Task force to analyze survey data, come up with ways to curb off-campus disturbances

Ohio State will form a task force of students, faculty and staff to put to use survey information on campus attitudes of student riots in off-campus neighborhoods.

"We're trying to understand what causes events like those that occurred on Chittenden, 13th and Norwich avenues the last two weekends in April," said William H. Hall, vice president for student affairs. "We have a lot of data to analyze, and we hope it will help us better target our efforts to stop this disturbing trend toward violence."

Ohio State recently completed a survey of its Columbus campus undergraduates to gather more information about students who participate in disturbances like those that took place earlier this spring and last fall. Other U.S. campuses have experienced similar events, many with no apparent cause.

By overwhelming margins, Ohio State undergraduates agree that the riots are embarrassing to the University community and should not be tolerated. In fact, more than three-quarters of them say they have not been near any of the events, in which less than 1 percent admit to actively participating. Another 5 percent say they have been in a crowd, and about 18 percent say they watched from a distance.

"There's a lot of good news in the survey results -- it's clear that the vast majority of our students neither take part in nor approve of this sort of activity," Hall said. "There are also a lot of things we need to look at further as we seek to ensure that our students can enjoy themselves in a safe and responsible way. As just one example, it is clear that we need to involve students much more intensely in planning and leadership roles."

The survey was a scientifically random telephone poll of 565 Columbus campus undergraduates conducted in May by the OSU Center for Survey Research on behalf of the Division of Student Affairs. It has a margin of error of 4.1 percent.

The survey followed two April weekends during which large parties on several campus-area streets got out of control. Police responded with pepper spray and knee knockers to disperse crowds estimated to be between 1,500 and 2,000 people, some of whom threw bottles, set fires, and damaged cars and other property.

The first weekend in May, immediately before the survey was conducted, the University issued a zero tolerance warning to students who hosted out-of-control parties, and Columbus Police and state liquor control officers cracked down on underage drinking and open container violations. Eighty-five Ohio State students and about an equal number of non-students were arrested or cited.

Applying the percentages to the 33,191 undergraduates on the Columbus campus during the spring would indicate that 25,557 have not been part of or seen the disturbances, 5,875 have watched from the sidelines, 1,692 have joined the crowds, and only 265 have been involved in any destructive behavior.

The surveyed students were asked about their own involvement in recent disturbances, their general impressions of the riots, what they believed were the causes, who they think has the responsibility to stop the disturbances, how they felt about the University's response, their impressions of news coverage and their evaluation of police response.

Only 16 percent agreed that "the disturbances are not really a big deal and should be expected in the University district." About one-third said the riots had made them feel less safe in the area. Students were almost evenly split over who is most responsible for the violence and property damage, students or non-students.

There was no consensus on the primary cause of the disturbances. About 29 percent said it was party-goers drinking too much; 17 percent blamed outsiders; 12 percent said that it was a lack of bars for students; 11 percent cited party hosts who let things get out of control; and the remaining 30 percent did not know or gave other reasons.

On the other hand, survey respondents overwhelmingly thought that students were the group with the most responsibility for stopping the disturbances. About 76 percent said that they felt this was a student responsibility, while 8 percent thought it was a police problem and 6 percent looked to the University. Another 3 percent each said landlords and beer distributors were the groups that needed to take charge.

Fifty-five percent of undergraduates believe the University's response was appropriate. About 14 percent think it was inadequate and about 29 percent think it was excessive. But 86 percent of students believe the measures the University took have been effective.

Sixty-one percent said the news media devoted too much attention to the riots. About 34 percent thought the level of attention was about right, and 2 percent felt more was needed. Police response drew mixed results, with 71 percent saying the large numbers of officers present creates a hostile environment that leads to violence. Respondents split nearly 50-50 on whether the police response was excessive.

Teachers, business majors find job market most welcoming

By Karissa Shivley

Despite what many consider a weak economy, Ohio State's spring graduates are in demand and most should have no problem finding a job after graduation, especially if they started the job search early.

Tom Vecchione, director of Career and Placement Services in the College of Education, said overall the teaching market is excellent, especially special education, the sciences, mathematics, Spanish, and vocational and technical areas.

"We had a banner year for recruiting on campus," Vecchione said. "Many of our recruiters commented that they wished we had more teaching candidates graduating. Unfortunately, many of our teachers will leave Ohio after graduation because they are being hired away by districts across the country that are experiencing severe teacher shortages."

Pamela Park-Curry, director of Undergraduate Career Services for the Fisher College of Business, said companies began recruiting their spring graduates last September. Employers have even begun to make reservations for recruiting visits next fall, she added.

Most Fisher College graduates stay in the state, Park-Curry said. Among the graduates most in demand are students who majored in transportation and logistics, information science and accounting, Park-Curry said.

Graduates most in demand from the Colleges of the Arts and Sciences are computer information science, pharmacy and chemistry majors, said Amy Thaci, director of Arts and Sciences Career Services. Although on-campus recruiting was down spring quarter, the job market for graduates looks good despite the economy, she added.

Bostwick F. Wyman, professor and vice chair of the Department of Mathematics, said the job market for actuarial science is "spectacular." "Many companies want to hire our graduates, and sometimes I think I have more recruiters than seniors," he said. "Many of our graduates had two or three offers to choose from."

Rosemary Hill, director of Engineering Career Services, said June engineering graduates who waited until spring quarter to start their job search aren't finding it as easy as those students who started last fall.

Compared to last year, on-campus recruiting for engineering students during fall quarter was up 16 percent, job postings increased 19 percent, and resume requests increased 104 percent. This year, the demand has been highest for electrical engineers, computer engineers, mechanical engineers and industrial engineers, Hill said. Fifty-three percent of OSU engineering graduates stay in Ohio.

"If the slowdown continues," Park-Curry said, "students will need to take control of their career paths. They can do this by working more with their career services office, getting internships and good summer jobs beginning in their sophomore year, joining student groups to develop leadership skills, and becoming active in the community. Employers want to see potential employees who know more and have made an impact at work, in school or in the community."

SBS highlights people, progress

The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences isn't letting a decrease in state funding halt plans to improve its national reputation. Recent additions of world-class faculty in anthropology, geography and public policy and management -- who also will hold key administrative positions -- and collaboration with the colleges of Law and Humanities on an Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in the Americas are just two initiatives under way in the college in response to the University's Academic Plan.

"We're always working to strengthen our faculty by aggressively recruiting some of the world's finest scholars and by encouraging current faculty members to conduct research and explore new partnerships with other faculty and colleges across the University," said Randall Ripley, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

The three new hires are: Clark Spencer Larsen, chair of the Department of Anthropology; Edward J. Malecki, director of the Center for Urban and Regional Analysis; and Bert A. Rockman, director of the School of Public Policy and Management.

The Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in the Americas is an interdisciplinary center created to promote research, teaching, learning and dissemination of knowledge regarding the history, current conditions and future prospects for members of racial and ethnic minority groups in the Americas.

"The challenges of understanding the many important dimensions of race and ethnicity in North, Central and South America require the hard work and insights of faculty members with a wide variety of backgrounds and skills," Ripley said. "Collectively, we will make Ohio State an internationally known center of excellence in dealing with many facets of this vital topic."

Initiatives to improve offerings within the college include:

• Enhancements to the content of teaching, the sophistication of technology for learning, access to courses and the provision of undergraduate counseling for majors will improve on an already strong base.

• Enhancing an already strong contribution to multidisciplinary research and teaching. SBS has five multidisciplinary units reporting to it, which include centers for Urban and Regional Analysis, Human Resource Research and Survey Research, the Criminal Justice Research Center and the Initiative in Population Research.

• Making faculty and student research even more accessible to public officials, policymakers and the general public.

Ohio State sets Operation Feed record

The Ohio State community can pat itself on the back -- again -- for another record-breaking year of contributions to Operation Feed. Faculty, staff and students donated $20,028 and 11,555 pounds of food to the Mid-Ohio FoodBank during this year's drive, held April 16 through May 4.

"This indicates fantastic support on the part of faculty, staff and students. Their generosity shows a real appreciation for the needs of this community," said Ned Cullom, program manager for human resources.

One-hundred percent of all food and money donated to Operation Feed goes to provide food to 198 pantries, soup kitchens and emergency shelters in six central Ohio counties. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the drive, which is co-sponsored by the Mid-Ohio FoodBank and United Way of Central Ohio. The Office of Human Resources coordinates the effort at Ohio State.

Donations from Ohio State participants have been steadily increasing -- 41,000 meals were donated in 1999 and 47,000 meals in 2000. This year, more than 52,000 meals will result from University contributions.

"More and more colleges and units have made a commitment to participate," Cullom said. "There were some really creative efforts this year, through special events and fund-raising activities, to generate donations."

Students were more actively involved this year, as well. Cullom said student organizations assisted with food and dollar contributions in the residence halls, and organized several events to raise awareness.

Financial donations are encouraged, because every dollar donated can provide two meals, and can be used throughout the year. However, food donations -- which provide one meal for every pound donated -- are still welcome.