CFAES Faculty and Staff Highlights

Statewide Minimum Wage Increase

On January 1, 2023, the hourly minimum wage in Ohio increased 80 cents from $9.30 to $10.10 for all non-tipped workers. The minimum hourly rate for tipped workers increased from $4.65 to $5.05 – an increase of 40 cents. System-wide increases for current Ohio State employees will be centrally implemented effective January 1, 2023. More information is available in this knowledge article.

Wellbeing Wednesday: Brought to you by the CFAES Buckeye Wellness Innovators

Ten Tips for Packing Waste-Free Lunches
We hope you were all able to pick up your bento box holiday appreciation gift from the Faculty and Staff Advisory Councils and Vice President and Dean Cathann Kress. Using a reusable lunch box or bag is just one way you can begin to pack a waste-free lunch. Click here to find out more ways to pack a sustainable lunch and use this food preparation grid to help you pack a healthy lunch.

Important Prescription Drug Benefit Update

Due to Kroger's intent to end its pharmacy provider agreement at the end of 2022 with Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI), the pharmacy benefit manager for Ohio State, starting January 1, 2023, any prescription that you or a covered family member has filled at a Kroger pharmacy will not be covered under our plan. Out of abundant concern for the inconvenience this network change may cause, Ohio State has negotiated with ESI to ensure additional opportunities for pharmacy network coverage. Beginning January 1, 2023, ESI will include CVS pharmacies in the preferred pharmacy network tier for our plan.  See hr.osu.edu/oe/prescription/ for the Prescription Drug Benefit Comparison Chart.  To learn more about this change, including how to transfer your prescriptions, please visit: https://hr.osu.edu/news/2022/12/01/important-prescription-drug-benefit-update/

Link to CFAES Town Halls on Climate Survey and Departmental Audits

On October 14 and October 20 Town Hall meetings took place to share the results of the Faculty and Staff Climate Survey and the results of the Departmental Audits. Both sessions were recorded. Please note the recordings have not been edited. If you were unable to attend and were interested in one or both the recordings can be found here. View the survey results here. If you have questions or are unable to access the recordings, please let Dr. Lechman know.

2023 CFAES Spirit of the Land-Grant Award

Nominations are now open for the 2023 CFAES Spirit of the Land-Grant Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual or team who supports, exemplifies or creates opportunities that embody the land grant mission. The award celebrates the connection between our CFAES values and our land-grant DNA. Therefore, nominees should have a clear record of supporting, exemplifying or creating opportunities around one or more of the following land-grant DNA areas: Translational Research, Collaboration and Engagement, Students as Co-creators, Lifespan Learning and Future Perspective. The award is open to CFAES faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students, alumni and external partners (including partners across campus and outside of the university). Nominations are due January 23, 2023. 

National Day of Racial Healing – January 17, 2023

The College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is partnering with several Ohio State colleges, units and regional campuses to host an afternoon of events on Tuesday, Jan. 17 for the Kellogg Foundation's 7th Annual National Day of Racial Healing (NDRH). The NDRH is a time to contemplate shared values and create the blueprint for #HowWeHeal from the effects of racism. Local events will feature a catered lunch, keynote speaker and small group discussions on the theme Healing from Racial Battle Fatigue. Events will be in person and streamed online. 

CFAES DEI Workshops

Inclusive and Equitable Hiring Practices – January 4, 2023, 3-4:30pm
This 90-minute program provides an overview of best practices for recruiting a diverse candidate pool and equitably evaluating them. Participants will examine the role that various forms of bias can play in screening applicants and identify ways that privilege creates an unlevel competitive job market. The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences requires that all individuals serving on CFAES search committees complete this program every 2 years. Please note: this workshop will not be recorded. Register at https://osu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0lcOigqzgjE9DyKy5PV3caNqiqvrCPJyBG

The Language of Inclusion: Pronouns and Other Gendered Words – January 5, 2023, 11am-12:30pm
Pronouns are tools for effective and efficient communication, and their intentional or unintentional misuse can cause confusion and harm. Using gender-affirming language such as pronouns and avoiding unnecessary use of other gendered words is essential to creating spaces that are safe, inviting, and inclusive of people of all genders. This 90-minute webinar will address why pronouns matter, the history of singular they/them, neo-pronouns such as ze/zir, alternatives to other gendered language (e.g., sir, ma’am), and ways allies can use language to advocate for and support transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. Register at https://osu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIqd-GvqT8iGdPgjkHPedu81bCY4G2EcNoz

Sustainable Aviation Focus of Jan. 10 Breakfast Program

Join the Environmental Professionals Network (EPN) in person or live via YouTube for a breakfast program with aeronautical and environmental experts on the opportunities and challenges associated with creating a “sustainable” aviation industry.  The moderated panel discussion brings together the environmental community, consumers concerned about both greenhouse gas emissions and air travel, and aviation experts. 

January 20th CFAES Advocates and Allies Networking Event

The CFAES Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will be hosting a virtual gathering for members of the CFAES community who have an interest in or are working on DEIJ related initiatives on January 20, 2023 at 10:00 AM. We will come together to share best practices and strategies related to DEIJ within CFAES. There will be an opportunity to share your work, ask questions and share best practices as well as smaller breakout sessions. 

Course Development Grants for Community-Engaged Teaching

The Office of Service-Learning is pleased to announce the Community-Engaged/Service-Learning Course Development Grants program for the 2022-2023 academic year. These grants of up to $4,000 are available to any Ohio State instructor who would like to develop or improve a community-based course. This includes courses offered at regional campuses and undergraduate or graduate level courses. Courses can be delivered in-person, online, or a hybrid - whatever works best for you and your community partner. We are especially eager to fund courses that will be submitted for the GE Themes Integrative Practice category. Applications are due January 22, 2023. Contact slearning@osu.edu with questions.

Distinguished Staff Awards

The Distinguished Staff Awards recognize and celebrate staff who have made an impact at The Ohio State University. It is the highest honor bestowed upon Ohio State staff members. Each recipient receives a $1,500 cash award, and a commemorative trophy. The nomination deadline is Friday, January 27, at 5 p.m. 

Distinguished Diversity Enhancement Awards Nominations

The Distinguished Diversity Enhancement Awards celebrates diversity efforts at Ohio State and rewards individuals and groups for their commitment to the university’s shared values, especially the values of diversity and innovation, and inclusion and equity. Honorees are recognized for their impact in making diversity and inclusiveness a part of university best practices by changing daily operations, program components or cultural awareness on the basis of any diversity qualities. Faculty, staff, students, student organizations and alumni can nominate their colleagues and peers. Each recipient receives a commemorative trophy and $1,200 cash award. The nomination deadline is Friday, January 27, at 5 p.m. 

2023 CFAES Student Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2023 CFAES Student Awards. The categories of awards include: CFAES Student Awards, CFAES Service to Students Awards, and CFAES Student Organization Awards. Nominations are due February 15, 2023. 

Foundational Leadership Certificate

NEW CO-HORT BEGINS FEBRUARY 2023
The OSU Leadership Center wants to help you develop the skills needed to be a high performing leader through gaining the Foundational Leadership Certificate.

High performing leaders are essential to the success of an organization. A high performing leader has a keen self-awareness, the ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment, and can build, strengthen, and gain optimal performance from teams.

The Foundational Leadership Certificate allows you the opportunity to further your education, personally develop, create relationships with other industry professionals, and grow as a leader within the workplace. This will express your dedication to professional development and exhibit your efforts of creating an efficient and productive environment. 

Criteria to successfully earn the Foundational Leadership Certificate include workshops, individual coaching, and a personal leadership analysis.

An orientation for this cohort is scheduled for 9:00 am on February 22.

The Ohio State Leadership Center Upcoming Workshops

January
19 – Flex Your Leadership Style
Learn how to “flex” your behavior based on various situations. DISCflex ™ helps increase professional success by providing insight into how an individual’s behavior impacts the people around her/him. This workshop includes an on-line assessment, a report of results and a 360º view based on input from others you select to rate you. Plan to attend the OSU Leadership Center’s January 19th online workshop. Beth Flynn is facilitating this online workshop. For more information, or to register, click here. 

February
2 – The Dark Side of Leadership: How to Avoid Being a Toxic Leader - online
We have all seen examples of toxic leaders, either in the media or in our personal lives. Together, let’s dig deeper and pinpoint those characteristics to further define toxic leadership. Then, we can ask ourselves how do we avoid becoming one? How may our actions effect the people around us? Join us for the February 2nd online workshop to learn how to avoid being a toxic leader. Click here for more info. 

9 – Best Boss Ever - online
Do you want to be the best boss you can be? What are the qualities that make a high-performing boss? Why is it important to be a good boss? We all know that employees leave bosses, not organizations. Do your employees consider you to be a good boss? Come join Beth Flynn, of the OSU Leadership Center to learn what makes a great boss. For more information, please about this February 9th online workshop, click here.

16 – Communication and Conflict Management - online
How well do you manage conflict?  Conflict is a part of our daily lives. How we manage conflict impact has a direct impact on the quality, our work. Effectively dealing with and using conflict as a positive tool is a major component of success in current or future leadership roles. Register today for this February 16th online workshop. For more information, or to register, click here. Jeff King, of the OSU Leadership Center is facilitating this workshop.

23 – CliftonStrengths - online
Do you know your top five strengths? As a leader it is important to know your talents, with this workshop you’ll find out the top 5 strengths you bring to the table. You will also learn how to maximize your strengths and gain a better understanding of yourself. Join Beth Flynn for this February 23rd online workshop to learn more about yourself. Click here for more information. 

24 – Problem-Solving, Teamwork and Creativity for Success 
Have you ever been frustrated with the way coworkers go about completing tasks, or wonder why you problem-solve differently than those around you? Mary Rodriguez, PhD will teach you all about how you and others problem solve using the Kirton’s Adaption-Innovation Theory. For more information about this February 24thin-person workshop, click here.

Applications are open for the annual OSEP awards

In collaboration with Ohio State Energy Partners (OSEP), the Office of Academic Affairs has opened a call for grant proposals that align with the university’s sustainability goals; advance diversity, equity and inclusion goals; or provide research opportunities to students who have had limited exposure to undergraduate research and experiential learning opportunities. Submissions are due Feb. 10, 2023. Faculty, staff and students are eligible to apply. Awards range from $10,000 to $50,000.

2023 Warner Grant RFP Released

Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 Warner On-Farm Research Grant program, which is administered by the Agroecosystem Management Program (AMP) in CFAES. See RFP and application materials here.

The Warner grants are funded from an endowment created by Paul C. and Edna H. Warner, and provide up to $5,000 to support collaborative on-farm research that advance sustainable agriculture. Applicants need to include at least 1 farmer and 1 OSU researcher or extension educator. Typically 1-3 grants are awarded per year based on endowment income and requests. 

The deadline for applications is March 1, 2023 – so you have time to develop your ideas before submission. See information about past awards at: https://amp.osu.edu/research/funding-opportunities-warner-grants-sustainable-agriculture

CFAES Principles of Community 

We affirm our conviction that racism and inequality have no place in CFAES. Our CFAES Principles of Community serve as a base for managing these actions. We all contribute to our community and our collective experience. You are encouraged to download and post the principles, discuss them during meetings, share them with others, and most importantly, use them as a guide in all that we do to sustain life.

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