Vol. 38, No. 18

2-17-2009
By:

Newsbriefs, 2/19/09

Academic Affairs restructures positions to respond to institutional priorities
The Office of Academic Affairs is recasting the responsibilities of two vice provosts in order to further strengthen undergraduate education and provide department chairs with new opportunities for honing their administrative skills.
The considerable responsibilities of Martha Garland, presently vice provost for enrollment services and dean of undergraduate education, will be divided between two positions upon her retirement later this year. The responsibilities of the vice provost for academic policy and faculty resources, presently held by Carole Anderson, will expand to include greater oversight of leadership preparation and training for department and academic program heads.

USAC elects new slate of officers
Amy Ehrlich, who works as a program manager in the Center for Continuing Medical Education, was elected chair of the University Staff Advisory Committee during its Feb. 11 meeting.

Joining Ehrlich on her leadership team, which begins its one-year term July 1, are Joetta McCabe, vice chair, human resources and fiscal manager for the Office of Responsible Research Practices; Tom Keller, treasurer, grants manager for the Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Anna Long, recorder, program coordinator in the OSU Child Care Program.

USAC, which was established in 1986, is comprised of 30 university staff who are elected to staggered three-year terms. They are appointed by the president and advocate on behalf of all staff with university administration by raising, discussing and making recommendations on non-academic issues.

OSU employees and their high school students invited to special reception
High school sophomores and juniors and their parents are invited to a special reception from 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in 001 Jennings Hall. Representatives from Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience, Human Resources and Benefits and the OSU regional campuses and the Agricultural Technical Institute will discuss academic and scholarship opportunities and university tuition benefits. Register online (enter the access code OSJR09) or contact brown.1112@osu.edu for more information.

New program for students in addiction recovery
Support is available for students in recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs in a new program of the Student Wellness Center in partnership with Counseling and Consultation Service and University Housing. The program supports students in recovery through specialized housing, 12-step meetings, educational workshops addressing overall wellness and leadership and community service opportunities. Contact the Student Wellness Center for more information at wellness@osu.edu.

Centers for Innovation information repository now available
Ohio State’s new program, Centers for Innovation and Innovation Groups, fosters broad multidisciplinary approaches to some of society’s most pressing problems. A new Web site, research.osu.edu/innovation, will help faculty share information about ideas for centers and groups currently being developed across campus to build interdisciplinary collaborations. Faculty organizing projects are invited to submit the working title of their project, a brief description/focus of the project, a list of collaborators and college affiliations, contact information and type of proposal to research@osu.edu for Web site posting. An FAQ page also will be available. For more information, contact weisenberger.21@osu.edu or 247-4764.

Partnership will open access to medical college for community college students
Ohio State, in partnership with Columbus State Community College, is leading a national pilot to guide more community college students to medical school and other health care professions. The Pipeline to Medical Colleges Initiative is the first step in a new national partnership between community colleges and four-year colleges and universities that expands access to the baccalaureate degree as well as to graduate and professional degrees.

Later this month, Ohio State and Columbus State officials will begin working out specific details of the pilot program, such as such as means of identifying students, costs and scholarships and financial aid. The pipeline could begin as early as next academic year.

Upcoming ePayroll PIN reset requirement
As part of the university’s ongoing commitment to secure employee personal information and as required by its ePayroll vendor (TALX), beginning on Feb. 15, employees accessing the ePayroll System will be prompted to change their PIN every 90 days. Changing PINs regularly is a good security practice, and changing them every 90 days is consistent with the password change policy on many important OSU systems, including the university’s PeopleSoft administrative systems. Employees who have any questions may e-mail Payroll Services at epay@hr.osu.edu, visit epay@hr.osu.edu or call the TALX Customer Service Center at (866) 678-3729.

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