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WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Monday, Dec. 10. OSUToday is published daily Monday-Friday. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

STUDENT AFFAIRS' PROGRAM HELPS IMMIGRANT STAFF SUCCEED

The English for Speakers of Other Languages program coordinated by Student Affairs is helping immigrant staff succeed not only on citizenship tests but also in navigating the complexities of life on campus. An instructor from the Columbus Literacy Council provides practical guidance on things such as filling out forms, using the Internet and mastering basic English communication. The program also addresses important campus issues, such as completing the Personal Health Assessments for the Your Plan for Health initiative, and helps familiarize participants with campus landmarks. Read more >

OPEN LINE TO FEATURE PRESIDENT GEE DEC. 12

OSU President E. Gordon Gee will be a guest on WOSU 820 AM’s Open Line on Wednesday (12/12). He will appear during the 10-11 a.m. hour and discuss education in America and goals for Ohio State. Submit specific questions you’d like to ask Gee online at www.youtube.com/group/WOSUask by Tuesday (12/11). Some of the questions will be posed to him during the broadcast. The public is invited to be a part of the studio audience during the live broadcast. There is no charge to attend, but seating is limited. Call 292-9678 to RSVP. Read more >

OSUTODAY WINTER BREAK PUBLICATION SCHEDULE

Starting today (12/10), OSUToday will be published Monday and Thursday only throughout the winter break. Daily (Monday-Friday) publication will resume Wednesday (1/2/08). OSUToday accepts submissions of news and events pertaining to the OSU community. To have an item considered for publication, send the details electronically to OSUToday@osu.edu and follow as closely as possible the style found in existing OSUToday items.

TODAY: MEGALITHIC SOCIETIES IN SOUTH-WESTERN ARABIA LECTURE

Tara Steimer-Herbet, Fellow at the French Institute for Near Eastern Archaeology, Damascus (Syria), will give a lecture on Megalithic Societies in South-Western Arabia at 2:30 p.m. today (12/10) in 235 Lord Hall. The event is sponsored by the Department of Anthropology and the Middle East Studies Center. Contact: mesc@osu.edu or 292-5897. Read more >

BRICKER HALL FEATURES INTERNATIONAL PHOTO EXHIBITION

International Affairs’ Seventh Annual International Photography Exhibition is on display in Bricker Hall until Monday (12/31). The exhibit features the winning photographs of the annual International Photography Contest. Photos were selected from three categories: People, Places and OSU Spirit. All the photographs were taken outside the United States by current Ohio State faculty, staff, students and visiting scholars. Paul Granello, associate professor of counselor education in the School of Physical Education and Educational Services, won the Best of Show award for his entry, “Irish Canal Boats.” Visit the exhibition in Bricker Hall or view the winning photos online.

DEC. 17 DEADLINE FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY GRANTS

The OSU Institute for Energy and the Environment is initiating a program to provide competitively awarded grants. The IEE Grant Enhancement Program will provide up to $345,000 in grants to faculty, staff and students to support interdisciplinary research, assist in the development of cutting edge programs related to energy and the environment, and leverage support to increase campus sustainability. The support IEE provides through this program will be a key component of the university’s strategic plan to support and enhance its energy and environmental enterprise. Submit a letter of intent with one-page project summary by Monday (12/17); full applications are due by Tuesday (1/15/08). Contact: arnold.680@osu.edu or 292-1035. Read more >

IS YOUR JOB CONSIDERED CRAZY OR UNIQUE?

onCampus is looking for faculty, staff or graduate students who have unique or “crazy” jobs or who carry out tasks that are definitely out of the norm (and yes, they realize “the norm” is different for everyone). If you think you fit the bill or know someone who does, contact Associate Editor Adam King at king.1088@osu.edu or 292-8419 by Wednesday (12/19) and tell him the story. onCampus will be featuring the most unique in its Thursday (1/10/08) edition.

FEEDBACK SOUGHT DURING REDESIGN OF OSU.EDU WEB SITE

Ohio State is gearing up for a new osu.edu Web site and University Relations wants your opinions. The refreshening of osu.edu will incorporate new features while keeping the most popular components of the current site, including separate pages for different audiences and easy access to webmail, Buckeye Link, and the campus map. A redesign blog has been launched to share ideas and sketches with the university community. Visit the blog at http://osu.edu/redesign/ and share your opinions.

RABIN TO DISCUSS EFFECT OF STRESS ON MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

Bruce S. Rabin, professor of Pathology and Psychiatry and Medical Director, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Healthy Lifestyle Program, will present: “Effective Countermeasures for the Effect of Stress on Mental and Physical Health: Do They Work in a Community Setting?” at 10 a.m. Wednesday (12/12) in Davis Heart Lung Auditorium 170. The event is sponsored by the OSU Center for Personalized Health Care, the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research and the Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics. Contact: Carolyn Evans, 292-2252. Read more >

DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS WORKSHOP FOR DEANS, DEPARTMENT CHAIRS

“Working through Difficult Conversations,” a workshop for department chairs, school and center directors, associate and assistant deans, will be held from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday (1/23/08) and 9-11 a.m. Thursday (1/24/08) in Suite 430 at 1590 N. High St. (select one workshop date). Each session is limited to 15 participants. All who enroll will receive a copy of “Fierce Conversations, Achieving Success at Work and Life” by Susan Scott, in advance of the workshop. Register online Contact: 292-2800

FACULTY/STAFF BOWL TICKET LOTTERY ENDS TODAY AT 5 P.M.

The faculty/staff ticket lottery may only be entered by those who purchased, and were eligible for, faculty/staff season or split season tickets for the 2007 season. All lottery entries must be submitted online at www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com. The lottery window closes at 5 p.m. today (12/10). Game tickets for faculty or staff will cost $175 (plus a $25 processing fee per order). Each faculty or staff may enter the lottery for two tickets. Credit cards will be charged for those who are successful in the lottery on Wednesday (12/12). Contact the Ticket Office at 292-2624 or athletic.tix@osu.edu.

WOW! OFFERS INTERNET DISCOUNT TO OHIO STATE EMPLOYEES

Ohio State faculty, students and staff can save $5 per month for high-speed Internet, cable, and phone subscriptions through the WOW! Internet, Cable and Phone Affinity Program. The $5 discount applies to Internet service or any bundle that includes Internet (cable/Internet or Internet/phone). To receive the discount, faculty, students or staff must authenticate through a special OIT phone line at 292-7100 to verify enrollment and/or employment with OSU. Read more >