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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Starting this year, Ohio State University faculty members will find it harder to divide their time between OSU and other universities because of Ohio State's new conflict of commitment policy. The policy, implemented during the July Board of Trustees meeting, was enacted in compliance with federal regulations, making it nearly impossible for instructors to teach at another university during on-duty quarters while they are employed by Ohio State -- unless those activities do not take away from their work at OSU. "The policy attempts to assure that when faculty engage in activities external to the university, they do so in a way which does not interfere with their responsibilities in teaching, research and service," Susan Fisher, professor of entomology and secretary of the University Senate said in an e-mail. A conflict of commitment exists when external or other activities are so substantial or demanding as to interfere with the individual's teaching, according to the policy. If faculty members get the opportunity to teach a course at another university for which they will be off campus, they may do so only if credit or prestige is given to OSU, Fisher said. Faculty members may only teach the course if their department chair and dean approve it, she said.
'Real World Austin' set to get a new look AUSTIN, Texas -- The newest, well-known Austin landmark is an 18,000-square foot red brick building on San Jacinto Street in downtown's warehouse district. While it was there, a neon "Austin" sign on the roof served as a beacon for all those curious about the seven strangers to the city. On television and in photos, the Real World Austin house showed a giant Big Tex statue greeting guests at the front door, green beds against bright walls, clear spherical swings and an overall hip design. Since filming for the 17th season of the show is over, and the first episodes have aired, the building is relatively empty. The only things reminiscent of MTV's venture down south are an indoor, salt-water swimming pool and a hot pink wall with turquoise stripes. The building's owner, Will Houston, has already re-leased both wings of the tourist stop. The west side, where Real World cast members lived, will be transformed into a Colorado-based Mexican food restaurant called Rio Grande. The east side will be leased to a local company, Thomas Reprographics, to house another of their stores. Because Houston owns the building, the city told him he can do whatever he wants with the space. According to Ted Kenney, a producer with Bunim/Murray, the company in charge of "Real World's" production on MTV, previous shows' houses have been rented out to citizens for thousands of dollars a night. He said houses in Philadelphia, San Diego and Las Vegas internally and externally look the same as they did on MTV, are used by people with thick wallets and the desire to be associated with the reality shows. Kenney said he thinks the "Real World: Austin" building could have had leasing success in the city and would have been a good idea for events like charity fundraisers or galas because of the Austin community's giving nature and its location downtown.
West Nile virus found near Texas A&M COLLEGE STATION, Texas - On July 13 and 14, two dead birds that tested positive for West Nile virus were found in College Station. One of the birds was found in the Raintree subdivision south of College Station, said Jim Olson, professor and medical entomologist with Texas A&M's Department of Entomology. The second bird was found on Gilchrist Avenue, located across Texas Avenue from the main entrance of Texas A&M University. "This is the first evidence of the West Nile virus to the Bryan-College Station area this year," Olson said. "No human cases or evidence of the West Nile virus in mosquitoes has been discovered yet, but with birds being infected, we will most likely have infected mosquitoes to talk about in the near future." West Nile virus is transferred from the bird to humans via mosquitoes. The mosquito then passes the virus through saliva that enters the bloodstream to birds, humans or horses. The blue jay, crow and cardinal are birds that most often carry the virus. The infected birds in College Station were a blue jay and a crow. The most important factor in preventing West Nile virus for College Station residents is to keep mosquitoes out of the house, Olson said. "The most common way birds, mosquitoes and humans interact is when mosquitoes get trapped in homes and can't feed on birds so they feed on humans," Olson said. "Students need to make sure they keep mosquitoes out of dorms, apartments and houses, especially making sure there is not any stagnant water on the patio or in beer cans, which are one of the best breeding places for mosquito larvae."