Good Day!
WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Thursday, August 2. OSUToday is published on Monday and Thursday during the summer. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Special Notice

The mailing of the Monday (7/30) issue of OSUToday was cancelled due to extensive technical issues with the university’s bulkmail server that distributes OSUToday. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Headline news

RESEARCHERS WATCH ANTIBIOTICS, BACTERIA MEET AT ATOMIC LEVEL

A new understanding of an enzyme important for the transfer of genetic information in bacteria may help scientists improve current antibiotics and also create antibiotics that are less vulnerable to resistance. Researchers used extremely powerful imaging techniques to see, for the first time, exactly what happens between bacteria and antibiotics at the atomic level. The work provides the most detailed view yet of an enzyme structure that is key to turning on the genes that make bacteria work, according to Irina Artsimovitch, study co-author and OSU associate professor of microbiology. Read More >

ENGINEERING HOSTS TEACHERS’ CAMP

OSU College of Engineering faculty are helping to instruct an ASM Materials Camp for Teachers from Monday (7/30)-Friday (8/3), that invites science, math and technology teachers nationwide to participate in efforts to get youth excited about science and math. Masters of the teaching profession lead the camp, and guide teachers through experiments such as making slime and comparing properties, making nylon from raw ingredients, making glass from scratch and tearing apart light bulbs to learn why they are made the way they are. Contact: Megan Daniels, 292-3145 or daniels.313@osu.edu
Read More >

FACTS AND MYTHS OF FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY AUG. 9

Seats are still available for the next financial planning session offered by Human Resources, “The Facts and Myths of Filing for Bankruptcy” scheduled for noon Thursday (8/9) at the South Campus Gateway Building, 1590 S. High St. As part of the ongoing Financial Planning Series, the session offers tips for getting debt under control and making good long-term financial decisions needed to avoid having to ever take the drastic step of filing for bankruptcy. Register online

JULY SIS UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE

Want to know what’s happening with the Student Information System Project? The July edition of the University Community Newsletter is now available online at http://oaa.osu.edu/sis/ (use the University Community Newsletter link) with the latest information about the new system. You can also opt to have the monthly communication sent directly to your inbox. Look for the sign-up box at the bottom of the SIS home page.

LUNCH AND LEARN SESSIONS SET FOR AUG. 7, 8

The Faculty and Staff Wellness Program Lunch and Learn series continues with two upcoming events. “The ABC’s of HPV,” from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday (8/7) in 159 Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, will provide an overview of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). “Cholesterol and Nutrition: What You Should Know” will take place from noon-1 p.m. Wednesday (8/8) in 106 Journalism Building. Learn how a healthy diet can help lower cholesterol levels. Register online

WEB ACCESSIBILITY CENTER SUMMER WORKSHOPS

Four workshops with a focus on accessibility and usability, covering Web media creation topics, are offered at no charge to OSU faculty, staff and students. Workshops are hands-on and last around four hours. This quarter's lineup covers HTML and CSS design and PDF authoring. Register online

LATEST ISSUE OF YOUR PLAN FOR HEALTH NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE

The latest issue of Your Plan for Health newsletter, “Tools for Healthy Living,” is being mailed to the homes of benefit-eligible faculty and staff. Features include an overview of health plan changes for 2008, information about Your Plan for Health presentations, and tools to help manage stress, and articles about a health coach who works with Ohio State employees and a wellness nurse who is increasing awareness of individual health risks through screenings around campus. Read the newsletter online

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT OSU?

A user of the onCampus Bulletin Board offers jewelry making services. Another staff member makes custom baby gifts in her home. If you provide a service for hire (or for free), let the campus community know about it through a free listing on the Moonlighting section of the onCampus Bulletin Board . The bulletin board is available to all faculty and staff. Register by using your OSU Internet ID (name.#).

YOUR PLAN FOR HEALTH IS GIVING AWAY FITNESS PRIZES

Participants in the 2007 Faculty and Staff Incentive Program can win fitness prizes, including a treadmill or i-Pod. Two drawings will be held with two winners per drawing. Participants who have received 50 points by completing their Personal Health Assessment by Friday (8/31) will be entered in the first drawing set for Wednesday (9/12) at the annual Health Fair - Rally for Wellness at the French Field House. In addition, participants who have earned more than 125 points in the incentive program will be entered in the second drawing in October. Read More >

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 at 292-8421 or estep.47@osu.edu

OSU NEWARK HOSTS OSTEOPOROSIS WORKSHOP

A workshop on Osteoporosis, including the signs and symptoms, the disease process and prevention, will take place from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday (8/7) in 64A Hopewell Hall. The event is part of a series of health and wellness workshops throughout August and September offered by the OSU Newark Office of Human Resources. Sara Reeves, Program Development Director/ Wellness Coordinator at Heartland Rehab Services in Newark will conduct the sessions. Those interested in attending should contact Patsy Henderson at phenders@cotc.edu

BEAT THE RUSH FOR YOUR FREE CAMPUS HEALTH SCREENING

Schedule your free campus health screening now to beat the rush as the Your Plan for Health 2007 Faculty and Staff Incentive Program winds down to a close Sunday (9/30). Part of the Personal Health Assessment, the health screening measures blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, weight and height. The PHA can earn you 50 points (and $50) in the incentive program, as well as a $10 discount off your monthly health plan premiums in 2008. Appointments are available daily at nine campus locations, including the Telecommunications Network Center, Wednesday (8/1), Biological Sciences Building-Aronoff Lab, Wednesday (8/15) and at the 2007 Health Fair - Rally for Wellness, Wednesday (9/12). Read More > (use the “Personal Health Assessment” link)

CAMPUS BLOOD DRIVES SCHEDULED

The Red Cross is hosting several campus blood drives. Drives are scheduled for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today (8/2),Wilce Student Health Center; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday (8/6), OSU Medical Center; and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday (8/13), Schottenstein Center. Schedule an appointment online at www.givelife.org (sponsor code: buckeyes) or call (800) GIVE-LIFE.