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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Friday, Oct. 5. OSUToday is published daily Monday-Friday. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

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TEXT OF PRESIDENT GEE’S ADDRESS TO FACULTY COUNCIL AVAILABLE ONLINE

President E. Gordon Gee made his first formal address as Ohio State's 14th President at the Faculty Council meeting held Thursday (10/4) in Weigel Hall. He labeled his return to Ohio State “an opportunity - a treasure - beyond compare. I return to you with gratitude, with hope, with conviction, and with excitement about the days ahead.” Gee outlined six strategic goals for making this institution the best Ohio State possible. The text of the address can be viewed online at http://president.osu.edu/speeches/fac_100407.php

GLOBAL DIABETES SUMMIT ATTRACTS WORLD-RENOWNED EXPERTS

The Ohio State Medical Center has invited diabetes experts from around the world to present their latest research on global prevention, diabetes technology, cellular and tissue therapies, islet cell therapy, pharmacology, pregnancy and cardiovascular disease and other topics at one of the largest conferences of its type. The Global Diabetes Summit scientific event will take place from 7:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Friday (11/30) and from 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday (12/1) at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. Approximately 500 health care professionals from around the world will be in attendance. Read more >

DIVERSITY LECTURE SERIES KICKS OFF OCT. 17

The President and Provost’s Diversity Lecture and Cultural Arts Series kicks off the 2007-08 season at 4 p.m. Wednesday (10/17) with author and teacher Allan G. Johnson presenting “Unraveling the Knot of Privilege, Power and Difference” in the Ag Administration Building Auditorium. A reception and book signing will follow. Johnson has authored “The Gender Knot” (revised edition, 2005) and “Privilege, Power, and Difference.” Diversity series events are free and open to the public. For details or special accommodations, contact Mac Stewart or Edie Waugh or call 292-4355. The complete schedule is available online.

OSU MARCHING BAND HOSTS BUCKEYE INVITATIONAL OCT. 6

The OSU Marching Band is hosting the Buckeye Invitational featuring 30 of the finest Ohio high school marching bands from 9 a.m.-5:15 p.m. Saturday (10/6) in Ohio Stadium. The OSU band will perform at 4:45 p.m., beginning with its traditional ramp entrance, followed by a football halftime show featuring the music of Buddy Rich and concluding with Script Ohio. Tickets will be available at the door the day of the show for $7 per person at Gate 7 on the northwest side of the stadium. Contact: 292-2598. Read more >

PHA DEADLINE EXTENDED FOR 2008 PREMIUM REDUCTION

While the Incentive Program has ended, the deadline to take the Personal Health Assessment online questionnaire has been extended to Friday (12/14) to allow faculty and staff to obtain the $10 monthly or $4.62 biweekly health plan premium discount beginning in 2008. The premium reduction for PHAs completed Oct. 1-Dec. 14 will not be reflected in Open Enrollment confirmation information but will take effect with your January pay. Get a free health screening at one of several locations around campus to obtain data needed to complete the PHA online. (This data also may be obtained from your physician within the last 12 months.) Register for a screening online (click on Assessing Your Health Risks) or call 292-1050.

ENGAGING STUDENTS WITH CLICKERS AT THE DIGITAL UNION

Turning Technologies is presenting its newest student response systems (also called clickers) at the Digital Union. Turning Point's Carrie Greenaway will showcase the newest technologies for designing interactive classroom presentations to gauge student understanding and provide real-time feedback on the success of classroom lecture material. The free presentation will be offered at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Wednesday (10/10) at the Digital Union. RSVP to digitalunion@osu.edu to sign up. Read more >

OCT. 15 LUNCHEON TO SUPPORT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

In Recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the OSU Faculty Club is hosting a Ladies Luncheon with proceeds going to the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research at the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Breast cancer survivor Linda Lucas is the guest speaker. The program begins at noon in the Faculty Club Grand Lounge. The campus community is invited. Call 292-2262 for reservations. Details are available at www.ohio-statefacultyclub.com (click calendar)

VETS FOR PETS 5K TEAMS UP WITH THE WEXNER CENTER SUNDAY

Dogs and their walkers will rove the campus Sunday (10/7) during the second annual “Vets For Pets” 5K Race/Walk, sponsored by the College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2009 and benefiting the Franklin County Dog Shelter. Registration is available starting at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Veterinary Medicine Academic Building. The race begins at 11 a.m. Following the race, bring your dog to “Dog Day at the Wex,” 2007 Community Day from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Wexner Center Plaza. Events include a Pooch Parade, dog playground and talent contest, pet massage and tours of the Wegman exhibit. Read more >

FIRE HYDRANT WINTERIZATION UPDATE

The Utilities Division of Facilities Operations and Development is currently in the process of winterizing all university central campus fire hydrants. The City of Columbus mandates all privately owned fire hydrants are to be emptied from Oct. 15-April 15 every year. In order to winterize a fire hydrant, water in the barrel section must be evacuated to eliminate the possibility of freezing, leaving it inoperable. Therefore, if anyone uses a fire hydrant for any reason, Utility Distribution needs to be notified. Please contact John Zink at 292-1446 or Jeff Mullins at 292-6383 if you need to use a hydrant or you see a hydrant being used.

OSC HOSTS SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT TOOLS WORKSHOP

The Ohio Supercomputer Center on West Campus is hosting a workshop, “Software Development Tools” from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesday (10/17)-Friday (10/19) at OSC. The workshop focuses on developing large software projects with the primary topics including compiling, debugging and version control of source code on Linux and Unix systems. The workshop is offered free to members of the Ohio academic community. To register, contact trn-contact@osc.edu. For details, call 292-0890 or visit www.osc.edu/supercomputing/training/.

ATHLETICS GOOD STUFF SERVES UP LATEST OSU SPORTS NEWS

The softball team will host the Seventh Annual Ohio Collegiate Charity Classic this weekend at Fred Beekman Park on West Campus. The women’s soccer team defeated Illinois, 2-1, in two overtimes, and is now 7-0 at home this season. Read about these items and more in the latest Ohio State Athletics Good Stuff, published by OSU Athletics. Register to receive the weekly e-newsletter by contacting Emily Meyer at meyer.504@osu.edu, or read online at ohiostatebuckeyes.com each week.

FIND OR SELL YOUR ITEMS VIA THE ONCAMPUS BULLETIN BOARD

Looking for OSU football tickets? How about a sewing machine or router? Can you resist a vacation cottage on Jekyll Island? Find these items and many more in the classified section of the onCampus Bulletin Board where faculty and staff can post or view a variety of opportunities. The bulletin board is available to all OSU faculty and staff. All you need to do is register using your OSU Internet ID (name.#).