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Good Day!
WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Monday, March 23. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

OSUToday sponsored by UniPrint University Microscope Service provides the finest technical expertise, dedicated to caring for University instruments. We perform maintenance and repairs for a range of optical equipment, including microscopes, microtomes, and ophthalmology equipment. Microscope service can frequently be performed on-site at your facilities. For more information on pricing or service contract information visit www.microscopes.osu.edu or call 292-2000.

Headline news

Depressed people have trouble appreciating good things

While depression is often linked to negative thoughts and emotions, a new study suggests the real problem may be a failure to appreciate positive experiences. Ohio State researchers found that depressed and non-depressed people were about equal in their ability to learn negative information that was presented to them. But depressed people weren’t nearly as successful at learning positive information as were their non-depressed counterparts. This study is one of the first to be able to link clinical levels of depression to how people form attitudes when they encounter new events or information according to Daniel Strunk, co-author of the study and assistant professor of psychology. Read more >

OSUToday spring break production schedule

During spring break, OSUToday will be published on Monday and Thursday only. OSUToday will run today (3/23) and Thursday (3/26) and will resume daily publication on Monday (3/30). Contact osutoday@osu.edu for more information.

Winter commencement held March 22

Yvette McGee Brown, president of the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, was the speaker for Ohio State’s winter commencement in St. John Arena. Brown, who is known as a champion of children and families, spoke at the ceremony where about 2,000 students received degrees. In addition, Ohio State awarded honorary degrees to Charles K. Brain, one of the world's leading paleontologists; Jules Pretty, internationally recognized for his work on sustainable agriculture practices in more than 50 countries; and John G. Thompson, internationally renowned mathematician. The university also presented the Distinguished Service Award to George W. Paulson, founder, retired professor and former chair of the Department of Neurology.

WOSU to cease analog broadcast March 31

WOSU Public Media has announced that WOSU TV in Columbus and WPBO TV in Portsmouth will cease analog broadcasting on Tuesday, March 31, at 7 a.m. Many television stations across the country have already shut off their analog broadcasts and made the transition, including WTTE TV (FOX) and WWHO TV (CW) in Columbus. Other stations must complete their transitions by June 12, 2009. Recently, the FCC handed down a ruling allowing public stations to shut off their analog broadcasts by the end of March due to economic hardships. By transitioning on March 31, WOSU Public Media will save approximately $26,000 in utility bills and be able to begin the process of increasing its digital over-the-air signal to full power. Read more >

Support for patients and families living with lung cancer

The James is offering a new support service to provide lung cancer patients and their families with emotional and peer support, education and advice on the practical issues of living with lung cancer. Facilitated by clinical staff of The James, the support group will provide a safe and caring environment in which to discuss the personal impact of lung cancer from both a patient and caregiver perspective. Sessions will occur the fourth Monday of each month from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Longaberger Alumni House. An introductory session will be held Tuesday (3/25). There is no fee to participate. Contact JamesCare for Life at 293-6428.

Demonstration for nonresident alien tax preparation

International students, scholars and employees who are nonresident aliens for tax purposes are invited to attend a demonstration on how to file their taxes using the CINTAX software provided through Ohio State. The demonstration will be offered in the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center in room 145 from 3-4 p.m. on Friday (3/27). It will provide information on how to navigate, use and obtain help with a CINTAX account. While Ohio State staff cannot answer specific questions involving individual tax returns, they can show how help can be obtained through CINTAX. Contact Jodi Kessler at 292-7540 or kessler.91@osu.edu.

Make a proposal at Urban Arts Space

The OSU Urban Arts Space will offer a free workshop focusing on the art of making a proposal for competitive submission on Thursday (3/26) from 6-8 p.m. Discussion topics will include creating images and formatting, writing a curator's statement, presenting ideas, and promotion. More information is available by calling 292-8861 or by clicking on the Urban Arts Space web site.

Genomics presentation on March 27

Daniel W. Nebert, University of Cincinnati Medical Center will present “From Human Genetics/Genomics to Pharmacogenetics/Genomics: Past Lessons, Future Directions,” from noon-1 p.m. Friday (3/27) in 105 Biomedical Research Tower. Co-sponsored by the Department of Pharmacology and OSU Center for Personalized Health Care. Contact Lee Xu at LiHui.Xu@osumc.edu or 292-7364 

Expanding Literacy Studies conference April 3-5

Expanding Literacy Studies, the first international, interdisciplinary conference on literacy studies organized and hosted by graduate students will be held on campus Friday (4/3)-Sunday (4/5). Sponsored by LiteracyStudies@OSU, the conference will host representatives from more than 60 institutions and six different international sites. E-mail expandingLS@osu.edu for more information. Read more >

Public Health co-sponsors “Health, Race & Research"

The College of Public Health will co-sponsor “Health, Race & Research: Community Engagement to Eliminate Health Disparities”, Monday (3/30) and Tuesday (3/31) at the Blackwell Conference Center. The conference is free for OSU faculty and staff, but registration is required. Other co-sponsors are the Center for Minority Health in the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public Health and OSU’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science. For here for the agenda and online registration, or contact Christine O’Malley at comalley@cph.osu.edu

Power Down Pledge Website Now Open

The Office of the CIO and Facilities Operations & Development are sponsors of a movement to reduce OSU energy requirements. One goal is the reduction of power used by workstations and related OSU equipment by 30 percent within the next year. Students, faculty and staff can participate through committing to the Pledge for Power Down for the Planet and joining the Earth Hour 2009 event. Read more >