Announcements
October 2018
Community dinner to honor military students is Nov. 14
The Veterans Center, with a mission of serving military students, invites members of the community to a free dinner in honor of military veterans on Wednesday, Nov. 14 (5-7:30 p.m., MU Great Hall). The intent is to bring together students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members in honor of the service and sacrifice of veterans and their family members. The community supper is open to the public; online RSVPs are requested.
Training for youth program leaders is Nov. 8
The offices of Risk Management, Extension and Outreach, and Conference Planning and Management will offer training on Nov. 8 (3-5 p.m., 1155 Administrative Services Building) that provides youth program leaders, administrators and student organization officers information regarding youth-related policies, procedures and forms for successfully conducting youth programs at ISU. The training is for anyone responsible for planning and supervising youth programs or providing administrative support for one. Preregistration is required; send an email to orm@iastate.edu by Nov. 6.
Volunteers sought for LEGO League kit building
The College of Engineering's Iowa State Engineering Kids program seeks volunteers to help assemble FIRST LEGO League kits on Saturday, Nov. 3 (10 a.m.-3 p.m., Howe Hall atrium). Volunteers are welcome to stay as long as they want; snacks will be provided. No previous experience with the LEGO league is required. Bring a laptop or tablet if you have one; if not, one will be provided. Volunteers of all ages who know how to build with LEGO are welcome.
Pavement replacement on West Lincoln Way begins Oct. 22
Commuters to campus from areas west of Ames should be alert to a city of Ames pavement replacement project on West Lincoln Way beginning Monday, Oct. 22, and lasting about five days. The impacted area begins near the intersection with Y Avenue and extends east about 1,000 feet. One lane of the road will remain open, with flaggers and a pilot car directing traffic. North-south traffic on Y Avenue will be detoured, but the intersection will be open during non-working hours.
Student Government to host Oct. 30 town hall
Tuition and fees. Academic programs. Scholarship funding. Housing and dining. These are some of the topics planned for a student town hall meeting with ISU administrators. The Student Government is hosting the Oct. 30 event (6:30-8 p.m., MU Campanile Room), preceded by a 30-minute meet-and-greet reception. Student Government vice president Juan Bibiloni-Rivera and dean of students Vernon Hurte will moderate the discussion. Panelists include interim chief financial officer and vice president for university services Pam Cain; student affairs assistant vice president and director of residence Pete Englin; student financial aid director Roberta Johnson; College of Liberal Arts and Sciences dean Beate Schmittmann; and associate provost for academic programs Ann Marie VanDerZanden. Questions can be submitted online in advance. The town hall also will be livestreamed.
Manatt-Phelps lecture is Oct. 25
U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse, Nebraska, will discuss human dignity, humility, empathy and respect in a lecture titled "If Not Us, Who: Human Dignity in the 21st Century" Thursday, Oct. 25 (8:15 p.m., MU Great Hall). The annual Manatt-Phelps Lecture in Political Science is free and open to the public.
It's an ice cream Wednesday
The Dairy Science Club is selling ice cream today (11 a.m.-1 p.m., near the north doors of Lush Auditorium in Kildee Hall). Flavors this week are vanilla, chocolate Twix, Oreo and Heath caramel. The price is $2 for an 8-oz. cup.
Snowblower service days are Nov. 2-3
The Agricultural Systems Technology Club will hold its annual snowblower service days on Friday, Nov. 2 (1-6 p.m.) and Saturday, Nov. 3 (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) on the west side of Sukup Hall. Drop off snowblowers anytime during these hours. The $25 cost includes oil, grease, spark plug and a half tank of gas. Pickup and delivery is available for $15 (Ames only); call 515-708-8672 or email astservicedays@gmail.com by 2 p.m. Nov. 1 to request this additional service. Accepted forms of payment are cash or a check.
Recognize a P&S colleague with a CYtation award
Nominations for Professional and Scientific Council CYtation Awards are being accepted through Dec. 1. Four different awards recognize an employee or employees for a job well done: CYtation Award, Woodin CYtation Award, Team CYtation Award, and Outstanding New Professional and Scientific Council Member CYtation Award. A detailed explanation of each, including who is eligible and nomination instructions, is available on the P&S Council website and in an Oct. 15 email sent to P&S employees.
Winter is coming; things to do now to prepare
Sunday's snowfall was a reminder that winter will arrive eventually. Staff in environmental health and safety remind Iowa State employees and students alike to plan ahead for a safe winter. For example, winterize your car by topping off antifreeze and oil levels, checking the strength of your battery and installing winter or all-season tires. Purchase a good ice scraper and pack an emergency kit in your car that includes blankets, flashlight, water, shovel, first aid supplies and sand or kitty litter. More recommendations for driving safe this winter are in this state of Iowa brochure.
Inclusiveness is focus of Oct. 31 symposium
The office of the vice president for diversity and inclusion is partnering with the City of Ames' human relations commission and Ames Chamber of Commerce to present the Symposium on Building Inclusive Organizations on Oct. 31 (7:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Gateway Hotel and Conference Center, 2100 Green Hills Dr., Ames). The event is for leaders with hiring and decision-making responsitilities in the workplace and individuals who impact organizational culture and environment. Attendees will learn practical strategies for building more inclusive workplaces in Ames and Story County. Registration ($100, or $80 for nonprofit representatives) includes breakfast and lunch. Contact the Ames Chamber with questions, 232-2310.
2019 ISCORE dates announced
The 2019 Thomas L. Hill Iowa State University Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) will be held Friday, March 1 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) in the Memorial Union. It is free and open to all ISU students, staff and faculty. A pre-conference event, for faculty and staff only, will be held Wednesday, Feb. 27 (11:45 a.m.-5 p.m.), also in the Memorial Union. Registration for both will open in January. Faculty and staff interested in presenting at either conference should submit a presentation proposal by Nov. 16.
Series helps graduate students hone research writing skills
The Graduate College's Center for Communication Excellence will host a six-part seminar series on research writing Oct. 17-31. CCE staff will discuss useful strategies for writing the different sections of a research article. Attendance is free for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Registration is online. Students must register for each seminar they wish to attend.
How can the Iowa Geographic Map Server enhance your research?
To celebrate Earth Observation Day, Iowa State's GIS Facility will offer a hands-on demo of the Iowa Geographic Map Server Tuesday, Oct. 16 (12:15-1 p.m., 248 Durham Center). The map server, a browser-based website that hosts statewide imagery, is one of the most robust, publicly available, spatial imagery datasets in the country. Staff member Gregg Hadish's presentation will highlight recent innovations to the map server such as an updated interface and new image services. Learn how to incorporate this Iowa resource into your research. RSVPs to Amy Logan are requested since computer space is limited.
Presenters sought for March conference on local food systems
The Community Food Systems Program, a collaboration of ISU Extension and Outreach's local foods and community and economic development programs, is accepting workshop proposals for its annual conference March 29, 2019, in Des Moines. Topics may range from technical support on starting school gardens, food hubs or shared use kitchens, to lessons learned from sharing educational materials, feasibility of new businesses, etc. Questions may be directed to Courtney Long, 515-460-3227. Proposals should be submitted online by Jan. 15, with decisions made by Jan. 30.
Homecoming buttons go on sale Oct. 12
Homecoming buttons ($5 each) will be sold at the ISU Book Store starting Friday, Oct. 12, and at various pop-up locations on campus throughout the month (watch @ISUHomecoming social media for details). Employee groups who would like to place a bulk order for delivery to your office may contact Mary Kate Misak, mkmisak@iastate.edu. Homecoming 2018 is Oct. 21-27.
Grass parking, tailgate lots closed for Oct. 13 game
Due to heavy rainfall in Ames this week, the athletics department will close all grass lots surrounding Jack Trice Stadium for Saturday's football game vs. West Virginia (6 p.m. kickoff). Parking alternatives are listed online, including some campus lots and decks. Fans also are encouraged to use CyRide to arrive at the stadium.
Power plant boiler to be blast-cleaned Thursday
People who are outside Thursday in the vicinity of the ISU power plant on the campus' east side may hear intermittent low rumbles throughout the day. They're part of the process of cleaning boiler ash, inadvertently mixed with water, from one of the boilers. A leak in a boiler tube discovered last weekend allowed the moisture to mix with the ash byproduct, creating a sticky mixture that hardens as it dries. Specialists from N.B. Harty, Dexter, Missouri, will do the boiler cleaning, a combination of controlled explosions and vacuuming. Cleaning is required before the leak can be repaired.
There is no need to avoid that area of campus, but ISU's utilities team wanted to alert pedestrians to the work occurring inside the plant. The team anticipates the cleaning will be completed Thursday, but it may continue into Friday morning.
Reminder: Flu shot clinic ends at 4 p.m. Friday
The flu vaccine is available at no cost to eligible ISU employees through Friday, Oct. 12 (9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays while supplies last, 205 TASF) on a walk-in basis. Employees should wear a garment with short or loose-fitting sleeves and bring their university I.D. for a paperless check-in process. If vaccine doses haven't been depleted, beginning Monday, Oct. 15, flu shots will be available only by appointment; call 294-2056.
Cyday Friday employee wellness walk is Oct. 12
ISU WellBeing and Cyday Friday are teaming up for an employee walk on Friday, Oct. 12. Faculty and staff are invited to meet at noon in front of Beardshear Hall to start the one-mile route. Participants earn points in the Adventure2 program and the first 100 employees will receive a free Cyday Friday water bottle. A weather cancellation will be announced on the CyStyle Facebook page by 11 a.m. Friday.
'The Witness' documentary screening, discussion is Oct. 17
The ISU Library is hosting a screening and panel discussion of the 2015 documentary, "The Witness" Wednesday, Oct. 17, as part of Green Dot Action Week. In the film, Bill Genovese investigates the 1964 murder of his sister, Kitty Genovese, who was attacked outside her New York City apartment while 38 people allegedly did nothing to help her. The screening begins at 6:15 p.m. in 198 Parks Library, followed by a discussion at approximately 8 p.m.
Nominations for alumni association awards are due Dec. 1
Nominations are due Dec. 1 for three awards presented annually by the ISU Alumni Association. Questions about any of the awards may be directed to Katie Lickteig. The awards are:
- Faculty/Staff Inspiration Award (nominators must have been ISU students), recognizes an employee who had a significant impact on a student's professional or personal life while at Iowa State
- Iowa STATEment Maker, recognizes alumni 34 years and younger who reflect the spirit of ISU with accomplishments in any of these categories: scholastic, career achievement, personal achievement, entrepreneurial spirit or service
- Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award, recognizes outstanding senior students (90+ credits) who display high character, achievements in academics and university/community activities, and promise for continuing these exemplary qualities as alumni
Central campus flu shot clinic for students is Oct. 10
The Thielen Student Health Center will sponsor a mobile flu shot clinic for ISU students on Wednesday, Oct. 10 (10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., campanile lawn of central campus).
United Way fundraisers continue this month
The Inside Iowa State staff is updating a list of campus fundraising events for this fall's United Way of Story County campaign. Whether it's an hour or a week long, submit your event for the list; email us at inside@iastate.edu.
2019-20 Miller Faculty Fellowship proposals due Dec. 10
The Miller Faculty Fellowship program annually provides recipients with opportunities to enhance their scholarly work in undergraduate academic programs and develop innovative approaches to enhance student learning. Recipients have up to 12 months to meet their project goals. The deadline for Miller Faculty Fellowship proposals for the 2019-20 academic year is Monday, Dec. 10. Program and application details are online. Questions may be directed to CELT, celt-miller@iastate.edu.
Homecoming food will feature faculty-staff line
Free meals available on campus during Homecoming week will feature, for the first time, a line reserved for faculty and staff. Lines often are long at the Homecoming week meals, which are free with the purchase of a $5 Homecoming button. Offering a separate line for faculty and staff will help get them back to work on time. The buttons are for sale online.
Employees invited to complete Green Dot bystander training
Faculty, staff, post docs and graduate students are invited to participate in bystander training for Green Dot, the initiative to identify and reduce power-based personal violence on campus. Green dots are words, attitude, choices, etc that promote safety for all. This 3-hour session will help employees understand "bystander," and equip them with the knowledge, skills and key behaviors to integrate in their classrooms and offices. Register via Learn@ISU (see "Green Dot") for one of these sessions (more will be added this winter):
- Oct. 18 (1-4 p.m.)
- Nov. 15 (9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m.)
Panelists to discuss human trafficking on campuses
Local experts will discuss "Is Human Trafficking Happening on Your Campus?" Thursday, Oct. 11 (6:15-8:15 p.m., LeBaron auditorium) to help campus partners explore and identify what human trafficking looks like on campus and in the Ames community. Panelists are Ruth Buckles, Teens Against Human Trafficking Coordinator for Youth and Shelter Services; Lt. Christopher Burros, crime prevention programming, ISU Police; and Alissa Stoehr, lecturer in women and gender studies. Light refreshments will be served.
Volunteers sought to assist with traveling exhibit
The athletics department is a co-sponsor in Ames of a Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit, "Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America," through Nov. 11 in downtown Ames. Volunteers are needed to assist with the exhibit; sign up via the Volunteer Center of Story County, or email Cindy Hicks, Ames Main Street Cultural District.
Cherry pies, Hollywood costumer highlight Human Sciences week
Human Sciences week is Oct. 8-12. Cherry pies ($2) will be sold at midday Monday and Tuesday in MacKay Hall. Other activities are the Game of Life during Tuesday lunch on the library quadrangle, a Wednesday evening lecture by Oscar-nominated, Hollywood costume designer Ruth E. Carter, liquid nitrogen ice cream demonstration and pizza lunch to pack school supplies for Des Moines elementary schools in need. The colleges of Human Sciences and Agriculture and Life Sciences are co-sponsoring free breakfast (donuts and coffee) on central campus Friday, Oct. 5. Details about all events are online.
Reminder: Employee flu shot clinic is Oct. 1-12
ISU WellBeing will sponsor the annual flu shot for eligible Iowa State employees Oct. 1-12 (9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, 205 TASF). A new, one-stop paperless registration process will be in place this year. Employees will check in on an electronic tablet -- using their 9-digit university ID number -- with the nurse who administers the vaccination. More information, including who's eligible.
