October 1, 2001
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Ohio State's news, experts and events give you more on the news
News
Hostile political TV leads to negative attitudes about politics –Political talk shows in which guests yell, scream and interrupt each other may attract more viewers - but a new study suggests it may be bad for our political system. Viewers who watched a supposedly real talk show where two political candidates engaged in a hostile, rude debate showed more negative attitudes toward Congress, politicians - and even the American political system -- than did viewers who watched a more courteous debate. People who viewed the uncivil debates also remembered fewer of the arguments supporting the viewpoint they opposed - and were more likely to say the opposing arguments were not legitimate. Diana Mutz, co-author of the study and a professor of political science at Ohio State, says that television depends on conflict to make politics seem less boring to viewers, but that conflict comes at a price. Contact: Diana Mutz, (614) 688-3041. See http://www.osu.edu/researchnews/archive/uncivil.htm
Experts
Cheering for your team could yield long-term damage to voice – Be careful with your voice when cheering for your favorite football team. Dr. Arick Forrest, an otolaryngologist and director of the voice center at The Ohio State University Medical Center, says football season is when most people tend to strain their voices while cheering on their favorite teams. At the minimum, fans can experience hoarseness in their voice from yelling. That, says Forrest, is normal and usually not long-term. But Forrest says continued yelling can scar the vocal cords, requiring surgery to prevent permanent damage. To keep your voice healthy, Forrest advises fans to warm up vocal cords with exercises, and avoid too much pre-game conversation. If you overdo it, Forrest says give your voice a rest the day after the big game to allow swelling of the vocal cords to go down. Contact: Erin Hughes, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.
Events
Events Education dean to Ohio Senate: “Say no to unlicensed teachers” – Oct 2. Donna Browder Evans, dean of the College of Education, will testify in the Ohio Senate on Tuesday (10/2), against a proposal to allow teachers without permanent licenses to instruct students for an additional year. The Senate is holding hearings on House Bill 196, which requires conditional teaching license holders to have only minimal qualifications. Evans is one of several administrators speaking on behalf of the State University Education Deans, which represent 13 institutions in Ohio. Her testimony will be heard during the hearing in the Statehouse Building, Senate North Conference Room (2nd floor), between 4-6 p.m. Contact: Donna Browder Evans, (614) 292-1414.
Board of Trustees meets – Oct. 5. The Ohio State University Board of Trustees and its committees will meet on Friday (10/5) , in room 550 of the Prior Health Sciences Library, 376 West 10th Avenue. Committee meetings, where most of the discussions take place, begin at 9 a.m. The full board meets at 11 a.m. Among the agenda items: presentations on resources and the Academic Plan, and on graduation rates for student athletes. Contact: Shannon Wingard, University Relations, (614) 247-6821.
New campus restaurant offers great view, food and education – The College of Human Ecology is cutting the ribbon on ViewPoint, a new 60-seat white-tablecloth restaurant opening this week on first floor of the Drake Union Performance and Event Center. Serving breakfast and lunch during the quarter, the full-service restaurant/laboratory is a collaborative project of Ohio State's Hospitality Management Program and the Office of Student Affairs. H.G. Parsa, associate professor in consumer and textile sciences, says students will learn all facets of restaurant management, including financial management, and human resource strategies in restaurant operation. They will have total responsibility for the restaurant's profit and loss statement. Patti DeLano, a master's degree student in Hospitality Management, is the project coordinator. Contact: Patti DeLano, College of Human Ecology, (614) 292-8597.
Media pros offer workshop on getting the word out – Oct. 5. The Columbus Association of Black Journalists is teaming with The Ohio State University School of Journalism and Communication for a how-to workshop on effective communication and publicity methods. Print and electronic journalists, journalism educators and public relations professionals will offer advice to members of community organizations, churches, businesses and non-profit agencies during the workshop, which takes place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday (10/5) at the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High Street. Contact: Reggie Anglen, University Relations and CABJ, (614) 292-8423.
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, Randy Dunham, (614) 292-8295; and Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.
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