Vol. 38, No. 18

1-5-2005
By: onCampus staff

News briefs 1/6/05

Recent news items in an abbreviated format.
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UNITS to save OSU $1 million through reduced rates
For the eighth consecutive year, UNITS/OIT, the university’s telecommunications department, has lowered its rates to departments and college offices, with the reductions estimated to save the university $1 million for the 2004-05 fiscal year. With annual rate reductions since 1998, UNITS has helped the university reduce telecommunications costs by an estimated $5.7 million — an example of Ohio State’s ongoing efforts to contain costs and improve efficiency in the face of tight budget conditions.

UNITS implemented the 2005 rate reductions, which affected most business telephones, telephone features and long distance services, Nov. 1. In addition, the reductions are retroactive to July 1, 2004, for business customers. University departments and college offices will receive a one-time credit in their June 2005 billing statements to offset the rate differences for July through October 2004. Customers using UNITS’ personal long distance services also experienced lower rates as of Nov. 1.

“This year’s rate reductions are possible due to a number of cost-saving measures that have been implemented,” said UNITS Director Bob Corbin. “We are pleased to be able to pass these savings on in the form of lower rates to our customers.”

Snyder taps committee to lead undergrad review
Provost Barbara Snyder has appointed a committee to perform a universitywide review of undergraduate education, including an evaluation of the General Education Curriculum, the number of hours required for graduation, the appropriate role of freshman seminars in undergraduate education, and who is teaching undergraduate courses. In addition, she will ask the committee to consider how well undergraduate education at Ohio State reflects university priorities such as diversity, research, interdisciplinarity and outreach. Committee members are: Chair Brian McHale, professor of English; Beth Hume, associate professor of linguistics; George Marzluf, professor of biochemistry; Mellasenah Morris, director of the School of Music; undergraduate student Louis Pastor; Pam Paxton, associate professor of sociology; Frank Schwartz, Ohio Eminent Scholar in Geological Sciences; Ian Sheldon, professor of agricultural, environmental, and development economics; David Tomasko, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering; and Larry Tomassini, professor of accounting and management information systems. Vice Provosts Martha Garland and Randy Smith will serve in an ex officio capacity.

New health newsletter for faculty, staff in works
The Office of Human Resources (OHR) has created a new quarterly newsletter called Integrated Health – A Newsletter Connecting Faculty and Staff, which is being produced as part of an ongoing effort to share information with university employees about the future of university medical plans.

The first issue of this new publication is slated to be mailed mid-January to the home address of all benefits-eligible Ohio State faculty and staff. Issues will then arrive quarterly to inform readers of changes to the university’s medical plans, and to share a variety of wellness and other applicable health information. In addition to the newsletter, several other communication items will be used to keep faculty and staff informed of any changes that are made to the university’s medical plans.

To determine how the university can be innovative in providing accessible, affordable and high-quality care in the years ahead, OHR has partnered with the Medical Center and Managed Health Care Systems (MHCS) to form a steering committee and several workgroups to evaluate the recommendations of the university’s Health Care Investment (HCI) Committee regarding the plan structure and components of the new medical plans, which will be effective January 2006. Other recommendations will be phased in over the next several years as OSU moves from its traditional health plans to a new approach of “active plans for health.” The new active plans will be designed to provide faculty and staff the information and tools they need to be and stay healthy while at the same time help slow down the rising cost of health care.

Virologist honored for helping to battle SARS
Ohio State virologist Linda Saif joined Richard Gere, Tom Brokaw and other personalities at the New York Public Library on Dec. 6 to accept the 2005 Impact Awards presented by AARP The Magazine, the official publication of the American Association of Retired People and the country’s largest-circulation magazine, to Americans “who improve the world we live in.” A scientist at the university’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster, Saif was chosen for her recognition because of her contributions to the worldwide battle against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), said Gabrielle Redford, the magazine’s senior editor. Saif is the only scientist recognized this year.

Holbrook participates in higher education summit
President Karen Holbrook opened a summit on higher education hosted by Gov. Bob Taft Dec. 14 at the Ohio Union. Four-year and two-year university and college presidents, chairs of university boards of trustees, and the members of the Ohio Board of Regents attended. Taft hosted the first of what he intends to be bi-annual meetings to communicate with the state’s higher education leadership. The meetings also will provide a forum for Taft to present his vision for higher education and provide university and college administrators and trustees with tools to help them lead their institutions in ways that augment the state’s economic growth and competitiveness.

Wetlands building receives architecture award
The Columbus chapter of the American Institute of Architects recently selected the Heffner Wetland and Research Education Building for a merit award for design excellence. The building, located at the Olentangy River Wetlands and Research Park just north of the Columbus campus, was one of six buildings honored this year during the association’s 29th annual awards program. The Columbus office of the architectural firm NBBJ designed the building.

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