Good Day!
WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Friday, Oct. 17. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

New solar energy material captures every color of the rainbow

Researchers have created a new material that overcomes two of the major obstacles to solar power: it absorbs all the energy contained in sunlight, and generates electrons in a way that makes them easier to capture. OSU chemists and their colleagues combined electrically conductive plastic with metals including molybdenum and titanium to create the hybrid material. Read more >

President Gee's Oct. 15 address to faculty available online

President E. Gordon Gee delivered his second annual address to faculty on Wednesday (10/15). The text of the speech and video of President Gee's address is now posted on the president's web site at http://president.osu.edu/.

Ohio State's annual Parent and Family Weekend starts today

Ohio State's annual Parent & Family Weekend begins today (10/17). This year's event will include the inaugural Legacy Luncheon and the Parent Lecture Series with special speaker Alan Zweibel, award-winning author and one of Saturday Night Live's original writers. Zweibel's daughter currently attends Ohio State. View a complete schedule of events. Contact: parentandfamilyweekend@studentlife.osu.edu or 292-5246

Today and Oct. 18: Protect your pets, support canine programs at Ohio State

The Blood Bank in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the Greyhound Health and Wellness Program are hosting a microchip fundraiser from 5-8 p.m. today (10/17) and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday (10/18) at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Veterinarians promote the placement of microchips in dogs (and cats) to assure that lost animals will be reunited with their owners. The minimum donation of $25 for each microchip includes a $15 donation to the Blood Bank and Greyhound Health and Wellness Program at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Ohio State. Contact: weber.254@osu.edu or 292-3752

Undergraduate Research Day set for Oct. 19

Faculty and staff are encouraged to spread the word about Undergraduate Research Day, set for 1-5 p.m. Sunday (10/19) in the Psychology Building Lobby. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the secrets of undergraduate research from faculty and student panels as well as learn specifics about summer and international research. A poster forum highlighting undergraduate summer research in the arts and sciences, business, and engineering will take place from 3:30-5 p.m. All are welcome. Food and drink served. Read more >

Oct. 19 Columbus Marathon to impact traffic and CABS service

The Columbus Marathon will take place from approximately 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday (10/19). Due to the running of the race on campus, several campus streets will be closed at various times throughout the race. Access to the Carmack parking lots located on West Campus may be limited during the race due to the road closures. In addition, the Weekend Courtesy Shuttle and Library/Buckeye Village CABS routes will be interrupted and will not run service for the duration of the race. Read more >

Burne to deliver Dentistry's distinguished lectures Oct. 30

Distinguished lecturer Robert A. Burne, professor and chair of Oral Biology at the University of Florida, will present “Biofilms and Caries: Sisyphus Meets Streptococcus Mutans” at 11:30 a.m. Thursday (10/30) in 1183 Postle Hall. Burnes’ second lecture, “Complexities in Catabolite Modification of Gene Expression in Streptococcus Mutans,” will be presented at 2 p.m. in 518 James Cancer Hospital. This distinguished lecture series is sponsored by the College of Dentistry’s Office of Research. Contact: 292-2352 or spires.56@osu.edu

OSU Mansfield showing documentary film Oct. 21

Ohio State Mansfield is showing the 60-minute documentary film "The Intolerable Burden" at 6 p.m. Tuesday (10/21) in the Conard Performance Hall in Riedl Hall. The film provides a compelling portrait of the harsh reality of sharecroppers trying, in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to gain a quality education for their children in segregated Drew, Miss., by enrolling them in the town's all-white high school in 1965. The free program will be followed by a discussion with Ruth Carter Whittle, the first of the children who integrated the public schools in 1965. Contact: Rodger Smith at smith.61@osu.edu or (419) 755-4215

Recently purchased kerosene may be dangerous and should not be used

OSU Emergency Management & Fire Prevention has been notified of a recall of kerosene purchased between Thursday (5/1) and Friday (8/29) of this year. Any kerosene purchased between these dates may be contaminated with gasoline and create a risk of fire or explosion. A copy of the recall has been posted on the OSU Public Safety web site.

Concerned Citizens host Economy Awareness Seminar Oct. 21

Concerned Citizens, a group of college students and other individuals working toward the common goal of facilitating change, is hosting Economy Awareness Seminar 2008, from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday (10/21) in Independence Hall. The event is free and open to the public. Guest speaker is Pat Choate, renowned economist and author, and former director of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. Cash prizes awarded to the 10 best essays outlining solutions to our present economic conditions. Read more >

IACUC submission workshop Oct. 22

Staff from the Office of Responsible Research Practices will provide instruction on how to complete an IACUC Animal Use Protocol form from 2-3 p.m. Wednesday (10/22) in 105 Biomedical Research Tower. Register online. Contact: prestage.2@osu.edu

Enter your photos from around the world

The Office of International Affairs is sponsoring an International Photography Competition open to all current Ohio State students, faculty, staff and visiting scholars at Ohio State. All entries must be original and must have been taken outside the U.S. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: People, Places and Transportation. The winning photographs will be displayed in a special exhibit in Bricker Hall during November and December. Deadline to enter is Friday (10/24). Read more >

Faculty and staff men’s basketball season ticket info

Men’s basketball season tickets are currently on sale for OSU faculty and staff. If you have not received your renewal application or you would like to become a new season ticket holder contact the OSU Athletic Ticket Office at (800) GOBUCKS or e-mail athletic.tix@osu.edu. The deadline to order is Friday (10/24). View details and policies

Entertainment books benefit charitable drive

Entertainment 2009 books are now available to help raise funds for the 2008 OSU Bucks for Charity Drive. Each book contains hundreds of two-for-one discounts for fine and casual dining, movies, sports activities, special attractions and hotels. The book sells for $20 ($25 retail), and $4 goes to the Bucks for Charity Drive on behalf of Ohio State. Books can be purchased online (enter group/school account #532263 at check-in) or by contacting Richard Wofford at 688-4412 or wofford.1@osu.edu.