Special Edition
WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Monday, Sept. 17. Today’s issue contains the latest headline news and a recap of the summer’s top stories. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

GEE TO PARTICIPATE IN TODAY’S CONVOCATION

President-elect Gordon Gee, Interim President Joseph Alutto, the marching band and other special guests will welcome Ohio State’s best-prepared freshman class ever during Convocation, set for 10:30 a.m. today (9/17) at St. John Arena. Convocation is the university’s traditional academic ceremony to welcome first-year students. About 6,100 first year students will experience their first academic procession, be welcomed by Gee, learn some of the university’s history and traditions, and follow the marching band from St. John Arena to Ohio Stadium. Read More >

OCTOBER IS RESEARCH AWARENESS MONTH

Get connected to Ohio State’s Research Support Services. The Office of Research is hosting a series of events highlighting the wide range of support services available to new OSU researchers and staff members from the Office of Research and its support units. Read More >

PRESIDENT’S PICNIC PART OF WELCOME WEEK EVENTS

Welcome Week is taking place today (9/17)-Sunday (9/23) on the OSU campus. The President’s Picnic, from noon-2 p.m. today (9/17) on the Oval, and Picnic with the Buckeyes, featuring the Columbus Jazz Orchestra at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday (9/18) on the South Oval, are among more than 150 activities scheduled. The free concert is open to all faculty, staff and students. A complete schedule of Welcome Week events is available online.

FARM SCIENCE REVIEW SET FOR SEPT. 18-20

Precision agriculture technology will be demonstrated at this year’s Farm Science Review, from Tuesday (9/18)-Thursday (9/20) at the Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio. Other activities include the Ohio State Horse Plowing Contest; OSU Central, featuring demonstrations and displays from OSU colleges and departments; and arts and crafts exhibits. The event is sponsored by OSU Extension, OARDC, and the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Tickets are $8 at the gate or $5 in advance (children 5 and younger are admitted free). Read More >

GRADUATE SCHOOL ALUMNI GRANT COMPETITION UNDERWAY

The Fall Quarter 2007 competition for the Graduate School’s Alumni Grants for Graduate Research and Scholarship is underway. The guidelines and application form can be found online at www.gradsch.ohio-state.edu under the financial support link. Faculty are encouraged to inform all eligible graduate students about the competition and where to apply. Applications are due in the Graduate School by Friday (10/12). Contact: wallace.150@osu.edu or 247-7300

REGISTER FOR PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT TELECLASS

Learn about performance management and discover how effectively managing performance can impact your work unit by participating in a telecast from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday (9/19). Tools for creating a performance plan, providing ongoing feedback, encouraging employee development and conducting performance reviews will be reviewed. Register online

EARN INCENTIVE POINTS FOR ATTENDING HEALTH FAIR

Eligible employees can earn 10 points in the Your Plan for Health 2007 Faculty and Staff Incentive Program for attending the recent Health Fair - Rally for Wellness held Wednesday (9/12) at the French Field House. Report your attendance on your points tracking account, available online at www.yourplanforhealth.com. Earn additional incentive points by viewing Your Plan for Health online videos featuring Lunch and Learn workshops sponsored by the OSU Faculty and Staff Wellness Program. The incentive program ends on Sunday (9/30).

Top stories from summer quarter

For those who may have been away from campus during summer quarter, welcome back. Here’s a brief recap of some of the top stories you may have missed:

Gordon Gee named Ohio State’s 14th president

Gordon Gee, chancellor of Vanderbilt University in Nashville since 2000, was selected by a 24-member search committee to succeed Karen Holbrook as president of Ohio State. For details, photos and to view a video of the announcement ceremony, visit www.osu.edu/presidentelect/.

Alutto serves as Ohio State Interim President

The Ohio State Board of Trustees on Friday (6/22) named Joseph Alutto, dean of the university's Fisher College of Business, to serve as interim president. He assumed the new responsibilities Sunday (7/1) and will serve until president-elect Gordon Gee takes office Monday (10/1). Read More >

Lonnie Thompson receives National Medal of Science

Ohio State researcher Lonnie Thompson received the President’s National Medal of Science during a White House ceremony on Friday (7/27). Thompson, a distinguished university professor of earth sciences, is the first Ohio State researcher to win the award, and only the second from Ohio since the program began in 1959. The award, considered perhaps the highest honor the United States bestows on an American scientist, caps nearly three decades of research in some of the world’s most remote regions.

OSU Medical Center CEO accepts new position

Fred Sanfilippo has accepted the leadership of health sciences at Emory University, starting Monday (10/1). College of Medicine Dean Wiley “Chip” Souba Jr. will serve as interim senior vice president and executive dean for health sciences and CEO of the Medical Center and a search committee will be formed to help identify Sanfilippo’s permanent successor. Read More >

Ohio State earns high marks in two national surveys

Ohio State has been recognized as one of the nation’s top public universities in two recently released national surveys. OSU is again ranked 19th among the nation’s top 50 public universities, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s 2008 edition of America’s Best Colleges. Ohio State is rated 10th among national public institutions in the Washington Monthly College Guide. The third annual Washington Monthly College Guide, which measures what colleges are doing to benefit the country, rates Ohio State 12th in the nation and 10th among public institutions. Read More >

Google to digitize libraries collections

The Midwest’s 12-university consortium called the Committee on Institutional Cooperation in June announced an agreement with Google to digitize distinctive collections across all its libraries as part of the Google Book Search project. As a member of the consortium, Ohio State is part of this initiative. Google will scan and make searchable up to 10 million public domain and in-copyright volumes in a way that is consistent with copyright law. Read More

Ohio State’s animal research program fully accredited

Ohio State’s animal research program has once again been fully accredited by the international organization that oversees institutions that use animals in research. Accreditation of an institution by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care is considered the gold standard for ensuring quality within research programs involving animal care and use. Contact: bergdall+@osu.edu or 292-1561. Read More >

Ground broken on new neighborhood policing center

Ground was broken in June on construction of a new Neighborhood Policing Center in the University District, the result of a joint commitment between Ohio State and the city of Columbus to strengthen neighborhood safety and community ties. Located at 248 E. 11th Ave., the facility will serve as the new Columbus police substation for Precinct 4 and will include permanent office space for University Police, Community Crime Patrol and a Neighborhood Pride Center. Contact: 292-7276. Read More >

Six of 11 conference teams to kick off on Big Ten Network

OIT has announced that the new Big Ten Network will be available on the Columbus campus channel lineup. The channel will be delivered to the campus as part of the basic cable TV lineup. View details online or contact OIT at 688-HELP and select menu option 2. The Big Ten Network is a joint venture between subsidiaries of the Big Ten Conference and Fox Cable Networks. Read More >

New Microsoft agreements for Ohio State

Ohio State now has two new agreements covering the use of Microsoft software. The Campus Agreement, which applies to university-owned equipment, and the Personal Use Program, which offers significant discounts on personally owned computers. Read More >