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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Monday, June 9. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

TWO FACULTY NAMED DISTINGUISHED UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS

A pioneer in the field of psychoneuroimmunology and a leading narrative theorist received Ohio State’s highest faculty honor during the university’s Board of Trustees meeting on Friday (6/6). The title of Distinguished University Professor was conferred by trustees on Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, professor of psychiatry and psychology and holder of the S. Robert Davis Chair of Medicine in the College of Medicine, and James Phelan, Humanities Distinguished Professor in the Department of English. Each will receive a one-time cash award of $30,000 from Academic Affairs to support their academic work and will become a member of the President’s and Provost’s Advisory Council. Read more >

AVERAGE SHOPPERS WILLING TO PAY A PREMIUM FOR LOCALLY PRODUCED FOOD

New research suggests that the average supermarket shopper is willing to pay a premium price for locally produced foods, providing some farmers an attractive option to enter a niche market that could boost their revenues. The OSU study also showed that shoppers at farm markets are willing to pay almost twice as much extra as retail grocery shoppers for the same locally produced foods. Co-authors of the study are Marvin Batte, the Fred N. VanBuren professor of agricultural, environmental and development economics at Ohio State; graduate student Kim Darby; outreach program leader Stan Ernst; and Brian Roe, OSU professor of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics. Read more >

UNIVERSITY SUMMER HOURS BEGIN TODAY

University summer hours of 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. begin today (6/9). Hours of 8 a.m.-5 p.m. will resume on Tuesday (9/2). Many offices that serve students or the public remain open on Wednesdays from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. These offices should stay open as needed. However, if the decision is to discontinue extended hours for summer quarter, the official extended hours will resume on the first Wednesday of autumn quarter. These offices are responsible for communicating extended hours and any schedule changes to their customers.

NEW BENEFIT FOR LECTURERS AND CLINICAL AUXILIARY FACULTY

Human Resources is committed to the development of programs and initiatives to enhance the university's reputation as an employer of choice. In a continued effort to recruit and retain skilled lecturers and clinical auxiliary faculty, effective Tuesday (7/1) those who meet certain eligibility requirements will now be eligible to accrue vacation leave each pay period up to a maximum of 10 days per year. Eligibility questions should be forwarded to your department's human resources professional. Policy questions should be addressed to Human Resources Customer Service Center at service@hr.osu.edu or 292-1050.

OSU AG PROFESSOR EARNS PRESIDENT'S VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD

Ohio State entomology professor Roger N. Williams has received a 2008 President’s Volunteer Service Award for teaching environmentally friendly farming practices in the Himalayas of northern India. Working through Winrock International and the U.S. Agency for International Development’s John Ogonowski Farmer-to-Farmer Program, Williams traveled to Ranichauri, where he lectured on using integrated pest management techniques to achieve sustainable insect control. The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation created and issues the award on behalf of President George W. Bush “to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.” Contact: williams.14@osu.edu
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OSUTODAY SUMMER PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

Starting today (6/9), OSUToday begins its summer production schedule and will be published Monday and Thursday only. To have an item considered for publication, send the details electronically to OSUToday@osu.edu and follow as closely as possible the style found in existing OSU Today items. A Word document is preferable. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

DIGITAL STORYTELLING SHOWCASE JUNE 13

The Digital Union invites you to attend a Digital Storytelling Showcase from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday (6/13) featuring a collection of short multimedia presentations created by faculty and staff across campus. This quarter's projects were created by members of the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Education and Human Ecology, the Office of the CIO and more. Contact: digitalunion@osu.edu

FREE PROSTATE CANCER SCREENINGS JUNE 13

Ohio State’s James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute is offering free prostate cancer screenings from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday (6/13) in the hospital’s first floor clinic at 300 W. 10th Ave. Complimentary garage parking is provided. Annual screenings are recommended if you are age 50 or older, age 45 or older and African-American, or age 40 or older with a family history of prostate cancer. To schedule an appointment, call The James Line at (800)-293-5066. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, but it is also one of the most curable if detected early.

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE OFFERS SECOND HEALTH LITERACY WEBCAST

The College of Medicine’s Outreach and Engagement office is hosting the second Institute for Healthcare Improvement Webcast on "Health Literacy: Interpersonal Communication for Patient Teaching and Self-Management Support" from 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday (6/11) in 106 Meiling Hall. The free Webcast is geared toward physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals and CME credit hours are available. Registration is required. RSVP to barbara.sweeney@osumc.edu or 292-4450. Contact: sandy.cornett@osumc.edu or cat.mcgrew@osumc.edu

IRB FORMS HELP SESSION JUNE 18

Investigators, graduate students and research staff are encouraged to attend a help session on IRB applications (e.g., initial review, continuing review, amendment, event reporting) from 3-4 p.m. Wednesday (6/18) in 113 Research Foundation, 1960 Kenny Road. Office of Responsible Research Practices staff will be on hand to answer questions. The session is targeted to researchers who submit materials to the Behavioral and Social Sciences IRB, but is open to all human subjects researchers. Contact: prestage.2@osu.edu or 292-0214

OSU ROSE GARDEN IN WOOSTER TO HOST OPEN HOUSE JUNE 14

Ohio State’s Garden of Roses of Legend and Romance, with 1,500 old-fashioned roses in full, fragrant bloom, will host a free public open house from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday (6/14). The three-acre garden is located on the Wooster campus of the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, 1680 Madison Ave. The program will feature tours led by rose experts, including Kelly King, the OARDC plant materials specialist who oversees the garden; a pruning demonstration at noon; walks through a new labyrinth; and the sale of a limited number of rose plants, all of them propagated from plants in the garden. Contact: (330) 263-3612

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: U.S.A. JUNIOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Volunteers are needed for the 2008 USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships, to be held Friday (6/20)-Sunday (6/22) at Ohio State's Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. The event is organized by the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. Approximately 800 athletes will compete. A wide variety of volunteer positions and shifts are available. Register online to volunteer (click on Volunteers). Contact: AMotley@ColumbusSports.org or 221-6174