Announcements
December 2012
Weather-related updates
Check the "weather updates" page for information on closings, postponements and delays due to the winter storm.
University holidays: Dec. 24 and 25, Jan. 1
University offices will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1, 2013, to observe the Christmas and New Year's holidays. Information on extended partial shutdown.
New leadership in Kuali training
Magann Orth, a systems support specialist in information technology services, will become the new learning and development specialist for Iowa State's Kuali Project. Orth succeeds Linda Morgan.
Applications for senior scholarship due Jan. 18
The David J. Henry All-University Leadership and Academic Excellence Award is available to an ISU student who will be a senior during the 2013-2014 academic year. The recipient must demonstrate potential for an outstanding professional career and typify the leadership and academic qualities of alumnus David Henry, who graduated in 1971 and was an assistant to former president W. Robert Parks. The award amount is $2,000; financial need is not a criterion. Applications are due Jan. 18, 2013. More information, including the application form, is online or in 0640 Beardshear.
DNA facility to expand next-gen sequencing capabilities
Iowa State’s DNA facility soon will install new instrumentation that will reduce the cost of some next-generation sequencing applications and the turnaround time for order processing. A new Illumina MiSeq system, funded by the office of biotechnology, will allow small genomes to be processed faster and more economically. An Illumina HiSeq2500 sequencer upgrade, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Disease Center, will allow one-day processing of smaller orders containing only one or two samples.
Flu shot mini-clinics planned for Dec. 20-21
Occupational medicine staff will hold two flu shot mini-clinics Dec. 20 (1-3 p.m.) and Dec. 21 (9-11 a.m.) in G11 TASF for ISU employees who have yet to receive a flu vaccination. Employees may stop by anytime during the clinics; no appointment is necessary. After Dec. 21, call 4-2056 to make an appointment. Supplies are limited.
"Inside" takes a break
Inside Update and Inside Iowa State will publish on Dec. 20, and then will take a two-week break; the first edition of 2013 will be published Jan. 10. If you need to communicate information to faculty and staff before winter break, contact the "Inside" staff by 10 a.m. Dec. 19.
P&S Council open forum is Jan. 3
Karen Petersen, a certified financial planner, will present "More Than Money" at the next Professional and Scientific Council open forum Jan. 3 (noon-1 p.m., MU Campanile Room). All are invited to attend. Feel free to bring your own lunch.
Spring tutoring in reading available for 1-12 graders
Iowa State's Fred Duffelmeyer Reading Improvement Clinic offers one-on-one tutoring in reading, writing and spelling for children in grades 1-12. Sessions are conducted by graduate students in reading under the guidance of literacy education faculty. Spring session dates are Feb.5-April 18 (5:15-6:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday, Lagomarcino Hall). The enrollment fee is $100 per child; scholarships are available. To request an application, contact Marissa Vermeer, 4-3954.
Online employee wellness support group begins in January
Are you serious about taking some steps forward on your wellness journey in 2013? Do you feel like you need a bit of structure and support to do so? Consider joining “Living Well ... It’s Up to You,” an online group coaching program led by Sally Barclay, registered dietitian in ISU's Nutrition Clinic for Employee Wellness. Sessions meet online Wednesdays (12:10-12:55 p.m.) for 10 weeks beginning Jan. 9. Cost is $30 but $25 is returned to those that successfully complete the program. Email Barclay for additional information or to register.
Ash tree removal resumes next week
Beginning Monday, Dec. 17, crews will remove Ash trees along University Boulevard, Osborn Drive, WOI Road, Center Drive (Iowa State Center) and Stange Road and adjacent to parking lots north of Pammel Drive and the General Services Building. This work represents the third year in facilities planning and management's multi-phased project to remove Ash trees prior to the arrival in central Iowa of the Emerald Ash Borer. Crews also will be removing Ash trees and dead or dying trees in campus residential communities. Replacement trees will be planted in the spring.
Reminder: Mixed paper, phonebook collection is next week
Iowa State's annual phonebook recycling effort will be combined with the second mixed paper recycling of 2012. Campus services teams will collect both Dec. 19-21 at buildings that submit an online request by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12. Paper and phonebooks should be gathered in cardboard boxes – to a size and weight one person could lift – and stacked at building loading areas late in the day on Dec. 18. Questions about the collection may be directed to ISU recycling coordinator Sue Mallas, 4-0692.
Former faculty member Patrick Gouran has died
Patrick Gouran, professor emeritus of theater, died Dec. 2. He was 72. No funeral service is planned, but a celebration of his life will be scheduled at a later date. Memorials may be sent to the Animal Rescue League. Obituary.
Enjoy a carillon holiday concert over lunch Dec. 7
Tune in online (or step outside) to enjoy a holiday carillon webcast tomorrow (Dec. 7) at 11:50 a.m. Carillon students will perform a holiday concert, including a special rendition of "12 Days of Christmas" performed by three players.
Pronunciation class offered for nonnative speakers of English
The English department will offer an 8-week class (Jan. 22-March 15) for nonnative speakers of English who would like to improve their English pronunciation. This is a free, non-credit class open to faculty, staff and students, particularly those with significant difficulties in pronouncing English. It is offered as part of a research study on pronunciation improvement in adult learners. Trained pronunciation teachers will use published pronunciation materials. The class will meet for 75 minutes twice a week. For more information, contact associate professor of English John Levis.
Nominations sought for MU awards
The staff of the Memorial Union is seeking nominations for three annual awards:
- M.J. Riggs Award -- recognizes individuals or organizations whose contributions have impacted a specific area, department, unit or goal of the MU
- Four Seasons Award -- recognizes students, faculty, staff or community members who have gone out of their way to help the MU achieve its goals
- Harold Pride Service Medallion Award -- recognizes a person who has given extensively of him or herself on behalf of the MU
Nomintations for these awards are being accepted through Jan. 31, 2013. Nominations forms are available online.
Webinar teaches you and your family about EAP services
ISU employees and their familes are invited to participate in one of two orientation webinars about the university's Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Learn what services are available, and how to use them. The webinars are planned for Dec. 19 from 8:30 to 9 a.m. or from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Register online for either the morning session or the afternoon session. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to access the webinar.
Microsoft techs calling -- NOT
The caller says he's from the "Windows Technical Department" and has discovered your computer is corrupted by a trojan virus. He can help "rectify the problem" if you'll provide access to your computer or, perhaps, your credit card. Best to hang up there, says information technology security expert Wayne Hauber. It's just another scammer who's found your name and office phone. This particular scam has been tried on campus several times over the past few months and showed up again this week. If you receive such a call, send a brief email to ITS Security and Polices (abuse@iastate.edu). That gives ITS Security an idea of the extent of the scam on campus.
Attention merit employees: Job line is going away
Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, the merit job phone line (4-0146) will be eliminated. Employees interested in learning about the latest job postings should instead visit the ISU employment website. You may sign up for an RSS feed to receive automatic updates of new positions posted. Contact human resources services at 4-4800 with questions.
New master's program coming soon to Vet Med
Beginning fall semester 2013, the department of biomedical sciences, College of Vet Med, will offer a one-year, non-thesis master's program geared toward pre-professional and industry-bound students. This program will make students more competitive for advanced-level positions, professional medical training and Ph.D. funding. Preferred applicants will have a strong background in biological sciences and a desire to work in a health profession. Information regarding the program can be found online.
Arts and events
This academic year marks the 10th anniversary of therapy dogs visiting Parks Library to help students de-stress during prep week.
