Traveling jazz

Photos by Nathan Robinson Twenty undergraduate students from Ohio State's School of Music jetted to Europe this month to play at some of the world's hottest jazz festivals. The performers -- who make up the acclaimed OSU Jazz Ensemble -- and their director, Professor Ted McDaniel (conducting above), were invited to play seven concerts in Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland, including the famous Montreux Jazz Festival. Before departing, the ensemble warmed up for the trip with a concert in Goodale Park on June 30 (photos above and below).

In the European concerts, the ensemble played selections from top modern jazz composers, including some bebop, swing and other contemporary styles. Some of the world's greatest jazz artists also performed at the festivals, including Herbie Hancock, Courtney Pine, Joshua Redman, Dianne Reeves and Jimmy Scott. McDaniel said the ensemble had to submit audio tapes to be invited to the prestigious festivals. "There is a high standard of performance required for a group to play at these venues," he said. The Jazz Ensemble, along with McDaniel and another faculty member from the School of Music, Chet Bauch, left the United States July 2 and flew to Vienna, Austria, for the Vienna Jazz Festival, with performances July 4 and 5. From there the group headed to Rhupolding, Germany, for a concert in town. Next was a performance in Brienz, Switzerland, on the way to the Montreux Jazz Festival, held July 9 and 10. The last stop was Vienne, France, for a performance at the festival there. The musicians returned home July 13.

Young is next chair of USAC

For 15 years, the University Staff Advisory Committee (USAC) has had the ear of Ohio State's presidents, keeping them abreast of the issues important to staff.

As USAC moves into its 16th year, the committee continues to maintain a close relationship with the University's administration.

"I greatly appreciate the efforts that USAC has made to encourage communication between senior administration and staff," President Brit Kirwan said at a recent breakfast celebrating USAC's anniversary. "USAC is one of the most outstanding groups on campus and I look forward to continuing our productive relationship in the years ahead."

Willa Young, director of Student Gender and Sexuality Services, began her one-year term as USAC chair on July 1

During 2000-01, USAC sponsored two town meetings with the president, arranged several breakfasts between Kirwan and staff, and formally presented the annual Staff Compensation and Benefits Committee Report to Kirwan and other senior administrators.

"We've had a lot of accomplishments this year," said outgoing chair Richard Wofford, IT editor for the Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Wofford mentioned several of the year's highlights:

• USAC met with Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman in February, marking the first meeting between the mayor and the committee.

• Placement of USAC members on several key University committees, including the commission examining overall University governance, Diversity Council, and the newly formed Competitive Compensation Oversight Group.

• Hosting a Pep Rally in the fall, a Hidden Benefits Fair in the winter, and numerous listen sessions with staff on the Columbus and regional campuses in the spring.

• Implementation of a previous USAC recommendation -- a $700 stipend was added to the base salary of Distinguished Staff Award winners, in equity with similar faculty recognition programs.

Willa Young, director of Student Gender and Sexuality Services, began her one-year term as chair on July 1. Young has worked for Ohio State since 1991 in several positions within the Office of Student Affairs and holds a graduate degree in political science from Ohio State.

Young said USAC is poised to help guide Ohio State through a year of change.

"It seems that the priorities for the University are in place and we'll be following those," Young said, referring in particular to the Academic and Diversity plans. "We'll be concerned with enhancing diversity, improving compensation and looking at how staff will be involved in governance. We'll also be looking at how to maintain staff morale during this time of change in the institution."

USAC has a serious responsibility to maintain, Young said. "Staff members look to us to be at the table to help create greater awareness of staff concerns," she said.

When Edward Jennings formed the Staff Advisory Council in 1986, the group had 17 members. It has expanded to a committee of 30, with 10 new members appointed by the president each year for three-year terms.

In a video presentation, Jennings related why he encouraged the formation of a staff council. "It came from a long tradition in higher education that staff should be part of the governing process, at least in issues that engage the staff," he said. "I'm delighted the staff council is successful."

Mary Kay Miller, program coordinator for anesthesiology, will serve as vice chair, and Barbara J. Preston, facilities office manager for athletics, will serve as recorder/treasurer for 2001-02.

New members appointed to three-year terms are: Allen S. Coleman, humanities; Roxanna L. Damron, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute; Teresa D. Hagerman, enrollment services; Merilyn K. Lee, student financial aid; Peggy J. Link, molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics; Terina J. Matthews, ethnic student services; Robert E. Peterson, environmental health and safety; Margaret Snyder, OSU-Newark; Beverly L. Tate, OSU Hospitals East; and Zach Waymer, student health services.

Douglas C. Lance, human ecology at OSU-Lima, and Robert F. Meier, OSU Managed Health Care System, received two-year appointments, and Bradford W. Roesch, law, received a one-year appointment.

For more information, visit www.osu.edu/org/usac/.