Graduate School News250 University Hall | 230 N. Oval Mall | Columbus, OH | 43210 | (614) 292-6031 | www.gradsch.osu.edu
Message from the Dean
On Monday, I had the pleasure of welcoming over 800 new graduate students who attended the Graduate School's annual orientation meeting where they were inspired by President Gee and challenged by Provost Alutto to take advantage of all the opportunities available to them at Ohio State.
Three other speakers also outlined the territory ahead of our newest students. Professor Herbert Weisberg from the Department of Political Science spoke about his ground-breaking research on voting behavior and the 2008 presidential election and made the case for graduate students to get involved in research early in their careers. Jason Marion, president of the Council of Graduate Students, reminded students that life exists outside of the library and laboratory, and encouraged them to get involved in service to their graduate student fellows and the university. And finally, Sarah Corey, a Graduate School Presidential Fellow and doctoral candidate in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, spoke about her own development as a researcher focused on global trends in amphibian declines. She made the audience squirm when she showed video clips of her prior research experiences catching rattle snakes and anacondas. I'm sure everyone present will remember this orientation and this Ohio State researcher.
There is much work to accomplish this year (see below), and I hope that all of you are reenergized -- as I am -- by the the energy and enthusiasm expressed by our newest students.
Patrick S. Osmer
Vice Provost for Graduate
Studies and Dean of the Graduate School
News
Graduate School Handbook Revised and Posted
The Graduate School Handbook has been revised significantly for its 2008-09 edition and is posted on the Graduate School website. Graduate program administrators, staff, graduate faculty and graduate students should recycle any previous editions and consult only the 2008-09 edition. Changes in the 2008-09 edition include: a simplified numbering system for rules, the change in full-time status for post-candidacy students to three credits, and revisions to the graduate student grievance guidelines and research misconduct processes. Contact: 292-6031.
Alumni Grants for Graduate Research and Scholarship: Application Deadlines
The Graduate School’s Alumni Grants for Graduate Research and Scholarship (AGGRS) Program provides up to $2,000 to support the research and scholarship of doctoral or MFA candidates in a terminal degree program for their dissertations or theses. The deadline for the Autumn Quarter 2008 competition is Friday, October 10, 2008. The deadline for the Spring Quarter competition is Friday, April 10, 2009. Contact: 247-7300.
Graduate Council Members Named, Autumn Quarter Meetings Set
The Graduate School announces the membership of its new Graduate Council, which is a revision of the former Council on Research and Graduate Studies (in alphabetical order): Ana Clara Azevedo, graduate student, Pharmacy; James Bartholomew, professor, History; Ginny Bumgardner, associate dean, Medicine; Theresa Early, associate professor, Social Work; Michael Lairmore; professor, Veterinary Biosciences; Rattan Lal, professor, Environmental and Natural Resources; Walter Lempert, professor, Mechanical Engineering; Anne McCoy, professor, Chemistry; Carol-Ann Mullin; graduate student, Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering; Ruth Peterson, professor, Sociology; James Phelan, professor, English; John Sheridan, professor, Oral Biology; Harald Vaessin, professor, Molecular Genetics; Ingrid Werner, associate professor, Finance. Ex-officio members include Jason Marion, president of the Council of Graduate Students, and Caroline Whitacre, vice president for research.
The Graduate Council serves as an advisory group to Graduate School Dean Pat Osmer and participates in the development of rules, policies, and standards pertaining to graduate education at Ohio State. The membership roster was reached in consultation with the executive deans and University Senate faculty leadership. Details about the council are available in the Graduate School Handbook. The council's first meeting of Autumn Quarter 2008 was held on September 22. Future meetings have been set for October 20, November 23, and December 15 from 3-5 p.m. in University Hall 226. Contact: Susan Reeser, assistant to the dean, 247-7413.
Task Force on the Life Sciences Named
The highest priority finding from last year's doctoral program assessment process was that critical issues exist in the organization and administration of Ohio State's extensive doctoral and research efforts in the biological and life sciences. Over the summer, the provost named a task force to work on this issue.
The provost's charge asks the task force 1) to identify how Ohio State's graduate level education, especially at the doctoral level, and research in the biological and life sciences should be optimally configured and 2) to recommend appropriate organizational processes and arrangements to support high-quality doctoral educational and research efforts. To do so, the task force will compile an inventory of existing research efforts so as to identify current strengths and opportunities and will invite broad and active participation from faculty and graduate students through working groups.
The co-chairs of the task force are Patrick Osmer, vice provost for graduate studies and dean of the Graduate School, and Joan Leitzel, interim executive dean and vice provost designate of the Colleges of Arts and Sciences. Members of the Task Force on the Life Sciences include (in alphabetical order): Mark Bennett, professor, Horticulture and Crop Science; Kathleen Boris-Lawrie, professor, Veterinary Biosciences; David Denlinger, professor, Entomology; Jeff Jirkins, professor, Animal Sciences; Michael Ibba, associate professor, Microbiology; Bobby Moser, vice president for Agricultural Administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences; Karin Musier-Forsyth, professor, Chemistry; Randy Nelson, professor, Psychology and Neuroscience; Matt Platz, interim dean of the College of Biological, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences; Amanda Simcox, professor, Molecular Genetics; Larry Schlesinger, professor, Division of Infectious Diseases; Chip Souba, vice president for health services and dean of the College of Medicine; and Caroline Whitacre, vice president for research. Contact: Ann Salimbene, assistant dean, 247-7268.
Nomination Period Open for Graduate Associate Teaching Award
The Graduate School is accepting nominations for the Graduate Associate Teaching Award (GATA) until December 1, 2008. Nominations are accepted from any member of the Ohio State community (students, faculty, or staff). Self-nominations are also accepted. The GATA award is the university's highest recognition of the exceptional teaching provided by graduate teaching associates at Ohio State. Ten GATA awards are made each year, and each recipient receives a $1500 award. Contact: Kathleen Wallace, assistant dean, 247-7300.
Policy Reminders
Update on Full-time Status for Post-Candidacy Doctoral Students
Starting Autumn Quarter 2008, full-time status for all post-candidacy doctoral students has been reduced to a minimum of three credits. Questions have been raised over the summer about this new policy and possible ramifications for healthcare coverage and for curricular standards set by local programs. Most of these details have been resolved or are being resolved and a revised summary and frequently asked questions (FAQ) is available. Faculty or graduate students with questions should consult their graduate program. If necessary, the graduate program should then consult with the Graduate School. Contact: Ann Salimbene, assistant dean, 247-7268.
Post-Candidacy Continuous Enrollment Required for Graduate Students Beginning Graduate Programs Autumn Quarter 2008
Ohio State's new continuous enrollment policy pertains only to graduate students who began their graduate programs Autumn Quarter 2008 or after and who have achieved post-candidacy status. (Summer quarter registration will be optional starting in Summer Quarter 2009.) Continuous academic year enrollment is not required for doctoral students, including those who are currently post-candidacy, who began their graduate programs prior to Autumn Quarter 2008. All graduate students, however, must continue to meet existing Graduate School rules regarding enrollment, including post-candidacy residency requirements. A revised summary and frequently asked questions (FAQ) is available. Faculty or graduate students with questions should consult their graduate program.
When Hiring International Students
The Office of International Affairs reminds hiring departments that international students with F-1 and J-1 visa statuses are permitted to work only a cumulative total of 20 hours per week on campus. As a consequence, international students are only permitted to hold appointments that are 50 percent FTE or less. Any appointments greater than 50 percent will cause the student to fall out of legal status. Students who hold 50 percent appointments are not permitted to work any additional hours in other employment. Contact: International Students and Scholars, Office of International Affairs, 292-6061.
250 University Hall | 230 N. Oval Mall | Columbus, OH | 43210 | (614) 292-6031 | www.gradsch.osu.edu