Ohio State's news, experts and events give you more on the news

News

Harvest season is breaking records - The harvest season is in full swing and projections are for record corn and soybean crops. Ohio State experts can explain what the records mean to farmers and Ohio's farm economy. In the cornfield, Ohio is projected to yield 152 bushels per acres, well above the previous record of 143 bushels set in 1992. Nationally, the corn crop is estimated to be 10.19 billion bushels with yields estimated at a record high 139.6 bushels per acre. Ohio soybean fields are projected to yield 43 bushels per acre, well above five- and ten-year average yields of 39.4 bushels. While soybean yields are not expected to set records, total soybean production will - 2.82 billion bushels nationally because of increased acres planted. For information on these high yields or information on Ohio's harvest season, Contact: Ohio State University Extension soybean specialist Jim Beuerlein, (614) 292-9080, Beuerlein.1@osu.edu or Extension corn specialist Peter Thomison, (614) 292-2373, Thomison.1@osu.edu. For information about the economic impact of these record yields, Contact: agricultural economist Allan Lines, (614) 292-5926, Lines.1@osu.edu.

Experts

Rules change for financial advisors - The Securities and Exchange Commission has imposed new rules on financial advisors that affect the financial information they may offer to customers. Regulation FD, which is effective beginning today (10/23), changes the way financial advisors collect financial information on a company. The new guideline basically says that if an advisor asks a company representative for additional information on a financial document, then that additional information must be made public before the next trading day. What do the new rules mean for investors? Andrew Karolyi, an associate professor of finance at the Fisher College of Business, provides insight into the ruling. Karolyi has worked extensively in investor relations and global investment and corporate financial management. Contact: Andrew Karolyi, Fisher College of Business, (614) 292-0229

Events

Lecturer looks at "Communazis" - Oct. 24. The College of Humanities presents its first Inaugural Lecture of 2000-2001 on Tuesday (10/24) at 7:30 p.m. at the OSU Faculty Club, 181 South Oval Drive. Professor Alexander Stephan, Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures, will discuss Communazis: FBI Surveillance of German Emigré Writers. Many who fled Nazi Germany in the 1930's settled in the United States. But in America, nearly all of the exiled authors became subjects of intense suspicion and government surveillance. This talk, based on secret FBI files released under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts, reveals the details and the surprising extent of government surveillance operations conducted against German exiles. Stephan is the Ohio Eminent Scholar in German. Contact: Shari Lorbach, College of Humanities, (614) 292-1882

Hollywood Squares recruits contestants on campus - Oct. 25. Do you agree or disagree? Hollywood Squares is coming to Ohio State on Wednesday (10/25) to find contestants for their college week program. The Ohio State student who is selected will be flown to LA to play against a Michigan student in early January. Tryouts are set for 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Contact: Student Activities, (614) 292-8763.

A celebration of women at Ohio State - Oct. 25. Women at Ohio State are a diverse group and an important part of the university community. They handpick roommates for 8,500 students, drive buses, teach physics and serve as chief legal counsel for the university. In celebration of their accomplishments, women faculty, staff and students will gather for the university's Annual Women's Reception, Wednesday (10/25), from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Younkin Success Center, 1640 Neil Ave. During the event, President Kirwan and Provost Ray will announce the university's first President's Council on Women's Issues. Ohio State is taking a number of steps to improve the climate for women on campus. Last year, the university created The Women's Place, an administrative office that works to implement a women-led agenda on campus. The new Academic Plan outlines steps for increasing the number of tenured women faculty; and Ohio State's Diversity Action Plan speaks to the importance of enhancing the environment for women on campus. Contact: Karissa Shivley, University Relations, (614) 292-8295

Get the scientific scoop on UFOs - Oct. 25. What's the real deal with the ongoing UFO craze, anyway? What does a professional astrophysicist with an interest in the offbeat think about the whole paranormal scene? Join Mark Vagins from the University of California, Irvine, in an exploration of the claims and issues involved, both from a scientific perspective and through the tales of the true believers. It will be an eye-opening hour Wednesday (10/25) at 7:30 p.m. in 100 Independence Hall.

Where do candidates stand on agriculture? - Oct. 27. Here's a chance to compare the agricultural policies of the presidential candidates. The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and Alpha Zeta Partners, a student organization, have organized an agricultural forum featuring representatives of presidential candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush. The event takes place Friday, (10/27) from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Road. Representing the Democrats will be Jim Gilliland, former chief counsel for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and agricultural advisor for the Gore campaign. Representing the Republicans will be Bill Lesher, former assistant secretary of agriculture with the Reagan Administration. The event will also be broadcast over the Internet at http://dlop1.uts.ohio-state.edu:7070/ramgen/encoder/live2.rm.

Lecturer addresses diversity issues in higher education - Oct. 27. William Sedlacek, professor of education and assistant director of the Counseling Center at the University of Maryland, College Park, will present three lectures as part of Ohio State's 2000-2001 Diversity Lecture Series. On Thursday (10/26), Sedlacek will discuss Models for Increasing Black and Hispanic Student Recruitment and Retention at 9 a.m., and Strategies for Undergraduate Recruitment at 1 p.m. in rooms 5 and 10 of the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road. On Friday (10/27) Sedlacek will present Strategies for Graduate Recruitment at 9 a.m. in room 11. For a schedule of upcoming speakers, click on www.osu.edu/diversity; or Contact: Dr. Frank Hale, (614) 688-4255, or Trina Phillips, 688-4240.

Med students to rake and clean for Columbus seniors - Oct. 28. Medical students from Ohio State's College of Medicine and Public Health will assist older residents in the Columbus area on Saturday (10/28) with fall cleaning chores as part of a program to familiarize the students with the needs faced daily by older adults. In return for the free labor, the older adults will talk to students about how physicians and other medical providers can better serve the aging population. Reporters may interview the students or homeowners as the chores are performed. Students will be working at 1994 Jervis Road in Upper Arlington from 10 a.m. to noon. Chores range from washing windows to raking leaves and cleaning garages. This is the fifth year the students have provided free labor to residents as part of the Student/Older Adult Community Outreach Program sponsored by the Office of Geriatrics and Gerontology at Ohio State. This year, 25 students will perform work at 20 homes. Contact: David Crawford, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

Students will Make a Difference with good deeds - Oct. 28. Ohio State students are marking the third National Make a Difference Day by traveling to Lafayette, Ind., to perform community service activities coinciding with Ohio State's football game with Purdue. While in the heart of "Boilermaker" country, 125 Ohio State students will join with 65 Purdue students for service projects at Boy and Girl Scout camps, the Cary Home for Children, the Community and Family Resource Center, the Columbian Park Zoo and Hanna Center, and the Veterans Home and Heritage Healthcare Retirement Home. Contact: Joel Sprowl, student co-chair of Make a Difference Day, (614) 292-8763

U.S. Defense Secretary visits Ohio State - Oct. 30. The ongoing crisis in the Middle East and the recent attack on the USS Cole give new urgency to the defense issues that Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen will discuss at Ohio State University when he delivers Assuring American Security in the 21st Century, at 4 p.m. Monday (10/30), at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road. Cohen's visit, sponsored by Ohio State's John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy, is the first in a new lecture series entitled Odyssey 2000: New Issues for a New Century, which examines the changing face of policy issues in today's world. Cohen will be available to reporters from 3:30 to 3:50 p.m. in room 4 of the Fawcett Center. The lecture is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets are available at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road and the Ohio Union, 1739 North. High St., or by calling the Glenn Institute at (614) 292-4545. The lecture also will be broadcast over the Web at www.osu.edu/glenninstitute.

The person listed as Contact will have the best information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story--Elizabeth Conlisk, (614) 292-3040; Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385; Lesley Deaderick, (614) 292-0569; Melinda Sadar, (614) 292-8298; and Karissa Shivley, (614) 292-8295.

Compiled by Amy Murray, University Relations, (Murray-Goedde.1@osu.edu)