February 26, 2001
-more-
Ohio State's news, experts and events give you more on the news
News
The lowdown on Mad Cow Disease – Issues surrounding mad cow disease – how to identify it, how many cases in Europe and controversies in this country on cattle feed – have sparked much interest in the disease and its human version, new-variant Creutzfeld-Jakob disease, since November. What is the disease? What is its history? Is the U.S. food supply safe? These are just some of the concerns. Bill Shulaw, Ohio State University Extension veterinarian for cattle and sheep, receives daily updates on BSE and new-variant CJD and can help answer many of these questions. Contact: Bill Shulaw, (614) 292-9453 or shulaw.1@osu.edu.
Experts
The Bush report card – George W. Bush has had a very good start as the nation’s president, according to an Ohio State University political scientist. Dean Lacy, an assistant professor of political science, says the new Bush administration scores very well on pre-planning and is able to maintain a sharp focus on just a few issues. Lacy says Bush has learned from mistakes of past presidents and his advisors cut their political teeth in previous administrations. Lacy says Bush’s biggest problems may be in foreign affairs because, although the administration’s foreign affairs team has a lot of experience with cold-war-era affairs, the world has changed since then. Contact: Dean Lacy, Political Science, (614) 292-9648.
Events
New science teachers can turn to computers for help – Feb. 27. Fred Goldberg, Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education, San Diego State University, will discuss and demonstrate ways computers help prospective elementary teachers learn science at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, (2/27) in 160 MacQuigg Lab, 105 West Woodruff Ave. Goldberg, a physicist, is involved in the National Science Foundation's Constructing Physics Understanding Project aimed at developing teaching methods, curriculum materials and simulations. The lecture is the final session of the interdisciplinary research seminar, "Higher Education's Responsibility in Teacher Education Reform." Contact: Andrew Heckler, Math and Physical Science, (614) 292-2874.
Is grammar universal? – Feb. 27. The College of Humanities presents its fifth Inaugural Lecture of the year on Tuesday (2/27) at the Faculty Club, 181 S. Oval Drive. Professor David Odden, Department of Linguistics, will speak on “Languages and Universals,” discussing the assumption that there are properties that are universal to all human languages. Contact: Shari Lorbach, Humanities, (614) 292-1882. Workshops expand disability awareness – Feb. 27-28. From workplace accommodations to disability studies, Ohio State is taking the initiative to expand awareness of disability-related issues by hosting a series of workshops. "Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion & Disability: The Next Ten Years," a conference consisting of 25 workshops, will take place Tuesday and Wednesday (2/27 and 28). Ohio State, partnering with the Great Lakes ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Business & Technical Assistance Center, ADA-OHIO and the city of Columbus, will provide a public forum to share the results of research and experience, and to increase community resources through collaboration. Contact: L. Scott Lissner, Ohio State ADA coordinator, (614) 292-6207 or (voice); or 688-8605 (tty). Buckeye artifacts on display at new Ohio State University Museum – Feb. 28. A 1920’s-style ROTC uniform, a freshman beanie, and a 1940s varsity-letter sweater are among the artifacts that will be displayed at Ohio State's University Museum. The museum's opening ceremony is from 5-6:30 p.m. Wednesday (2/28) on the first floor of University Hall, 230 N. Oval Mall. The exhibit will showcase artifacts and photographs of student groups and events popular on campus from the 1900s to the 1940s. The museum has been in the works since 1996 by Ohio Staters Inc., a faculty, staff, and student organization dedicated to community and campus service. After the opening ceremony, the museum's regular hours are from 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. beginning Thursday (3/1). Contact: Ohio Staters, Inc., (614) 292-2130. International human-rights advocate speaks—Feb. 28. Randall Robinson, Harvard-trained attorney and international human-rights advocate, will present the final lecture for the United Black World Month, culminating a month of events designed to create awareness of African-American heritage, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesday (2/28), in the Ohio Union West Ballroom, 1739 N. High St. Author of “The Debt: What America Owes Blacks,” Robinson is president of TransAfrica Forum, an organization dedicated to changing the United States' foreign policy toward Africa and the Caribbean. Robinson works to highlight the impact of globalization on Africa, the Caribbean and America; to alert Americans to the causes and implications of America's prison industrial complex; and to win support for reparations for African-Americans.Contact: Lawrence Williamson, (614) 292-0074; or Lesley Deaderick, (614) 292-0569. Noted medical historian to speak – March 1. Charles Rosenberg, professor of the history of science at Harvard University, will present the first John C. Burnham Lecture in Medical History at 4 p.m. Thursday (3/1) at the Medical Heritage Center at the Prior Health Sciences Library (fifth floor), 376 West 10th Ave. Rosenberg, the leading historian of American medicine and author of The Cholera Years, will speak on "Contested Boundaries: Behavior, Disease, and Diagnosis." The Burnham lecture series, established in 2000, honors OSU history professor John Burnham. Contact: Gail Summerhill, History, (614) 292-2674 or David Crawford, Medical Center Communications (614) 293-3737. Lake Erie shipwrecks explored in Stone Lab program.– March 1. Lake Erie is the final resting place to over 1,500 vessels. Charles Herendorf, professor emeritus at Ohio State and past director of Stone Laboratory, Center for Lake Erie Area Research (CLEAR), and Ohio Sea Grant, will talk about what lies submerged beneath the waters of Lake Erie in "Exploring Ohio's Maritime History through Lake Erie Shipwrecks, " at 7 p.m., Thursday (3/1) at the Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Road. Herendorf has documented the location and history of shipwrecks in Lake Erie and has scuba dived and inspected many. He is also involved in recovery of artifacts from the wreck of the famous gold ship S.S. Central America. Contact: Karen Ricker, Stone Laboratory and Ohio Sea Grant College Program, (614) 292.8949. Scholars and dollars part of OSU trustees meeting – March 1-2. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees and its committees will meet at the Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Road, on Thursday and Friday (3/1 - 2). The Outreach and Engagement Committee will meet 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday to hear reports on university partnerships and outreach and engagement. Committee meetings resume at 9 a.m. Friday. The full board meets at 10:45 a.m. in the Sanders Grand Lounge, room 130. Among the agenda items: reports on The Ohio State Scholars Program, a report on annual financial benchmarks, amendments to the Code of Student Conduct, and a report on interdisciplinary research. Contact: Elizabeth Conlisk, University Relations, (614) 292-3040. Professor/Author signs his new book—March 3. William E. Nelson Jr., a professor of Political Science and African American and African Studies, will sign his new book, “Black Atlantic Politics–Dilemmas of Political Empowerment in Boston and Liverpool,” from 3-5:30 p.m. Saturday (3/3) at Borders Books, 4545 Kenny Rd. Focusing on black politics in both Boston and Liverpool, Nelson argues that black communities on both sides of the Atlantic face a host of social, economic, and political constraints produced by hierarchical racial systems that promote white dominence and black subordination. Contact: Jackie Craig,(614) 688-8460. Ohio State celebrates Women's History Month – March 1-31. Women across the city and campus will come together to recognize the rich histories, cultures, talents and experiences of women for “Women’s Month 2001: Celebrating our Visions, Our Wisdom, Our Strengths.” Among the activities: Joo-Hyun Kang, executive director of the Audre Lorde Project, will speak on Thursday, March 8, 4 to 6p.m. at the Wexner Center Film/Video Conference Theatre, 1871 North High St. Kang, a political activist, will discuss the how issues of race, class, gender and sexuality affect women. For a complete list of events or for more information, Contact: Women Student Services, (614) 292-8473 or wss@osu.edu.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 Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.
###