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

News

New OSU Study: Death penalty more likely to be law in states with higher proportions of black citizens – States with larger proportions of African Americans are more likely to have the death penalty on the books than states with smaller black populations, according to a new study. The results also showed that higher levels of economic inequality within a state – bigger gaps between the rich and poor – made it more likely that states would have the death penalty. But surprisingly, the states with the most violent crime and the most murders were no more likely than other states to have instituted capital punishment. The findings show that political and social factors such as race and economic inequality play an important role in determining whether a state is likely to legalize the death penalty, said David Jacobs, professor of sociology at Ohio State University and co-author of the study. "Our results show how important the politics of racial division and the racial foundations of punishment continue to be in the United States," Jacobs said. Contact: David Jacobs, Sociology, (614) 292-6685; see liz

Experts

Postpartum depression and Andrea Yates – As the trial for Andrea Yates enters a third week, her attorneys are expected to question a psychiatrist about his treatment of the Houston-area woman before she killed her five children. Yates is pleading not guilty by reason of insanity to the drownings. She was being treated for postpartum depression when the killings occurred last summer. Verta Taylor, a professor of sociology and women's studies at Ohio State, is an expert on postpartum depression, psychosis and infanticide. The author of "Rock-a-by Baby: Feminism, Self-Help, and Postpartum Depression," Taylor says the Yates case is tragic. Contact: Verta Taylor, (614) 263-2654 or 292-0320.

The bid for TRW grows hostile – It will be up to shareholders of Cleveland-based TRW Corp. to decide what to do with a hostile takeover bid from defense giant Northrop Grumman Corp. On Sunday, TRW rejected the $5.9 billion bid as inadequate. In response, Northrop Grumman took a $6 billion bid directly to the shareholders. Ohio law gives TRW 10 days to set a date for a special shareholders meeting to vote on the hostile bid. Ohio State law professors Doug Cole and Morgan Shipman can offer insight into the process. Contact: Doug Cole, (614) 247-6003, or Morgan Shipman, (614) 292-0350.

Events

Expert will discuss rare learning disability – March 8. Barbara Landau of Johns Hopkins University will discuss Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic defect that causes profound spatial impairment along with language difficulties, as part of the Learning, Cognition and Development speaker series at Ohio State. Landau will deliver "Specialization in Spatial Representation: Evidence from Williams Syndrome" from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Friday (3/8) in 211 Page Hall. Landau say the unusual nature of Williams Syndrome allows researchers to examine whether spatial representation is a single all-purpose system or a set of specialized systems. The Learning, Cognition and Development speaker series is sponsored by the Learning Research Initiative, Center for Cognitive Science, College of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Dept. of Psychology, Introductory Biology Program and the Office of Research. Contact: Carla Sharon, Center for Cognitive Science, 614-292-8200.

"Green" Car Comes to Campus – March 11-12. The Ford Motor Company will display its prototype hydrogen fuel cell powered Ford Focus beginning at 11 a.m. on Monday (3/11) at the west entrance of Hitchcock Hall, 2070 Neil Ave. Representatives from Ford will be on hand to talk with visitors. At 6:30 p.m., Mark Sulek from Ford Motor Company and TH!NK Technologies will present a seminar in 131 Hitchcock Hall, on the design, production and future of the fuel cell vehicle. Members of the media are invited to see the car on Tuesday ( 3/12) beginning at 10 a.m., at the Center for Automotive Research and Intelligent Transportation (CAR-IT), 930 Kinnear Road. At 11:30 a.m., CAR officials and Ford representatives will present a seminar on development of the Ford Focus and the future of fuel cell vehicles. Members of the media are invited to view the vehicle and attend presentations by Ford on the development and plans for the environmentally friendly car. Contact: Giorgio Rizzoni, CAR-IT, (614) 292-3331.

OSU students can pay their bills online – Ohio State students may now pay their tuition, housing and other fees through the new QuickPay online payment system. With more than 55,000 students on all of Ohio State's campus and four quarters of enrollment, (and some students receive more than one bill) the university sends out more than 250,000 statements each year. So far, more than 2,200 students have used the new system, which is designed to make fee payment faster, easier and more convenient. The QuickPay system allows students to check their current balance, make payments electronically from a checking or savings account, and view a history of their 10 most recent transactions. Contact: James Nichols, University Treasurer, (614) 292-4777.

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; Randy Dunham, (614) 292-8295; Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385, and Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.