Provost search committee seeks input

Ohio State's Search Committee for the Executive Vice President and Provost is hosting special open fora to provide an opportunity for constituents of the university community to interact with members of the committee. Sessions are scheduled for 3:30-5 p.m. Jan. 9 at 122 Main Library, and 7-8:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at 1015 McPherson Lab.

Among the agenda items will be a briefing on the process and status of the search, including the role of the search firm and the timetable for the search. The committee also is seeking input regarding the desirable attributes of candidates and any other points the committee should consider.

Written comments regarding the provost's position should be sent to search committee chair Dean Glen Hoffsis, 125E Veterinary Academy, or by e-mail to hoffsis.1@osu.edu.

The position description, desired attributes and advertisement are posted on the Web at www.osu.edu/provostsearch/index.html.

Jones to deliver diversity lecture

Lee Jones, associate dean for academic affairs and instruction in the College of Education at Florida State University, will deliver “If Martin Were Here Today, What Would He Say” at 4 p.m. Jan. 13 in the Ohio Union. The presentation is part of the President and Provost's Diversity Lecture Series.

For details about the Diversity Lecture Series, contact Frank Hale at 688-4255 or visit the Web at www.osu.edu/diversity/buffer2.html.

Fiesta Bowl tour packages available

The university has a number of bowl packages available as the No. 5-ranked Buckeyes (10-2) prepare for a repeat trip to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, Ariz., to take on the No. 10 Kansas State Wildcats (11-3), at 8 p.m. Jan. 2 in Sun Devil Stadium.

• The university has developed a Web site to offer faculty, staff, students, donors and alumni opportunities to participate in tours and special packages. Visit the site at www.osu.edu/tourinfo.

• The Office of Student Affairs also has student, faculty and staff tour packages to the Fiesta Bowl on sale. To register or for more information, call 247-BOWL (2695), send an e-mail message to stuck.9@osu.edu or dulaney.7@osu.edu, or visit the Web at www.ohiounion.com/bowlgame.

Larkins hosts kids winter break camp

The Department of Recreational Sports Winter Break Sports Camp will take place from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 22-24 and 29-31 in Larkins Hall. Camp staff members are American Red Cross-certified in first aid and CPR. Half-day and full-day sessions are available. Activities include swimming (afternoon sessions only), table tennis, volleyball, kickball, basketball and flag football.

Drop off and pick up will be at the Larkins Hall Brown Gym, located on the third floor. Children must be ages 4 to 12 years to participate in the half-day sessions (9 a.m.-noon), and ages 6-12 for full-day sessions.

Registrations are limited and are conducted on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration forms are available at 106 Larkins Hall or on the Web at www.ohiostaterecsports.org.

For details, call Jil Anderson at 688-8787.

TELR technology grants available

Technology Enhanced Learning and Research (TELR) is seeking applications for a new professional development grant available to Ohio State IT professionals and faculty. The grants are designed to facilitate professional development of instructional technology staff and faculty who are seeking experiences to enhance teaching and learning using technology. Grants of up to $1,000 per individual in matching funds will be made.

For more information and the application form, visit the Web at http://telr.osu.edu/eLearning/pdg/index.html.

Smoking cessation sessions begin

Registration is underway for the winter session of Kickit!, a five-week program promoting tobacco cessation for people who smoke or use smokeless tobacco. Facilitated by a registered nurse specially trained in smoking cessation, the group sessions promote behavior modification techniques, understanding cravings and how to cope with them, stress reduction, exercise planning and weight management in a supportive group setting. Telephone support follows the group sessions.

Sessions are held at OSU Outpatient Services, 2050 Kenny Road, Suite 1010. Meetings are held on five consecutive Wednesdays, either from 4-5:30 p.m. Jan. 7-Feb. 4, or from 6-7:30 p.m. Feb. 11-March 10.

For details or registration, call the JamesLine at (800) 293-5066.

Outreach conference proposals due

Proposals for the 2004 Outreach Scholarship Conference, to be held Oct. 3-5, are due by Jan. 16. For more information about this and other Outreach Scholarship Conferences, visit the Web at www.outreachscholarship.org/.

Ohio State will host the annual conference Oct. 8-10, 2006.

Faculty Club night set for observatory

Ohio State's Faculty Club has reserved Perkins Observatory for a night of stargazing programs, exhibits and observing Saturn and other objects in the sky, starting at 8 p.m. Jan. 23. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the club by Jan. 8, as space is limited.

The event will include viewing the sky through the large telescope in the observatory, as well as through several other telescopes set up outdoors.

Transportation will be provided from the club to the observatory, located off U.S. 23 south of Delaware.

For information, directions and/or tickets, call Cheryl Valentine at 688-8584.

CED offers computing short courses

The Office of Continuing Education is offering a variety of computing short courses winter and spring quarters. The noncredit classes are one day and meet from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in Mount Hall. Introductory and advanced level courses are offered in a variety of programs.

For details about the courses, call 292-8571 or visit the Web at www.continuinged.ohio-state.edu/CED_noncreditComp.html.

Faculty Club exhibit opens Jan. 9

Then and Now, a retrospective of the artwork of Marge Bender and Barbara Vogel, two artists known for the narrative, often-satirical quality of their work, will be on exhibit Jan. 9-Feb. 27 in the Faculty Club. An opening reception for both artists will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Faculty Club.

For details, call 292-2262.

New PI Portal training sessions available

The Research Foundation's enhanced PI Portal provides principal investigators (PIs) and other members of the research community at Ohio State with an online source of up-to-date financial information about pending proposals and active awards. The enhanced PI Portal contains a number of new features, including the opportunity to tailor the way pertinent proposal and project information is viewed. A summary of changes can be viewed at http://rf.osu.edu/cmc/0311/index.cfm.

Both old and new portals will be available until Dec. 31, when the old portal will be taken offline. The Research Foundation recommends that users attend a training session to learn about the many system enhancements. Registration is available online.

For details, call 688-8288, send an e-mail message to rfhelpdesk@osu.edu or visit the Web at http://rf.osu.edu/inf/e-cal.cfm.

Credit union seeks faculty, staff members

Ohio State faculty and staff may join Your Neighborhood Federal Credit Union, which is open to employees, students, residents, volunteers and members of churches in the University District and its surrounding areas. Located at 1427 N. Grant Ave., the credit union's hours of operation are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month.

A membership fee costs $1 and a minimum of $5 is necessary to open an account. Benefits for members include checking, savings and Christmas Club accounts, credit cards, loans, check cashing and ATM cards. A $5 Kroger gift certificate will be given to the first 200 new members.

For more information, contact the credit union at 299-9927.