Announcements
July 2016
New strategic plan era begins
The new strategic plan, which went into effect this month, is more measurable and more of a living document than its predecessors, says the leader of the plan's steering committee.
Fountain plaza work is wrapping up
The area surrounding the Fountain of the Four Seasons will have a new look in early August, complementing the statement wall constructed across the street last year.
Marston tenants: Where you'll find them
College of Engineering employees displaced by a two-year renovation of Marston Hall have returned during the last two weeks. Here's where you can find these college units:
- Student services, Suite 1300
- Career services, Suite 3200
- Dean's staff, Suite 4100
- College relations, Suite 4200
- Development staff, Suite 4300
Top Hat representative on campus next week
A representative from Top Hat, ISU’s new interactive teaching and learning platform, will visit campus the week of Aug. 1. Erin Neal will be available for two walk-in sessions for instructors who want an overview of Top Hat’s features:
- Wednesday, Aug. 3 (2-3 p.m., 116 Durham)
- Thursday, Aug. 4 (12:30-1:30 p.m., 116 Durham)
Neal also will host individual sessions for instructors who want more in-depth training; sign up for a time here. Online support is always available at www.it.iastate.edu/services/tophat.
Access Reiman Gardens via Beach Avenue
Construction work on the green space south of Jack Trice Stadium has closed Reiman Gardens access at the intersection of University Boulevard and South 16th Street. The closure of Mortenson Road at University Boulevard further complicates the logistics. Instead, visitors are reminded to use the gardens driveway on Beach Avenue (near Greenbriar Circle). Barring delays, the University Boulevard entrance should reopen on Aug. 15. Updates are available on the Reiman Gardens website.
Bessey north entrance closed through Aug. 8
The north lobby entrance to Bessey Hall will be closed from July 25 to Aug. 8 for utility installations on the Bessey Hall addition. Access to Bessey Hall will remain available through the northwest, west and south entrances.
Moving day
The first of Marston Hall's tenants are moving in this week, with complete occupation expected by the end of July. The 113-year-old building underwent a two-year, $27.1 million renovation
Iowa State tops external funding record in FY16
Iowa State attracted $425.8 million in external funding for the fiscal year that ended June 30, including $252.5 million to support research projects. Those projects include work in data-driven science, resilience of plants and animals in response to climate change, next-generation education programs and advanced manufacturing.
Regents approve tuition increases
The Board of Regents recently approved tuition increases, including a $250 hike for resident undergraduates who previously were looking at a tuition freeze.
Memorial service for Brian Mennecke is July 23
A memorial service for Brian Mennecke, professor of information services in the College of Business, will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, at Christ Community Church, 5501 George Washington Carver Ave., Ames. Mennecke died in a boating accident in Michigan on July 9. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Gilbert Education Foundation (www.gilbertiowafoundation.org), or the Navigators at ISU (www.navigators.org, choose "Donate", then "Choose Project", type "23712243").
Rent art at Aug. 2-3 open house
The Memorial Union will host its annual art lending open house Aug. 2-3 (10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday) in the browsing library on the first floor. The collection includes nearly 175 framed posters, prints and paintings, including new pieces for 2016. Art may be rented for a half or full year and be used in an office or home. Patrons may take selections from the art-for-rent collection with them that day. Rentals typically range from $10 to $25 per year. Proceeds from rentals support MU art programs.
Volunteers needed for state fair exhibit
University Marketing has six volunteer shifts remaining at its Iowa State Fair exhibit, Aug. 11-21. Volunteers receive a T-shirt, full day fair admission and fair parking. Call or email Maggie Feldmann in university marketing, 294-3969, to learn more about available shifts.
White squirrels settling in
Several white squirrels now seem to be working the central campus area for nuts and photo ops. The genetic mutation that causes leucism (loss of pigment in animals) likely has become part of university's squirrel population.
First community rummage sale is July 29-Aug. 2
Iowa State and the city of Ames are co-hosting "Rummage RAMPage" during the lease changeover window at the end of July. It will be held at the Ames Intermodal Facility in campustown.
Regents to vote on tuition increase
The state Board of Regents will vote on a tuition increase, budgets and the ISU strategic plan on Monday.
Gifts to ISU Foundation will honor George Jackson
George Jackson, former vice president for minority student affairs and assistant dean of the Graduate College who retired from Iowa State in 2009, died July 3 in Coral Springs, Florida. He was 75. A memorial service for Jackson was held July 12. His family has established a memorial fund at the ISU Foundation to honor him.
From hotel room to student residence
Residence staff are moving the department's standard student furniture into the former Hotel Memorial Union this week. Movein for 70+ students who will live on the MU's top floors this year begins Aug. 13.
Top Hat representative on campus next week
A representative from Top Hat, ISU’s new interactive teaching and learning platform, will visit campus the week of July 18. Erin Neal will be available for two walk-in sessions for instructors who want an overview of Top Hat’s features:
- Tuesday, July 19 (1-2 p.m., 281 Parks Library)
- Wednesday, July 20 (3-4 p.m., 2030 Morrill Hall)
Neal also will host individual sessions for instructors who want more in-depth training; sign up for a time here. Online support is always available at www.it.iastate.edu/services/tophat.
Vet Med to launch webinars for pet owners in August
College of Veterinary Medicine faculty will share helpful information for pet owners in a free webinar series (two per academic semester, one in the summer) that launches next month. Dr. Chad Johannes, assistant professor in veterinary clinical sciences and board-certified oncologist, will host the first, "Recognizing Cancer Symptoms in Dogs and Cats," on Tuesday, Aug. 9 (6-6:45 p.m.). Registration is free but required to receive webinar access directions.
ISU must respond to federal health insurance notices
Several ISU departments have received a notice from the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) titled "Health Insurance Marketplace." University human resources and finance division leaders anticipate that the university will receive a notice for each individual who claimed an association with ISU (including students and unpaid individuals), then received a subsidy for at least one month in 2016 to help offset the cost of health insurance sought through the health insurance marketplace. If your department receives such a notice, you should date stamp it and forward it immediately to:
Division of Finance
Office of Fringe Benefit Accounting and Compliance
1350 Beardshear
The timing is important because ISU has 90 days to research each notice and respond to HHS. Failure to respond could result in IRS penalties or insurance payments to the health insurance marketplace. Questions may be directed to Tim Ashley, 294-9131, or taxoffice@iastate.edu.
Reserve fall course materials at library now
Instructors who wish to place required materials on reserve at Parks Library for fall semester should submit requests now. Forms are available on the library's course reserve information page.
Pammel Drive closed temporarily on July 9
Pammel Drive (between Stange and Bissell roads), which is being resurfaced and repainted as a two-lane road this month, will close for several hours on Saturday, July 9, so crews can lay the surface of the north two lanes. On Sunday, traffic will be switched to the north lanes and work on the south lanes will begin on Monday. Lots 36 and 37, which bookend the two Science Halls, will be closed July 12-17 for concrete patching and storm drainage work. All other lots will remain accessible, except for a few short delays on July 11 during surface removal work.
Nico & Vinz concert tickets on sale now
Tickets are on sale for a concert by pop/R&B duo Nico & Vinz during Welcome Week. The Aug. 25 performance begins at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall; doors open at 7 p.m. General admission tickets, $18 plus fees ($10 for ISU students with ID), are available through Midwestix.
Students: Store stuff at Hansen center during housing transition
The Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center on Mortensen Drive will offer space for ISU students to store belongings during the transition from summer to fall housing, July 22-Aug. 5. Applications are due July 11 and processed on a first come-first served basis. There are four storage options, two of which involve truck and trailer parking. Prices range from $100 to $150.
Fresh produce from hort farm is available for sale
Kohlrabi, romaine lettuce and several varieties of beets are among the fresh offerings this week through the Horticulture Farm's weekly produce sale. Place your orders online (login process to see weekly items currently is slow) by noon Thursday for pickup near the east doors to Curtiss Hall on Friday (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.).
Arts and events
The student affairs division is hosting a new event April 28-30 to promote healthy study habits and personal wellness during prep week.
The bakery in ISU Dining is hosting pop-up events this week that feature specialty items normally not sold in campus bakery cases.
