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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Thursday, Nov. 29. OSUToday is published daily Monday-Friday. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

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ARTS AND SCIENCES REVIEW COMMITTEE OPEN FORUMS SCHEDULED

The Colleges of the Arts and Sciences Review Committee is seeking the views/opinions of Arts and Sciences faculty, staff and students, and as part of that process is holding two open forums in Scott Lab 4: from 4-5 p.m. Monday (12/3) and from 9-10 a.m. Friday (12/7). The charge to the committee and related documents can be viewed online. Questions or comments about the forums, or any aspect of the review process, may be directed to committee co-chairs Martha Garland, garland.1@osu.edu or W. Randy Smith, smith.70@osu.edu

CENTRAL E-MAIL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE THIS WEEKEND

As many of you are aware the university has been experiencing multiple e-mail outages over the past several weeks. To address this issue, OIT will need to bring down the e-mail system for an extended period this weekend. The plan is to begin the outage at 10 p.m. Saturday (12/1) and the system is expected to be available by 8 a.m. Sunday (12/2). OIT apologizes for the disruptions in service. Updated information will be made available at 8help.osu.edu

SARKAR TO DELIVER DISTINGUISHED GUEST LECTURE TODAY

Vivek Sarkar, the E.D. Butcher Professor of Computer Science at Rice University will be a Distinguished Guest Lecturer of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at 3:30 p.m. today (11/29) in 480 Dreese Labs. He will deliver “Programming Challenges for Petascale and Multicore Parallel Systems.” Sarkar became a member of the IBM Academy of Technology in 1995 and an ACM Distinguished Scientist in 2006, and is in the process of starting up the Habanero Multicore Software project at Rice University. Read more >

OSU HYBRID CAR TEAM TO DISCUSS ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES

Ohio State's Challenge X Hybrid Car Team will showcase new alternative vehicle technology at COSI Columbus from 5-9 p.m. Friday (11/30). Students will discuss the technology they have developed and projects they are currently researching and several alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles will be on display. The Challenge X competition unites academia, government and industry in hands-on research and development with leading-edge automotive propulsion, fuels, materials, and emissions-control technologies to increase fuel economy and lower emissions. Ohio State is one of only 17 universities to be accepted into the four-year, national competition. Contact: Katie at appelt.2@osu.edu or 214-6034

CRIME STOPPERS OFFERS REWARDS IN TWO RECENT CRIMES

University Area Crime Stoppers is offering cash rewards of up to $500 for information leading to the arrests or indictments of persons involved in two crimes in the University District on Sunday (11/4). In the first crime, a woman student confronted a man in the process of removing items from a room in Halloran House, 23 Curl Drive. The suspect fled, then brandished a handgun before entering a vehicle and leaving the scene. In the second crime, a man robbed two women students at gunpoint on Chittenden Avenue. Citizens with information about either of these crimes should call the University Area Crime Stoppers at 247-TIPS (247-8477). Read more >

FINANCIAL PLANNING: LEARN TO CONTROL YOUR MONEY

“Controlling Your Money,” the latest financial planning session offered by Human Resources, will take place from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday (12/4) in the Office of Human Resources, 1590 N. High Street, Suite 430. The session is presented by Robert Reed, certified financial planner. Faculty and staff are invited to learn seven simple rules for creating a plan to meet immediate and long-term financial needs such as paying off credit cards, building an emergency fund, setting financial goals, and saving efficiently. Contact: 292-1050. Read more >

VIEW ITEMS FOR SALE ON THE ONCAMPUS BULLETIN BOARD

Today (11/29) is the final day of the annual Poinsettia Sale of the Pi Alpha Xi horticulture honor society, from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Howlett Hall Greenhouse, 680 Vernon Tharp Street. View details on this and other sale items under the “Other” category of the onCampus Bulletin Board. Faculty and staff may post or view items under a broad range of categories. All you need to do is register using your OSU Internet ID (name.#).

HEALTH SCREENINGS WINDING DOWN FOR 2007

Health screening appointments are available through Friday (12/14) to allow faculty and staff to complete their Personal Health Assessment online question and qualify for the $10 monthly or $4.62 biweekly health plan premium discount beginning in January. The free screenings are offered at several locations around campus and are intended to provide the health data needed to complete the PHA. The data also may be obtained from your physician. Health screenings also will be held at the Hidden Benefits Fair from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday (12/5) at French Field House. Register online for a screening (click on Assessing Your Health Risks) or call 292-1050.

TREE OF HOPE LIGHTING NOV. 30

Celebrate the holiday season at the annual Tree of Hope Lighting Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Friday (11/30) on the east lawn of Ohio State’s James Cancer Hospital (near the Statue of Hope). Ellen Tressel, wife of OSU football coach Jim Tressel, will assist with lighting the hospital's holiday tree that has been donated by the Ray Shaner family in memory of former James patient Carol Shaner. Refreshments will be served in the lobby of The James after the ceremony.

TICKETS GO ON SALE DEC. 1 FOR SPRINGSTEEN CONCERT

Live Nation is presenting Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band at Value City Arena at 7:30 p.m. Monday (3/24/08). Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday (12/1) and are available at the Schottenstein Center ticket office and all Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone at 431-3600 or online at www.livenation.com. Tickets subject to applicable ticketing fees.