Verification search now required before issuing
University contracts

Ohio has recently adopted new regulations for state agencies awarding contracts, Jan Ruffner, director of purchasing, has announced. It is important that all University areas be aware of a new requirement related to the change and follow it carefully, Ruffner says.

Effective Jan. 1, 2004, Ohio Law (ORC Section 9.24) prohibits any state agency or political subdivision from awarding a contract for goods, services or construction to any person against whom a finding for recovery has been issued from the auditor of state, if that finding is unresolved.

The auditor of state has established a database pursuant to ORC 9.24 in order to list all persons who have unresolved findings for recovery, dating back to Jan. 1, 2001. Before entering into a public contract described above, a state agency or political subdivision is required to verify that the person does not appear in this database.

Please note that if you need certification that the person to whom you plan to award a contract is not prohibited by ORC 9.24 from receiving the contract, a certified search must be performed.

This database also contains, for informational purposes only, all persons against whom findings for recovery have been issued since Jan. 1, 2001, even if those findings have been resolved. Please note that only those persons who have unresolved findings for recovery are prohibited from receiving public contracts.

The Purchasing Department will be conducting a certified search on all purchases made through its office. In addition, a certified search will be performed before leases, agreements and contracts are to be executed.

For more information, please call Ruffner at 2-8419.

‘Partnerships on the Move’ events kick off new
campus-community projects

This week Partnerships for Community Action (PCA) and the Center for Innovative and Transformative Education (CITE) will host two days of activities that focus on creating environments of inclusion. Among the events will be a symposium, workshop and performances by the modern dance troupe Dancing Wheels.

Winners of the 2004 PCA and CITE grants will formally be announced Wednesday (Feb 11) during a reception from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lenhart Grand Ballroom of the Bowen-Thompson Student Union. Dancing Wheels, which integrates stand-up and wheelchair dancers, will perform at the reception, which will also feature informational displays about the 2003 projects.

“We felt that Dancing Wheels could model very well the issues we wanted to address,” said Jane Rosser, assistant director of PCA.

PCA and CITE annually award support grants to projects that connect members of the University and local community. By focusing on this year’s theme of “creating environments of inclusion,” PCA and CITE hope to unite disability service agencies as they face this common issue.

Prior to the mid-day event, a symposium titled “Partnerships on the Move: Creating Environments of Inclusion” will take place from 8:30-11:30 a.m. in 201 Bowen-Thompson Student Union. Classroom groups are welcome.

During the symposium, Dancing Wheels founder Mary Verdi-Fletcher will speak on “Art as a Form of Activism.” Verdi-Fletcher rarely speaks in public, but “as a sit-down dancer herself, she continuously works to develop awareness about greater accessibility,” said Rosser. Another featured topic will be the unique partnership between the Ability Center of Greater Toledo and the University of Toledo, which has resulted in the creation of the nation’s first disability-studies academic degree program.

Dancing Wheels will also host a movement workshop and present a public performance Thursday (Feb 12) on campus. The workshop will take place from 3-4:30 p.m. in 221 Eppler North. To register, call 2-9624. The free public performance will be given at 7 p.m. in 221 Eppler North.

For more information about the symposium and workshop, call 2-9624.

Public skate to benefit Dance Marathon

The BGSU Ice Arena will hold a special promotional public skating session from 8-10 p.m. on Feb. 25. Half of the proceeds from this public skate will be given to Dance Marathon, an organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for children in our area in need of medical attention.

Special discounted rates will be in effect for this event only. Admission is $2 and skate rental is $1.