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

Headline news

POSITIVE TRENDS NET OSU MEDICAL CENTER AA- RATING

OSU Health System, the clinical arm of the OSU Medical Center, has achieved a AA-rating from Standard & Poors with a stable outlook. The recent rating for OSU Health System is “based on its position as an important component of OSU, with strong operating performance and cash flow, solid business position as an academic medical center in the highly competitive Columbus market, and a solid management team. Peter Geier, chief operating officer for the Medical Center and chief executive officer for the OSU Health System, said the rating provides another external validation of the financial progress of the Health System and its future expansion plans. Read More >

UNIVERSITY REGISTRAR 2008 ACADEMIC CALENDAR AVAILABLE

Moving commencement from Fridays to Sundays, and eliminating early senior finals created some unique calendar challenges for 2008. In addition, a proposal to have a slightly abbreviated Winter Quarter, and a nine-week Summer Quarter for 2008 were among items reviewed by the Faculty Senate's Council on Academic Affairs, Faculty Council, the Council on Enrollment and Student Progress (the university committee with calendar responsibility), and departmental and college representatives. The University Registrar 2008 Academic Calendar is now official and can be viewed online.

2007 GRADUATE TEACHING AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Every year the Graduate School honors the outstanding educational efforts of OSU graduate students by awarding the university’s highest recognition of graduate student teaching - the Graduate Associate Teaching Award. From a pool of approximately 2,500 GTAs, the following 10 individuals have been selected to receive the award: James Bontempo, Electrical and Computer Engineering; Deborah Reinhart Brown, Human and Community Resource Development; Allen Clark, Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, Education T&L; Vicki Daiello, Art Education; Heather Kirn, English; Justin Link, Physics; Amanda Rosen, Political Science; Vaidyanathan Sivaraman, Mathematics; Shannon L. Thomas, English; and Clarissa Thompson, Psychology.

INTERACT DIVERSITY PLAYERS WORKSHOP APRIL 24

Faculty & TA Development is sponsoring, in partnership with the Center for the Study of Teaching and Writing, Teaching Enhanced Learning and Research, and University Libraries, several teaching enhancement workshops. The next session is “InterACT Diversity Players: Disability in the Classroom” from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday (4/24) in 150 Younkin Center. No registration is required. Faculty, TAs and staff can register online for this event and others. Walk-ins are also welcome.

CRANE TO DISCUSS DIGITAL LIBRARIES APRIL 25

Gregory Crane, professor of Classics at Tufts University, will discuss his work on the Perseus Project at a free program at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday (4/25) at the Faculty Club Grand Lounge. Crane is currently directing a $2.7 million grant to study the problems of digital libraries in the humanities. Much of his personal scholarship has gone into expanding the Greco-Roman materials in Perseus. The event is presented by the OSU Libraries Lecture Committee and supported by the Friends of the OSU Libraries. Contact: 292-8999 or allen.916@osu.edu

OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS SERVES THE CAMPUS

The newly reorganized Office of International Affairs, located in Oxley Hall, provides answers, suggestions and assistance with Ohio State's growing international needs. OIA staff are available to help with questions or issues related to international student/scholar services, study abroad, international travel funds, international memoranda of agreement, and the activities and programs of the area studies centers and the Mershon Center. Faculty, staff and students are invited to stop by or visit http://oia.osu.edu/ for details, including contact information for each of the office’s many international services.

CHEMICAL REDISTRIBUTION PROGRAM AVAILABLE AT OSU

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety’s Chemical Redistribution program has usable chemicals available at no cost for faculty and staff to be used on campus for university related purposes. Interested persons must register on the Environmental Affairs portion of the Environmental Health and Safety Web site to view the available chemicals. As requests are filled, they will be delivered within a week. Contact: 292-1284

UNIVERSITY HELPING SMOKERS KICK THE HABIT

The number of Ohio State faculty and staff that smoke is estimated to be around 15 percent, or 5,000 people, and Your Plan for Health’s new incentive program aims to help smokers overcome their addiction. The plan’s benefits include free or subsidized participation in nine university-approved tobacco cessation programs, five of which are run on campus. Over-the-counter nicotine replacement supplements, such as patches, gums and lozenges, are reimbursed up to $60 per plan year. Read More >

OSU BIKE PATH CLOSED FOR SAFETY

The 1.5-mile Ohio State portion of the 12.75-mile Olentangy River Greenway bike path will be closed for the rest of spring quarter between Drake Union and King Avenue because of construction on the university’s electrical substation. Pedestrians and bicyclists are urged to recognize posted signage - this area is an extreme safety hazard due to heavy machinery and high voltage wires. Temporary safety fences have been installed for added safety. In addition to caution signs, alternate route maps have been posted. View the suggested alternate route online.

MAPS ALUMNI SOCIETY’S EVENING IN THE ATRIUM APRIL 27

The second annual MAPS Alumni Society Evening in the Atrium wine tasting and silent auction will take place from 7-10 p.m. Friday (4/27). The cost is $40 per person or $75 for two. All proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the MAPS Alumni Society Scholarship Fund. Guests must be at least 21 years old to attend. Register online

CAMPUS BLOOD DRIVE SET FOR APRIL 24

The American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday (4/24) in front of Hitchcock Hall. If you donated on or before Tuesday (2/27), you are eligible to donate again. The Red Cross will have two buses parked at Hitchcock Hall to accommodate all those wishing to donate blood. To schedule an appointment, contact 251-1451 or visit www.givelife.org and use the sponsor code: buckeyes.