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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Wednesday, Feb. 20. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

LETTER RESPONDS TO STUDENT CONCERNS ABOUT NIU TRAGEDY

-- Vice President for Student Affairs Richard Hollingsworth e-mailed Ohio State students Tuesday (2/19) to address concerns related to the shooting deaths last week at Northern Illinois University. His letter offered information about OSU's emergency preparedness and prevention, suggestions on actions students can take, and a link to a NIU Web site where condolence messages may be posted. The text of the letter is available online at http://studentaffairs.osu.edu/article.asp?id=152

OSU RESEARCHERS PART OF NASA 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Ohio State researchers are among the panelists who will discuss discovery, innovation and inspiration when NASA brings it’s 50th anniversary celebration to COSI Columbus, 333 W. Broad St. on Thursday (2/21). Panelists from OSU are William “Bud” Baeslack, dean of Engineering, and Brad Peterson, chair of Astronomy. Kathryn Sullivan, director, Battelle Center for Mathematics and Science Education Policy, John Glenn School of Public Affairs, will serve as a moderator. The NASA Columbus Future Forum focuses on how space exploration benefits Ohio’s economy. NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale will deliver a keynote address at 8:45 a.m. and Gov. Ted Strickland will deliver the luncheon address at 12:30 p.m. Contact: tabatha.thompson-1@nasa.gov
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FACULTY NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR UNIVERSITY SENATE

The annual solicitation of nominees to serve as faculty representatives in the University Senate is underway in colleges/units that have vacancies to fill. The invitation to nominate and instructions for how to do so electronically are available online. Nominations will be accepted through Monday (2/25). Please send any nominations you have to gillespie.85@osu.edu.

COX TO PRESENT MIGRANT LABOR IN SOUTH AFRICA: PAST AND PRESENT

Kevin Cox, Distinguished University Professor of Geography at OSU will present the final Winter Quarter Center for African Studies seminar from noon-1 p.m. Friday (2/22) in 122 Oxley. He will discuss “Migrant Labor in South Africa: Past and Present.” While its outward form has undoubtedly changed, migrant labor has had a huge presence in the social life of South Africa at least since the discovery of gold. Contact: cas@osu.edu
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OHIO STATE TO HOST NATIONAL SWIMMING EVENTS

The Ohio State women’s swimming and diving team will host the 2008 Women’s Big Ten Swimming and Diving Championships Thursday (2/21)-Saturday (2/23) at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion. The meet is the first of several national swimming events that will take place on campus. Ohio State will host the Women’s NCAA Championships Thursday (3/20)-Saturday (3/22) and the NCAA Division 1 championship, consisting of five different regional Zone Diving competitions, Friday (3/14)-Sunday (3/16). In addition, the university will host the Toyota Grand Prix on Friday (4/4)-Sunday (4/6), featuring some of the best swimmers from around the country - including six-time gold medalist Michael Phelps. Contact: lee.3147@osu.edu or 292-3577. Read more >

PANEL DISCUSSION: WHO WANTS TO BE A REFUGEE?

Students for Community Cultural Awareness is hosting a panel discussion, “What it Means to be a Refugee” on Monday (2/25) in 200 Campbell Hall. The panel will consist of four students who are refugees from Somalia, Sierra Leone and Palestine. The event will be emceed by Inna Simakovsky, president and founder of the Economic Community Development Institute and a refugee from the former Soviet Union. Light refreshments will be served. The event is co-sponsored by International Affairs and the College of Social Work. Read more >

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 >

QUILTING DAY TO BENEFIT BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

The volunteer Stitching Sisters of the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute at Ohio State are seeking participants for the fourth annual Quilting Day from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday (3/8). Lap quilts sewn during the retreat are given to breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at JamesCare in Dublin, a comprehensive breast health center that is part of the James. Quilt Day is being held this year at the Haimerl Center, 1421 Morse Road, and includes lunch. To register for the free event, contact JamesStitchingSisters@yahoo.com. For details, contact: Kristina.Day@osumc.edu or 293-3737.

TODAY: RETIREMENT CHOICES FORUM

Human Resources is hosting a forum from noon-1 p.m. today (2/20) at 1590 N. High St., Suite 430 for newly hired faculty and staff to help with decisions regarding their retirement choices under ARP/OPERS/STRS. The seminar is designed for faculty and staff who have an appointment of at least 75 percent FTE and have been with the university for less than 120 days. A benefits representative will review, compare and summarize the plan options under the OPERS/STRS retirement systems and the provisions of the Alternative Retirement Plan. Contact: 292-1050. Read more >