Kent State to start new arts complex (Crain's Cleveland Business - Cleveland, OH)
Kent State University this Thursday, Aug. 28, will break ground on its $12 million Roe Green Center. The 70,000-square-foot center will house Kent State’s theater and dance divisions when it opens in 2010. The two programs merged in 1994 but have been in separate locations on the main campus.

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KSU gets theater, dance facility (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)

Kent State to hold groundbreaking for Roe Green Center (Repository - Canton, OH)

Kent State approves faculty pay raise (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)
Kent State trustees on Wednesday approved a new three-year contract for tenure-track faculty that will cost it a total of $11 million over current expenditures during the life of the contract. The agreement gives faculty raises of at least 9 percent over three years, plus merit raises, new minimum salaries and domestic partner benefits for their unmarried partners.

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KSU faculty get 3 percent raises in each of three years (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)

KSU trustees OK contract with faculty 3-year deal offers benefits to domestic partners, raises (Record Courier - Ravenna, OH)

Bus drivers still on strike in Portage (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)
As a strike by its drivers continued Wednesday, the Portage Area Regional Transit Authority exchanged words with its union. The bus system has operated on a basic-service level since the strike began Monday, said spokesman Frank Hairston. He said the transit system is not ''as flexible as we have been, but we are providing the transportation to the people who need it most in the county.'' PARTA buses serve about 5,700 Kent State University passengers and about 2,000 other riders each day.

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No talks set as bus strike continues PARTA running; union pleased with support (Record Courier - Ravenna, OH)

Designs fit paintings (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)
Visitors to the Akron Art Museum's new show, Art + Fashion: A BOLD Union may have similar thoughts, especially if they are of my era and remember the revolutionary fashions of designer Rudi Gernreich and his avant-garde approach to making clothes. The museum is exhibiting four displays of garments by Gernreich from the collection of the Kent State University Museum alongside works of artists like Donald Judd, Sol LeWitt, Julian Stanczak and Nassos Daphnis, with whom he shared a common philosophy.

3 out of 5 managers have no work/life balance (Hobfoll) (The Nassau Guardian - Nassau, Bahamas)
Why is it important to have balance in your life? Simply because without it, things will only get worse. And according to Steven Hobfoll PhD (Professor of Psychology at Kent State University) allowing your life to continuously overpower you can lead to exhaustion, depression and anxiety disorders. Not only will your career suffer, but health and family as well. "Relationship problems will get more serious, burnouts will become more severe. You will do your job badly and possibly get fired."

Kent State trustees consider new contract with instructors (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)
Many Kent State faculty might start the new school year with extra cash in their pockets. University trustees today will consider a new contract that would give tenure-track faculty raises of at least 9 percent over three years plus domestic partner benefits. KSU's tenure-track unit of the American Association of University Professors already approved the contract 373 to 19.

PARTA bus drivers strike; last-minute talks not successful (Aurora Advocate - Aurora, OH)
After weekend negotiations with a federal mediator failed, the union bus drivers for the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority began a strike at 4 a.m. Aug. 25. Buses driven by PARTA management were on the road as Kent State University began its first day of classes. Student drivers who drive the campus routes are non-union. "Our talks broke down completely on Sunday," said Trina Molnar, union negotiator for the Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 037. OAPSE represents roughly 65 bus drivers.

Kent State University students' views mixed on Portage transit strike (Plain Dealer - Cleveland, OH)
Today will be an important test for the Portage County transit system, as service begins for special-needs riders, and replacement drivers take their first turns on unfamiliar routes. A strike by drivers against the system began early Monday morning -- the first day of classes at Kent State University. Many of the campus buses appeared to be nearly empty -- either a sign of campus support for the strikers or beautiful weather that encouraged walking.

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Portage bus drivers walk picket line as contract talks break down (WKYC - Cleveland, OH)

Bus drivers begin strike in Portage (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)

Action has no affect on first day at KSU (Record Courier - Ravenna, OH)

PARTA drivers go on strike (WTAM - Cleveland, OH)

Bus drivers in NE Ohio start strike (Coshocton Tribune - Coshocton, OH)

Bus drivers in Northeast Ohio start strike (Lancaster Eagle Gazette - Lancaster, OH)

Bus drivers start strike (Zanesville Times Recorder - Zanesville, OH)

Bus drivers in NE Ohio start strike (Fox 19 - Cincinnati, OH)

Dallas Morning News' 'Briefing' to hit upscale lawns Wednesday (Fine) (Dallas Business News - Dallas, TX)
Briefing is similar to the Examiner, a free paper that is distributed in the Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco areas by Clarity Media Group, the media arm of Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz's empire. But unlike the Examiner, which launched in head-to-head competition with established dailies in its cities, Briefing belongs to the established daily in Dallas. It will have access to content generated from The News' newsroom, helping to keep costs low. "I suspect it will have some initial, albeit modest, success," said Lauren Rich Fine, a media analyst at Kent State University in Ohio, referring to Briefing.

Study a bit too slim (Glickman) (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)
Most of us have operated under the U.S. surgeon general's recommendation that a half-hour of exercise a day, on most days of the week, is good enough. But a new study out of the University of Pittsburgh seems to indicate that a half-hour isn't enough. To lose weight and keep it off, women may need to exercise nearly an hour a day, five days a week, while also limiting their daily diet to 1,200 to 1,500 calories. While the study has been held up as proof that the surgeon general's recommendation is wrong, it's not that simple. For starters, the 201 women in the study were solidly obese, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 32, said Ellen Glickman, a professor of exercise science at Kent State University. To reach a BMI of 32, a 5-foot-5-inch woman would have to weigh 192 pounds.

Enrollment up at University of Akron (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)
Enrollment at the University of Akron grew 6.1 percent over the previous year, officials announced on the first day of classes Monday. This is the third consecutive year enrollment has climbed, driven largely by a boost in the freshmen class, said Charles Fey, vice president for student affairs. In contrast, Kent State University reported a growth in freshmen of 2 percent and an overall growth in students of less than 1 percent on the first day of class, spokesman Tom Neumann said.

Buses run on time despite strike in Portage County (Plain Dealer - Cleveland, OH)
Buses are running as usual in Portage County, where bus drivers formed a picket line at 4:30 this morning outside the Portage Area Regional Transit Authority headquarters. The buses are being driven by union members who crossed the picket line, and nonunion office staff, mechanics and supervisors, said Frank Hairston, the agency's director of customer service. Nonunion students at Kent State University drive the buses that serve the campus, and service hasn't been affected, university police said.

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Strike may affect bus service at Kent State (Plain Dealer - Cleveland, OH)

Portage RTA union workers promise to strike Monday (Plain Dealer - Cleveland, OH)

Portage bus drivers are walking today (Plain Dealer - Cleveland, OH)

Portage Area Rapid Transit drivers vow to strike after contract talks stall (Plain Dealer - Cleveland, OH)

Kent State University bus service could be affected by Portage Area Regional Transit Authority strike (Plain Dealer - Cleveland, OH)

PARTA talks resume today (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)

No new talks in PARTA dispute (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)

PARTA bus drivers ready to walk picket lines Monday (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)

Bus strike to hit Portage (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)

Portage bus drivers go on strike; buses keep rolling (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)

Kent State faces threat of bus strike (Dispatch - Columbus, OH)

Bus drivers in NE Ohio start strike (WDTN - Dayton, OH)

Bus drivers in northeast Ohio set for Monday strike (WTTE - Columbus, OH)

Bus drivers who serve Kent threaten to strike (Coshocton Tribune - Coshocton, OH)

Bus Drivers in Northeast Ohio Set For Monday Strike (19 Action News - Cleveland, OH)

KSU hopes alumni feel like giving (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)
Kent State is beating the drums to build up donations. The university has added eight employees to its 70-person alumni relations and development staffs, with the goal of raising about 50 percent more money a year. That may sound ambitious, but Gene Finn, vice president for institutional advancement, said it is well within the university's ability.

Why do voters accept spin, public relations? (Mastriacovo) (Repository - Canton, OH)
Marketing seems to have taken over from reality in American life, not only in commerce but also in politics. We Americans seem to want to be lied to. It is so much more comforting than facing harsh reality, potential sacrifice and hard work to solve the complex problems we face. Paul A. Mastriacovo of Jackson Township is a faculty member in the Department of Justice Studies at the main campus of Kent State University.

Magazine ranks Malone high on 'Best Colleges' (Repository - Canton, OH)
Malone College is the sole higher-learning institution in Stark County to garner a ranking in U.S. News & World Report's 2009 America's Best Colleges guidebook. Malone was recognized for its master's program. The college tied with four other universities at No. 45 in the magazine's list of best Midwest universities with master's degrees. Kent State University is listed in Tier 3 in the national university category, while the University of Akron was listed in Tier 4.

Asia, Latin America replacing Europe as popular study-abroad destinations (Michael) (Plain Dealer - Cleveland, OH)
Months before a dazzling Olympics caught America's attention, China had a firm grip on Michael Carter's mind. When deciding where he wanted to study abroad last spring, the Miami University senior only had to look ahead to his future in international business.  At Kent State University, there hasn't been a huge rush to nontraditional locations, but Steve Michael, vice provost for diversity, said students are starting to understand the value of branching out. "Some of the traditional study-abroad locations have become Americanized," he said. "You might as well go to L.A. To become global citizens, students need to be put in cross-cultural environments that will challenge all their skills."

European court upholds KSU patent (Record Courier - Ravenna, OH)
Kent State University and partner company Kent Displays Inc. have won a challenge to the validity of its patents on liquid crystal technology in Europe, according to Kent Displays. The European Patent Office in Munich, Germany, has determined that a basic liquid crystal patent key to Kent Displays' trademarked Reflex Technology, held by KSU and licensed to Kent Displays, is valid.

Brown: We can work together (Comanitz) (Times Reporter - New Philadelphia, OH)
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Avon Lake, hosted a two-hour roundtable discussion in the Tuscarawas County Senior Center at Dover. Joining him were U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, and 16 elected officials and community leaders. Brown said his goal is to host sessions in all 88 Ohio counties. He called the format the best way to learn more about the needs of county residents. Some of the input provided may wind up in legislation he sponsors in Congress. Brown asked Pat Comanitz, director of Continuing Studies and Community Development at Tuscarawas Campus of Kent State University at New Philadelphia, how things have changed at the college level compared to 10 years ago. “Math skills are sorely lacking,” Comanitz said. “When you have to teach sophomores how to convert fractions and decimals, it’s sad.”

KSU owns right to liquid crystal display technology (Plain Dealer - Cleveland, OH)
A European patent court agrees that Kent State University and Kent Displays own the rights to a flexible liquid crystal display technology invented by professors John West and Deng-Ke Yang. The recent decision is the latest word in a protracted international legal battle. The patent, held by KSU and licensed by Kent Displays, was the subject of legal challenges in the U.S. District Court in Texas from 1996 until the patent was upheld in 2001.

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Kent State patent upheld by European courts (EurekAlert)

Drug Companies Routinely Bury Studies Showing Their Drugs Don't Work (Natural News)
More than 30 percent of studies conducted on antidepressant drugs go unpublished, apparently because they fail to show that the drug works as advertised, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. In addition, published studies often interpret the data as more favorable toward the drug than it actually is. Although the FDA requires that pharmaceutical companies provide the results of all studies conducted on a new drug before it receives approval, there is no requirement that those studies be published where doctors, health researchers and the public can read them. A team of researchers from institutions including the Oregon Health and Science University, the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Kent State University and the University of California at Riverside compared the results of studies reported in the FDA database with whether and how those studies were reported in published literature.

Is Your University Prepared to Issue "Immediate" Emergency Notifications Required by New Higher Education Law Signed by President Bush? (PR Inside)
Rave Wireless, Inc. (www.ravewireless.com) today applauded Congress and President Bush for recognizing the critical role that reliable, high-performing "electronic and cellular communication" emergency notification systems play in campus safety. The new Higher Education Act (HR-4137) states that higher education institutions must have procedures to "immediately notify the campus community upon the confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or staff occurring on the campus," among other provisions. Administrators at colleges and universities nationwide using Rave, such as American University, Colorado State University, Indiana State University, Kent State University (OH), Quinnipiac University, University of Louisville (KY), and University of South Florida have been very pleased with the ease-of-use, reliability and performance of Rave Alert.

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Is Your University Prepared to Issue "Immediate" Emergency Notifications Required by New Higher Education Law Signed by President Bush? (Centre Daily - State College, PA)

Is Your University Prepared to Issue "Immediate" Emergency Notifications Required by New Higher Education Law Signed by President Bush? (Yahoo! Finance)

Online Ad Industry Dealmakers Busy Despite Dull Economy (Fine) (ClickZ - New York, NY)
The "Online Advertising Deals Report" focuses on activity between the second quarter of 2007 and the second quarter of 2008. During the period, there were 160 venture capital investments in the industry, according to the report. Most but not all of those -- 137 -- revealed financial information; disclosed investments added up to more than $1.9 billion. The Google/Doubleclick deal could be seen as proof that, as Kent State University Practitioner-in-Residence Lauren Rich Fine writes in the report, "ad networks are all the rage."

Portage transit talks to continue today (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)
Both sides in union contract talks between the Portage Area Regional Transportation Authority and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 037 were expected to meet at 3 p.m. todayat PARTA headquarters in Kent with a federal mediator. The union on Aug. 15 filed a 10-day strike notice with the transit authority. The union, which represents between 55 and 65 full- and part-time workers, is trying to get its first contract with PARTA. The Portage County mass transit system provides transportation to about 7,700 people a day, including 5,700 Kent State University students.

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PARTA's drivers' strike might start the first day of classes at Kent State (Aurora Advocate - Aurora, OH)

KSU part of grant worth $8 million Will be for liquid crystal research (Record Courier - Ravenna, OH)
The state's Third Frontier research and development project and Ohio Research Scholars Program has given $8 million in funds to a collaboration between Northeastern Ohio liquid crystal research companies and a number of local universities, including Kent State University, called the Research Cluster on Surfaces in Advanced Materials. State Rep. Kathleen Chandler said the money was in the state budget, went through the allocation process and was released Tuesday through the Ohio Controlling Board, which oversees major state expenditures. Its seven members include three state senators, three state representatives and a board president.

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OUR VIEW: $8 million bestowed Research grant shows state bond issue's value; we can help by doing our part, too (Record Courier - Ravenna, OH)

Smokers can still light up on campus (The Post - Athens, OH)
In an effort to eliminate smoking by college students, more campuses are taking the extra step and banning smoking outdoors. However, implementing a policy is not a question of when, but a question of how it can be incorporated into campus life. Terry Coons, associate director of Health Promotions at Ohio University said that no comprehensive smoking ban is on the horizon for Ohio University. Coons said that the first step toward implementing this type of policy would be to identify areas of high smoking activity. He pointed to a Kent State University policy that designates one entrance as the official place to smoke outside the building.  He also suggested trying a policy used at Miami University that paints a line 25 feet outside the door entrance.

Not enough rooms to go around (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)
Kent State University is about 150 beds shy of what it needs, in part because this fall it is knocking down an older residence complex that normally would house 600 students. Students will be put in converted lounge space until regular rooms open up in the residence halls.

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KSU dorms to be razed despite housing crunch; Demolition set for 10 40-year-old residence halls (Record Courier - Ravenna, OH)

Kent wants city street (The Review - East Liverpool, OH)
Officials with the local campus of Kent State University got a tentative nod of approval to take over a city roadway. The East Liverpool Planning Commission considered the request at a meeting Monday afternoon. Henry Trenkelbach, business administrator for the East Liverpool and Salem Kent State campuses and Susan Kirkhobe, representing the university's architect office, appeared before the commission. Trenkelbach said the university wants the city to vacate a portion of Pleasant Lane between Broadway and Apple Alley near the former site of the University Club. The university now owns that piece of property and has a parking lot on an adjoining property.

The Payoff: Which College Diplomas Earn the Most? (NTV - NE)
Yale University topped the list, which ranked in the 90th percentile of midcareer salaries of alumni from each institution (Employees in this range include CEOs, CFOs, other C-level executives, stock traders, and hedge fund managers). Top earners with Yale degrees typically earned $326,000 a year compared with the best-paid graduates of, say, Kent State University, a respectable public university in Ohio, who earned $124,000, on average.

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Which College Grads Earn the Most? (Red Orbit - TX)

Media Ethics Workshop: Whose Rules (CMS Wire - CA)
Remember the whole AP Blogging debacle? It’s as resolved as it can be. But that’s no reason why we can’t continue to discuss the issue. If you’re not going to Paris in September, you can opt to go to Ohio. The Poynter Institute joins Kent State University for a Media Ethics Workshop on September 18 at the Kent State main campus in Ohio. This year, the theme is “Whose Rules?” which addresses online ethics for bloggers and blogging. The aim is to bring together top media professionals, bloggers, industry experts for “a no-holds-barred discussion of online ethics” and rules for bloggers.

T-Rex prey grew ‘like crazy’ to avoid being dino dinner (Daily Times - Pakistan)
 “We were shocked at how fast they grew,” said Lisa Cooper, a doctoral student at Kent State University in Ohio, citing evidence from thin sections of its leg bones, which have rings like trees showing the age in terms of years. “If you look at a cross section of the bone of a nestling or even from within the egg, there are huge spaces in which blood supply was going through the bone, which means they were growing like crazy,” she added. The Hypacrosaurus also reproduced earlier, reaching sexual maturity at only two or three years of age.

Tess Wolfe: Professor unfolds map of humanity (Hudson Hub Times - OH)
Munroe Falls resident James Tyner, professor of geography at Kent State University, sits in his living room, surrounded by photographs of people and places he has visited. Calm and relaxed, wearing a shirt of richly muted earth tones, the professor shares his interests with me. "I teach the geography of East and Southeast Asia," Tyner, 42, begins. "So, I try to travel as much throughout the entire Asiatic region as I can."

Short lesson in finances for graduates (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)
Establishing credit in your own name is a good thing and helps you build your credit score, which will follow you for life and help you qualify for loans on a car and a house and other things after college, said Ron Stolle, an assistant professor of finance at the Kent State University College of Business Administration.

KSU Trumbull Offers "Sponsored Scholarships" (WFMJ - OH)
Students at Kent State University-Trumbull are getting a leg-up on finding a job after graduation.  A new "sponsored scholarship" program pairs students with potential employers. The sponsoring employer agrees to pay the student's unmet tuition needs in exchange for the student's commitment to work for that company after graduation.

Seniors vulnerable to dangers of the heat (Newton Kansan - KS)
According to a study of more than 900 people older than 65 by Kent State University, many seniors don’t view themselves as older adults, making them more vulnerable to the dangers of heat. While 90 percent of respondents were aware a heat warning had been issued, only about half of the people did anything about it. Many thought the warning messages were targeting the elderly and did not view themselves in that group.

Campaign to Drive Organ and Tissue Donation: Life-Saving and Award-Winning (Yahoo Finance - Internet)
"Donate Life Ohio strives to create and implement programs that are highly effective in increasing life saving organ and tissue donation, so this award is a great honor," said Cathi Arends, community relations manager of Life Connection of Ohio, who will be accepting the award on behalf of the DLO team. "With the Do It Now! College Challenge, we surpassed our donor registration goal, which ultimately will lead to more lives saved." Participating schools included Bowling Green State University, Capital University, Kent State University, Miami University, Ohio University, Sinclair Community College, The Ohio State University, University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, University of Toledo, Xavier University and Youngstown State University. Some supporting materials were used with permission from Ohio Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Foundation.

Kent State establishes academic partnership with Chinese universities (Repository - Canton, OH)
Kent State University has signed memorandums of understanding on education cooperation with seven leading Chinese universities. Robert G. Frank, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, led the Kent State delegation, which visited China from June 8-16. Academic officials from Beijing Normal University, Capital Normal University (Beijing), Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai Normal University, Tsinghua University (Beijing), Xi'an International Studies University, and Xi'an International University entered into the partnership with Kent State.

Campuses set on trail plan (Massillon Independent - OH)
Plans continue to move forward on a connector trail that would wind through the Kent State Stark University and Stark State College properties in Jackson Township. At a regular meeting Thursday, the Stark Parks board received word that both colleges are still on board with the trail development and that plans will be forwarded to the state college board for its approval. Trail plans have been in the works for a couple of years, but progress has been slow.

Community Leagues Offer Entertainment, Exercise for Kent Residents (Beacon Journal - Akron, OH)
Catering to the recreational needs of its community members, the Kent State University Department of Recreational Services plans to add four new community leagues this Fall. “We want the community to view the Student Recreation and Wellness Center as more than an exercise facility,” said Greg Bailey, Assistant Director of the center. “We strive to provide programs for students and community members alike, and we hope everyone takes advantage of the exciting physical and social opportunities that the leagues provide.”

Alumni group names officers (Record Courier - Ravenna, OH)
The Kent State University Alumni Association Inc. has announced the following officers for its National Alumni Board of Directors:

Historic KSU landmark moving Prentice Gate being relocated away from street (Record Courier - Ravenna, OH)
The Prentice Gate, a Kent State University landmark since 1935, is down, but only temporarily. The brick pillared entranceway at the corner of Main and Lincoln streets was taken down Friday. It will be moved back away from the street and new signage and landscaping installed in time for the start of classes later this month. According to KSU, the landmark's gate and walls have taken years of abuse from road salt, and widening of Main Street over the years has encroached on the gate. The university intends to reuse portions of the gate, including the steel arch, bronze seal and dedication plaque. A new rededication plaque also will be installed when work is completed. Prentice Gate has been a campus landmark since 1935. It served as the primary campus entrance for many years and was named the May H. Prentice Memorial Gateway in honor of the first woman faculty member of the school. She had been in continuous service on the faculty since 1912 and in teaching since 1873, retiring in 1930. Miss Prentice died three weeks after the gateway was dedicated, at age 79. The gateway was built with funds contributed by graduating classes from 1928 through 1934.