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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Monday, June 16. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

INTERNET AND COMPUTER SERVICE RESTORED; PHONE SERVICE LIKELY OUT FOR SEVERAL DAYS

As a result of an underground fire that occurred early Saturday morning (6/14) on the south side of campus, faculty and staff in 44 buildings will be without telephone service for as long as one week. Staff from the Office of Information Technology have been working 24 hours a day to repair its communication networks, and have restored computer (data) connectivity to all of the affected buildings.

Information technology staff will work with colleges and work units to utilize Internet-based phone technology for the main office telephone numbers until service is restored. Staff with other communication needs are encouraged to call 688-HELP (4357) and select option 2 to talk with information technology advisors.

Affected staff are also encouraged to change their voicemail to inform callers about their lack of telephone service and suggest e-mail contact during this time. This can be done from a remote location by calling 292-4141. Since the “message waiting” light will not work at this time, affected staff should check their voicemail frequently with a cell phone call to 292-4141.

As buildings are brought back online, staff are encouraged to check the Office of Information Technology Web site at OIT.osu.edu/.

NATIONWIDE FOUNDATION GRANTS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS, DIVERSITY PROGRAMS

Ohio State has received grants totaling $1.465 million from the Nationwide Foundation to provide College of Education and Human Ecology support to Columbus City Schools, and to university diversity programs. The Nationwide Foundation is an independent corporation funded by contributions from Nationwide companies. The programs and funding amounts are: Knowledge Bank and Evaluation Strategies, $875,000; Project Mentor Evaluation, $460,000; and University Diversity Programs, $100,000. Contact: carroll.296@osu.edu or 292-2550
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OHIO STATE TEAM PLACES THIRD IN NASA COMPETITION

A team of Ohio State students recently placed third in the 2008 NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Competition that challenges university students worldwide to design proposals for the future of the aerospace field. This year’s challenge was for students to design the next-generation “DC-3-type” aircraft. Students were required to propose three valid scenarios for potential use of this vehicle in the year 2058. The team advisor is Gerald M. Gregorek, professor of aerospace engineering. Team members are Robert Craun, Nachiket Deshpande, Kevin Disotell, Matthew Hansen, Alvaro Hernandez, Kevin Holcomb, Stephen Norris, and Maria Tolstykh. The students are sophomores enrolled in the departments of aerospace engineering and mechanical engineering. Read more >

PROMISING OHIO SEA GRANT RESEARCH USES ALGAE, SOUND WAVES TO REMOVE MERCURY

Ohio Sea Grant researchers Linda Weavers, OSU associate professor of engineering and Richard Sayre, OSU professor of Plant, Cellular, and Molecular Biology, have developed a process that utilizes an unlikely pair - algae and sound waves - to remove mercury from Lake Erie sediment. The soundwaves work to loosen the mercury, which then attaches to the algae for removal. In lab experiments, Weavers, and graduate student Ziqi He were able to combine the algae and sonication to extract 30 percent of the mercury in 30 minutes. Further experiments are planned to increase that removal rate. Contact: weavers.1@osu.edu or sayre.2@osu.edu
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IMIX AIRS ON BIG TEN NETWORK TODAY

Ohio State will air two episodes of iMix on the Big Ten Network today (6/16) beginning at noon. iMix is a collection of stories about the people behind the technology and research at Ohio State. The first episode will feature the OSU Flight Program and Airport, the virtual world of Second Life, and metal casting. The second episode will feature a visit to the Large Binocular Telescope Observatory, the OSU Urban Arts Space, and a project known as the Validation Dissemination of Temporal Bone Dissection that looks at simulating surgery through computer visualization, applied force, and changes in sound. Viewers can watch segments from these two episodes of iMix at www.wosu.org/imix.

STAFF CULTURE SURVEY CLOSES JUNE 19

The Ohio State 2008 Culture Survey closes on Thursday (6/19). Sponsored by the Office of the President, the survey seeks staff feedback on leadership, work environment, job satisfaction, and more. The survey is open to all university staff on regular appointments of 50 percent or higher and a random sample of medical center staff. Staff who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for $50 Barnes and Noble gift cards. To take the survey or get more information, visit oaa.osu.edu/irp/culturesurvey.php.

HEAT ADVISORY ISSUED FOR CAMPUS FACILITIES

Continued hot weather is taxing many building systems throughout campus. Please report any cooling or associated problems to the university’s service request center, Service2Facilities, at 292-HELP or online at fod.osu.edu/s2f. If further assistance is needed, please contact Facilities Operations and Development Administration at 292-0257 or by e-mail at shockley.5@osu.edu.

JUNE 17 SEMINARS TO FOCUS ON DAIRY INDUSTRY IN ISRAEL

The Ohio-Israel Agriculture Initiative of the Negev Foundation, in partnership with OSU Extension, is offering two seminars on the dairy industry in Israel. Ran Solomon will present “Nutrition and Feeding Management of Dairy Cows in Israel” and Gaby Adin will present “ Feeding Managing Calves and Replacement Heifers in Israel." Both seminars will be conducted from 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday (6/17) in the Gerlaugh Hall Conference Room, OARDC, and video linked to 212 Animal Sciences on the Columbus campus. Contact: pollock.58@ag.osu.edu or 292-3799

OHR TO SPONSOR FAMILY VIOLENCE AND RELATIONSHIP ABUSE TRAINING

Human Resources is sponsoring a Family Violence and Relationship Abuse training session from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday (6/19) at 1590 N. High St., Suite 430 (Gateway). This brownbag interactive presentation will allow participants to increase their knowledge about family violence and relationship abuse, improve their comfort level with intervening, and increase their knowledge about family violence resources available to them and their coworkers. Register online

LASER CAPTURE MICRODISSECTION AND ANALYSES JUNE 19-20

The OSU Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences Novel Clinical and Translational Methodologies Program is presenting a workshop, "Laser Capture Microdissection and Analyses," on Thursday (6/19)-Friday (6/20) in the BRT Auditorium. The workshop is opened to anyone who would like to learn more about laser capture microdissection and analysis. Experience hands-on how to capture single cell populations or blood vessels and learn how to prepare tissue sections for genomic and proteomic studies. There is no cost and registration is not required. The faculty host is Sashwati Roy, assistant professor of surgery at Ohio State. Read more >

NETWELL NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTED THIS WEEK

The summer edition of Netwell, the health and wellness connection for faculty and staff, is now available so please check your Ohio State mailbox. The newsletter, published by OSU’s Managed Health Care Systems, features the summer quarter Lunch and Learn calendar, free campus health screening locations and other health and wellness tips, news and campus events. In this issue: Most OSU employees are satisfied with university health plans; helping aging parents plan for the future while taking care of yourself; the importance of knowing your health numbers; and how to enjoy the sun safely. View Netwell online

COLLEGE ROAD AND OHIO UNION GARAGE CLOSURES EXTENDED

The College Road and Ohio Union garage closures have been extended until Monday (6/30). Motorists should anticipate parking shortages/traffic delays in the area and are encouraged to arrive on campus early. Also during this time, the Campus Loop North and Campus Loop South will not service bus stops located along College Road and will instead use High Street to access north and south campus. Read more >

IN THE MIST OF SUMMER FUN MAKE TIME FOR WELLNESS

Before your summer calendar fills up, schedule your biometric health screening to get health numbers including your blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, weight, height, and triglycerides. A screening can help you build a healthier lifestyle and is also the first step to completing the Personal Health Assessment (PHA) for a $120 yearly reduction in health insurance premiums to those enrolled in OSU’s health insurance plan. Schedule your biometric screening online at yourplanforhealth.com (select “Assessing Health Risks” link).

TODAY: KICKOFF PICNIC FOR OSU SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Students who are conducting research during summer quarter are invited to attend an orientation meeting and picnic dinner at 5 p.m. today (6/16) at the Women's Field Hockey House (next to the fields by Lincoln Tower). Faculty and staff are asked to encourage students to attend and meet other researchers and learn about summer activities. Sponsored by the Undergraduate Research Office. Read more >