Announcements

October 2015

Auditions for "The Vagina Monologues" are Nov. 11-13

Auditions for February performances of The Vagina Monologues will be held Nov. 11 (5-7 p.m.), Nov. 12 (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) and Nov. 13 (5-7 p.m.), all at the Sloss House. No acting experience is necessary, and all people who lead their lives as women may audition. Script excerpts are available in advance by emailing womenctr@iastate.edu.

Comedian Demetri Martin tickets on sale now

Stand-up comedian Demetri Martin will headline WinterFest on Friday, Dec. 4 (9 p.m. performance, MU Great Hall, doors open at 8 p.m.). Tickets, $20 for the public ($12 for ISU students with I.D.) are on sale now via MidwesTIX, in person at the MU Maintenance Shop box office, or by phone, 294-8349, weekdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. A $2 MidwesTIX fee will be added to all tickets. Online purchases have an additional 3 percent processing fee, and phone orders an additional $1-per-ticket fee.

Reminder: Fall back Saturday night

Everyone receives an extra hour for their Halloween festivities this year. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. Set your clocks back one hour before turning in for the night on Saturday. Since 2007, daylight saving time ends on the first Sunday in November and starts on the second Sunday in March.

Amara Piano Quartet performs free concert Nov. 1

Iowa State's Amara Piano Quartet will perform works by Mozart, Mahler, Schnittke and Brahms at a Nov. 1 concert in Music's Tye Recital Hall (7:30 p.m.). The performance is free and open to the public. Ensemble members include music faculty Boro Martinic-Jercic (violin), Jonathan Sturm (viola), George Work (cello) and Mei-Hsuan Huang (piano).

Bridge replacement to close Sixth Street for nine months

The city of Ames is replacing the Sixth Street bridge over Squaw Creek at Brookside Park, effectively closing the road for an estimated nine months. The closure, just east of campus, begins Monday, Nov. 2, and includes the area between (but excluding) the Brookridge Avenue intersection and the Brookside Park entrance. The park entrance will be open throughout the project. Vehicle traffic will be detoured to Lincoln Way. Bicycle and pedestrian traffic will be detoured through Brookside Park, making use of the footbridge north of Sixth Street and a new paved path that ties into Sixth Street at both ends of the construction zone.

The contractor will work as long as weather permits this fall and winter to build the substructure of the bridge, with the goal of getting ahead of wet spring weather that might otherwise cause delays. 

Greek Trick-or-Treat for families is Oct. 27

The ISU Greek community is hosting Greek Trick-or-Treat on Tuesday, Oct. 27 (6-8 p.m., MU Sun Room). This free, family-friendly event will feature carnival games, face painting, candy, costumes and more. Kids and parents are encouraged to dress in costumes for a chance to win a prize in the following costume categories: Best overall, scariest, cutest, most creative and best family/group. The costume contest begins at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Greek Affairs at 294-1023 or go online.

National academy member to speak at Vet Med college

Jon Kaas, a Distinguished Centennial Professor at Vanderbilt University and member of the National Academy of Sciences, will speak at the Vet Med campus on Oct. 29 (noon-1 p.m., 1226 Vet Med). Kaas' research contributions are in the connections and functions of the cerebral cortex within the mammalian brain. He also has provided insights into the field of evolutionary biology of mammals. His talk, on brain function in primates, is open to the public. Lunch will be provided.

Bill Maher performs at Stephens Nov. 7

Political commentator and humorist Bill Maher will do a stand-up show on Saturday, Nov. 7 (8 p.m., Stephens Auditorium). The 26-time Emmy nominee currently hosts Real Time on HBO and previously hosted Politically Incorrect (Comedy Central and ABC). Tickets are $22-$87 plus fees and available via Ticketmaster.

Honors and awards ceremony is Oct. 30

The ISU Alumni Association's 84th annual Honors and Awards Ceremony wil be held Friday, Oct. 30 (1:30 p.m., Benton Auditorium, Scheman Building). The association, as well as ISU colleges, will present awards to alumni and friends. A dessert reception will follow. Thanks to a partnership with ISU Extension and Outreach, the ceremony will be streamed live.

Beethoven trio music featured at concert

An Oct. 25 concert in the Ames Town & Gown Chamber Music Association's 2015-16 season features a lineup of Beethoven pieces written for three instruments: piano, cello and violin. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Ames City Hall auditorium. Single-concert tickets this season are $25; through Oct. 25, purchase a season ticket (good for four concerts) for the discounted amount of $85 and receive one complimentary ticket for a guest. All students (K-12 and college students with I.D.) may attend this concert series for free.

Snow blower service runs Oct. 23-24

The Agriculture Systems Technology Club will hold its snow blower service days Friday-Saturday, Oct. 23 (1-6 p.m.) and 24 (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) on the west side of Sukup Hall. The $25 fee includes oil, grease, sparkplug and a half tank of gas; no major repairs are done. Drop off your snow blower during service hours. For an additional $15, club members will pick up and deliver snow blowers in Ames. Call 515-708-8672 or email astservicedays@gmail.com to request this additional service.

P&S award nominations due Dec. 1

Nominations are being accepted for awards recognizing professional and scientific staff who performed above and beyond the call of duty; did something extraordinarily well; or made a difference in the institution. The nominated work must have happened within the last year. Nomination forms for the individual P&S CYtation Awards, P&S Team Award, Woodin CYtation Award and the Outstanding New P&S Council Member CYtation Award are available online and due by Dec. 1.

ISUAA award nominations due Dec. 1

Nominations are due Dec. 1 for three awards from the ISU Alumni Association that will be announced in spring 2016. Questions may be directed to Julie Larson. More information and application/nomination forms are online.

  • Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award, for ISU undergraduates with senior classification who display high character and high achievement in both academics and university/community activities.
  • Faculty/Staff Inspiration Award, for a faculty or staff member who impacted your professional or personal life while you were a student at ISU (can be awarded posthumously).
  • Iowa STATEment Makers, for ISU graduates age 32 years and younger with achievement in one of these categories: scholastic, career, personal, service or entrepreneurial spirit.

Reminder: Flu shot clinic ends Oct. 16

Time is running out to get your flu shot. Occupational medicine staff will administer flu shots at no cost to employees (while supplies last) weekdays through Friday, Oct. 16 (9 a.m.-4 p.m., 205 Technical and Administrative Services Facility). No appointment is necessary. Bring your ISU ID card to the shot clinic and wear a short-sleeve or loose-fitting shirt for better access to your arm. Because parking is limited in front of TASF, consider walking or biking to the clinic. Additional information is online. 

National Bioenergy Day is Oct. 21

Iowa State is participating in the third annual National Bioenergy Day on Oct. 21 (noon-4 p.m., Sukup Atrium, Biorenewables Complex). This free event unites organizations across the country that support bioenergy, and ISU encourages students to attend. You will learn about research, educational, extracurricular and career opportunities related to bioenergy at Iowa State and across Iowa. Participants can earn a free cup of coffee from the ABE's Harvest Café. 

Lecture: Privacy and confidentiality in an era of Big Data

As part of kickoff events for the Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence (CSAFE), Stephen Fienberg, Carnegie Mellon University, will give a public lecture on Monday, Oct. 26 (7:30-9 p.m., MU Great Hall). Fienberg will discuss maximizing the benefits of big data while minimizing the risk to individual privacy. CSAFE is a new four-university consortium headquartered at Iowa State. Other members are Carnegie Mellon; University of California, Irvine; and University of Virginia.

Green fair is Oct. 15

National Campus Sustainability Month will be celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 15 (11 a.m.-2 p.m., Library lawn) with a fair highlighting initiatives and events by campus groups. Get a free bike tuneup and earn green and sustainable prizes. Bring a food donation for the students-for-students food pantry, The SHOP, and your reusable mug for a free fill of a hot beverage.

Grant budget development workshop is Oct. 20

The Grants Hub and the Office of Sponsored Programs Administration (OSPA) are holding a budget development workshop on Oct. 20 (10 a.m., MU Pioneer Room). This hands-on workshop will offer tips and information about proposal budget development. Attendees will see real-world examples of budget components, learn how to use university budget templates to create budgets, and write budget justifications for several types of funding sponsors. Register online, and please bring your laptop to the workshop.

Series: Applying business analytics to university systems

The College of Business and Information Technology will host the second in a series of seminars to explore the potential for integrating business analytics into the university’s business practices. The seminar (Oct. 21, 3:10 p.m., 3164 Gerdin Business Building) will feature a panel of business faculty discussing the college’s new master of business analytics program, what business analytics is all about, and how it may apply to university business systems. Space is limited to 25 attendees. Seminar participants can sign up here.

Student RUSH tickets available for Oct. 8 orchestra concert

Iowa State students with valid I.D. may purchase RUSH tickets to the Oct. 8 performance of the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin (7:30 p.m., Stephens Auditorium). RUSH tickets go on sale at 4 p.m. Thursday, only at the Stephens ticket office.

Presenters sought for women's leadership retreat

Faculty, staff and community members interested in presenting are sought for Iowa State's 6th annual Women’s Leadership Retreat for female students (undergraduate and graduate) on Saturday, Nov. 7 (9 a.m.-5 p.m., Memorial Union). Presenters provide a 40-minute breakout session talk for an estimated audience of 20-30 students. Presentations should focus on women "unlocking potential through encouragement, empowerment and engagement." The presenter application form is online; questions may be emailed to wlr@iastate.edu. Retreat sponsors are the Student Activities Center, Leadership and Service Center, Sloss Women's Center and Catt Center for Women and Politics.

Meet Cyclone wrestler Gadson at Oct. 17 tailgate

Meet former Cyclone wrestler and 2015 NCAA champion Kyven Gadson at the ISU Alumni Association's Cyclone Tailgate on Saturday, Oct. 17 (3-5:30 p.m., ISU Alumni Center). Admission is free. Gadson will meet fans from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Class of 2014 alumni Alex Halsted and Dylan Montz, who co-authored 100 Things Iowa State Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, will have a book signing from 3 to 5 p.m. Get your copy signed or purchase one there. The registration deadline if you're purchasing the catered meal by Valentino's is Oct. 14.

Reminder: Enrollment is open for behavior-based interviewing class

University human resources recently added a new class to its training lineup -- Behavior-based Interviewing. Additional classes are scheduled through the end of the year. Register online at http://learn.iastate.edu/IowaSU/site/ (sign in using your ISU user name and password in the upper right corner). The classes are:

  • Oct. 27 (9 a.m.-noon, MU Room 3534)
  • Nov. 12 (9 a.m.-noon, MU Cardinal Room)
  • Dec. 9 (9 a.m.-noon, MU Cardinal Room)

Emergency response reminders

ISU Police and Environmental Health and Safety provide several resources to prepare faculty, staff and students for violent incidents and other emergency situations. These efforts include:

The ISU Police department encourages everyone to say something if they see something. Remember to call 911 in an emergency, and 294-4428 for nonemergencies. 

Agricultural and Life Sciences job fair is Oct. 20

Record numbers of employers are expected at Agriculture and Life Sciences Fall Career Day on Oct. 20 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at the Lied Recreation Athletic Facility. Students, alumni and the public are invited to the event, which is billed as the largest agricultural job fair of its kind. The career fair kicks off the college’s recruitment season with hundreds of on-campus interviews in the following week.

Chinese acrobats will perform Oct. 16 at Stephens

The Golden Dragon Acrobats, a U.S.-based Chinese acrobatic touring company, will perform on campus Friday, Oct. 16 (7 p.m., Stephens Auditorium, doors open at 6 p.m.). Admission is free and open to the public. The show is sponsored by ISU's Student Union Board.

Part-time employment job fair planned at Iowa State Center

Iowa State Center's management company, VenuWorks, is holding a part-time employment job fair on Monday, Oct. 12 (4-7 p.m., Room 04 Scheman Building). Positions available include wait staff, kitchen preps and utility workers. Interested applicants should attend the job fair, or contact Craig Spillman or Katie Ginapp for an application.

Cherry pies, fudge return for Human Sciences Week

The College of Human Sciences will celebrate its people-oriented programs Oct. 12-16 with speakers, food, dance and philanthropic events. A weeklong drive to collect specific children's books will benefit the Raising Readers in Story County program. There will be cake on Thursday (3 p.m., tent south of MacKay) to celebrate the college's 10-year anniversary, and a food fest on Friday (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., tent south of MacKay) where visitors can purchase AESHM cherry pies ($2), fudge ($1 for 2 pieces or by weight), caramel corn ($3) and popcorn ($1). Speakers during the week will address topics covering wellness, diversity and education. A full schedule of events is online.

Deck out your offices for Homecoming 2015

Faculty and staff are encouraged to show their Cyclone spirit by participating in an office decorating contest during Homecoming week, Oct. 25-31. Offices may choose to participate in one of two categories -- door decorating or entire office. To participate, send an email to the Homecoming Central Committee by Oct. 21, indicating which category you wish to participate in. The Homecoming Central Committee will judge the offices on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 28. Remember to incorporate the 2015 Homecoming theme, "Make a STATEment!"

Merit staff: Learn about 2016 benefit changes

The nonsupervisory merit open change period runs through Nov. 23. There are several opportunities in the coming weeks to learn how your benefits are changing for 2016. Mark your calendars for the following:

  • Live webcast, Oct. 14 (9-10:30 a.m), a recording of the webcast will be available online
  • Open forum, Oct. 21 (8:10-8:50 a.m. or 12:10-1 p.m., 1210 LeBaron Hall)
  • Open forum, Oct. 21 (10-11:15 a.m. or 3-4:15 p.m., 301A/B Spedding Hall)

Oct. 15 hearing precedes regents' Iowa City meeting

If you'd like to comment on any items scheduled for discussion at the state Board of Regents Oct. 21-22 meeting in Iowa City, you have several options:

  • Attend one of six public hearings held at the regents institutions and board office Oct. 15-16. Iowa State's hearing is Thursday, Oct. 15 (6-7 p.m.), Oak Room, Memorial Union. All public hearings will be video recorded and posted to the regents' hearings website. Transparency officer Shirley Knipfel will preside at the meeting.

  • Provide written comments to regents transparency officer Josh Lehman, jlehman@iastate.edu.

Meeting materials and an agenda for the October meeting will be posted to the regents homepage by Oct. 13.

Youth program leader training is Oct. 14

The offices of risk management and conference planning and management, and ISU Extension and Outreach are hosting training for youth program leaders, administrators and student organization officers on Oct. 14 (10 a.m.-noon, 1155 Administrative Services Building). The training will cover the policies, procedures and forms necessary to conduct youth programs at Iowa State. Preregistration is required. To register, email orm@iastate.edu by Oct. 13. 

Call for entries in student juried exhibit

The Student Activities Center has issued a call for entries for Studies in Creativity 2015, the annual fall juried student art exhibit. The exhibit is open to ISU students, and up to three entries in any media can be submitted. The artwork dropoff date for jurying is Monday, Oct. 19 (10 a.m.-1 p.m., MU Gallery). Up to 40 chosen pieces will be on display Oct. 22-Dec. 8. Rules and entry information are online. 

EH&S launches updated Biological Materials Inventory System

Environmental Health and Safety is releasing its revamped Biological Materials Inventory System this month, in conjunction with National Biosafety Stewardship Month. The automatic email reminder portion of the system, which is intended to prompt principal investigators and lab supervisors to update their inventories, will be available beginning Oct. 14. If any emails are sent in error as the system gets up and running, please contact EH&S to resolve the issue.

Sculpture Garden Party planned for today is canceled

University Museums' Sculpture Garden Party originally planned for today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Anderson Sculpture Garden, south of Morrill Hall, has been canceled. 

"The one" student T-shirts go on sale Oct. 1

In response to "who's the one?" inquiries about Iowa State's fall enrollment  -- 36,001 students -- a red "I am the one" T-shirt will be sold in University Book Store, Memorial Union, beginning Thursday, Oct. 1. The cost is $7 and the purchase requires an ISU student ID. From each sale, $3.10 will benefit President Steven Leath's Moving Students Forward scholarship fund.