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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Thursday, Nov. 13. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

Committee explores possible conversion to semester system at OSU

Recently, Faculty Council voted unanimously to approve a proposal to appoint an ad hoc committee to explore the desirability and feasibility of Ohio State shifting to semesters and to propose to the University Senate that the university shift or not. The committee will present a resolution to the University Senate by the end of Winter Quarter, 2009.

The members of the ad hoc committee are: Cathy Bindewald, Office of the CIO; Kathryn Corl, Council on Academic Affairs; Martha Garland, Academic Affairs; Timothy Gerber, Athletic Council/Faculty Leadership (Ad Hoc chair); Donald Haurin, Council on Enrollment and Student Progress; Christopher Highley, ASC Committee on Curriculum and Instruction; Adam Kolatorowicz, Council of Graduate Students; Brian McEnnis, regional campuses; Meghan Meredith, Inter-Professional Council; Brad Myers, University Registrar; Josh Rackers, Undergraduate Student Government; John Roberts, dean of Humanities and the Arts; Valerie Shafer, Student Life; W. Randy Smith, Academic Affairs; Harald Vaessin, Fiscal Committee; and Ingrid Werner, Graduate Council.

Ohio State cancer programs to grow in new home

Outpatient oncology programs associated with Ohio State’s James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute will have a new home beginning in 2011. The Ohio State Board of Trustees on Friday (11/7) authorized the university to negotiate final terms and enter into a lease/purchase agreement for property at 739 W. Third Ave., less than a mile from The James. Ohio State is in the early stages of a massive medical center expansion project that will help position it as a top-20 academic medical center and top-10 NCI-funded cancer program. Read more >

Ohio State professor honored with prestigious award in Japan

Bradley M. Richardson, professor emeritus in the department of political science, has been honored with the Order of the Rising Sun, the second most prestigious national decoration awarded by the Japanese government. He is one of 4,028 individuals selected from various fields, and one of 75 foreigners from 40 countries recognized with the autumn 2008 decorations. The Japanese government bestows these awards to those who have contributed greatly to the nation and the public in politics, business, culture and the arts.
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Benefits Open Enrollment ends Nov. 14

Open Enrollment ends Friday (11/14). Faculty and staff may review their medical plan choice, add or drop enrollment in dental and vision plans, enroll in flexible spending accounts (current participants must re-enroll), enroll in voluntary group term life insurance or cancel short-term disability coverage. All benefit elections will become effective Thursday (1/1/09). Visit hr.osu.edu/oe for online enrollment and information.

OSU sustainability survey participation encouraged

Please help with an important research effort to learn about faculty, staff and student activities and attitudes related to sustainability efforts at Ohio State. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes and all responses will be kept confidential. Survey results will be used for academic research and practice recommendations. Access the survey online until Friday (12/19). Contact: Maria Manta Conroy, at Conroy.36@osu.edu or 292-8044

Ohio Union Garage South opens Nov. 17

The new 800 parking space Ohio Union Garage South opens on Monday (11/17). The garage will be reserved for hourly visitor parking during the day until 4 p.m. In the evening, garage access will open to OSU faculty, staff and student keycard parking from 4 p.m.-3 a.m. The existing Ohio Union Garage North will be reserved for OSU faculty, staff and student keycard garage access parking from 3 a.m.-4 p.m. and will be open to hourly visitor parking from 4 p.m.-3 a.m. Read more >

Today: Bynum to discuss Weeping Statues and Bleeding Bread

Caroline Walker Bynum, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, will deliver "Weeping Statues and Bleeding Bread: Transformation Miracles in the Late Middle Ages" at 4:30 p.m. today (11/13) in the Faculty Club Grand Lounge (please note change in venue). The event is free and all are welcome. A reception will follow the lecture. Contact: Sandra van Kley, 688-8010

Delving Deep: A 15-year Conversation on Art Nov. 14

Join featured artist Alan Crockett and School of Visual Art faculty member Farrell Brickhouse, from 3-4 p.m. Friday (11/14) at the Urban Arts Space as they pursue and reflect on an ongoing private dialogue they began in the early 1990s. Whether discussing the merits or flaws of specific works, or challenging each other philosophically or theoretically, the two artists have developed a rare relationship of mutually honest critique. Contact: 292-8861

Traditional nationalism, current neo-nationalism in China Nov. 14

The Institute for Chinese Studies “Future of the Past” Lecture Series continues at 2:30 p.m. Friday (11/14) in 136 Jennings Hall when Juwen Zhang, associate professor of Chinese at Willamette and executive vice president of the Western States Folklore Society, delivers “Folklore in the Movement of Nationalism and Neo-Nationalism in China.” Co-sponsored by Center for Folklore Studies and the Asian American Studies Program. Contact: chan.184@osu.edu or 247-6893. Read more >

Help shape the future of International Service-Learning

Join a World Café conversation about the future of international service-learning at Ohio State from 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday (11/18) in RPAC meeting rooms 1&2, hosted by the Service-Learning Initiative. Faculty, staff and students interested in international service-learning/volunteer experiences are invited to share their insights and experience on how international service-learning programs could be structured, promoted, and integrated into student life at Ohio State. Register online

OSUPD training sessions in Lord Hall

The Ohio State Police Department will be using Lord Hall for training purposes from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. today (11/13) and Friday (11/14). OSUPD also will be using Lord Hall for training on Monday (11/24). The vacant building where the scenarios are played out provides an invaluable training tool for the police department to practice in an actual university building. Contact: Lt. Denny Hollern, 688-3783 or hollern.1@osu.edu

Reminder: TELR Expertise Grant deadline Nov. 15

The deadline for TELR's Expertise Grant is three days away. The grant program enables faculty to collaborate with TELR eLearning consultants to develop their ideas for teaching and learning with technology. Applicants can request up to 100 hours of TELR expertise, as well as up to $10,000 in funding. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Saturday (11/15). Read more >

Today: World Usability Day event to discuss transportation

This year's World Usability Day is focused on transportation. Visit the Learning Collaboration Studio (SEL 060) for a panel discussion with community leaders in transportation, a reception, and a keynote address about virtual offices and the mobile workforce, at 4:30 p.m. today (11/13). For details and to RSVP, visit uxnet.org/archives/1454.

CUNY professor to speak on science and the arts today

Brian Schwartz, vice president for research and sponsored programs, professor of physics, and co-director of the New Media Lab at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York will deliver "Science as Performance: A Proactive Strategy to Communicate and Educate Through Theater, Music, and Dance" at 3:30 p.m. today (11/13) in 1015 McPherson. The lecture is part of Ohio State's “Darwin: Growth of an Idea” celebration of science. Read more >

Today: Designing next-generation energy systems lecture

Dan G. Cacuci, director of the Institute of Nuclear Technology and Reactor Safety, University of Karlsruhe, Germany, will offer an open presentation on the use of predictive science tools in the design of the next-generation of energy systems, from 2-3:30 p.m. today (11/13) in Scott Labs, Room E100. Cacuci is visiting OSU as a candidate for director for the OSU Institute for Energy and the Environment. Contact: potter.138@osu.edu
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Department of Theatre hosts symposium on science and theatre

The Department of Theatre is hosting a symposium in conjunction with its production of Stephen R. Culp’s Pangea at 3:30 p.m. Friday (11/14) in the Roy Bowen Theatre, Drake Performance & Event Center. The panel will respond to the production while discussing the practical and theoretical aspects of incorporating science as the subject matter in theatre. Pangea runs Thursday (11/13)-Sunday (11/23). The symposium is free and open to the public. Contact: dekker.13@osu.edu or 292-5821