Improbable improvisation	Photos by Kevin Fitzsimons
	Britain's Improbable Theatre held a class discussion with students in Ohio State's Department of Theatre during a January visit to the Columbus campus to perform its latest work, Spirit, at the Wexner Center for the Arts. Left, senior Katy Hite reacts to comments made by members of the company during a workshop on the role of improvisation and improvisation techniques used by Improbable Theatre.
The company's Spirit performers are, left to right, Phelim McDermott, Guy Dartnell and Lee Simpson. The workshop also included discussion about conflict resolution the performers used to inform their work on Spirit, which applied the group's imaginative style to themes drawn from conflict-resolution worker Arlene Audergon's experiences in Northern Ireland, Croatia and Bosnia. Formed in 1996, the award-winning company has performed around the world. Spirit will travel to three other U.S. cities before beginning a tour of England.

University hosts workshops on disability-related issues

Ohio State is taking a lead in advancing awareness about disability-related issues by hosting an upcoming series of workshops on topics ranging from access in building design to pairing disabilities studies with the humanities.

"Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion & Disability: The Next Ten Years" will take place Feb. 27 and 28 on the University's Columbus campus.

Ohio State is partnering with the Great Lakes ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Center, ADA-OHIO and the city of Columbus to present the workshops.

"As a modern land-grant university, Ohio State serves as a catalyst for positive change through collaborations with our partners in education, business, and public and social service," said L. Scott Lissner, Ohio State's ADA coordinator. "This series of workshops will build upon the University's previous partnerships, provide a forum for individuals and organizations to expand their knowledge and perspectives, and increase community resources through the synergy of collaboration."

The targeted audience for the program includes the Ohio State community, businesses, architects, educators, educational administrators, advocacy organizations and social service agencies.

Presenting organizations, representing national, regional and state agencies and institutions, range from the Ohio Civil Rights Commission to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. A number of Ohio State faculty and staff will be among the presenters.

A sample of workshop topics, grouped under the headings of "The Built Environment," "Of General Interest," "Employees & Employers" and "Learning & Teaching," follows:

• Using the ADA Accessibility Guidelines: Review, Design, Construction & Renovation

• Planning Accessible Events & Meetings

• Effective Communications: The Emerging Standard for Technology Under Title II of the ADA

• Resolving Complaints: Approaches to Dispute Resolution

• Work Place Accommodations: Overview of Guidance Issued by the EEOC

• The Job Interview: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly

• Humanizing Disability: Where Disability Studies Meets the Humanities

• Twice Invisible: Serving Postsecondary African-American Students with Learning Disabilities.

The cost of the conference has been covered by its sponsors. However, space is limited, and registration to the full conference or specific sessions is required by Feb. 12. To receive full session descriptions and a registration form, contact Lissner or Jan Bosold via e-mail at ADA-OSU@osu.edu or by phone at 292-6207 (voice), 688-8605 (tty) or 688-3885 (fax).

Police captain dismissed from University

Ohio State officials on Jan. 19 dismissed a campus police captain for violating a number of University and Campus Police Department rules. The officer had been on administrative leave since Dec. 28.

Capt. David Stelzer, a 22-year member of the University police force, was dismissed for conduct unbecoming a law enforcement officer, undermining the University community's confidence in him; using University resources in furthering a personal business and failing to disclose the use of those resources when questioned; failing to disclose secondary employment; and failing to disclose his relationship with a University vendor from whom he authorized University purchases.

"After a careful assessment, we concluded that Captain Stelzer has compromised his ability to serve effectively in his leadership position," said Vernon L. Baisden, assistant vice president for public safety. "In our judgment, we are obligated to serve the student community in our care by holding our police officers to the highest standards, and we must have total confidence in their ability to lead."

In late December, University officials discovered that Stelzer was operating a pornographic Web site from a West Side office building. Officials immediately asked Stelzer to remove the site from the Web, which he did. Stelzer then was placed on administrative leave to allow the University to further investigate the situation.

Stelzer is one of three captains on the Ohio State police force. No immediate plans for his replacement were available.

next page...