May 29, 2001
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Report looks at utility deregulation from consumer point-of-view – Consumers have been forced to learn new skills and have experienced some frustrations as a result of utility deregulation and customer choice programs. In her report The Consumer Response to Public Utility Competition, Francine Sevel, manager of the NRRI’s Consumer Affairs Program, outlines a series of performance indicators that could be used to assist consumers as they navigate the new deregulated utility environment. Sevel also finds that low-income and older consumers have not benefited from choice programs as much as others. Established at Ohio State in 1976, the NRRI conducts research and issues reports on the regulation of the nation's electric, gas, telecommunications and water utilities. Recently, the NRRI has assisted at least 18 state public utility commissions in adapting to energy deregulation. The NRRI is a department within the College of Engineering at Ohio State. Contact: Francine Sevel, NRRI, 614-292-4667.
Farmers, Horse Owners Should Watch for West Nile – The West Nile virus has not been found in Ohio, and farmers and other horse owners can help keep it that way. Bill Saville, an Ohio State University Extension veterinarian in Veterinary Preventive Medicine, says controlling mosquito populations is the best way to help prevent the disease’s movement. The virus is spread by mosquitoes and can infect many species of mammals and birds, but people, horses, crows and blue jays are particularly susceptible. In 2000, infected mosquitoes were found in Erie County, Pa., which borders northeast Ohio. The Northern House Mosquito is the disease's principal transmitter. Mosquitoes typically get the virus by feeding on infected birds. They then spread it to humans, horses and other animals through biting. Saville says people in Ohio's Lake Erie counties should watch for dead crows, blue jays and other birds - a sign of possible West Nile infection. Contact: Bill Saville, Veterinary Preventive Medicine, (614) 292-9453 or saville.4@osu.edu.
School Violence is topic of luncheon program – May 30. Ohio State Psychology professor Raymond Montemayor will lead a discussion on school violence at the next meeting of the Columbus Metropolitan Club. The forum, titled An American Problem – The Rising Tide of School Violence, includes an excerpt from the Hilliard Darby High School production of Bang, Bang, You’re Dead, and then a discussion with Montemayor focusing on an issue raised by the school shootings at Columbine High School and others – why didn’t the parents know their sons were planning these murders? Montemayor teaches a class at called “Columbine and Beyond: Exploring the Dark Side of Adolescence.” The event takes place from noon to 1:15 p.m. at the Columbus Athletic Club, 136 E. Broad St. Contact: Columbus Metropolitan Club, (614) 464-3220.
Twilight outdoor concerts in Browning Amphitheatre – through May 31. The School of Music presents free outdoor concerts at one of the campus’ most picturesque settings: Browning Amphitheater next to Mirror Lake. These very popular events provide an informal setting and great music that people of all ages can enjoy. Performances include the Steel Band on Wednesday (5/30) and the Jazz Ensemble on Thursday (5/31) All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Contact: Victoria Ellwood, College of the Arts, (614) 292-6299.
Board of Trustees meets – June 1. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees and its committees will meet on Friday (6/1) at the Longaberger Alumni House, 2200 Olentangy River Road. Committee meetings, where most of the discussions take place, begin at 9 a.m. The full board meets at 10:45 p.m. in the Sanders Grand Lounge, room 130. Among the agenda items: recommendations for tuition, fees and compensation guidelines. Contact: Elizabeth Conlisk, University Relations, (614) 292-3040.
Ohio State finishes third in Formula SAE competition – An Ohio State race car made a strong showing in the recent Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Formula Competition, finishing third overall out of 104 entries from around the globe. The competition, held for race cars designed and built by engineering student teams, took place May 16-20 at the Pontiac Silverdome in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Judges evaluated the cars based on a cost and manufacturing analysis, a formal presentation, engineering design, and acceleration and cornering performance. Also included in the evaluation were the autocross and endurance events that tested the cars’ performance in the areas of acceleration, handling and strength. The Buckeye team finished first in the acceleration event, a 75-meter drag race, second in engineering design, and third in the cost and manufacturing analysis. It finished seventh and tenth in the autocross and endurance races, respectively. The Formula SAE Consortium companies consisting of DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors Corporation sponsored the competition. Contact: Ahmet Selamet, Mechanical Engineering and team advisor, (614) 292-4143.
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; Karissa Shivley, (614) 292-8295, and Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.
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