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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Monday, Oct. 1. OSUToday is published daily Monday-Friday. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

OHIO STATE'S 14TH PRESIDENT POISED TO LEAD UNIVERSITY FORWARD

Describing Ohio State as one of the most exciting academic environments in the world, E. Gordon Gee officially started today (10/1) as the university’s 14th president. Returning to the place he called the university of the American dream, Gee already has immersed himself in numerous Ohio State activities. A special onCampus welcoming President Gee to campus is being distributed today, and is available online at oncampus.osu.edu/.

In addition, a splash page with a video of the onCampus interview is available online at www.osu.edu/features/2007/welcomegee/

NEW HOUSE BILL LEADS TO PUBLIC RECORDS CHANGES

On Friday (9/29), Substitute House Bill 9 went into effect, which makes certain changes and additions to Ohio’s Public Records Act that affect all state and local public offices, including Ohio State. The new law does not change the university’s past practices when responding to requests for records, but some of those practices are now required by law. Among the changes included in the new law are the manner in which a public office is to disclose records to the public, additional penalties for failure to properly respond to records requests, and the adoption of a public records policy. The university’s Public Records policy can be found on the Legal Affairs Web site. Contact: Legal Affairs, 292-0611

UNIVERSITY’S ANNUAL SECURITY REPORT NOW AVAILABLE

A copy of the Ohio State’s Annual Security Report is now available. The report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Ohio State, and on public property immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy online at www.ps.ohio-state.edu/campus_safety, or by contacting University Public Safety at 247-6300 or police@osu.edu.

OPEN ENROLLMENT STARTS TODAY

Benefits Open Enrollment begins today (10/1) and will continue through Friday (10/19). The university has established new medical plans for 2008, so this year re-enrollment is necessary. You are encouraged to enroll online at hr.osu.edu/oe. The Open Enrollment Web site has detailed information about the new health plans, Open Enrollment videos, and other useful tools that can help you make the best choices for you and your family. For those who wish to enroll via paper forms, all enrollment forms are available in printable format online or by contacting Human Resources at service@hr.osu.edu or 292-1050.

SIDNEY POITIER IS GUEST LECTURER OCT. 3

The College of the Arts will welcome Academy Award-winning actor, author and director Sidney Poitier to campus Wednesday (10/3) as a Barnett Distinguished Visiting Lecturer. Poitier, a political and artistic trailblazer for more than half a century, will present a public lecture recounting the uplifting story of his life at 7:30 p.m. in Mershon Auditorium. Tickets are $22 (reserved seating), $10 (students with ID), and are available at the Wexner Center ticket office, 292-3535. Poitier was the first black actor to win an Academy Award (Lilies of the Field, 1963).

NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY MONTH BEGINS TODAY

In celebration of National Work and Family Month in October, Ohio State and Human Resources are offering faculty and staff a variety of workshops designed to improve and integrate work and life. The calendar of events is open to all faculty and staff. To find this information online, visit the Work Life Web site at hr.osu.edu/worklife

OCT. 16 ASFW LUNCHEON SET FOR FACULTY CLUB

Laura Butler, personal performance and life fulfillment specialist, is the guest speaker for the next Association of Staff and Faculty Women luncheon on Tuesday (10/16) at the Faculty Club. She will discuss what you need to thrive in a work environment, and how you can translate your needs and skills into a successful and satisfying career. Registration and lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m.; the session ends at 1 p.m. Seating is limited; download a registration form. Contact: Julee Klima, 247-6411

WOSU 820 AM TO AIR MAYORAL DEBATE

WOSU Public Media, in partnership with the Columbus Metropolitan Club, will air a Columbus Mayoral Debate between Mayor Michael Coleman and Bill Todd on Wednesday (10/3) on WOSU 820 AM. The debate will air from noon-1:30 p.m. live from the Buckeye Hall of Fame Café. The forum is sponsored by the Columbus Dispatch. Joe Hallett, Dispatch senior editor, will moderate the debate. Questions will be permitted from the moderator to the audience. To date, this is the only mayoral debate scheduled to take place before the November 2007 election. Read more >

ACADEMIC PROGRAM REVIEWS WORKSHOP OCT. 11

“Academic Program Reviews,” a workshop for department chairs, school directors, deans, associate deans, and assistant deans, will be held from 9-11 a.m. Thursday (10/11) in 090 Science and Engineering Library. Registration is required. Register online. Contact: 292-2800

SIGN UP FOR WELLNESS LUNCH & LEARN PROGRAMS

The Faculty and Staff Wellness Program offers a full schedule of free workshops each quarter. Autumn quarter classes include: Five weeks, beginning Wednesday (10/3), “Iron Yoga,” 5:15-6:10 p.m., McCampbell Hall, second floor; Thursday (10/4) Oct. 4, “Need Some Pampering?,” noon-1 p.m., 410 Central Classroom Building. Registration is required. Register online (choose the Lunch and Learn link) or call 292-1894.

FINANCIAL PLANNING: LEARN RETIREMENT BASICS OCT. 3

The latest financial planning session offered by Human Resources, “Retirement Planning Basics” will take place from noon-1 p.m. Wednesday (10/3) at Human Resources’ offices, 1590 N. High Street, Suite 430. Learn the steps to take now in order to make informed and confident decisions about a sound retirement. Presented by Consumer Credit Counseling. Contact: 292-1050. Read more >

CAMPUS BLOOD DRIVES SCHEDULED

Several campus area blood drives are scheduled for this week, including today (10/1), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the OSU Medical Center; Tuesday (10/2), 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Student Health Center and 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Department of Public Safety; Wednesday (10/3) 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. general campus; and Thursday (10/4), 1-7 p.m. RPAC. To schedule an appointment, call (800) GIVE LIFE or visit www.givelife.org (sponsor code: buckeyes).