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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Monday, Sept. 29. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

Conference explores lending/foreclosure crisis; Impact on Latino, African American homeowners

As national leaders examine how to manage the subprime lending and foreclosure crisis, the Kirwan Institute is hosting a national conference to also generate potential solutions, while assessing how the crisis came to impact Latino and African American homeowners in particularly high numbers. The National Convening on Subprime Lending, Foreclosure and Race will be held on Thursday (10/2) and Friday (10/3) at the Hyatt Regency, 350 N. High St. The conference will bring together participants from across the country with diverse areas of expertise, including housing, finance, law, real estate, and civil rights, in order to examine the situation from varied perspectives and propose potentially viable solutions at the national, state and local levels. Read more >

Author Kidder presentation, book signing Oct. 14

Mountains Beyond Mountains author Tracy Kidder will conduct a discussion and book signing at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (10/14) in Mershon Auditorium. The nonfiction narrative follows Paul Farmer, a Harvard-educated physician and infectious disease specialist, as he undertakes the modern-day quest to bring medical care to the world’s most needy. Kidder has won the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the Robert F. Kennedy Award, among other literary prizes. Tickets will be available to the general campus and central Ohio communities on Wednesday (10/1). First Year students should sign up now through the First Year Success Series web site. Tickets can be picked up in 120 Enarson. Read more >

Center for African Studies' lecture series kicks off Oct. 1

The Center for African Studies' Autumn lunchtime lecture series kicks off at noon Wednesday (10/1) in 122 Oxley Hall with "The Impact of Agricultural-Consumption Regimes on Women's Autonomy in Kenya." Presenting will be Wairimu (Nimu) Mwangi, Ph.D candidate in the Rural Sociology Program (Public Health concentration). The presentation will describe a study which focuses on the impact of agricultural contexts on women in Kenya. All are welcome. Contact: cas@osu.edu or 292-8169. Read more >

Science Cafe Columbus: The Conscience Clause and American Pharmacy

Science Cafe Columbus will present "The Conscience Clause and American Pharmacy" at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday (10/1) at the South Campus Gateway Landmark Theater. Robert A. Buerki will trace the impact of the introduction of oral contraceptives in the 1960s and the "morning-after pill" in the 1980s and their effect upon American pharmacists who refused to fill legitimate prescription orders for these drugs. Admission is free. Read more >

P-12 Project seeks data for Ohio State School Partnership Summary

Do you collaborate with K-12 schools and teachers? The P-12 Project needs information for the Ohio State School Partnership Summary, which documents the university’s involvement in partnerships with schools, school districts, or school-age children and youth. The book lets policymakers and administrators know how faculty, staff and students are involved in programs that improve the performance of Ohio schools. Enter your 2007-08 school year involvement on the online form on P-12’s newly redesigned and reorganized website, p12.osu.edu/partnership_form.php by Friday (10/24).

Critical Difference professional development grants 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 professional development activities, research, etc. Significant financial need is a key consideration. Applications are due Thursday (10/23). Applications are available at Critical Difference for Women. Contact: hornsby.1@osu.edu or 292-2800

Wilson to discuss What Horror!: Sex Between Men in Belle Époque France

Michael Wilson, associate professor of Historical Studies at University of Texas-Dallas, will present “What Horror!: Sex Between Men in Belle Époque France” at 4 p.m. Thursday (10/2) in 311 Denney Hall. Wilson will reconstruct and analyze how representations of sexuality between men were articulated, shaped and circulated in print culture in France from 1870-1914. Co-sponsored by Sexuality Studies, Literacy Studies, the Departments of Comparative Studies, English, and History, and the Schools of Physical Activity and Educational Services, and Teaching and Learning. Contact: moddelmog.1@osu.edu Read more >

Alternative Winter Break faculty, staff advisors sought

Applications are due by Friday (10/3) for faculty and staff advisors for Alternative Winter Break, set for Saturday (12/13)-Saturday (10/20). Alternative breaks are weeklong, community service trips to a city outside of Columbus during the university's breaks at winter, spring and summer. Each trip has two leaders responsible for leading the trip and the advisor serves a major support role for those two students. Each trip consists of 10 students. Details and advisor applications are available online. Contact: Holmes.443@osu.edu

Conversation partners sought for international students

The American Language Program (English as a Second Language) is recruiting conversation partners for its international students. As a conversation partner, you can offer international students the chance to converse in a relaxed and non-academic atmosphere with a native English speaker. Conversation partners are asked to commit to spending at least one hour per week (for one quarter only) with his/her international partner. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to apply. If you are interested in volunteering, contact CPP@mail.esl.ohio-state.edu.

OSU Health Plan members reminded of responsibility

Employees on Ohio State health plans are reminded to confirm, by contacting the facility directly, the time and location of testing appointments scheduled for them by their physician’s office. Health plan members also should verify the referred testing facility is in the OSU provider network during that phone call. In addition, most physician offices charge to complete forms, such as FMLA, disability or authorization forms. OSU plan members are encouraged to ask the provider about such fees before bringing in the forms or requesting this assistance. For details or assistance, contact Managed Health Care Systems at 292-4700, (800) 678-6269 or visit osumhcs.com.

OSU School of Music ConcertCard program

The OSU School of Music ConcertCard Program is a great way to see top-quality musical performances by faculty, students and guest artists. For $50 per Concert Card, you can attend any or all of the 75 ticketed concerts in Weigel and Hughes Hall auditoriums during the 2008-09 concert season. Also available is a Family ConcertCard for $75, allowing admission for up to six people all season long. For details, contact lockwood.38@osu.edu or 247-7036.