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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Tuesday, Sept. 25. OSUToday is published daily Monday-Friday. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

STUDY LOOKS AT WILD BIRDS' IMPACT ON E. COLI SPREAD ON FARMS

Ohio State scientists are using a $1 million U.S. Department of Agriculture grant to study the relationship between wild birds and E. coli contamination on farms, in an effort to gather crucial data leading to effective pre-harvest control strategies that would help minimize foodborne illnesses throughout the country. Jeff LeJeune, a microbiologist and veterinary scientist with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster, leads the groundbreaking study, which concentrates on an invasive nuisance bird whose impact on the propagation of disease-causing pathogens has not been determined: European starlings. Read more >

HARCHOL-BALTER IS DISTINGUISHED GUEST LECTURER SEPT. 26

Mor Harchol-Balter, a guest of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, will deliver "What Analytical Performance Modeling Teaches Us About Computer Systems Design," at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday (9/26) in 480 Dreese Labs. Harchol-Balter is an associate professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University and a recipient of the McCandless Chair, the NSF CAREER award, the NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Mathematical Sciences, and several teaching awards, including the Herbert A. Simon Award for Teaching Excellence . Read more >

WETLANDS PARK HOSTS LIBRARIES READALOUD EVENT SEPT. 27

The OSU Libraries ReadAloud series kicks off a new year of programming with a special event from 3-4 p.m. Thursday (9/27) at the Wilma H. Schiermeier Olentangy River Wetlands Research Park. Join in on a continuation of Listening to The Land…A Year Long Reading of Aldo Leopold’s A Sand Country Almanac. Wetlands director Bill Mitsch will read the essay “Song of Gavilan” and Ruthmarie Mitsch, College of Humanities, will read the essays “Choral Copse” and“Gaucamaja.” Tour the Wetlands after the reading. Weekly ReadAloud sessions will continue at the Wexner Center Café from 3-4 p.m. Thursday (10/4).

KNOWLTON SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE LECTURE SERIES RESUMES SEPT. 26

Michael Cadwell, associate professor of architecture at the Knowlton School of Architecture will present “Yellow Light, Blue Shadow at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday (9/26) as part of the KSA Lecture Series. Cadwell’s research is focused on construction as a transformative cultural act, a topic explored in his series of essays, “Strange Details,” recently published by The MIT Press. The lecture will take place in the Knowlton Hall Auditorium (room 250). Read more >

CRITICAL DIFFERENCE GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Professional Development and Women of Color Advancement Grants are available for women faculty and staff continuously employed by Ohio State for at least one year, and students (graduate/professional students with a 3.0 GPA and undergraduates with a 2.5 GPA). Grants can be used for research, supplies, dependent care, travel, etc. Significant financial need is a key consideration. Applications are due Thursday (10/25). Apply online. Contact: 292-2800 or hornsby.1@osu.edu

OSU LIBRARIES TO PRESENT JEWISH LITERATURE SERIES

The OSU Libraries is presenting a five-part reading and discussion series, “Let’s Talk About It: Jewish Literature - Identity and Imagination,” which explores Jewish literature and culture through scholar-led discussions of contemporary and classic books on a common theme. The discussions will take place from 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays beginning Monday (10/1) in the Cartoon Research Library seminar room in the Wexner Center for the Arts. Registration for the free series is required. To register, contact letstalkmodern@gmail.comor or 292-2594. Read more >

STAFF ARTS AND CRAFTS EXHIBIT AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The 2007 Staff Arts and Crafts Exhibit award winners have been announced and the exhibit will continue at Bricker Hall through Friday (10/19). The winners are:

• President's Award - Necklace and Earrings, Pat Peterson
• People's Choice Award - Fawn, Thomas Huitger
• Vice President Awards - OSU Spirit, Carolyn Speicher; The Wilderness, Reginald Adams; Skyline, Brian Basham; The Key, Edward Berlepsch; Great Exuma Bahamas, Lisa Borelli; Bad Moon Rising, Stephen Green; Bubble Votive, Andy Hudson; Fawn, Thomas Huitger; UNNAMED, Geoff Hulse; Hollowform, Rodger Lynch; Tranquility at Dawn, Kathleen Zwanziger; Bloop, Debbie Knight.

NEW GRADUATE INTERDISCIPLINARY SPECIALIZATION IN LITERACY STUDIES

The new Graduate Interdisciplinary Specialization in Literacy Studies extends the educational and research experience of all graduate students who wish to explore the roles, meanings, and impacts of reading and writing, however broadly defined. The GIS in Literacy Studies draws from and seeks to contribute to research in the humanities, education, social sciences, and arts most directly, but includes the biological sciences and professional areas such as medicine, dentistry, accounting, policy and law. Contact: graff.40@osu.edu or farr.18@osu.edu

ONCAMPUS SEEKS FACULTY, STAFF STORIES ABOUT USING FACEBOOK

onCampus is looking for faculty and staff who are using the popular Internet networking site Facebook for professional or personal purposes. Faculty who use Facebook in their classes to communicate with students or provide them with course materials are especially invited to contribute stories. Contact Julia Harris at harris.587@osu.edu or call 292-4971 by Monday (10/8).

OIT NONCREDIT COMPUTING SHORT COURSES AVAILABLE

OIT's quarterly computing short courses are noncredit and are offered at no charge to you. Topics include: Windows XP and Office overview, FrontPage basics, PowerPoint basic and advanced, mailing lists overview, SPSS, and SAS. In addition, two new hands-on classes are available: Windows XP Professional - Advanced and Web Design - Basic. Classes fill quickly, so register online as soon as possible.

REC SPORTS OFFERS ACTIVE ADULT PROGRAMS

The Department of Recreational Sports’ Active Adult programs is open to the university community and the general public. Classes include ballroom dance, baby boomers health and fitness, golf, line dance, tennis, soccer, swimming, and weight training. Fees are $56 per seven-week course ($42 for Rec Sports members). Register at the RPAC Welcome Center or online at www.osusait.com/recsports/cart/. Contact: agegroup@osu.edu or 688-8787. Read more >

FALL FASHION EYEWEAR FRAME EXPO TODAY IN FRY

The Ohio State Optometry Services' Eyewear Gallery for Great Vision is hosting its semiannual Frame Fashion Expo from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. today (9/25) in Fry Hall. In addition to the normal selection of 2,200 frames, nine designer representatives will present their Fall Fashion Collections. Featured frames will be specially priced. The licensed Optician Instructors at the Eyewear Gallery specialize in matching patients' visual and lifestyle needs to specific lens options. Visit early to avoid the crowds. VSP ® Vision Insurance accepted.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH OFFICE OPEN HOUSE SEPT. 27

Students, faculty and staff are invited to the Undergraduate Research Office welcome back Open House from 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday (9/27) in 150 Page Hall. Tour the offices, mingle with friends and faculty, and learn more about undergraduate research at OSU. Refreshments will be served. Contact: 688-4910. Read more >