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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Tuesday, Sept. 2. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

SEARCH COMMITTEE FOR EXECUTIVE DEAN, VICE PROVOST OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Executive Vice President and Provost Joseph Alutto has announced the appointment of a search committee for the executive dean and vice provost of the Arts and Sciences. The members are: Committee chair Steven Gabbe, senior vice president for Health Sciences and CEO, OSU Medical Center; Leslie Alexander, associate professor of History; Heather Allen, associate professor of Chemistry and chair, University Senate Steering Committee; Laura Bockbrader, undergraduate student, Music; Wayne Carlson, professor and chair, Industrial, Interior and Visual Communication Design; Russell Fazio, professor of Psychology; Eric Herbst, Distinguished University professor, Physics; Brian McHale, professor of English; Kathy Royer, office administrative associate, Center for Life Sciences Education; Robert Sarama, graduate student, Economics; Allison Snow, professor of Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology and director, Undergraduate Research; and Sandra Stroot, senior associate dean, Education and Human Ecology.

The search committee will begin its work immediately, with the goal of having the executive dean and vice provost in place by Aug. 1, 2009. Academic Affairs will assist the committee. Vice Provost W. Randy Smith and Assistant Provost Melinda Nelson will serve in ex officio roles and provide staff support.

2009-10 GEC CLUSTERS CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Faculty from all academic units are invited to propose a GEC Cluster for the 2009-2010 academic year. The program allows faculty to create a topic and bundle two or more GEC courses from at least two GEC categories that support their chosen topic. Clusters are an interdisciplinary program which means that the coursework must come from at least two departments. Proposals are due Friday (10/24). Details are available online. Contact: mercerhill.1@osu.edu or 292-6248

2009-10 FRESHMAN SEMINAR CALL FOR PROPOSALS

The Freshman Seminar program has instituted a new rolling deadline for Freshman Seminar proposals. Tenure-track faculty are invited to propose a one or two credit Freshman Seminar for the upcoming academic year (2009-2010). Proposals are now due on a quarterly basis the year before the seminar will be taught. Seminars to be taught Autumn Quarter are due Monday (12/1); Winter Quarter due Sunday (3/1/09); Spring Seminars are due Monday (6/1/09). For details about the program and how to propose a seminar, visit http://freshmanseminars.osu.edu/. Contact: mercerhill.1@osu.edu or 292-6248.

OSU WETLANDS TO HOST SWAMPFEST SEPT. 25

Join President E. Gordon Gee at OSU's Olentangy River Wetland Research Park, 352 W. Dodridge St. to celebrate its designation as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance at SwampFest 2008, set for 5-10 p.m. Thursday (9/25). Enjoy the Picnic at the Swamp, an outdoor lecture on wetlands of the world by noted wetland lawyer Royal C. Gardner of Stetson University, and bluegrass and rock bands all evening. The public is invited to attend. CABS will be running buses to the ORWRP from central campus (4:30 p.m.) and from ORWRP (10 p.m.) to campus. Contact: mitsch.1@osu.edu. Read more >

FACULTY SOUGHT FOR BUCKEYES BEYOND OHIO PROGRAM

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions & First Year Experience is currently looking for faculty from different parts of the country to participate in a series of lunches with out-of-state students through the Buckeyes Beyond Ohio program. If you were born outside of Ohio, or even lived or studied somewhere else for a time, UAFYE would like your help. All it takes is an hour to eat lunch with our new Buckeyes once during fall quarter. Visit fye.osu.edu/BuckeyesbeyondOhio.html to see the dates and regions. Contact: Peter Anzollitto at anzollitto.1@osu.edu

SENIOR POSITIONS SUBJECT TO NEW BACKGROUND CHECK POLICY

Human Resources developed a background check policy that took effect Monday (9/1). The new policy requires appointees and final candidates for president, provost, vice president, vice provost, dean, senior fiscal officer, senior human resource professional and all President’s Council members to undergo a background check by HireRight, an international company used by other Big Ten schools. The policy will promote fair and consistent methods for how background checks are conducted and used. It is available at hr.osu.edu/policy/index.aspx#Employment. For additional information on background screenings already in place in your college or VP unit, contact your human resource professional.

CHADWICK ARBORETUM FALL PLANT SALE SEPT. 4-5

The OSU Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens Fall Plant Sale is set for 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday (9/4) and Friday (9/5) in the turnaround drive in front of Howlett Hall. Garden store items are priced for clearance and include mums, native trees, pansies, potted containers, and fall blooming perennials. Proceeds benefit the programs and operations of the Chadwick Arboretum and Learning Gardens. Read more >

GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR RESEARCH ADMINISTRATORS SEPT. 9

Ohio State research administrators are invited to attend a broadcast workshop on good customer service, “How to Support the Research Endeavor at Your Institution,” from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday (9/9) at two campus locations. A panel of experts will look at the roles of the central sponsored programs office and the role of the departmental administrator. To register, visit the Office of Research Training, Education and Communication Web site.

CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH

OSU Extension and the College of Veterinary Medicine are hosting “One Medicine Conference: Contemporary Issues in Public Health,” on Thursday (9/11) and Friday (9/12) at the OSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital Auditorium. Keynote speaker Lonnie King, senior veterinarian for the Centers for Disease Control, will be joined by members of the OSU Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges. Registration is required, and students are able to attend at a discounted rate. Registration is available online. Contact: workman.45@osu.edu or 292-9453

STONE LAB OPEN HOUSE SEPT. 6

The annual Stone Laboratory Open House, including educational programs and tours of Gibraltar Island and South Bass Lighthouse will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday (9/6). The event is open to the public. Contact: reutter.1@osu.edu. Read more >

2008-09 PARKING PERMITS REQUIRED STARTING SEPT. 1

Please visit Transportation and Parking Services Web site at www.tp.osu.edu/ to obtain more information regarding ordering 2008-09 parking permits, which will be required to access all parking areas as of Monday (9/1). In addition, the Web site contains information regarding the new CABS shuttle that will provide five round trips from campus to the OSU Airport/Don Scott Field beginning today (9/2).