Undergraduate research is the pursuit of independent knowledge, and it allows students to go beyond the books and into their own independent learning, Keith Alley, interim vice president for research, told trustees on June 2.

"By conducting research as an undergraduate, students demonstrate their ability to be self-starters and self-motivators by setting their own deadlines, working with a faculty adviser and making presentations," Alley said. "Undergraduate research also gives faculty and students the opportunity to work together outside the classroom, opening up a whole new side of the University to the students."

Undergraduates at Ohio State observe firsthand the enthusiasm and reward of conducting research, which was reflected in their poster presentations at the Richard J. and Martha D. Denman Undergraduate Research Forum at Ohio State on May 18. This year approximately 133 students competed in the forum, held annually since 1995. Forty-two students were awarded a total of $10,500 for their work.

At this year's forum, Robert Siston, a fourth-year mechanical engineering major from Strongsville, earned first place for his project"The Biomechanical Analysis of a Galloping Dog."

"There are numerous benefits to being involved with research," Siston said."It offers a chance at career exploration. Is this really something you would like to be doing in grad school? Or perhaps this kind of further education does not appeal to you. You also can develop a deeper appreciation and understanding for material you covered in class, or you can research something, as in my case, that is not offered in the standard undergraduate curriculum. Plus, you get to know professors on a different level."

If he hadn't conducted his research, Siston said, he may never have been accepted to Stanford University, where he will pursue a Ph.D. in biomechanical engineering.

"Ohio State does not offer an undergrad degree in biomedical engineering, so my research in this area was key to my acceptance to Stanford," he said."In addition, it gave me great freedom in my choice of graduate schools -- MIT, Georgia Tech, UC Berkeley or Stanford. There's no doubt that I would do it again."

Daniel M. Farrell, interim associate provost for Honors and Scholars curricula, told the board that the Denman Award winners prove that undergraduate students at Ohio State have the same opportunities for undergraduate research that smaller, more elite universities offer.

"We want to extend more honors research opportunities to more students at the beginning of their college careers," he said."It's better for the students, better for the University, and it certainly enhances Ohio State's academic reputation."

Diversity of research projects addressed

Cancer research, airline safety and perinatal care are among the 184 diverse Ohio State research projects funded during April. The Ohio State University Research Foundation received nearly $21 million in research grants and contracts that month, according to a report given to the University's Board of Trustees on June 2.

Since the start of the fiscal year in July 1999, Ohio State has been awarded 1,928 grants and contracts for a total of more than $177 million.

Moon S. Chen Jr., professor of public health, is principal investigator for a National Cancer Institute grant of $1.4 million. Chen will lead the first-ever national effort aimed at reducing cancer among Asian Americans in the United States. The Asian-American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research and Training will explore why the percentage of Asian Americans dying of cancer in rising more rapidly than any other racial group.

In other cancer-related research, Samson T. Jacob, professor and chair of medical biochemistry, will use a $297,338 grant from the National Cancer Institute to study the role of tumor suppressor genes in malignant cancer cells. Jacob and his colleagues hope the study will provide a basis to explore ways to reactivate the repressed genes, resulting in the arrest of uncontrolled malignant growth.

A $363,540 grant from the Dayton Area Graduate Studies Institute will allow Stephan A. Sebo, professor of electrical engineering, and his team to study the electromagnetic field build-up that occurs when an airplane is struck by lightning. They will assess the susceptibility of electrical circuitry in spacecraft and fighter-type aircraft to educate engineers and students at the Air Force Research Laboratory and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on electromagnetic field build-up.

The Ohio Department of Health has awarded Leandro Cordero, professor of pediatrics, a $170,000 grant to continue the Ohio State University High Risk Perinatal Project, aimed at increasing the number of healthy babies born in Franklin County. The project promotes perinatal health in program participants, reducing maternal and infant mortality through early intervention by an interdisciplinary team consisting of a nurse, nutritionist and social worker.

Trustees approve student health plans

Trustees moved forward with recommendations made in May by the Student Health Insurance Committee, including offering students a"medical only" insurance plan option at lower premium rates and setting minimum six- and five-credit-hour eligibility requirements for undergraduates and graduate students seeking coverage.

Trustees also approved retaining Koster Insurance Agency as the 2000-2001 underwriter and administrator of the commercially insured PPO portion of the plan. While the majority of the benefits and services available remain the same as during the 1999-2000 year, some benefits and service changes include lowering the dependent eligibility age to 18; limiting off-quarter eligibility to one off quarter; increasing the annual out-of-pocket limit for non-network services to $4,000; and offering an improved dental benefit package.

Board reviews construction work

Trustees heard a report of contracts awarded for University construction projects at Ohio Stadium, the Jerome Schottenstein Center, Agricultural Technology Institute/Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center (ATI/OARDC) and Doan Hall.

The Ohio Stadium project calls for increasing seating capacity, bringing to code compliance, and upgrading spectator amenities. The project was launched during the summer of 1998, and is expected to be completed by September 2001. More than 23 contracts were reported for services ranging from demolition to site utilities to concrete work. The total project cost is $187.7 million.

Contracts have been awarded for a parking lot and road modification at the Schottenstein Center. The $5 million project completes the four lanes for Fred Taylor Drive from Lane Avenue to Ackerman Road, reconfigures these intersections to improve traffic flow, provides for signals, and includes construction of a 2,000-car parking lot on the west side of Fred Taylor Drive immediately north of the existing lot.

The ATI/OARDC project calls for a $5 million Center for Education and Economic Development. The facility will house an executive business and industry conference center with provisions for a satellite link and telecommunications center.

Plans call for the renovation of space on Floor 5 East of Doan Hall for the relocation of the Ambulatory Bone Marrow Transplant Program and the relocation of the air-handling unit serving that area. The cost is $1.1 million.

Purchases of property approved

Trustees also approved the purchase of property at 1445, 1457, 1469 and 1544 Neil Ave. from The Ohio State University Foundation. These are all five- to 10-unit apartment buildings located outside but close to the south campus acquisition area.

The property is being purchased for $843,500, and will add 36 bedrooms to the University's student housing program. The purchase will be internally financed and any debt will be paid out of receipts from the properties.

Institute, Eminent Scholar posts filled

Deborah Jones Merritt has been named interim director of The John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy, effective July 1 through June 30, 2001. Merritt holds a concurrent appointment as the John Deaver Drinko Ð Baker & Hostetler Professor of Law. A graduate of Harvard University, she holds a J.D. from Columbia University.

Alexander Stephan has been named the Ohio Eminent Scholar in German in the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures/ Mershon Center, effective Oct. 1. Alexander is currently professor of German at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He received his master's degree in German and American literatures from the University of Michigan and his Ph.D. in German literature from Princeton. Stephan is the recipient of several National Endowment for the Humanities and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation fellowships and received a Guggenheim Foundation fellowship in 1989-90.

Computer fees, spending approved

In fiscal business, the trustees approved the continuation of computer laboratory fees in the Fisher College of Business, the College of Engineering, and the School of Public Policy and Management, all at the 1999-2000 levels. Effective autumn quarter 2000, full-time undergraduate students in the Fisher College will be assessed $85 and full-time graduate students will be assessed $120 per quarter. Full-time undergraduate majors in the College of Engineering will be assessed $110 and full-time graduate students will be assessed $120 per quarter. The School of Public Policy and Management will assess full-time graduate students $120 per quarter.

Trustees also approved an interim budget to continue expenditures consistent with the level of resources approved for fiscal year 1999-2000 from the July 1 beginning of the new fiscal year until the board approves a current funds budget for 2000-01.

Named endowed funds accepted

A $1 million gift from two 1932 Ohio State graduates tops the list of named endowed funds accepted by trustees. The gift establishes the Kenneth B. and Ednah Y. Fishpaw Innovation Endowment Fund to be used to advance the activities of the faculty and students in the Max M. Fisher College of Business.

The Fisher College received another boost in the form of the Fisher Council on Global Trade and Technology Fund, established with a $964,586 gift from Leslie H. Wexner in honor of Max M. Fisher. The annual income will support global initiatives that focus on international trade/technology issues through multiple forums, including a major annual address by a well-known figure.

In addition to those gifts, the board accepted 16 other new named endowed funds for a total of $3.7 million in gifts to the University. They are:

• The James D. and Sally Mavko Klingbeil Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship Fund, $427,487.

• The John W. Wolfe Human Cancer Genetics Research Endowment Fund, $303,689.

• The Earl W. and Wilma Shane McMunn Scholarship Fund in Agricultural Communications, $186,046.

• The Earl W. and Wilma Shane McMunn Scholarship Fund in Dairy Science, $186,046.

• The Multiple Sclerosis Research and Education Endowment Fund, $134,803.

• The Virginia Blackburn DeBarger Scholarship Fund, $121,360.

• The William H. and Dorothea N. Hadler Medical Research Fund, $100,000.

• Licking County Alumni Scholarship Fund, $91,125.

• The Robert J. McCoy Leadership Endowment Fund, $37,092.

• The Fred Beekman Endowed Fund, $30,300.

• The Charles F. Sinsabaugh, M.D., Medical Research Fund, $26,602.

• The Jot D. Carpenter Scholarship Fund, $25,055.

• The Allan and Helga Wildman Memorial Fund, $25,032.

• The Richard Furry Basketball Scholarship Fund, $25,000.

• The Residency in Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery Fund, $25,000.

• The Mark D. Schwabero Family Endowment Fund, $25,000.