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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Friday, Feb. 15. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

OSU ASTRONOMERS HELP DISCOVER TWO PLANETS IN FARAWAY SOLAR SYSTEM

An international team of astronomers, including Scott Gaudi, OSU assistant professor of astronomy and Andrew Gould, OSU professor of astronomy, has discovered two planets that resemble smaller versions of Jupiter and Saturn in a solar system nearly 5,000 light years away. The find suggests that our galaxy hosts many planetary systems like our own. The two planets were revealed when the star they orbit crossed in front of a more distant star as seen from Earth. The researchers reported their results in the most recent issue of the journal Science, published today (2/15). Read more >

OSU STUDENT NAMED TO USA TODAY ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM

Ohio State student Josh Lotz has earned a spot on the prestigious USA Today All-USA College Academic First Team, featured in the Thursday (2/14) USA Today Life section. The award was presented on Thursday to 20 undergraduate students who excel in scholarship while working to benefit society. Lotz, a senior earning an M.A. in Chinese and B.S. in biochemistry, is currently studying in Bejing. In 2007, he was named a Truman Scholar, and in 2006 he co-founded the Global Heath Initiative, which organizes global-health related events, lectures and study-abroad opportunities for OSU students. Lotz organized a small community school in Tibet in 2003 where he taught English to more than 100 local residents.

Lotz is the second consecutive Ohio State student named to the All-USA College Academic First Team. Last year, Ohio State student Yoonhee Patricia Ha received the award.
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MICHELLE OBAMA TO VISIT CAMPUS TODAY

Michelle Obama will lead a rally for presidential candidate Barack Obama on the Ohio State campus today (2/15). The event will take place at the new Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, across the street from the Schottenstein Center. Doors will open at noon and speaking begins at 1 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is encouraged. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For security reasons, do not bring bags and limit personal items. No signs or banners are permitted.The time and place are subject to change. Read more >

SCHOOL DESEGREGATION REVISITED AT OHIO STATE LAW JOURNAL SYMPOSIUM

A national conversation on race in public policy, sparked by the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2007 ruling on voluntary integration in public schools, will continue at the Ohio State Law Journal Symposium, “The School Desegregation Cases and the Uncertain Future of Racial Equality,” on Thursday (2/21) and Friday (2/22). Top legal scholars, social scientists and education experts will gather at the Moritz College of Law to explore the potential impact of this decision on the pursuit of racial equality in public schools and beyond. The symposium seeks to honor Black History Month by sparking discussion on how to achieve racial integration and fulfill the promise of Brown v. Board of Education. Read more >

LEADERSHAPE FACILITATOR APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE NOW

Faculty and staff are encouraged to apply to serve as cluster facilitators to help guide small groups of students through the 2008 Ohio State LeaderShape Institute, from Friday (9/12)-Thursday (9/18). LeaderShape is an off-campus, leadership retreat for undergraduate students focused on building skills, setting goals, creating a vision and leading with integrity. Training is provided, and there is no cost to facilitators. Applications are available online. Contact: pelletier.17@osu.edu

CENTER FOR LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES WINTER QUARTER FILM SERIES

The Center for Latin American Studies is focusing its winter quarter film series on “Love, Greed, and Violence in Mexican Technicolor.” Next on tap is “Perfume de Violetas: Nadie Te Oye/Violet Perfume: Nobody Hears You,” a tale of a troubled girl in Mexico City that transcends societal neglect and gender oppression, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (2/20) in 180 Hagerty Hall. As part of its continuing outreach efforts, the center selects films that will help the public enhance its knowledge and understanding of this region of the world. View a complete list of films online.

CENTER FOR FOLKLORE STUDIES SPRING COLLOQUIUM FEB. 21-23

The Center for Folklore Studies Spring Colloquium, “Urban Party Mix: Performing the Americas in the Metropole,” will take place Thursday (2/21)-Saturday (2/23) at the Bowen Theatre in the Drake Performance Center. In honor of the Columbus opening of the exhibit “Midnight Robbers: The Artists of Notting Hill Carnival,” the colloquium will place the London carnival in conversation with emerging Latin and LusoAmerican dance scenes in Newark, New Jersey. RSVP for the Thursday reception and Friday and Saturday lunch. Read more >

STATE ROUTE 315 CLOSURES SCHEDULED

From 8 p.m. today (2/15) through 9 a.m. Saturday (2/16) the state Route 315 northbound entrance ramps will be closed between the 670 entrance ramp and the Lane Avenue entrance ramp for roadwork repairs. The northbound 315 exit ramps to Medical Center drive will be closed. Northbound 315 traffic will resume at the Lane Avenue entrance ramp. Routes for northbound EMS traffic into OSUMC will be Olentangy River Road to King Avenue to Herrick Drive. Read more >

FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE THROUGH OHIO BENEFIT BANK

The Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks have launched a statewide effort to provide free federal and state income tax return preparation assistance to households with incomes below $54,000 per year. The assistance is offered through the Ohio Benefit Bank, a service that provides free tax and benefits help for low- and moderate-income Ohioans. For assistance, visit www.OBB.Ohio.Gov through Tuesday (4/15). Households earning less than $54,000 may utilize the site’s free online tax preparation program, use the site’s locator to find Benefit Bank counselor-assisted tax help or call the Benefit Bank hotline number at (800) 648-1176.