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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Monday, July 16. OSUToday is published on Monday and Thursday during the summer. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

OSU’S AFRICA NETWORK PRESENTS RESEARCH IN CANARY ISLANDS

Ohio State’s newly organized Africa Network, a cross-disciplinary initiative sponsored by the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences in partnership with the Office of International Affairs and the Center for African Studies, had a project selected for the Campus of Excellence recently in the Canary Islands. The BioCassava Plus headed by Richard Sayre, professor of Plant, Cellular, and Molecular Biology, was represented by graduate student Elisa Leyva-Guerrero - one of 100 of the best postgraduates from international universities presenting their research. The students were joined by Nobel Prize winners, prominent world leaders, and other attendees, including Executive Dean Jacqueline Jones Royster, in a weeklong discussion about projects capable of being of pragmatic value to Africa in the areas of development and sustainability, education and values, the environment, and innovation and health. Contact: Mary Ellen Jenkins at 688-8100 or jenkins.196@osu.edu

FACULTY AND STAFF WELLNESS PROGRAM WORKSHOPS SET

The Faculty and Staff Wellness Program is hosting two workshops this month to help you stay healthy and earn points toward the 2007 Faculty and Staff Incentive Program. “Women's Health: An Overview” will take place from noon-1 p.m. Thursday (7/19) in 107 Hamilton Hall. A second workshop, “Pregnancy Planning” is scheduled for noon-1 p.m. Tuesday (7/24) in 1039 Derby Hall. Classes are free unless otherwise noted, but registration is required. Register online (choose the Lunch and Learn link) or call 292-1894. Select Lunch and Learn programs can be viewed online (posted under Online Health Information).

GUTIERREZ IS LANCASTER ARTS FESTIVAL ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Steven Gutierrez, a candidate for the Master of Fine Arts in Art and Technology at Ohio State, has been selected as the 2006 Lancaster Arts Festival Artist in residence. His work will be on display at this year’s festival with an opening from 6-10 p.m. Friday (7/20). Stop by the Studio B building to view his installation Bitter-sweet which investigates and reflects on the economic choices we make in our daily lives, and their resulting impact on the environment. Read More >

RETIREMENT CHOICES FORUM SET FOR JULY 19

Human Resources is offering a forum from noon-1 p.m. Thursday (7/19) 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 >

HAUKSDOTTIR TO PRESENT CONTROL SYSTEMS SEMINAR TODAY

Anna Soffia Hauksdottir will present “Optimized Zero Tracking and Disturbance Rejecting Controllers: The Generalized PID Controller” at 10:30 a.m. today (7/16) in 260 Dreese Laboratory. Hauksdottir is a Ph.D. graduate of OSU majoring in control systems, has received several awards for her research, and is a senior member of IEEE. Read More >

FISHER’S EXECUTIVE EDUCATION HOSTS DISNEY KEYS TO EXCELLENCE

The Fisher College of Business Executive Education program will host the Disney Institute’s professional development program, Disney Keys to Excellence, on Tuesday (9/11) at the Blackwell Inn. The full-day event will give area business professionals a chance to discover “the business behind the magic.” Program sessions will introduce participants to innovative Disney business strategies that they can implement in their own organizations. Registration fees for the program include course materials, continental breakfast and lunch. Group discounts are available. For details or to register call (877) 544-2384 or visit www.keyscolumbus.com

NORTHWEST OVAL THROUGHWAY CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION

As a result of construction, travel on the throughway between Thompson Library and University Hall will be closed today (7/16)-Wednesday (9/12). The entire throughway between the buildings and the south entrance of University Hall will be blocked. The concrete and brick sidewalk will be replaced with asphalt sidewalks with granite edging. New brick pavers will be installed on the south entrance of University Hall. Contact: 292-1477 or eckhardt.12@osu.edu
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ENTRIES SOUGHT FOR STAFF ARTS AND CRAFTS EXHIBIT

Ohio State staff are invited to enter their work in the 16th Annual Staff Arts and Crafts Exhibit. Staff can vote for their favorite entry from Tuesday (8/14)-Friday (9/14) and the entry with the majority of votes will earn the People's Choice Award, to be announced the week of Monday (9/17). Only one entry per staff member will be accepted. The event is sponsored by Human Resources and the University Staff Advisory Committee; onCampus is a promotional partner. Registration information is available online. Contact: 292-4341

REGISTER NOW FOR DINING WITH DIABETES WORKSHOP

Human Resources is hosting “Dining with Diabetes,” a three-session educational program designed for benefits-eligible employees with diabetes, on the OSU Newark campus. The series includes diabetic food preparations, demonstrations and taste tests. Classes will include cooking demonstrations on how to prepare well-balanced meals that are healthy and use less fat, salt and sugar without changing taste. The program will take place from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday (9/6) and Tuesday (9/11) in 64 Hopewell Hall, and Thursday (9/13) in the Reese Center. Space is limited. To register, contact Patsy Henderson at (740) 366-9364 or henderson.385@osu.edu

ONCAMPUS GUIDE AD DEADLINE APPROACHING

Now is the time to reserve paid advertising space for the 11th onCampus resource Guide, published Thursday (9/13). The ad deadline is Friday (8/17), but the popular 60-page publication normally sells out early. More than 31,000 copies will be distributed to the university community through campus mail and at 35 distribution sites. Surveys show 32 percent of OSU faculty/staff keep the Guide all year long as a resource. Contact: Bill Estep, 292-8421 or estep.47@osu.edu