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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Thursday, Feb. 7. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

ALUTTO TO DELIVER STATE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS ADDRESS TODAY

Executive Vice President and Provost Joseph Alutto will highlight five of the year’s academic priorities in his State of Academic Affairs address to the University Senate, at 3:30 p.m. today (2/7) in 130 Drinko Hall. The address, “Planning for Change,” will feature information and updates on strategic planning, doctoral program reviews, the arts and sciences federation, the Academic Core North and the University System of Ohio. Read more >

MUSEUM OF BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY OPEN HOUSE LECTURE FEB. 8

Eminent ecologist Daniel Simberloff will deliver “Biological Invasions: A Global Threat, But a Winnable War,” from 7-8 p.m. Friday (2/8) in 100 Independence Hall. Simberloff, who will present an academic lecture on the birds of the Solomon Islands earlier in the day, is an expert in the area of invasion biology. The lecture marks the first event of the Fourth Annual Museum of Biological Diversity Open House, which will be held at the museum from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday (2/16). Both events are free and open to the public. Read more >

LATEST ISSUE OF ONCAMPUS NOW AVAILABLE

The Feb. 7 issue of onCampus is now available, so please check your Ohio State mailbox. Here’s a preview from the online version of onCampus:
- Student Advocacy Center helps students navigate the sometimes-difficult path of college life. Read more >
- Researchers have investigated many social questions using the data contained within the National Longitudinal Surveys, developed and maintained at Ohio State. Read more >

OHIO EPA DIRECTOR IS ENVIRONMENTAL SEMINAR SERIES GUEST

Chris Korleski, director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, is the guest speaker this week for the environmental seminar series presented by the OSU Institute for Energy and the Environment, in collaboration with the Environmental Sciences Graduate Program. Korleski will discuss “The Environment, Polarization, Key Issues, and Where Do We Go From Here?” from 3:30-4:45 p.m. Friday (2/8) at the Ohio Super Computer Center, 1224 Kinnear Road. The seminars are open to anyone who wishes to participate. Contact: norman.59@osu.edu

TODAY: HAGERTY HALL EVENTS CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR

To celebrate the Year of the Rat, there will be a variety of events in Hagerty Hall today (2/7), including a lion dance (11 a.m.-1 p.m.), Chinese food stand and souvenir booth (11 a.m.-2 p.m.), the broadcasting of the Chinese New Year's Eve Celebration show (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) in the Crane Café, and a calligraphy exhibition by OSU students. The events are organized by National East Asian Languages Resource Center, Chinese Flagship, Foreign Language Center, East Asian Studies Center, and Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures. Contact: li.28@osu.edu or 688-3080

NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR ANNUAL ALUMNI AWARDS

The OSU Alumni Association is seeking nominations for its 50th annual alumni awards. Each year, the Alumni Association presents awards in seven categories to honor those living alumni who personify Ohio State’s tradition of excellence. To nominate a distinguished alumna or alumnus, download the official nomination form and complete the listed instructions. All nominations must be postmarked by Monday (3/31). This year’s ceremony is scheduled for Friday (9/26) at the Hyatt Regency, 350 N. High St. Read more >

AFRICAN AMERICAN AND AFRICAN STUDIES CHAIR CANDIDATE JOB TALK

The Department of African American and African Studies invites you to a job talk by Clovis E. Semmes, professor in the African American Studies Program at Eastern Michigan University, from 10-11:15 a.m. Friday (2/8) in 347 University Hall. Semmes will deliver “Movie-Stage-Show Venues: Community Function and Urban Inequalities.” Please plan to attend. Contact: boykin.1@osu.edu or 292-3700

BHUTANESE MONK KICKS OFF HIMALAYAN CULTURAL WEEKEND

A Bhutanese monk will create a sand mandala, a meditational tool used by Buddhists, in the World Media and Culture Center in Hagerty Hall beginning Friday (2/8). Kezang Dorjee will work over a three-day period to create the mandala by placing colored sand, pinch by pinch, onto a flat surface. The mandala is the focal point of the Himalayan cultural weekend, sponsored by the East Asian Studies Center, that also will feature screenings of Tharchin (The Liberated), a film about Buddhism of Bhutan as seen through the eyes of a novice monk. View a listing of events online.

FIDDLER/VIOLINIST DAROL ANGER TO PERFORM AT OSU NEWARK FEB. 9

Fiddler/violinist Darol Anger will perform in the Black Box Theatre in LeFevre Hall at Ohio State Newark at 8 p.m. Saturday (2/9). The show is free and open to the public. Special guest violinist Christian Howes, a Columbus native, will accompany Anger. The concert is part of the Great Performers Series. Listen to samples of Anger’s work online at www.darolanger.com. Contact: emoff.1@osu.edu or (740) 366-9271. Read more >

USAC MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED

The University Staff Advisory Committee is accepting membership applications for the 2008-2011 terms. USAC maintains an active and participatory line of communication with the university community and provides a forum through which staff can raise, discuss and make recommendations on nonacademic issues and activities. Applications are due Friday (2/15). Visit the USAC Web site and complete the online application.