the first floor of Hagerty Hall. For more information, contact Sujan Manandhar at manandhar.1@osu.edu or 247-2048.

June 17, Biometric Health Screening, 8 a.m.-noon, Purchasing, Scarlet Room, 2650 Kenny Road, registration and appointment required, yourplanforhealth.com.

June 17, Marotta Hour: Rocco DiPietro, “Body Trap,” 7-8 p.m., OSU Urban Arts Space, 50 W. Town St., 292-8861.

June 23, Biometric Health Screening, 7:20 a.m.-noon, OSU Child Care Center, 725 Ackerman Road, registration and appointment required, yourplanforhealth.com.

June 24, “Swarm,” Jacob Wick, 6-8 p.m., OSU Urban Arts Space, 50 W. Town St., 292-8861.

June 30, Biometric Health Screening, 8 a.m.-noon, Development, 1st Floor Conference Room, 1480 W. Lane Ave., registration and appointment required, yourplanforhealth.com.

July 5, Independence Day observed, no classes, offices closed, 292-9051.

July 15, Dependent Tuition Assistance application deadline, download form at hr.osu.edu/benefits/eb_tuitionassistance, contact HR Customer Service at service@hr.osu.edu or 292-1050 for more information.

Exhibits

Through June 18, “Gardens of Earthly Delight,” Joanne Stichweh, Faculty Club, 181 S. Oval Drive, ohiostatefacultyclub.com or 292-2262.

Through Aug. 20, “What’s New? A Sampler of Recent Acquisitions,” Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum, Reading Room Gallery, 27 W. 17th Avenue Mall, cartoons.osu.edu or 292-0538.

June 18, “2010 High School Juried Exhibition,” reception, 6-8 p.m., OSU Urban Arts Space, 50 W. Town St., free, 292-8861.

June 25-Aug. 27, “Frederick Fochtman: Paintings,” opening reception, June 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Faculty Club, 181 S. Oval Drive, ohiostatefacultyclub.com or 292-2262.

June 28-Sept. 2, “Accessible Expressions Ohio,” OSU Urban Arts Space, 50 W. Town St., free, 292-8861.

June 29-Oct. 9, “Charles A. Csuri: Beyond Boundaries, 1963-present,” OSU Urban Arts Space, 50 W. Town St., free, 292-8861.

July 6-Oct. 2, “Alan Price: Immersive Environments 2005-10,” OSU Urban Arts Space, 50 W. Town St., free, 292-8861.

Films

July 1, Film Screening, “Who Does She Think She Is?” directed by Pamela Tanner Boll, 6-8 p.m., followed by Q&A session with Janis Wunderlich, OSU Urban Arts Space, 50 W. Town St., 292-8861.

July 9, College of Social Work Friday Night Film Festival Series, “Gran Torino,” 7 p.m., 115 Stillman Hall, 1947 College Road, free to alumni, students, faculty, friends and public, a non-perishable food donation is requested for Mid-Ohio Food Bank, csw.osu.edu/alumni/events or 247-7927.

Lectures

June 17, Stone Lab 2010 Guest Lecture Series, “Toward a More Renewable Energy Future for Ohio: An Environment Economic Prespective,” Fred Hitzhusen, Ohio State, 7 p.m., Gibraltar Island, Put-in-Bay, live broadcast in 333C Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, (614) 285-1800.

June 24, Stone Lab 2010 Guest Lecture Series, “Pioneering Research on Lake Erie: Stone Laboratory Contributions of the Last Century,” Charles Herdendorf, Ohio State, 7 p.m., Gibraltar Island, Put-in-Bay, live broadcast in 333C Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, (614) 285-1800.

July 1, Stone Lab 2010 Guest Lecture Series, “The Geologic History of the Lake Erie Basin,” Lawrence Krissek, Ohio State, 7 p.m., Gibraltar Island, Put-in-Bay, live broadcast in 333C Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, (614) 285-1800.

July 8, Stone Lab 2010 Guest Lecture Series, “Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge: Part of a Bigger System,” Doug Brewer, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, 7 p.m., Gibraltar Island, Put-in-Bay, live broadcast in 333C Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road, (614) 285-1800.

Meetings

June 18, Board of Trustees, Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Road, call for schedule, 292-6359.

June 18, Veterans Lunch Series, open to all Ohio State faculty, staff, alumni and students, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Rooms A-D, Faculty Club, reservation required, contact forrest.73@osu.edu or 292-7047.

July 13, Succeeding Financially, “Who’s Who in Real Estate,” Brian Connor, Huntington National Bank, noon-1 p.m., Office of Human Resources, Suite 430, Room 425, 1590 N. High St., registration required, hr.osu.edu/ohrc/ld_customizedtraining.

Of Note …

Faculty asked to apply for associate provost position
Deadline: June 18

As a result of the retirement of the associate provost for Honors & Scholars, Ohio State is seeking a tenured OSU faculty member to serve in that role. Download the position description at esue.ohio-state.edu/Associate_Provost_and_Director_Honors_Scholars.pdf. The position is available Aug. 1, and an internal search has begun. Nominations (including self-nominations) are invited. Contact Elaine Pritchard at pritchard.90@osu.edu, or forward a cover letter and vitae by June 18 to: Honors Director Search, 381 Bricker Hall.

Training

June 17, College of Social Work Training, “Teen Substance Abuse,” 1-4:15 p.m., 115 Stillman Hall, 1947 College Road, earn 3 CEU/RCH clock hours, open to the public, visit csw.osu.edu/trainingforprofessionals/trainingcalendar for description and registration.

June 18, Financial Training and Documentation, “Tax Obligations and Compliance at OSU,” 8:30 a.m.-noon, 231 Mount Hall, 1050 Carmack Road, registration required, oit.ohio-state.edu/hrfin/trainingregistration.html.

June 24-25, Financial Training and Documentation, “The Procurement and Payment Process,” 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. both days, 231 Mount Hall, 1050 Carmack Road, registration required, oit.ohio-state.edu/hrfin/trainingregistration.html.

June 26, College of Social Work Training, “Yoga as a Therapeutic Tool for Social Workers,” 9 a.m.-4:15 p.m., 115 Stillman Hall, 1947 College Road, earn 6 CEU/RCH clock hours, open to the public, visit csw.osu.edu/trainingforprofessionals/trainingcalendar for description and registration.

June 28-29, Financial Training and Documentation, “Stewardship of Endowment and Gift Funds,” 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. both days, 231 Mount Hall,
1050 Carmack Road, registration required, oit.ohio-state.edu/hrfin/trainingregistration.html.

June 29, College of Social Work Training, “Advanced Gender Dysphoria,” 1-4:15 p.m., 115 Stillman Hall, 1947 College Road, earn 3 CEU/RCH clock hours, open to the public, visit csw.osu.edu/trainingforprofessionals/trainingcalendar for description and registration.

June 30, Human Resources Training, “Manage Additional Pay,” 1-4:30 p.m., 191 Mount Hall, 1050 Carmack Road, registration required, oit.osu.edu/hrfin/hrschedule/html.

July 7-8, Financial Training and Documentation, “Debits and Credits,” 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. both days, 231 Mount Hall, 1050 Carmack Road, registration required, oit.ohio-state.edu/hrfin/trainingregistration.html.

July 8, Organization and Human Resource Consulting, “Paper and Bytes: Managing OSU Records,” 9-11 a.m., Office of Human Resources, Suite 430, 1590 N. High St., registration required, hr.osu.edu/ohrc.

July 8, College of Social Work Training, “Ethics and Today’s Wired Teens (texting, sexting and social networking),” 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m., 115 Stillman Hall, 1947 College Road, earn 3 CEU/RCH clock hours, open to the public, visit csw.osu.edu/trainingforprofessionals/trainingcalendar for description and registration.

July 13, Human Resources Training, “Manage Positions and Create Job Openings,” 1-4:30 p.m., 191 Mount Hall, 1050 Carmack Road, registration required, oit.osu.edu/hrfin/hrschedule/html.

July 13, Financial Training and Documentation, “University Expenditures Policy,” 9-11 a.m., 231 Mount Hall, 1050 Carmack Road, registration required, oit.ohio-state.edu/hrfin/trainingregistration.html.

Wexner

Through June 30, The Box, “Whispering Pines 6, 7, 8,” (Shana Moulton, 2006), Mon.-Wed. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Thu.-Fri. 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., The Box is located across from the Wexner Center Store, 1871 N. High St., free, 292-3535.

Through Aug. 15, On View: Mark Bradford, Wexner Center Galleries, 1871 N. High St., admission (free to visitors the first Sunday of the month and every Thursday after 4 p.m.), 292-3535.

Through Aug. 15, On View: Zoe Strauss, “Works for Columbus, OH,” Wexner Center Galleries, 1871 N. High St., admission (free to visitors the first Sunday of the month and every Thursday after 4 p.m.), 292-3535.

June 17, Akira Kurosawa @ 100, “Rashomon” (1950), 7 p.m., Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St., admission, 292-3535.

June 17, Wex Drive-In, “The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou” (Wes Anderson, 2004), 8 p.m., Wexner Center Plaza, free, 292-3535.

June 17, Wex at Gateway, “No One Knows About Persian Cats” (Bahman Ghobade, 2009), visit wexarts.org for screening times, Gateway Film Center,
1550 N. High St., admission, 292-3535.

June 18-19, New Documentary, “Oct. Country” (Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher, 2009), 7 p.m., Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St., admission, 292-3535.

June 18-24, Wex at Gateway, “Vincere” (Marco Bellocchio, 2009), visit wexarts.org for screening times, Gateway Film Center, 1550 N. High St., admission, 292-3535.

June 22, Secret Cinema, 7 p.m., Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St., $3 admission, 292-3535.

June 24, Akira Kurosawa @ 100, “I Live in Fear” (1955), 7 p.m., Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St., admission, 292-3535.

June 25-26, Classics, New 35MM Print, “The Red Shoes” (Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, 1948), 7 p.m., Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St., admission, 292-3535.

June 25-July 8, Wex at Gateway, “Waking Sleeping Beauty” (Don Hahn, 2009), visit wexarts.org for screening times, Gateway Film Center, 1550 N. High St., admission, 292-3535.

June 29-30, Contemporary Screen, “Ajami” (Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani, 2009), 7 p.m., Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St., admission, 292-3535.

July 1, A Summer Abroad: Cinema italiano, “La dolce vita” (Federico Fellini, 1960), 7 p.m., Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St., admission, 292-3535.

July 1-31, The Box, “54 Days this Winter 36 Days this Spring for 18 Minutes,” (Dani Leventhal, 2009), Mon.-Wed. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Thu.-Fri. 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., The Box is located across from the Wexner Center Store, 1871 N. High St., free, 292-3535.

July 8, A Summer Abroad: Cinema italiano, “Death in Venice” (Luchino Visconti, 1971) and “La signora di tutti” (Max Ophüls, 1934), 7 p.m., Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St., admission, 292-3535.

July 9, GenWex Presents, “We Never Learn,” Eric Davidson, 9 p.m., Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St., admission, 292-3535.

July 9-10, A Summer Abroad: Cinema italiano, “Mid-Aug. Lunch” (Gianni Di Gregorio, 2008), 7 p.m., Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St., admission, 292-3535.

July 9-15, Wex at Gateway, “Trash Humpers” (Harmony Korine, 2009), visit wexarts.org for screening times, Gateway Film Center, 1550 N. High St., admission, 292-3535.

July 12-16, Tees Arts Fusion 2010, “Club Mix with DJ Scoot,” 1:30-4:30 p.m. each day, Wexner Center, 1871 N. High St., registration required, fee, contact edweb@wexarts.org or 292-6493 for more information.

July 15, GenWex Presents: Peronis on the Plaza, 6:30 p.m., Wexner Center Plaza, 1871 N. High St., free, cash bar, 292-3535.

July 15, A Summer Abroad: Cinema italiano, “Umberto D” (Vittorio De Sica, 1952), 7 p.m., Film/Video Theater, 1871 N. High St., admission, 292-3535.

July 15, Wex Drive-In, “The Talented Mr. Ripley” (Anthony Minghella, 1999), 8 p.m., Wexner Center Plaza, free, 292-3535.

Workshop

June 26, “Oil in the Global Economy,” Tom O’Donnell, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Middle East Studies Center, Oxley Hall, 1712 Neil Ave., contact mesc.osu.edu for more information.

Les Tannenbaum, English

June 16, 2010

Les Tannenbaum is an associate professor of English who specializes in  British Romantic literature, especially the works of William Blake. His current research focuses on the writings and illustrations of Maurice Sendak.

What are your five favorite books and why?

I’ve read this several times and consider it to be possibly the world’s greatest novel. It asks all the big questions about good and evil, the human and the divine, and it does so in a very dramatic and compelling way. Each of the brothers represents a different aspect of the human psyche —Ivan the intellectual, Dmitri the sensualist, Alyosha the spiritual seeker and Smerdyakov (if we can believe that he is an illegitimate brother) the murderer.

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

I don’t know why such a sad story is so “delicious” to read, but I think it’s because of Flaubert’s great relish in telling the story and in his combined ironic and sympathetic treatment of Emma Bovary. She may be flawed, but the people around her are no better and are often downright stupid or despicable.

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

This has to be one of my favorite American novels. It has such a powerful narrative voice, and Huck’s outlook on life is so engaging. Twain’s satire is brilliantly filtered through Huck’s ingenuous personality, and the novel also is the ultimate “road trip” story.

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

I don’t know how many times I’ve read this, but I never get tired of it. The story and the prose style are so riveting, and all the characters are so deftly drawn. Charlie Marlow, the narrator-hero, is such a sharp observer of others and of his own reactions to things that a reader always feels so close to him and to what he is experiencing. As with Huck Finn, we also see around him, notice his blind spots and Conrad’s ironies, which adds to the pleasure.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

It’s played such an important part in my life and is probably the archetypal American fantasy, involving so much of what we are all about. Besides the political content, there also is the sheer delight of following the adventures of Dorothy and her friends.

What book have you bought recently?

Tolstoy’s War and Peace. I was reading Stephenie Meyer’s New Moon (to figure out my students’ reading tastes) and got so fed up with the characters and the writing that I had to detoxify by reading something great.

What “important book” have you not read and why haven’t you read it?

I may be the only person in the world who hasn’t read To Kill a Mockingbird. Maybe I haven’t read it because the film version made such a strong impression on me that I’m afraid to break the spell.

What books have helped you most in your career?

William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience and The Marriage of Heaven and Hell turned me around completely and led me to become a Romanticist and a Blake scholar. I felt as if Blake were talking directly to me and teaching me life lessons. Also, Elizabeth W. Flynn and John F. La Faso’s Group Discussion as Learning Process helped me to become a better teacher by helping me develop skills as a discussion leader.

Booktalk highlights the literary opinions of faculty and staff at Ohio State. To nominate a colleague for a future Booktalk, e-mail Julia Harris at harris.587@osu.edu.

New center aims to speed up tech commercialization effort

June 16, 2010

Ohio State is strengthening its efforts to realize the full potential of faculty research to improve lives and spur economic development through the creation of a comprehensive new commercialization center.

The approach is a unique model among universities and represents a new collaboration between faculty inventors and business, emphasizing partnerships with the colleges of Engineering, Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, Business and Law and the Office of Research. It will be housed within Fisher College of Business.

“Universities are generating the ideas and discoveries that will drive the new economy of the 21st century,” President Gordon Gee said. “To fully realize Ohio State’s contributions to the state and the nation, we must assure that the innovative work of our faculty — in health care, advanced materials and agriculture, among other areas — moves from research to results.”

Ohio State is bringing together in one organization new-technology evaluation, license negotiation, company-formation mentorship and undergraduate and graduate education on entrepreneurship and commercialization. In addition, a Proof of Concept Center will be established to ensure that resources are directed to those inventions showing the greatest potential for the commercial market.

Technology experts, based in the university’s colleges, will screen and prioritize promising technologies. New external councils, comprised primarily of industrial leaders, will work with the technology experts and deans to help guide decisions about commercial viability.

“This new center will result in improved probability of success for our high-quality emerging technologies and an increase in the total licensing revenue and equity holdings in start-up companies,” said Fisher Dean Christine Poon, who joined the university a year ago after a 30-year career in the health-care industry, most recently as vice chairman and member of the board of Johnson & Johnson and worldwide chair of the Pharmaceuticals Group.

The new commercialization strategy presents a significant opportunity to generate new revenue for the university, which is in the process of recruiting a chief commercialization officer to lead this effort.

Ohio State ranks in the top 10 nationally with $716 million in research expenditures in 2009 and is second in industry-sponsored research. The university’s 2009 licensing revenue was $1.7 million.

“Our new approach to commercialization builds on the extraordinary research of our faculty,” said Vice President for Research Caroline Whitacre, who will co-chair with an industry leader the overarching governance board for the new center. “This approach very effectively connects our innovative faculty with industrial leaders to address pressing social needs and improve Ohio’s economy.”

Fisher’s Center for Entrepreneurship will be the hub for much of the new activity. Established in 2001, the Center for Entrepreneurship integrates state-of-the-art classroom education with hands-on experience in developing new start-up companies.

In addition, Fisher is well-positioned among Ohio’s growing private equity and venture capital investment community with faculty serving on a number of investment screening committees.

“By leveraging the university’s great breadth and depth in health sciences, food and agriculture, material sciences and engineering, we can establish one of the premier brands in entrepreneurship and technology commercialization,” Poon said. “And we’ll advance Ohio State’s impact as a critical driver of economic development in the region, nation and world.”

Newsbriefs, 6/17/10

June 16, 2010

O-H-I-O campaign hits milestone
What started as a simple website to pay tribute to a football cheer now has 5,000 photos and has grown to include television spots and an iPhone app. It’s been embraced by users and recognized by peers, having recently won an Ohio Interactive Award. To commemorate, a mosaic O-H-I-O image was made using the collection of photos that friends and fans have shared over the years. To thank submitters, a free poster of the mosaic is available at the Alumni Office in the Ohio Union or ready to download at osu.edu/download/o-h-i-o.php. View more O-H-I-O photos at osu.edu/O-H-I-O/?item=10277.

Staff Conversation with President Gee June 22
The University Staff Advisory Committee will host its spring Staff Conversation with President Gordon Gee for faculty, staff and students from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 22 at 180 Hagerty Hall. The president will discuss the reorganization of the College of the Arts and Sciences as well as the progress of Ohio State’s conversion to semesters.

For those unable to make the event in person, USAC will be webcasting the conversation live. Visit usac.osu.edu for the broadcast link.

OIT, TELR now Office of the Chief Information Officer
The Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO) has become the official name that describes the areas previously referred to as OIT (Office of Information Technology) and TELR (Technology Enhanced Learning & Research). The Office of the CIO will continue to operate in its current structure and contacts will remain unchanged. At the same time, the Office of the CIO is changing former logos and wordmark references to reflect and strengthen the CIO brand. Web and e-mail addresses for OIT and TELR will continue to be operational for the foreseeable future, and the web domain cio.osu.edu will for now remain unchanged. Read more at cio.osu.edu/communications/community/2010/oit_now_cio.html.

Cannon Drive now closed between John Herrick and Woody Hayes
Cannon Drive will be closed on several occasions to thru traffic throughout the summer between John Herrick and Woody Hayes drives to facilitate construction work on the Morrill and Lincoln Tower pedestrian bridges. The first closure began June 14 and will last about 30 days, with the expected re-opening July 15. The street will be available for events and operations in Morrill Tower and Drake Union. Most parking lots will be available with some changes in routing within the lot. Contact OSU Transportation & Parking at tpinfo@osu.edu for assistance with alternate accessible parking arrangements. All scheduling is weather-dependant, and future notices will be posted in OSUToday prior to each closure. Read more at tp.osu.edu/alerts/summerconstruction.shtml.

Bike checks, group rides, prizes highlight Pelotonia Cycling Fair
All Ohio State employees, students, family and friends are invited to the first Pelotonia Cycling Fair from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. June 19 at the Fawcett Center. Two group rides — 25 miles and 15 miles — will roll out from the fair, which will feature free bike checkups, health screenings, valuable biking and nutrition information and opportunities to sign up to ride in Pelotonia. You also may enter to win a new iPad and other great prizes when you attend the fair. Register and find more information at ced.osu.edu/PelotoniaCyclingFair. Faculty and staff who register to ride Pelotonia also will be eligible to win a 2010 Honda Accord or a new $2,300 touring bicycle.

Payroll information changes websites
Ohio State’s employee payroll web pages have been transitioned from the Office of Human Resources’ website to the Office of the Controller’s website at ctlr.ohio-state.edu/pay/pay-home.shtm.

OHR’s web page will continue to have links to the payroll pages to ensure that customers have a seamless experience. Additionally, redirects have been set up so that if customers have an OHR payroll page bookmarked or click on an old link, they will automatically be sent to the corresponding page on the Controller’s website.

The Controller’s website contains all of the payroll pages that were previously on OHR’s site with the exception of the Annual Merit Compensation Process (AMCP) pages and the Employment Verification pages. Those will remain on the OHR website in the following locations:

• The AMCP pages have been moved to Compensation — hr.osu.edu/comp.

• The Employment Verification pages have been moved to Benefits — hr.osu.edu/benefits/ab_employmentverification.aspx.

As a reminder, Payroll Services has been reassigned to the Office of Business and Finance. This consolidates all university financial reporting services under one university leader. Employees with payroll-specific questions should go to Blankenship Hall, 2nd floor, for assistance.

Business offices moving to Blankenship Hall

The Travel, PCard and Expediting programs have been reorganized from the Purchasing Department to the Office of the Controller, and their offices will be moving June 23 from 2650 Kenny Road to 2008 Blankenship Hall. All campus mailings and PCard pick-up should be directed to the new location. Telephone numbers and e-mails will remain the same.

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