Campus operations will be limited between Christmas and New Year's this year, as they are every winter. During the 11-day optional and partial shutdown Dec. 24-Jan. 3, units can choose to reduce services or close to save on energy costs and allow faculty and staff to take time off to recharge during the holiday season.
But this year, for the first time, some faculty will be teaching during the partial closure. Iowa State is offering undergraduates the opportunity to take one of 51 online courses during a 25-day winter session Dec. 14-Jan. 21. Class is in session every weekday during that period, other than on university holidays (Dec. 24-25, Jan. 1 and Jan. 18).
In planning for the partial shutdown period, department and unit leaders need to ensure adequate staffing to support the nearly 2,300 students taking an online course during that time, senior vice president for operations and finance Pam Cain and vice president for university human resources Kristi Darr said in an Oct. 16 memo to university administrative officers.
Many campuswide student-focused services and facilities, both in-person and online, also will be available for some portion of the partial shutdown period. Here are some examples:
- Parks Library will be open Dec. 28-31 (7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Jan. 3 (12:30-5 p.m.).
- The Memorial Union will be open Dec. 28-31 (7 a.m.-7 p.m.), closing one hour earlier on Dec. 31.
- ISU Dining will offer limited food service. Clyde's will be open Dec. 28-30, Friley Windows on Dec. 24 and Dec. 27-31, and Union Drive Marketplace on Jan. 3.
- Though its physical office in the Hixson-Lied Student Success Center will be closed Dec. 28-31, some Academic Success Center staff will be working remotely. The center is open 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. during winter break.
- Thielen Student Health Center and student counseling services will be open for usual winter break hours, closing at 4 p.m.
- Recreation services will open Beyer Hall and State Gym Dec. 28-31 (noon-7 p.m.).
- ISU Book Store will be open Dec. 28-31 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.).
