Story Ideas for Media - 10/25/04
News
Ohio State to set up media center for night of 2004 election -- As the eyes of the nation are on Ohio when America votes, Ohio State is creating an “Election Central” on Election Day that will include access to the University’s legal, political science and media experts in one location for studio and satellite uplinks for interviews, as well as space for working journalists. The space is at the WOSU stations, in Studios A and B, and will include phone and internet hookups as well as access to satellite uplinks, cable and ISDN lines. Media interested in reserving space should contact Bill Scannell at (650) 787-8708 or bill@scannell.org. Ohio State experts also are available for interviews throughout this week and weekend. CONTACT: Elizabeth Conlisk, University Relations, (614) 292-3040.
OARDC receives $3 million to create SARS model -- The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center’s (OARDC) expertise in animal coronaviruses is crossing the species barrier to aid in the study and control of a serious threat to human health and a potential bioterror weapon: severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. Linda Saif, a virologist with OARDC's Food Animal Health Research Program, has just been awarded a four-year, $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to create a SARS model. CONTACT: Mauricio Espinoza, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, (330) 202-3550.
Fisher College EMBA team wins $50,000 national business plan competition -- Competing against semifinalist teams from Harvard Business School and Babson College, the Fisher College team, Vertebration Inc., won the $50,000 first prize in Fortune Small Business magazine’s second annual national business plan competition for their plan to market a newly developed implant for spinal surgery. The medical device is designed to relieve chronic back pain, as well as reduce the cost and improve the outcome of spinal surgery. For more information, see http://news.cob.ohio-state.edu/index2.php?folder=65&news=264 CONTACT: Laura Bowers, Fisher College of Business, (614) 292-8937.
Experts
Expert can discuss proposed Bush, Kerry tax policies -- It’s not whether taxes will be raised under a George W. Bush or John Kerry administration, it’s whose taxes will be raised and by how much, according to tax expert William A. Raabe. A lot of people have opinions of what the presidential candidates will do in relation to taxes, but Raabe, a senior lecturer at Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business, has studied views on the actual elements of tax policy under Bush and Kerry and is prepared to discuss them. CONTACT: William A. Raabe, Fisher College of Business, (614) 292-4023; or Laura Bowers, Fisher College of Business, (614) 292-8937.
Research
Whites more likely to misidentify tools as guns when linked to Black faces -- People are more likely to misidentify tools as guns, at least under extreme time pressure, when they are first linked to African Americans, new research suggests. While researchers say the experiment was much less complex than real-life encounters, they hope it begins to shed light on how subtle racial biases may help lead to situations in which police accidentally shoot unarmed minorities, said Keith Payne, co-author of the study and assistant professor of psychology. For more information, see http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/gunbias.htm CONTACT: Keith Payne, Department of Psychology, (614) 292-6607; or Jeff Grabmeier, University Relations, (614) 292-8457.
Events
Rolison discusses how Title IX can help women in science, engineering – Oct. 26. -- Debra Rolison, a research chemist for the Naval Research Laboratory and adjunct professor of chemistry at the University of Utah, will discuss how Title IX can help women pursue science and engineering. In her speech, titled “How Can Title IX Do for Women in Science and Engineering What It Has Done For Women in Sports,” is at 3 p.m. on Tuesday (10/26) in the Stecker Lounge of the Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St. The event is part of the President and Provost’s Diversity Lecture Series. CONTACT: Liz Cook, University Relations, (614) 292-7276.
Panel discussion examines ‘Security After September 11’ – Oct. 26. -- A panel of faculty experts from The Ohio State University will discuss “Security After September 11: Are We Safer Now?” at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday (10/26) in 100 Mendenhall Laboratory, 125 South Oval Mall. The panelists are: John Mueller, professor of political science; Mary Ellen O’Connell, William B. Saxbe Designated Professor of Law; Randy Schweller, professor of political science; and Todd Stewart, director of the Program for International and Homeland Security. Richard Herrmann, professor of political science and director of the Mershon Center, which focuses on the interdisciplinary study of international security, will moderate the discussion. CONTACT: Shannon Wingard, University Relations, (614) 247-6821.
Debate examines if government should limit gun ownership – Oct. 26. -- John Lott, of the American Enterprise Institute, and Jim Kessler, policy director at the Americans for Gun Safety Foundation, debate the question “Should Government in a Free Society Limit Gun Ownership?” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (10/26) in the Ohio Union Ballroom, 1739 N. High St. Lott is the author of “More Guns, Less Crime” and “The Bias Against Guns.” He is a noted advocate for gun rights and researches the effects of gun laws on violence. Kessler directs research for the Americans for Gun Safety Foundation, which promotes safe gun usage and encourages enforcement of existing gun laws. The debate will be moderated by Jim Luck, former President of the Columbus Foundation. CONTACT: Don Stenta, John Glenn Institute, (614) 292-4545.
Symposium focuses on law, interrogation in war and peace – Oct. 29. -- The recent reporting of alleged torture and abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. troops at the Abu Ghraib prison raise issues regarding the ethical and legal ramifications of the use of interrogation and torture. How do lawyers develop and implement effective legal institutions to address these matters? What are the appropriate responses of a domestic legal professional association – the American Bar Association – to such developments? And what practices and legal policies are effective and desirable for governing conduct in such volatile situations? Legal scholars will examine these matters during a symposium from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday (10/29) at the Moritz College of Law, 55 W. 12th Ave. For information, see http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/communications/newsreleases/2004/102004.html CONTACT: Liz Cutler Gates, Moritz College of Law, (614) 292-0283.
Knowlton School of Architecture building to be dedicated – Oct. 29. -- The Austin E. Knowlton School of Architecture will dedicate its new academic building, Knowlton Hall, at 3:30 p.m. on Friday (10/29) at the east entrance of the new facility, located at 275 W. Woodruff Ave. The 168,000-square-foot facility features gallery space for exhibitions, central review space for critiques of student work, a materials/fabrication laboratory, an experimental roof garden, a 30,000-volume library, two computer laboratories, a digital image library and a café. CONTACT: Amy Carey, Knowlton School of Architecture, (614) 247-7244.
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; Liz Cook, (614) 292-7276; Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385, and Shannon Wingard, (614) 247-6821.