Ohio State Professor Herb Asher said his new appointment to the Ohio Ethics Commission will not interfere with his duties at OSU. Asher, professor emeritus of political science and adviser to the university president, was appointed last week by Gov. George Voinovich to serve on the commission.”He has tremendous credentials and is an outstanding citizen,” said Andy Futey, the governor’s executive assistant for boards and commissions. “He is someone who brings the highest moral and ethical character to the position.”Asher, a Democrat, said he is “looking forward to serving” on the bipartisan commission but does not know how much time he will be required to devote to it.”Generally, we meet every four to six weeks,” Asher said. “But I’m not sure how much time in between will be required.”David Freel, the executive director of the commission, said the minimum time requirement every month is a few hours and the maximum time spent on commission issues could reach 20 to 30 hours.”It depends on the specific issues before the commission,” Freel said.Meetings usually last four to five hours, he said.The commission, created in 1974, reviews cases of suspected inappropriate behavior by public employees and officials. These include cases of conflicts of interest and soliciting or accepting improper gifts.Ethics laws for legislators, judges and their employees are not under the jurisdiction of the commission.Administering and issuing opinions on ethics law and receiving and investigating complaints of ethics violations are also among the commission’s jobs.Asher, who attributes his background in politics and government to his appointment, is replacing Jack DeSario, a Democrat from Canton, and will serve until December 2003.Besides serving as faculty adviser to USG and the Young Democrats, Asher is also a member of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee and the Executive Committee and Hillel’s Board of Trustees.Members of the Ohio Ethics Commission are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. There is still one vacancy, Freel said. Members are paid $75 per meeting plus expenses, not exceeding $1,200 per year.