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

News

University prepares to welcome first-year students – In approximately two weeks the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and First Year Experience (FYE) will welcome nearly 6,200 freshmen to the Columbus campus with year-round programming and events designed to personalize their experiences and address many of the common issues faced in the transition to college life at Ohio State. The FYE program, entering its third year, has been ranked as one of the top nationally by U.S. News and World Report for the second consecutive year. A series of special lectures, seminars and events which cater to freshmen and first-quarter transfer students’ concerns and interests are provided throughout the year. The First Year Success Series includes academic enrichment topics which focus on study skills and test taking; drug and alcohol awareness programs attended last year by more than 3,000 students; and health and wellness sessions. Other components of the program include Convocation and Buckeye Book Community, where over 5,600 books were distributed during summer orientation for participation in autumn quarter programs. An FYE web site which provides access to tutors and labs, and other useful links is also available. Contact: Liz Cook, University Relations, (614) 292-7276.

Coca-Cola Foundation gift supports Critical Difference for Women – The Ohio State University has announced a recent gift of $500,000 from The Coca-Cola Foundation of Atlanta, Ga., to support Critical Difference for Women re-entry scholarships ($400,000) and research grants ($100,000). The gift brings the total support for the program from Coca-Cola to $2.5 million since 1994. Critical Difference for Women (CDW) was developed in 1986 to identify and fund, at an institutional level, the needs of women seeking advanced education and enhanced professional lives. Since then, thousands of exceptional women have applied for CDW grants and scholarships. Since the fund was established in 1994, 212 female students have received nearly $564,000 in CDW re-entry scholarships and 54 applicants have received CDW research grants totaling more than $221,000. The recent gift is part of Ohio State's ongoing fund-raising efforts in support of the Academic Plan. Contact: Gail Feinstein, director of development, Critical Difference for Women, (614) 247-6602.

Experts

Expert analyzes options as Bush administration goes back to U.N. – In addition to a plan for spending billions of dollars over the next year to stabilize Iraq, the Bush administration is asking the United Nations for help. How will Bush's request be received in the international diplomatic community? International law professor Mary Ellen O'Connell says it will depend on whether the U.S. gives concrete assurances it is going to play by the rules again. O’Connell says “if the message is we want your money and your manpower but America calls all the shots, there will be no resolution.” O’Connell notes that this will be the third consecutive year that the administration has requested a resolution in the U.N. Security Council. Contact: Mary Ellen O’Connell, Michael E. Moritz College of Law, (614) 292-8759.

Two year anniversary of 9/11: Ohio State expert examines terrorism and counterterrorism – The FBI alerted law enforcement agencies on Friday (9/5) to look out for four suspected al-Qaida operatives believed to be independently planning terrorist attacks against the United States. Mark Jacobson, a visiting scholar at The Ohio State University's Mershon Center who formerly worked for Office of the Secretary of Defense, is an expert on U.S. counterterrorism policy and operations and national security. He is available to discuss terrorism and national security issues with media. Jacobson works in the International Security and Public Policy program for Ohio State's Mershon Center, where he examines a range of national defense policy issues with emphasis on counterterrorism, psychological operations, public diplomacy and special operations. The Mershon Center focuses on the interdisciplinary study of international security and public policy. Contact: Mark Jacobson, (614) 292-5953, Cell: (703) 967-7380.

Research

OSU Study: restaurant failure rate much lower than commonly assumed – The common business wisdom is that restaurants fail at an alarmingly high rate – maybe as high as 90 to 95 percent in the first year. In fact, the alleged 90 percent failure rate was repeated during each episode of the recent NBC reality show “The Restaurant.” But new research suggests the actual numbers may not be nearly so grim. A longitudinal study of restaurants in Columbus, Ohio found the failure rate for restaurants was 57 to 61 percent for a three year period (1996-1999) – still high, but much more in line with other businesses, said H.G. Parsa, author of the study and associate professor of hospitality management at Ohio State University. Moreover, his review of other published studies also suggest failure rates of restaurants to be closer to 60 percent or less after three to five years, and nowhere near to 90 percent. Contact: H.G. Parsa, (614) 292-5034; Parsa.1@osu.edu

Events

Ohio State commemorates September 11th – Sept. 11. As the nation observes the second anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 2001, Ohio State will mark the hour with a ceremony. Ohio State's ROTC is planning a September 11th Remembrance Ceremony at 8:40 a.m. Thursday (9/11) at Bricker Hall in front of the Oval. Vice President for Student Affairs and Retired Brigadier General Bill Hall will be the featured speaker. Contact: Amy Murray, University Relations, (614) 292-8385.

Topping ceremony marks rise of heart hospital – Sept. 12. Reporters are invited to a topping out ceremony on Friday (9/12) to mark the placement of the final steel beam in the construction of The Ohio State University’s Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital. A ceremonial hoisting of the final beam, signed by hospital staff, atop the five-story structure will take place at noon. The ceremony will be held in front of the Ross Heart Hospital, adjacent to the main driveway to University Medical Center, 450 W. 10th Ave. Reporters attending the event can park in the driveway. From 11 a.m. to noon, hospital employees will be signing the giant beam. At 11:45 a.m., brief remarks will be made before a crane lifts the beam into place atop the hospital. The hospital will be completed in late 2004. The 100-bed OSU Ross Heart Hospital will be connected to the recently opened Dorothy M. Davis Heart & Lung Research Institute. Together, these facilities will provide a comprehensive heart center—a concept unique in central Ohio and unparalleled in the United States. Contact: David Crawford, Heart Hospital Communications, 614-293-3737, or crawford.1@osu.edu

Discovery TV features OSU docs, moms and babies - Sept. 14. Two weeks of around-the-clock filming at the Ohio State Medical Center's maternity center are captured in a one-hour episode of “Special Delivery” premiering at 9 p.m. on Sunday (9/14) on the Discovery Health Channel. “Special Delivery” is a cable television series that follows the pivotal moments in the final days and hours of labor and delivery for women, and the extraordinary means sometimes necessary to safeguard their lives, or the lives of their unborn children. The program, titled "Maximum Effort," highlights the work of OSU medical experts as they care for five women with high-risk pregnancies. Also featured are their family members as well as ob/gyn, neonatology, anesthesiology, nursing and ancillary staff members. Contact: Betsy Samuels, Medical Center Communications, (614) 293-3737.

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.