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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Wednesday, Nov. 21. OSUToday is published daily Monday-Friday. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

STRESS HORMONE MAY HASTEN THE PROGRESSION OF CERTAIN BLOOD CANCERS

OSU researchers have shown that in cell cultures, the stress hormone norepinephrine appears to promote the biochemical signals that stimulate certain tumor cells to grow and spread. The finding, if verified, may suggest a way of slowing the progression and spread of some cancers enough so that conventional chemotherapeutic treatments would have a better chance to work. The study also showed that stress hormones may play a completely different role in cancer development than researchers had once thought. The research was led by Eric Yang, research scientist with the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research and Ronald Glaser, director of the IBMR and a member of the Comprehensive Cancer Center. Read more >

COLLEGE DATA INFORM STRATEGIC PLANNING EFFORT

Ohio State’s 18 colleges are now developing multi-year strategic plans. The plans are informed by data such as expenditures, compensation, credit hours of instruction, student majors, degrees awarded, and other college-specific trend data. This information also assists deans in revising patterns of administration, defining resource distribution principles and policies, and planning the use of resources. Review the college profile data. For more on college strategic planning, see http://oaa.osu.edu/StrategicPlanning2.php.

UNIVERSITY CLOSED THURSDAY, FRIDAY

The university will be closed Thursday (11/22) and Friday (11/23) in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. No classes are scheduled and offices will be closed. Some areas will be open but will offer reduced hours, including the RPAC. For a list of campus activities, see the university’s events calendar.

WOSU PUBLIC MEDIA’S IMIX TO AIR ON BIG TEN NETWORK

Ohio State will air its first non-sports program, “iMix” on the Big Ten Network at 4:30 p.m. Thursday (11/22), 4:30 a.m. Monday (11/26), and 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (11/28). iMix is the first of many programs WOSU Public Media will produce for the university to air on the Big Ten Network. The Buckeye Bullet, Stone Lab and ThePalestra.com, an Internet news service geared toward university students are featured in a fast-paced television magazine format. View the episode online. Read more >

YOUR PLAN FOR HEALTH INCENTIVES TO BE PAID IN NOVEMBER

Faculty and staff who participated in Your Plan for Health’s 2007 Incentive Program will receive their payouts this month. Participants paid biweekly will see incentives on their pay statement today (11/21), while employees paid monthly will receive their payouts on Friday (11/30). The incentive program allowed eligible individuals to earn up to 125 points ($125) for participating in health related activities. Note that all money earned is subject to tax. Read more >

ANNUAL HIDDEN BENEFITS FAIR SET FOR DEC. 5

The University Staff Advisory Committee is hosting its 13th Annual Hidden Benefits Fair from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday (12/5) in the French Field House. The event showcases many services available to faculty and staff. Admission is free. Hot dogs and soda are available at a discount. Attend and register for door prizes, pick up plenty of free items and lots of information. Vendors will be on hand to offer goods for sale and to showcase their goods and services.

SPECIAL FACULTY/STAFF RATES FOR KIRWAN INSTITUTE CONFERENCE

The Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity has created a special rate for OSU faculty and staff ($100) and extended the registration deadline to Monday (11/26) for its upcoming national conference, “Toward a Transformative Agenda around Race,” to be held at the Columbus Hyatt Regency Friday (11/30)-Sunday (12/2). Review the session lineup online. Register online (select the Pay In Person option at the end of the process). Submit your payment through your department using a 100W. Address additional payment issues to mccoy.266@osu.edu

POST AWARDS, MEETINGS ON THE ONCAMPUS BULLETIN BOARD

Win an award or know someone who did on campus or off campus? Want to inform faculty and staff of an upcoming meeting that you are organizing or are aware of? Check out the Awards and Announcements/Meetings sections of the onCampus Bulletin Board. The bulletin board is available to all OSU faculty and staff. All you need to do is register using your OSU Internet ID (name.#).

PANHANDLING CRIME PREVENTION TIPS

University Police recommend that you never give money to panhandlers. There are other, better ways to help the homeless or needy. If you are approached, acknowledge the panhandler’s request by saying no and then walk away. If you are in a vehicle, do not roll down your window or engage in conversation with the panhandler. Panhandling is not illegal unless it is aggressive, but anyone who feels threatened, intimidated or annoyed should notify the police as soon as possible. Call 292-2121 to reach OSU Police or 645-4545 for the Columbus Police.