… that assistance with name pronunciation is now available in Workday?

A new feature in Workday that makes it easier than ever to help colleagues pronounce your name correctly—and for you to do the same for them! All employees, including student employees, can now add name pronunciation information in Workday. This includes audio recordings of your name and phonetic spelling to guide pronunciation.

The name pronunciation you add will be available only within Workday. It will not sync with other university systems like Carmen that may have their own pronunciation tools.

When you’re ready to add your name pronunciation, just check out the step-by-step guide in the Add or Change Your Name Pronunciation (opens in new window) job aid on the Administrative Resource Center.

In June 1980, the Office of Student Financial Aid became the first administrative department to make consistent use of online computer programs to speed up processes and allow them to help students more effectively?

Five years later, the Union opened a computer lab for student use and found that most students were primarily interested in using the new word processors to speed up the process of writing their papers.

In 1986 came the implementation of SONNET (System of Neighboring Networks), a campus-wide system that linked all OSU computers to the same network. This network facilitated e-mail communication between departments and colleges and served to integrate different types of computers into one cohesive system. The major hubs for SONNET were located in the telecommunications Network Center, Baker Systems Engineering, Kottman Hall, the Fawcett Center, Bevis Hall, and the Kinnear Road Center. This system revolutionized communication across campus with its state-of-the-art copper wiring and fiber optics network, and it helped everyone on campus begin to rely on computers as a new mode of communication.

Learn more about the history of computer usage on campus: Let’s get wired up: computers come to campus | From Woody’s Couch

… that OHR has published the Total Rewards survey results and updated the Tuition Assistance policy?

Results from the January 2025 Total Rewards Survey are now available. This feedback provides insight into the preferences and value faculty and staff place on various benefits and is part of the holistic process to plan future investments in benefits and compensation. Additionally, the university is not proceeding at this time with a change to employee tuition assistance that was originally planned for the 2025 fall semester. The change would have required repayment for employees who leave within one year of using the benefit. This link to the Office of Human Resources can provide you with more information: Total Rewards Survey Results and Tuition Assistance Update – Human Resources at Ohio State.

… the university has a website where you can find out the latest information on legislative and executive actions that impact university operations?

Ohio State continues to monitor and review legislation and executive actions brought forth at all levels of government. As a public institution, the university will comply with all local, state and federal laws and regulations. At the same time, Ohio State is committed to maintaining an environment in which students, faculty and staff have the resources needed to fully participate and succeed in teaching, learning, research and patient care.

The implementation of enacted legislation, executive orders and other changes often depends on interpretation by federal agencies and courts, so the university will rarely have clear answers right away on how a specific government action or policy will affect Ohio State.

To keep up to date with the many changes that are impacting Ohio State, visit Information on Legislative and Executive Actions | The Ohio State University.

… that the BistrOH, the Wexner Medical Center’s cafeteria, offers Buckeye Break pricing every day from 10 – 11 a.m. and 2 – 4 p.m.? During these times, you can get 30% off fountain sodas, coffee, and bottled Dasani water. Take a break from your work and grab a 24 oz. fountain beverage for just $1.12 or a 12 oz. cup of coffee for only 84 cents!

You also can view the full BistrOH menu and more any time by visiting our MyOffice page. Links to the weekly BistrOH menu and the weekly WexMed food truck schedule can be found in the right-hand column of the MyOffice page.

A tasty meal can brighten anyone’s day, and the BistrOH has some special offerings that can kick your lunch up a notch! On Mondays and Fridays, you can build your own Mexican bowl at the Qdoba booth, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, you can create your own pho Asian noodle bowl at the Lemongrass stand. Keep these options in mind if you need a culinary morale booster.

That you can take Microsoft Teams training in Buckeye Learn? If you’d like to learn more about the core features of Microsoft Teams and find out how you can bring together colleagues, create conversations and content, and collaborate more effectively and efficiently, then the online class Microsoft Teams Essential Training may be of interest to you.

This self-paced course takes you through the essentials of using Teams, starting with basic setup, creating new teams, and joining existing teams. It covers organizing teams and members, shows you how to conduct conversations, and addresses the best ways to use the latest AI and security tools built into Copilot and Teams Premium. It also guides you through customizing user settings and accessibility features, and explains how to use Teams on mobile devices.

Just login to BuckeyeLearn at Welcome – Realize Your Potential: BuckeyeLearn and search for Microsoft Teams Essential Training. This is one of the many offerings provided by LinkedIn Learning.

… there is a better way to direct people to links to check out in your digital communications?

A simple way to make your email and web communications more digitally accessible is to stop using CLICK HERE when providing website links. Using descriptive text rather than CLICK HERE or READ MORE explains the context of links to screen reader users.

For example, if you are pointing potential donors via a hyperlink to a page called Give Now:
Try not to say, “Click here to support student scholarships and give now.”
Instead, say, “To support scholarships, go to Give Now.”

Why is this important? Visually impaired users use their screen readers to scan for links, similar to how sighted readers skim text visually and identify links. This means that screen reader users often do not read the link within the context of the rest of the page. Descriptive text properly explains the context of links and improves the communication experience.

… that the entrance to the Wexner Medical Center Emergency Department will move in January?
The entrance to the Emergency Department (ED) is being relocated to the north side of The James Cancer Hospital on January 28, 2025, to accommodate the ongoing construction of the new inpatient tower. Patient and visitors will access the entrance from 12th Ave. via the road between the Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute and Harding Hospital. This change is in place through Fall of 2025.

The 12th Ave. Garage will be used for ED patient and visitor parking. The plan includes a covered pedestrian walkway from the 12th Ave. Garage to the temporary ED entrance. Here’s a link to more details, including a map of the area: Temporary relocation of Emergency Department entrance to begin Jan. 28, 2025 – OSU.

… that all employees can receive electronic delivery of their annual W2 wage statement?

Ohio State is required to furnish all employees with a Form W-2 showing their compensation and tax withholding amounts for the calendar year by January 31 of the following year. Employees use the W-2 to complete yearly tax returns by April 15. Please go paperless and opt out of receiving a paper Form W-2. Take advantage of the secure, fast, and convenient electronic form that you can download and save to your personal records. To opt out of receiving a paper Form W-2, navigate to the Benefits and Pay Hub app in Workday. Detailed instructions can be found by clicking on this link to the Office of Business and Finance Form W-2 / Year End | Office of Business and Finance.

… the construction project on Fry 3 will be coming to a close in December? An expanded wet-lab area including a walk-in cooler, updated bathroom facilities, and office space will soon be available. The total project cost $2.6 million and also converted old classrooms and labs into new office space, a smaller classroom, and a kitchen in the Fry basement as well.