Good day!
WELCOME TO OSUToday, the latest news and information for faculty and staff of The Ohio State University for Thursday, Dec. 13. OSUToday is published daily Monday-Friday. The deadline for submissions is noon the prior business day.

Headline news

ROAD CLOSURE: WOODY HAYES DRIVE BETWEEN COFFEY AND FYFFE ROADS

Early Monday (12/10) a leak was detected in the domestic water line supporting Vivian Hall and the Agricultural Administration Building. Repairs will require work under Woody Hayes Drive to return water service to these buildings. In the interim, alternate facilities at the Agricultural Engineering Building can be utilized. Woody Hayes Drive between Coffey and Fyffe roads will be closed for excavation work to repair the water supply, and normal traffic flow is expected to be restored by Saturday (12/15). If the repair schedule must be extended, the road will be reopened for the basketball game on Saturday and work will resume Sunday. Read more >

2008 DISTINGUISHED DIVERSITY ENHANCEMENT AWARD NOMINATIONS SOUGHT

The University Senate Diversity Committee, in partnership with Human Resources, is accepting nominations for the 2008 Distinguished Diversity Enhancement Award. The annual awards program will recognize up to five units or individuals that have demonstrated a significant commitment to enhancing diversity at Ohio State and exceeding expectations in implementing the Diversity Action Plan. Nominations are due Friday (12/28). For a nomination form and additional information, visit http://hr.osu.edu/special/ddea or call 292-4341.

CARMEN UPDATES ON THE WAY DEC. 14-17

Carmen will be unavailable from 7 p.m. Friday (12/14) until 7 a.m. Monday (12/17) for a system upgrade. When service returns, Carmen will offer several new features, including enhancements to the Grades, Discussion, Content, and Groups tools. Sign up for a Carmen instructor workshop or view a short video tour. Contact: carmen@osu.edu

RUSSELL SIMMONS LECTURE RESCHEDULED

The OUAB lecture featuring Russell Simmons has been rescheduled for 8 p.m. Thursday (1/31/08) in Mershon Auditorium. Tickets for the event originally scheduled for Tuesday (11/20) will be honored. Contact ouab@osu.edu with any questions.

DISTINGUISHED LECTURE SERIES PRESENTED BY BIOMEDICAL INFORMATICS

Daniel Richard Masys, professor and chair of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine will present “The Informatics of Genome-phenome Correlation Using De-identified DNA Samples and Clinically Derived Data,” from 10-11 a.m. Monday (12/17) in 115 Biomedical Research Tower. The talk will discuss the creation and use of two large scale resources at Vanderbilt: a biobank of DNA specimens derived from discarded blood samples and an associated de-identified image of the electronic medical records of 1.4 million individuals. Contact: Kristin.Sanderson@osumc.edu or 688-4898. Read more >

DECEMBER IS IDENTITY THEFT AWARENESS MONTH

According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft affects nearly 9 million Americans each year. Identity thieves use your personally identifying information to open bank or credit accounts, apply for loans, charge utilities, rent apartments, or apply for jobs in your name. Identity theft is a serious crime that can cost hundreds of dollars and countless hours to resolve. In addition to what the university is doing to protect your information, you can take steps to safeguard yours and others’ information. Read more >

OSU MEN’S SOCCER NCAA COLLEGE CUP MATCH ON ESPNU FRIDAY

The Ohio State men’s soccer team has reached the 2007 NCAA College Cup, similar to the Final Four in basketball, and will face UMass in the national semifinal match, to be carried live on ESPNU at approximately 7:30 p.m. Friday (12/14). ESPNU is Ch. 35 on OIT Cable and Ch. 119 on Time-Warner Cable. The finals will be broadcast live on ESPN2 at 3 p.m. Sunday (12/16).

SECURITY TIP FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CIO SECURITY GROUP

Unsubscribe links only subscribe you to more spam. Most spam is designed to get you to respond. When you click the link to unsubscribe, your e-mail address is added to a spam database of active-mail addresses. The unsolicited e-mails are a form of phishing. Never respond to these e-mails or click the unsubscribe links. Read more >

MISPRINT ON NEW MEDICAL/PRESCRIPTION CARDS

New medical/prescription drug ID cards were mailed from NGS on Monday (12/10) to all faculty and staff who enrolled in a university medical plan during Open Enrollment. Employees who enrolled in employee and child or employee and spouse coverage were inadvertently sent a card which reads family coverage. This was a misprint by NGS and does not impact the premium amount the employee will be charged. New cards will be mailed to this group on Friday (12/14). The new cards will be effective Tuesday (1/1/08).

FOOD ITEMS BEING COLLECTED AT SEVERAL CAMPUS LOCATIONS

Food items are being collected for the Mid-Ohio Food Bank at the following locations on campus now through Monday (12/17): Graduate School, 250 University Hall; Human Ecology, 201 Campbell Hall; Nursing, 145 Newton Hall; Dentistry, 1159 Postle Hall; Agriculture, lobbies of Howlett, Kottman and Ag Administration; Business, Fisher Hall Mail Room; International Affairs, 322 Oxley Hall; Engineering, 142 Hitchcock Hall; the Faculty Club; Academic Affairs, 203 Bricker Hall. Those who are collecting food at additional campus locations should contact Ann Salimbene at salimbene.1@osu.edu or 247-7268 to arrange pickup of the food collected. Read more >

W-2 STATEMENTS CAN BE RECEIVED ONLINE

Human Resources is reminding employees that they can register to receive an online, printable version of their W-2 Wage and Tax Statement. Once registered, the W-2 statement will be posted on a secure Web site in late January. The employee will receive an e-mail notification when the W-2 is available, along with instructions for retrieval. Employees may register to receive their W-2 online any time during the year. However, any consent made on or after Friday (1/11/08) will be regarded as consent for the next year (2009). Anyone who signs up for this online option will not receive a copy of the W-2 statement in the mail. Employees who have previously registered to receive their W-2 information online do not need to register again. Read more >

VOLUNTEER PERFORMERS NEEDED AT THE WEXNER CENTER

Have you ever wanted to perform at the Wexner Center? This season, two opportunities to volunteer as a performer will let you experience the other side of the performing arts. No experience is necessary. Theater director Romeo Castellucci is looking for male volunteers to perform in a short section of Hey Girl! to be presented in January. New York-based Nature Theater of Oklahoma is looking for both men and women to perform in Poetics: a ballet brut in February. Read more >

DISCOUNT OFFER FOR FACULTY/STAFF ON THE OFFICIAL TEAM SHOP WEB SITE

Still looking for a holiday gift? Ohio State Athletics’ Official Team Shop is offering faculty and staff a 10 percent discount on all online purchases for a limited time, from Saturday (12/15)-Monday (12/24) on the Official Team Shop Web site. Visit www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com and enter the following promotional code when prompted: STAFF121507. Discount is valid online only and will be applied at the time of checkout. Offer is not valid in-store.