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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Friday, Jan. 2. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

Columbus health care experts help shape Obama policies

Area health care experts and advocates for health care reform met Tuesday (12/30) in the Wallace Auditorium of University Hospital East to summarize their views and suggestions for a national health plan, which will be forwarded to President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team. Similar meetings are being held around the country at the request of former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle, who will serve as secretary of health and human services. Steven Gabbe, senior vice president for health sciences at Ohio State and CEO of the OSU Medical Center, moderated the discussion. Read more >

College students find comfort in their pets during hard times

A new study suggests that college students may handle stressful situations better if they have a pet. Students who chose to live with at least one dog, one cat, or a combination of the two were less likely to report feeling lonely and depressed; something they directly attributed to their beloved pet. These findings highlight how even younger, healthier adults can benefit from living with our four-legged friends, said Sara Staats, lead author of the study and professor emeritus of psychology at Ohio State's Newark Campus. Read more >

Ohio State students told of potential data exposure

Ohio State has notified approximately 18,000 current and former students whose names and Social Security numbers had been mistakenly stored on a computer server exposed to the Internet. This exposure was caused by an outside vendor doing work for the university’s Student Health Insurance Plan and only affected those students enrolled in the insurance program from Autumn Quarter 2005 to Summer Quarter 2006. University officials state that it is unlikely that exposure will lead to fraud or identity theft, however the affected students have been offered free identity fraud protection. Read more >

Multicultural Center seeks artist for 2009 awards ceremony

The Multicultural Center is looking for talented artists to design and create the awards for its annual awards ceremony. The original artwork must reflect the MCC theme, “Stories of Transformation.” Selected artist receives $1,400 honorarium and must create 30 reproductions of their piece. Deadline for submission is Friday (2/6). Selected artist will have three months to recreate artwork. Contact: tstewart@studentlife.osu.edu. Read more >

SAIL Conference call for programs

Program proposals are due Friday (1/9) for the annual SAIL Conference, a single-day, student leadership experience for Ohio State students. The theme is “Embracing the Elements of Leadership” and will focus on providing students with skills they can use during their time at Ohio State and beyond. Faculty, staff, and graduate/undergraduate students are encouraged to submit proposals for 45 minute workshop sessions. Contact: pelletier.17@osu.edu.

ADA Coordinator's Office offers training opportunities

Ohio State's ADA Coordinator's Office is sponsoring a series of professional development and technical assistance workshops focused on disability policy, practice as part of its services commitment. Sessions are offered throughout the year culminating in a national annual conference, Multiple Perspectives On Access, Inclusion & Disability in April. For information on sponsoring a workshop for your organization or community, contact Scott Lissner at lissner.2@osu.edu. Workshops include:

• Thursday (2/26), Columbus Campus. The New Disability? Determining Disability and Accommodations under the ADA and ADAAA of 2008. Registration form and details
• Friday (2/27), Blackwell Hotel and Conference Center. Transition and Communication Consortium on Learning & Disabilities (TACCLD) 2009 Conference. Read more >

Concerts@Ohio State series to air on WOSU 89.7 FM

WOSU Public Media is partnering with the OSU School of Music to produce a new series, Concerts@Ohio State that will air on WOSU 89.7 FM. Hosted and produced by WOSU’s Christopher Purdy, with support from School of Music faculty and Interim Director Edward Adelson, the series will include 12 one-hour broadcasts that will air Sundays at 3 p.m., beginning (1/4) and airing through (3/22). Each concert will take place in Weigel Auditorium and feature performances by student ensembles and faculty artists. Contact: petrilla.6@osu.edu or 292-9678 ext. 49730. Read more >

UFSAP offers online video to assist with stress, financial pressures

The University Faculty and Staff Assistance Program offers two online videos to help faculty and staff manage the stress and financial pressures that many are experiencing in these difficult economic times. Click here to view the 13-minute “Walk, Talk & Breathe: Learning to Manage Stress in Difficult Times” and the 23-minute “Relieving Financial Stress.” For further assistance in stress or financial management or other areas, contact UFSAP at 292-4472 or (800) 678-6265.

OSU Mansfield Theatre presents Disney’s Aladdin Jr.

The OSU Mansfield Theatre Department will join with the Mansfield Youth Theatre to present Disney’s Aladdin Jr. at 7 p.m. Friday (1/9), 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday (1/10) and 2:30 p.m. Sunday (1/11) in Founders Auditorium. For tickets, contact (419) 522-2726 or mansfieldtickets.com. For details, contact Rodger Smith, smith.61@osu.edu or (419) 755-4215.