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

News

Optometry professors will lead national effort to develop preschool vision test --Are there vision screening tests that can reliably find the 3 and 4 year old children who would benefit from more comprehensive exams? Answering that question is the goal of the Vision in Preschoolers (VIP) study group, a new multi-center clinical study that will be led by Ohio State University Optometry Professor Paulette Schmidt. Schmidt, an expert in preschool vision screening, says preschoolers don't know how they should see and many can't verbalize problems. Undetected vision problems can lead to vision loss and other troubles. Schmidt is principle investigator and study chairperson of the study funded by the National Eye Institute and the National Institutes of Health. Ohio State Optometry Professor Marjean Taylor Kulp will also lead the Ohio State portion of the study. The VIP Study will recruit 10,000 Head Start preschoolers. 2000 will be screened at the Ohio State VIP Clinical Center to find three and four year olds in need of vision care for amblyopia, strabismus and significant refractive error. Contact: Paulette Schmidt, College of Optometry, (614) 292-3189.

Experts

OSU experts know ballots and voting booths: With the controversy surrounding presidential election results in Florida, Ohio State professors can discuss punch card balloting and the placement of candidates' names on state's ballots. -Herb Asher, professor emeritus of political science, is one of the nation's leading experts on punch card balloting. His research on the subject addresses the problems with the ballots in Palm Beach, Fla. Contact: Herb Asher, Political Science, (614) 292-1484. -Jon Krosnick, professor of psychology and political science, co-authored a study of Ohio elections in 1998 which found that candidates received an average of 2.33 percent more votes when their names appeared first on the ballots. Ballots in Florida listed George W. Bush's name first. Contact: Jon Krosnick, Psychology and Political Science, (614) 292-3496. -Susan King Roth, a professor of Industrial, Interior and Visual Communication Design at Ohio State, found that punch card voting systems produced an error rate of about 15 percent in a 1998 study. Roth asked subjects to particpate in a mock election using acutal punch-card equipment. The subjects complained they weren't sure which hole to punch to correspond with the candidate or issue they were voting for. They had difficulty reading numbers that were too small, and couldn't see the punched holes through the plastic cover to check for errors. Roth says punch card ballots may be particularly difficult for those who are older or those with vision problems. Contact: Susan King Roth, (614) 688-3242.

Events

Conference examines minority festivals - Nov. 13-14. "Successful and Safe Minority Festivals and Events," a conference co-sponsored by Ohio State and the U.S. Department of Justice, is being held today and tomorrow (11/13-14) at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road. Panelists from law enforcement, student affairs, local governments, the hotel-motel industry, and others will discuss the challenges of hosting events such as Ohio State's African American Heritage Festival and similar events in Atlanta, Myrtle Beach and Daytona Beach. The conference will explore issues related to African-Amerian festivals that attract large numbers of college-age participants. Contact: Lesley Deaderick, (614) 292-0569

Ohio State focuses on international education-Nov. 13-17. In a concerted effort to focus on the need for expanded international programs throughout the nation's educational system, Ohio State is joining colleges and universities across the country in celebrating the first-ever U.S. International Education Week, Nov. 13-17. The observance is part of a renewed emphasis on international education launched last April by the Department of Education and the State Department, which directs government agencies to work together and, with other sectors, to strengthen America's commitment to international education. Jerry Ladman, associate provost for international affairs at Ohio State, points to Ohio State's long history in international education. The university's Office of International Affairs organizes and coordinates all of the university's international programs and activities and advocates for internationalization throughout the institution. Ohio State's faculty and academic programs are highly respected worldwide, as evidenced by active collaborative agreements with more than 200 universities around the globe. The university offers instruction in 32 foreign languages and is home to one of only seven National Foreign Language Resource Centers. Contact: Karissa Shivley, University Relations, (614) 292-8295.

Diversity and the Law -Nov. 15. Wynona Slaughter, president of Wynona Slaughter and Associates in Upper Marlboro, Md., will present "New Issues in Diversity: Diversity Law, Regulations, Court Decisions, Strategies for Change," as part of Ohio State's 2000-2001 Diversity Lecture Series. Slaughter will deliver lectures at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday (11/15) room 10 of the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road. 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.

Hospital patients will rally around Buckeyes-Nov. 15. Physical rehabilitation patients at The OSU Medical Center will join with the Alumni band for a "Beat Michigan" pep rally at noon on Wednesday (11/15) in the gymnasium of Dodd Hall. The rally features music by the band, a twirling exhibition by Michelle Graf, Ohio State's first female drum major who is now a physical therapist at the Medical Center, and the finale: the leading of patients through "Script Ohio." Media parking is available at the front entrance of Davis Center, 480 W. 9th Ave. The Dodd Hall gym is located immediately to the right as you enter the Davis Center doors. The pep rally is an annual tradition for patients of Dodd Hall. The 60-bed facility is staffed by physicians, nurses and therapists who treat patients with head, neck and spinal cord injuries, and those recovering from strokes. Dodd Hall is repeatedly listed as one of the best rehabilitation facilities in the country in annual surveys conducted by U.S. News & World Report magazine. Contact: David Crawford, Medical Center Communications, 614-293-3737.

Glenn lecture focuses on teacher education reform -Nov. 15. Sen. John Glenn will present "Before It's Too Late: Teacher Education Reform," on Wednesday, (11/15), at 4 p.m. in 130 Drinko Hall (College of Law). Glenn, an adjunct professor of political science and public policy and management here, chaired the National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century. The commission recently issued its report, "Before It's Too Late," a comprehensive plan targeting the existing teaching force and future teachers. It also recommends programs to achieve the working conditions needed to support high quality math and science teaching. Century. His talk is the first of a series of interdisciplinary research seminars on "Higher Education's Responsibility in Teacher Education Reform." Contact:Gemma McLuckie, College of Education, (614) 292-4658.

Science Writer reflects on Carl Sagan-Nov. 15. Author and science writer Keay Davidson will deliver the first Bollinger-Kissell Science Writers Lecture at Ohio State at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, (11/15) in 131 Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Avenue. Davidson will discuss "Is Science Any of Your Business? reflections on Carl Sagan," Davidson is a science writer for the San Francisco Examiner, and author of "Carl Sagan: A Life;" "Twister: The Science of Tornadoes and the Making of an Adventure Movie;" and "Wrinkles in Time," with George Smoot. Davidson will sign copies of his books immediately following his talk. Contact: Melissa Weber, College of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, 292-2874.

When we say find a job-we mean it! Nov. 15. Recruiters from more than 100 Fortune 500 companies, public and private agencies, small business, nonprofit organizations and a variety of other employers will come to campus with offers of internships, co-ops and full time career employment on Wednesday (11/15) from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Ohio Union Ballrooms. Career Day 2000 is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences Career Services Office. Contact: Amy Thaci, Arts and Sciences Career Services, (614) 292-7055.

Forum to discuss HIV, AIDS and immunity-Nov. 15. A free public forum to discuss recent research findings and immunity enhancement in people with HIV and AIDS will be held on Wednesday (11/15) at 6:30 p.m. in Rhodes Hall Auditorium, 450 W. 10th Avenue. Dr. Susan Koletar of the Ohio State University Clinical Trials Unit and an infectious diseases expert, will provide updates on current and potential treatments for HIV and AIDS. The forum is sponsored by the OSU Clinical Trials Unit and Chiron, a healthcare and biotechnology company. Contact: David Crawford, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

Furthering the vision of diversity-Nov. 16. A specialist in the sociology of minority participation in science and technology will address the 2000 Faculty/Staff Colloquy, hosted by the Office of Minority Affairs and the College of Engineering on Thursday, (11/16) from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Holiday Inn on the Lane, 328 Lane Avenue. Carl Spight, a research scientist, will speak on "Strategies for Success: A Case for Diversity in Engineering, Technology, and the Global Economy." Spight will discuss universal issues, including the uneven playing field, the racial divide, equal access, valuing differences, and the cost to our society of continual exclusion Following the speech, there will be a status report on the university's diversity efforts. Contact: Gina Langen, College of Engineering, (614) 688-4423.

Putting ergonomics into automobiles-Nov. 16. How do ergonomics and automobiles work together? Ohio State's Institute for Ergonomics hosts Robert T. Smith, manager of the Ergonomics Group at Honda of America Manufacturing, as guest speaker for the Institute's Autumn Quarter Seminar. Smith will discuss "Ergonomics Support of Manufacturing" on Thursday, (11/16) at 11 a.m. in 357 Dreese Labs, 2015 Neil Avenue. Contact:Institute for Ergonomics, (614) 292-4565.

Screaming contest heralds OSU-Michigan game-Nov. 18. A cough drop maker is sponsoring the Hall's Screaming Fan Competition at 10 a.m. Saturday (11/18) at the corner of Tuttle Park Place and Woody Hayes Drive. The loudest sports fan will move on to compete in the Halls/NCAA Hall of Fame national competition. The event is one of many Beat Michigan Week spirit-building activities on campus this week. Additional events include banner painting on the Oval (11/15), the Stefanie Spielman Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness on Thursday (11/16), "Wing the Wolverines," featuring all-you can eat chicken wings on Friday (11/17), and a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning (11/18). All week, the 19th annual OSU/Michigan Blood Battle offers donors a chance to donate blood in the name of their favorite team. The campus collecting the most blood wins. Ohio State leads the competition, which began in 1982, with a 10-8 record. Contact: Karissa Shivley, University Relations, 292-8295.

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)