Faculty grants to support research

The Center for Survey Research (CSR) and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) are seeking applications for faculty research awards for scholarship in survey research. At least $20,000 in funding is available.

The main purpose of the program is to nurture the area of survey research scholarship -- an area in which Ohio State and SBS have made a commitment to help raise the level of the University's international reputation for excellence.

Examples of research activity given preference under this competition are:

• Developing a research proposal for an external funding agency which would include new survey data collection the CSR would conduct if the faculty member won an award.

• Pilot testing an instrument to provide data for a research proposal for an external funding agency.

• Working with the CSR to design and analyze a special focus module to be gathered in a future Buckeye State Poll.

Faculty should submit five copies of a maximum five-page proposal. Applications for 2000 support, due no later than May 1, should be submitted to Elizabeth Stasny, CSR associate faculty director, 3045 Derby Hall. For more information, contact Stasny at 688-3369.

Math colloquium is set for April 4

The Math 2000 Colloquium will present Harold W. Stevenson, professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, discussing"Cultural Influences on Learning Mathematics" at 4:30 p.m. April 4 in 724 Math Tower.

Stevenson will describe some of the many variables that influence achievement in mathematics based on research and data collected in the United States, China, Japan and Taiwan. A reception will be held at 3:30 p.m.

Nutrition is focus of women's luncheon

The Ohio State Women's Club will hold its regular luncheon starting at 11:30 a.m. April 3 at the Faculty Club. Shirley Kindrick, registered dietitian and director of the comprehensive weight management program, will speak on"Ancient Myth or Modern Miracle -- Herbal Nutrition."

For more information or reservations, call 457-3032.

April 8 is date for SPPM open house

The School of Public Policy and Management invites all alumni, prospective students and SPPM friends to join the faculty, staff and current students for an open house April 8. The event is from 9 a.m. to noon in 300 Fisher Hall. The open house will include opportunities to discuss career options with alumni.

Call 292-8696 or visit the school's Web site at http://ppm.ohio-state.edu for registration information.

Nobel laureate to present seminar

Sidney Altman, Sterling Professor of biology at Yale University and 1989 Nobel Prize recipient, will present a seminar on"The Nature and Uses of an RNA Enzyme" at 9:30 a.m. March 28 in Rhodes Hall Auditorium.

The seminar is sponsored by the Department of Biochemistry and is made possible by a grant from the Burroughs Welcome Fund. Altman's work at Yale showed that RNA, in addition to its role in translating a cell's genetic material into proteins, also serves as an enzyme.

For more information, contact Venkat Gopalan at 292-1332 or Sandi Rutkowski at 292-4759.

Lawnmower clinic scheduled March 31

The OSU Agricultural Engineering and the Agricultural and Construction Systems Management clubs are offering their annual Lawnmower Clinic March 31. Mowers with either standard ignition or electronic ignition can be tuned up for $35. Service includes a power wash, oil change, spark plug replacement, air filter service and sharpening and balancing of the blade.

Funds will go toward club field trips and displays. For more information, e-mail clute.6@osu.edu. Sponsors need to know by March 27 what type of mowers to expect so they can order parts.

USAC accepting member applications

The University Staff Advisory Committee (USAC) is accepting applications for three-year terms that run from July 1 through June 30, 2003. USAC is an advisory board to the president on nonacademic, staff-related issues and concerns. Its mission is to provide an active and participatory line of communication with the University community.

Any University staff member with two years of regular service, who is not covered by a bargaining agreement nor is a member of a union represented at OSU, is eligible to apply. Applicants should be prepared to invest at least three hours a week in committee work. Ten new members will be appointed this year.

To apply online, visit www.osu.edu/org/usac. Applications also will be mailed to all staff. The application deadline is 5 p.m. April 7. For more information, contact Scott Boden at 292-3930 or boden.4@osu.edu.

Women At Play group presents drama

Women at Play, a group of 10 women who write and produce their own plays, will present a collaboratively written drama, Imaging Imogene, in the aerobics room at the Leo Yassenoff Jewish Community Center. Performances are March 30, April 1, 2, 6, 8 and 9. Thursday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m., while Sunday performances are at 2 p.m.

Several Ohio State faculty and administrators are group members. For more information, contact Katherine Burkman at 457-6580.

Laboratory safety training offered

Environmental Health and Safety will repeat its Laboratory Safety Training Course during spring quarter. The course consists of five two-hour sessions, to be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 6, 13, 20 and 27 and May 4 at 1314 Kinnear Road, room 700. The course is structured to provide a basic understanding of safety concepts for all laboratory personnel. The training is open to anyone, but class size will be limited to 50 students.

For details or to pre-register, contact Steve Foster at 292-1284 or foster.239@osu.edu.

Grants fund research relating to women

Funded by the Coca Cola Foundation, the Department of Women's Studies, under the Critical Difference for Women Program, will award from one to three research grants each year. Up to $10,000 will be awarded this spring.

The grants are designed to support research that explores women's lives and gendered experiences and issues broadly conceptualized. Applicants must be full-time, regular faculty at Ohio State who do not hold a regular appointment in the Women's Studies department.

Application forms can be obtained in the Women's Studies office, 286 University Hall. More information can be found on the Web at http://womens-studies.ohio-state.edu/general/coke2000.htm. Materials must be received by April 20.

College of Optometry hosts open house

The College of Optometry will host its annual Optometry Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. April 16. The program is free and open to the public.

This event is an opportunity for those interested in optometry to visit the college and speak with students, faculty, staff and alumni. An admissions and student financial aid information session will be conducted, with representatives from the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid available to answer individual questions.

For more information, contact Sally Haltom, Kimberly Hull or Paul Todd at 292-2647.

Lima campus hosts study tour to England

Ohio State's Lima campus is hosting a study tour July 10-21 to London and York, England. The tour will give participants an in-depth look at some of England's most historic landmarks.

Tour highlights include dinner at the exclusive St. James Club in London; backstage passes at England's great theaters, including the National Theatre and Shakespeare's Globe Theatre; and tours of Oxford University, Fountains Abbey, Houses of Parliament and the Tower of London.

The cost per person is $3,511, including round-trip airfare. Deposit for the trip is due by April 7, with the final payment due May 5. For details, contact the Office of External Relations at (419) 995-8332.

Service-learning conference is April 6

Faculty, staff, administrators and students interested in service-learning are invited to attend the teleconference"Linking Citizenship & Scholarship Through Service Learning: A National Imperative" from 1-4 p.m. on April 6 in the Ohio Union Conference Theatre. The event is presented by The National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition.

A panel discussion will follow from 4-5 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, call Don Stenta at 688-4738.