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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Tuesday, Oct. 9. OSUToday is published daily Monday-Friday. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

OHIO STATE IMPROVES RESEARCH RANKING

Ohio State now ranks seventh nationally among all public universities in research expenditures and a remarkable second place when it comes to industry-sponsored research. Ohio State’s total research expenditures were $652 million for fiscal year 2006, an increase of 7 percent over 2005’s $609 million. The federal government has not yet completed its statistical analysis of the nation’s academic research expenditures for fiscal year 2007, but information compiled by Ohio State’s Research Foundation shows continued strong growth during fiscal year 2007 with research expenditures climbing to $720 million, more than 10 percent above the fiscal year 2006 total. Read more >

JUMA KICKS OFF CENTER FOR AFRICAN STUDIES SPEAKER SERIES

Calestous Juma, professor and director of the Science, Technology, and Globalization Project at Harvard University, will deliver two lectures to the campus community on Tuesday (10/16) as part of the Center for African Studies Speaker Series: Reflections on Higher Education in Africa. Juma will deliver “Higher Education in Africa’s Development: New Policy Directions” from noon-1:30 p.m. in the Hale Black Cultural Center. A light lunch will be provided. Juma will present “Biotechnology and Africa’s Economic Renewal: Opportunities and Challenges” from 2:30-4 p.m. in 244 Kottman Hall. Contact: cas@osu.edu or 292-8169

CLINICAL PARTNERS OFFERS COMPREHENSIVE MEDICATION REVIEW

In celebration of American Pharmacists Month, the College of Pharmacy Clinical Partners Program, located in 1970A Cramblett Hall is offering comprehensive medication reviews at a reduced price during October. Individuals may bring in their prescription medications, over the counter products and herbal and dietary supplements and a pharmacist will thoroughly review your medications, provide you with information about them, and create an action plan to help you make the most of your medicines. To schedule an appointment or for details, call 293-5075. Read more >

HAYS IS OCT. 10 KSA LECTURE SERIES GUEST

K. Michael Hays, professor at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design and founder of the scholarly journal “Assemblage,” will present “A Desire Called Architecture: Interpreting the Neo-Avant-Garde” as part of the Knowlton School of Architecture Lecture Series, at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday (10/10) in the Knowlton Hall Auditorium. In 2000, Hays was appointed the first adjunct curator of architecture at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Read more >

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES INAUGURAL LECTURE SERIES BEGINS OCT. 15

Lindsay Jones, professor of Spanish and Portuguese will kick off the 2007-08 College of Humanities Inaugural Lecture Series on Monday (10/15) with “Juxtaposition: New Uses of Old Buildings at the Archaeological-Tourist Site of Monte Albán, Oaxaca, Mexico,” The Inaugural Lectures are held at 4:30 p.m. in the Faculty Club Grand Lounge. Contact: 292-1882. Read more >

OSU CLINICAL RESEARCH PROFESSIONALS MEETING OCT. 18

Darnas Grimm, Cheryl Link and Daisy Sinha will describe the benefits and importance of using a Clinical Trial Management System for research projects at a special OSU Clinical Research Professionals meeting from noon-1 p.m. Thursday (10/18) in 234 Meiling Hall. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to jennifer.lanter@osumc.edu or call 293-2115.

OPEN ENROLLMENT ONLINE AVAILABLE THROUGH OCT. 19

Open Enrollment Online is accessible 24 hours a day through Friday (10/19). Faculty and staff must elect a medical plan from the four new options. Those who were previously enrolled and do not make an active election will be defaulted into a medical plan. Faculty and staff may also review existing dental and vision coverage, elect a flexible spending account - current participants must re-enroll - and cancel short-term disability coverage. Open Enrollment Online is accessible with a valid OSU Internet User ID (name.#) and the password established for that account. Refer to the login page for information about activating that account or re-setting its password. The appropriate open enrollment forms also may be submitted to Human Resources by Friday (10/19).

TRESSEL AMONG LEADERSHIP CENTER WORKSHOP PRESENTERS

Looking for personal and/or professional development opportunities? The OSU Leadership Center is offering workshops that are filled with interactivities designed to enhance your leadership skills. Upcoming sessions include: Thursday (11/15), “Beyond the Sidelines: Lessons in Leadership with Coach Jim Tressel,” and Wednesday (12/5), “It's a Wonderful Life: Leading Through Service.” A list of workshops is available online. Contact: flynn.61@osu.edu or 292-3114

ASFW OCTOBER PROGRAM REGISTRATION DEADLINE TODAY

Registration is due today (10/9) to attend the ASFW October luncheon featuring Laura Butler, personal performance and life fulfillment specialist, scheduled for Tuesday (10/16) at the Faculty Club. Butler 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. New Member Orientation will take place from 1-1:15 p.m. Download a registration form at http://asfw.osu.edu/. Contact: Julee Klima, 247-6411

GRADUATE STUDENT CAREER GROUP SESSIONS SET

Faculty and staff are asked to inform any graduate students you may work with about a Graduate Student Career Group that will meet four times, from 4:30-6 p.m. on the following Thursdays: (10/18), (11/1), (11/15), and (11/29). Participants will learn how to identify satisfying career paths, how their unique talents fit with careers, and review the career decision-making process and how to implement strategies. Contact: stormer.5@osu.edu or 688-3898. Read more >

FLEXCAR FREE MEMBERSHIP OFFER EXPIRES OCT. 31

Brought to you in partnership with Transportation and Parking Services, Flexcar has 20 hybrids, utility vehicles and sporty cars parked on campus and available by the hour (or the day). Rates start as low as $5/hour and include gas and insurance. Qualified faculty and staff 18 and older may receive the first-year membership free when they join by Wednesday (10/31). Use promo code “OSUEMP” when applying. Enroll online (select “Ohio State University”) or e-mail your questions to information@flexcar.com.

COLLEGE PLANNING SESSION OCT. 16

The office of Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience will be offering a college planning session Tuesday (10/16) in 172 Newton Hall for OSU faculty and staff with children in grades 7-10. Bring a lunch to the brown bag session. The one-hour session will help parents understand open and competitive admissions processes, how high school courses affect a child's chances of being admitted to college, and strategies for paying for college. For details or to RSVP, contact brown.1112@osu.edu or 688-4468.