Organization Update
-Dr. Keith Smith, director, OSU Extension
As announced earlier this week, the link to our newest edition of the Video Communiqué is now available online.
It includes updates about the budget, other funding, the structure refinement, shale energy information, and expectations about Annual Conference attendance, along with some brief video highlights from our OSU Extension YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/OSUExtension).
One thing I also mention briefly in the video is a recent topic of discussion and study among our Administrative Cabinet members, and something I’ll be focusing on during my administrative update at Annual Conference – The Speed of Trust and the most significant behaviors of high-trust leaders. This is information compiled by FranklinCovey, and I believe it’s important enough that we all think about this subject as we continue to move our organization forward.
Stay tuned for more information about the Four Cores of Credibility – integrity, intent, capabilities, and results, as well as the 13 Behaviors of High-Trust Leaders.
Extension Structure - Local Advisory Committee Meeting Reminder
County Extension directors, please remember that you are expected to schedule a meeting this fall to share information on the refined Extension structure with your local advisory committee – and you are asked to engage in a process to identify priorities that Extension programming should address in your community.
The local advisory committee meetings are an ideal time to review what was shared at the September CCAO meetings, discuss local options in-depth, and work on your specific county plan for staffing the local Extension office in 2012 (and beyond).
If you have not already met with your local advisory committee, please schedule this meeting in the near future and invite your county commissioners to attend. If you need additional information about a suggested agenda or plan of action for the meeting, refer to the September 23 CED e-mail with instructions. Also keep your regional director informed about your meeting and other plans.
Extension Annual Conference Attendance Expected
-Dr. Keith Smith, director, OSU Extension
ALL Extension professionals are encouraged to attend this year’s Annual Conference to be held at the Ohio Union in Columbus on December 15. The theme is “Extension: Now, More Than Ever!” ESP, OAEP and CES are providing leadership for the event along with Extension administration.
As we did in 2010, Extension Administrative Cabinet has agreed that county offices may choose how to handle their office hours during that day. Options include:
- Closing the office for the day with a sign indicating that everyone is participating in the annual conference and recognition event, and that the office will reopen on December 16. Remember to change your voice mail or answering machine message also.
- Utilizing volunteers to keep the office open.
- Using students who are home from college to keep the office open.
- Using a temp agency or temporary employee to assist during this one-day event.
In these times of change throughout our organization, we all benefit from attending the conference and comparing notes with our peers - and this is designed to be an all-inclusive meeting. Every Extension employee is important to this organization, and I believe it is valuable to have all of us learning together when possible. We are all working together for the good of the entire organization. I look forward to seeing all Extension professionals at this year’s conference!
Extension Annual Conference Attendance Expected
-Dr. Keith Smith, director, OSU Extension
ALL Extension professionals are encouraged to attend this year’s Annual Conference to be held at the Ohio Union in Columbus on December 15. The theme is “Extension: Now, More Than Ever!” ESP, OAEP and CES are providing leadership for the event along with Extension administration.
As we did in 2010, Extension Administrative Cabinet has agreed that county offices may choose how to handle their office hours during that day. Options include:
- Closing the office for the day with a sign indicating that everyone is participating in the annual conference and recognition event, and that the office will reopen on December 16. Remember to change your voice mail or answering machine message also.
- Utilizing volunteers to keep the office open.
- Using students who are home from college to keep the office open.
- Using a temp agency or temporary employee to assist during this one-day event.
In these times of change throughout our organization, we all benefit from attending the conference and comparing notes with our peers - and this is designed to be an all-inclusive meeting. Every Extension employee is important to this organization, and I believe it is valuable to have all of us learning together when possible. We are all working together for the good of the entire organization. I look forward to seeing all Extension professionals at this year’s conference!
Last Reminder -- Ohio State Password Change Required by October 31
In late May, Ohio State’s Chief Information Officer, Kathy Starkoff, sent an e-mail announcing a new procedure for managing our university Internet account and password. The bulk of the message is repeated here:
“This summer, Ohio State will improve identity and password management with the release of a new Web site: my.osu.edu. This new site will enable implementation of standard password practices for Ohio State usernames (lastname.#). You will be receiving communications throughout the summer and fall encouraging you to reset your password at my.osu.edu. This will be the single location used to manage your Ohio State Username and password anytime, anywhere. Once you have changed your password, you will be on a 90-day reset cycle. For some, this means a new way to think about passwords, while for others, it will simply mean expanding an existing routine.
"You can better understand the importance of this change by familiarizing yourself with the University password practices at BuckeyeSecure. By meeting these University standards, you are contributing to a more secure online community. Every detail of this process has been carefully planned to ensure minimal disruption in your daily activities. In addition, extensive support will be provided every step of the way.
"Your help in making this a successful transition is greatly appreciated. Be sure to change your password before October 31 to ensure that you have continued access to University resources.”
This new procedure involves several important changes you should be aware of, such as:
- Strong passwords are required (8 to 10 characters, upper and lower case with letters and numbers).
- You cannot reuse passwords.
- Your password must be changed every 90 days.
- Failure to comply will result in loss of access to University systems and services.
Be aware that changing your University password will NOT change the password that you use to log in to your computer, or the password you need to access the CFAES e-mail system. These passwords will not change automatically when you change your University password. Until the CFAES systems can be synchronized with the University's new identity management system, you will need to maintain these passwords separately from your University password.
The CFAES IT Help Desk can assist you with changing your CFAES system passwords. Because the University's password change is being managed by the Office of the CIO at the University level, questions about changing your University password must be directed to the University's IT Service Desk (8-HELP). Summaries of Ohio State’s Standard Password Practices Initiative and Fast Facts about the change are available online.
Last Reminder -- October 31 Deadline for Required IT Security Training
-Dr. Bobby Moser, vice president for agricultural administration and dean, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
Ohio State depends upon each person to understand his or her individual role in maintaining the best IT security practices. In order to do this, CFAES is requiring that all faculty and staff complete the recently revised Institutional Data Policy training. ALL faculty and staff, including those who previously completed Institutional Data Policy training, must complete this training no later than October 31. Those who have not done so by this time will be denied access to the university's network resources until successful completion of the course. The course is a brief, self-paced module accessible through Carmen, and it takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
The requirement for this training applies to:
- Regular and temporary employees, including all faculty and staff.
- Student employees who may come in contact with restricted data; supervisors’ discretion may be used for other student employees.
New Staff
On an ongoing basis, individuals who are new to CFAES must complete the training no later than one month after their respective start date.
Supervisors
All supervisors are responsible for ensuring that their staff members complete the training. Supervisors are also responsible for ensuring that contractors, consultants, or other personnel who will have access to the University network complete the training. In addition, supervisors should incorporate the training requirement into performance plans for fiscal year 2012. The performance objective should be stated as “Successfully complete the Institutional Data Policy training and apply the knowledge gained to all aspects of your job,” with a due date of July 2012.
Getting Started
Log in to Carmen (www.carmen.osu.edu) and join the Institutional Data Policy 3 course to enroll. Once enrolled, you must select the student tab to see the course. A job aid detailing the enrollment steps is available at http://buckeyesecure.osu.edu/Policy/InstitutionalDataTraining.
Call for Nominations for University Awards
Executive Vice President and Provost Joseph A. Alutto has announced the call for nominations for the 2011-2012 university-wide faculty and staff awards:
- Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching
- Distinguished Scholar Award
- Distinguished Staff Award
- Distinguished University Professor
- President and Provost’s Award for Distinguished Faculty Service
A description of each award, the deadlines, and contact information are available online.
The University Distinguished Service Awards, which are presented at each commencement ceremony, are also open for nominations (due November 18). Review the qualifications and guidelines online for more information.