Announcements

August 2018

Proposals for spring Honors seminars due Sept. 14

The University Honors Program seeks proposals for spring 2019 Honors seminars. These one- or two-credit courses explore various topics of current or special interest. Seminars are pass/fail, with enrollment usually limited to 17.  A grant of $500 per seminar supports the professional development of the instructor(s). More information, including a downloadable proposal form and proposal guidelines, is online. Proposals are due by Friday, Sept. 14.

Annual financial aid conference for faculty, staff is Sept. 19

The office of student financial aid will host its 21st annual Campus Partners Conference Wednesday, Sept. 19 (8 a.m.-noon, MU Sun Room). The purpose is to update Iowa State professionals on the financial aid process and aid-related issues affecting students on campus. It's intended to assist faculty and staff in their professional roles. More information, including free registration, is online.

CALS dean finalists will visit campus in September

Three finalists have been selected in the search for the next endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of the Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station. Each is scheduled to visit campus for two-plus days in September.

ISU Dining partnership with research station sprouts new crop

Adding onions to peppers turned out to be a recipe for expanding the partnership between ISU Dining and the university's Horticulture Research Station north of Ames.

Tailgating on game day? Here are some reminders

The athletics department, in consultation with the public safety department, revised a few tailgating guidelines for the 2018 football season and is implementing its clear bag policy this weekend. And here's a gentle reminder about tailgating courtesy.

Quarterly 'after hours' in the gardens is Sept. 14

Reiman Gardens' next "After Hours" event is Friday, Sept. 14 (5-8 p.m.) for patrons 21 years and older. Enjoy live music by the Bill Martin Group, an Italian buffet dinner by ISU Catering and cash bar. Preregistration and prepayment ($27, members $22) is due by noon Sept. 7. After the deadline, the cost is $35 for everyone. More information, including the registration link, is online.

Childcare assistance available for students with children

The Childcare Assistance Program (known by "CAP") is a scholarship program that assists student-parents with childcare expenses for children not yet enrolled in kindergarten. Applications are due Sept. 30 for the 2018-19 academic year. All ISU students with children are encouraged to apply. More information, including the application packet, is online. Questions may be directed to ISU Child Care & Family Resourcesccfamily@iastate.edu or 294-8827.

Gardens' gift shop to hold yard sale Sept. 7-9

Reiman Gardens' gift shop will hold a yard sale Sept. 7-9 (9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily). To make room for newer merchandise, there will be discounts of up to 75 percent on home and yard décor, children's toys and women's apparel and accessories. Shoppers can visit the gift shop without paying gardens admission. All gift shop purchases directly benefit Reiman Gardens.

The Comfort Zone (for sick kids) reopens Sept. 4

The Comfort Zone is a "get-well" center for mildly ill children, infants through fifth grade, who are cared for by a registered nurse and professional child care staff. It's located at the ISU Family Resource Center, 2623 Bruner Dr. Preregistration is required to send your child(ren) there. Information is available online, or email czone@iastate.edu.

Undergrads: Share your ISU story for the chance to be in a commercial

A small team from ZLR Ignition, the university's marketing vendor, will be on campus Wednesday, Aug. 29 (10 a.m.-2 p.m., south library lawn) to find undergraduate students for a series of short commercials that will run this fall on social media and internet video channels. The team is looking for unique stories about why students chose Iowa State or the impact the university has had on their lives. The Wednesday event will include short interviews and photographs, from which about a dozen students will be selected next month for 15-second commercials. 

City seeks public input on improving Welch Avenue

City of Ames staff will host two open houses to gather input on planned improvements to the 100-block of Welch Avenue (between Lincoln Way and Chamberlain Avenue). The street will be reconstructed in 2019-20. The open houses are come-and-go style, with no formal presentation. But there will be different streetscape options for people to view, with variations in features such as sidewalks, bike lanes, vegetation and on-street parking. Individuals also may complete the city's Welch Avenue online survey through Sept. 16. Open houses will be held:

  • Aug. 30 (4-6 p.m.), St. John's Episcopal Church parish hall, 2338 Lincoln Way
  • Sept. 6 (4:30-6 p.m.), Ames Public Library auditorium, 515 Douglas Ave.

Share your favorite memory of 50 years in Stephens

As part of the 50th anniversary celebration of Stephens Auditorium's Performing Arts Series, staff at the Iowa State Center are collecting experiences and memories from patrons who have attended one of the 2,000-plus performances in Stephens since 1969. Whether you were on stage, backstage or in the seats, email your story and/or photos to stephensauditorium@gmail.com or submit them online. Include your name, contact phone number and short summary of the event or memory. Stories will be selected for a 50th anniversary website launching this fall.

'Nutcracker' ballet auditions are Sept. 9

Auditions for the Dec. 8-9 performances of "The Nutcracker Ballet" at Stephens Auditorium will be held Sunday, Sept. 9 (noon-7:30 p.m., Stephens, enter at southeast doors). More than 200 local dancers of all ages participate in the annual production. Registration opens at 11:15 a.m. The audition card and additional audition details are online.The audition schedule is:

  • Noon-3 p.m., children ages 6 years and older
  • 3-3:30 p.m., adults
  • 3:30-7:30 p.m., ballet dancers for both pointe and non-pointe roles (dancers must be enrolled in a dance studio and pointe dancers must be studying pointe)

Memorial service for Larry Booth is Aug. 26

Dr. Larry "Skip" Booth, associate professor of veterinary clinical sciences, died Aug. 15 in a boating accident in Ontario, Canada. A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, at Stevens Memorial Chapel, 607 28th St. Memorial donations may be given to the Iowa State chapter of the Student American Veterinary Medical Association or the Izaak Walton League of Ames. An alumnus of the Vet Med college (1973), Booth joined its faculty in 1988. Obituary.

Nominate students to be 2019 Cyclone Aides

New Student Programs seeks help from faculty and staff in identifying talented and engaged students to serve as Cyclone Aides in 2019. In this paid role, Cyclone Aides serve as ambassadors for their college and the university, and assist students with their transition to Iowa State during orientation and Destination Iowa State, all the while exploring their own professional development as leaders. Faculty and staff are encouraged to share this information with students. Or, to nominate a student, contact Nicole Nicholson in the new student programs office. More information, including the application, is online. Applications are due Oct. 7.

Student org welcomes new members

The Iowa State student organization, BIEDA (Body Image Eating Disorder Awareness), meets on the second Thursday of each month (Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8), 6-7 p.m. in 2226 Bessey. Additional members are welcome. BIEDA's purpose and goal is to encourage a positive, sustainable lifestyle through body image and eating disorder awareness and campus/local resource identification. Members organize an annual week of awareness activities in conjunction with the National Eating Disorder Awareness week in March.

Four faculty named to biotech council

Four faculty members were selected to serve terms on the university's Biotechnology Council, which makes recommendations to the office of biotechnology on program activities supporting research, education and outreach. They are:  

  • Amy Andreotti, Roy J. Carver Chair in Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, University Professor
  • Larry Halverson, associate professor of plant pathology and microbiology
  • Laura Jarboe, associate professor of chemical and biological engineering
  • Melha Mellata, assistant professor of food science and human nutrition

UCC has openings in preschool, after-school programs

University Community Childcare, accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, has openings in the fall programs listed below and housed at 2623 Bruner Dr. on the north side of campus. A sliding fee scale is available for qualified families. For more information or to enroll your child, contact UCC at 294-9838 or univcc@iastate.edu.

  • Rock Stars after-school program (K-fifth grade), beginning Aug. 23, children may ride a school bus from most schools
  • Cheerful Cheetahs preschool program (2.5-5 year-olds), beginning Sept. 4, M-F 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
  • Jumpin' Monkeys preschool program (3-5 year-olds), session began Aug. 20, M-F 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 

First Friday in Campustown is Aug. 24

ISU students are invited to campustown Friday, Aug. 24 (4-8 p.m.) for "First Friday in Campustown" hosted by the Campustown Action Association and intended to make students aware of resources available to them in Ames. The first part of the event encourages students to explore Campustown through a 'passport' of special discounts, coupons and giveaways at participating businesses. Completed passports are eligible for additional prizes. Passports can be picked up at Campustown Court (Welch and Chamberlain). Representatives from the university, City of Ames, campus-adjacent neighborhood associations and community organizations also will be on hand.

Gameday tailgates planned at Alumni Center

For the 10th year, the alumni association will host Cyclone Central tailgates at the Alumni Center before every home football game. Starting three hours before kickoff, the tailgates are free and offer a chance to socialize, eat and drink, watch football games, buy new Iowa State gear, and watch a performance by the marching band and spirit squad. Catered meals are different each week. Pre-registration is required for the meals, which cost $15 for members and $20 for non-members, or get one meal free with a season pass option.

'Women impacting ISU' nomination deadline is Sept. 28

The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics is accepting nominations through Sept. 28 for its 2019 'Women Impacting ISU' calendar. The calendar highlights the accomplishments and achievements of 12 Iowa State women -- students, faculty and staff. Employee nominees must be employed by Iowa State for the 2019 calendar year; students graduating in May 2019 are eligible. More information, including the nomination form, is online.

Feature film series opens Aug. 23

Cyclone Cinema, the feature film series hosted by the Student Union Board, returns for fall semester Thursday, Aug. 23 with "Avengers: Infinity War." The 14-title series runs through Dec. 2, with a break during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Titles have eight showings -- 7 and 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday nights -- in 101 Carver. The Sunday showings always include captions, and other showings can if the request is made before the movie begins. Admission is free; concessions (popcorn, candy, soda, water) may be purchased for $1-$2.

Lipsey named TRIO program director

Rob Lipsey, interim director of TRIO Student Support Services Program (SSSP), was appointed director of the program, effective Aug. 1. Iowa State’s federal TRIO grant program serves 250 low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities annually, with the goal of increasing the persistence and graduation rates. Lipsey will ensure the university is compliant with regulatory Student Support Services mandates, including grant-writing and reporting, and act as liaison with the U.S. Department of Education and community agencies.

Add library resources to Canvas courses

The University Library worked closely with CELT and IT Services to embed library research and course guides into Canvas courses. Students can have access to subject-specific guides and subscription-based article indexes, connect with their subject librarians, schedule appointments for research consultations and more. To enable this function, go to 'Course Settings' in Canvas, select 'Navigation' tab, then 'ISU Library Resources' from the list and 'Enable.' This will populate the ISU Library Resources link on your course menu. Step-by-step instructions also are on the Canvas Embed Library Guides website. Questions about this service may be sent to librarians Rano Marupova or Jeff Kushkowski.

Two more food trucks join campus lineup

Procurement services announces two more food trucks have contracts to provide weekday lunch service on campus, beginning the week of Aug. 20:

  • Brick City Grill (Ames Somerset restaurant), northeast of Troxel Hall on Farmhouse Lane (Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., beginning Aug. 20), menu includes burgers, chicken and pork sandwiches, walking tacos, street tacos, sides such as cole slaw and potato salad
  • Taza Mediterranean Grill (Des Moines-based Taza Fresh), west side of Spedding Hall (confirmed August dates: 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 31, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.) Middle Eastern items including falafel, chicken or steak shawarma, lamb and beef gyro, sides such hummus, basmati rice and salad, and baklava

Tickets to Stephens' performing art series go on sale Aug. 21

If you want to purchase a series package to the 2018-19 performing arts series in Stephens Auditorium, do it before noon on Tuesday, Aug. 21, when single-event tickets go on sale to the public. A package features tickets to four or more events of your choosing.

I-Corps info sessions set for Aug. 27, Aug. 29

Informational sessions will be held this month for researchers interested in the fall cohort of the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program. The sessions will be 1-2 p.m. in the Memorial Union Pioneer Room -- Aug. 27 for the colleges of Engineering, Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Aug. 29 for the colleges of Business, Design, Human Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and the Graduate College. Applications are due Sept. 7, and accepted applicants will be notified by Sept. 17. I-Corps sessions begin Sept. 26. Check out the I-Corps website for more information.

Cardinal Women inaugural class announced

The inaugural year of Cardinal Women, a professional leadership development program, kicked off Aug. 8. This fall, the 72 women selected from among 138 applicants will meet four times for large and small group discussions. In between, the conversations will continue via Canvas. Tera Lawson, Center for Technology in Learning and Teaching, and Denise Williams-Klotz, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, developed and are leading the program. Cardinal Women roster.

Marlon Wayans to do Nov. 30 stand-up show in the Great Hall

Tickets are on sale for comedian Marlon Wayans, who will do a stand-up show Friday, Nov. 30 (8 p.m., MU Great Hall, doors open at 7 p.m.). Wayans is an actor, producer, comedian, writer and film director best known for his roles in the comedy films "White Chicks"and "Scary Movie." Tickets are $29 ($15 with ISU student ID) plus fees, and available online now via midwestix.com and, starting Aug. 20, in the MU Maintenance Shop box office and by phone (294-8349, weekdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.).

Single-game football tickets, mini packs go on sale Aug. 16

The athletics ticket office has announced that single-game tickets and mini packs for the 2018 Cyclone football season will go on sale to the public at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 16. The $175 mini pack contains the following games: Oklahoma (Sept. 15), Akron (Sept. 22) and Kansas State (Nov 24). Fans aged two years and older need a ticket to enter the stadium.

Tickets on sale Aug. 21 for Illusionists show at Stephens

Tickets go on sale at noon Aug. 21 for an Oct. 4 performance by The Illusionists at Stephens Auditorium. The show, which ran on Broadway, features five top illusionists performing magic tricks, stunts and other astonishing acts. Tickets are $35-$80, not including fees.

Baldwin named assistant VP in student affairs

Erin Baldwin has been named assistant vice president for student health and wellness in the student affairs division, effective Aug. 8.

Many CyRide routes will change Aug. 13

The changes are the second phase of service improvements being implemented as a result of more than a year of study and public input.

With first full-time coordinator, recycling set to expand

Iowa State's first full-time recycling coordinator started earlier this summer and has ambitious plans. Ayodeji Oluwalana hopes to make recycling the default way of disposing refuse on campus as part of a new initiative to eventually keep nearly all ISU waste out of the landfill.

Parking changes now in effect

Eliminating free visitor parking during business hours and raising fines for violations should help clear spaces paid for by permit holders. Mark Miller, director of the parking division, said the changes are aimed at compliance, rather than generating revenue.

New windows bring clear views

Hundreds of windows were replaced at the Wallace, Wilson and Friley residence halls this summer.

Rummage RAMPage diverts more than 102,000 pounds from landfill

This year's Rummage RAMPage, a community rummage sale held during the period when most rental leases expire, raised more than $18,000 for local nonprofits and kept 102,550 pounds of furniture and household items out of the landfill. The third annual event, which is sponsored by the city of Ames and Iowa State's sustainability office, increased proceeds by more than $4,000 over 2017 and diverted an additional 25,000 pounds of donated items. Check out the event's website next summer for information about the 2019 RAMPage.

Study Abroad moves office to MU's sixth floor

The Study Abroad Center has moved from the third floor of the Memorial Union to the sixth floor. The center's new office is at 6563 Memorial Union.

ISU GIS partnered with DNR to build statewide conservation map

Staff and students at the Iowa State GIS Facility worked with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to map every conservation measure in in the state's watersheds, the most comprehensive inventory of its kind in the nation. Analysis of the data shows the conservation practices would be worth $6.2 billion in today's dollars. The data was the result of a three-year effort and will provide a benchmark for measuring conservation progress. Maps and additional information about the project are available on the GIS Facility's website.

Fan Fest is Aug. 19

The annual Cyclone Fan Fest is Sunday, Aug. 19 (noon-2 p.m., Bergstrom football facility). Activities include interactive stations with Iowa State teams, autographs by coaches and student-athletes and sales of Cyclone gear in Cy's Locker Room. To help ensure that all fans in attendance have the chance to get autographs from football and men's basketball players and coaches, only one (1) item per person may be signed. Posters and autograph cards will be available free to fans. A "Fast Pass," available online via Iowa State Experiences and Upgrades for $10, will allow fans to enter Fan Fest 20 minutes early.

Watch for traffic congestion around residence halls

Students living in the residence halls this year will be moving in Aug. 14-17. The department of residence suggests that faculty and staff avoid areas where move-in congestion may occur, including Union Drive and Beach Road.

Call ahead for UHR Service Center help

Due to occasional long lines as the new school year is starting, employees are advised to call ahead if they need to visit the University Human Resources Service Center during August and September, benefits and service center director Ed Holland told the Professional and Scientific Council on Thursday. The center's phone number is 294-4800.

Residence move-in volunteers needed Aug. 14-15

ISU students, staff, faculty and community members are invited to join the Move-In Crew that greets new students and their families. Crew members receive a free T-shirt and designate their volunteer shifts that fall between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 14, and Wednesday, Aug. 15. Faculy, staff and community members can register as greeters or moving assistants. Student volunteers are eligible for early move-in with a minimum nine-hour work commitment.

Stephens upgrades focus on accessibility

Summer projects inside Stephens Auditorium will triple the seating for theater guests who use wheelchairs and replace and expand guard rails in the upper levels of the building. All of the work should be complete when Ringo Starr and his band take the stage Sept. 5.

Dan Grooms named to Vet Med dean post

Dan Grooms, professor and chair of the department of large animal clinical sciences at Michigan State University, East Lansing, has been appointed the next Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. He will begin on Oct. 1.

State Fair exhibit needs eight volunteers

Want to get free admission and parking to the Iowa State Fair? The office of university marketing has just the thing! We still need eight volunteers to help in Iowa State's exhibit at the Iowa State Fair. Volunteers also receive a free state fair-themed T-shirt. Interested volunteers should contact Grace Rosson, umarket2@iastate.edu, 294-3969. One volunteer is needed for these spots, unless indicated:

  • (2) Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2:45-9 p.m, handing out football posters
  • Thursday, Aug. 16, 2:45-9 p.m., applying Cyclone tattoos
  • Friday, Aug. 17, 2:45-9 p.m., football posters
  • Saturday, Aug. 18, 8:45 a.m.-3 p.m., Cyclone tattoos
  • Sunday, Aug. 19, 8:45 a.m.-3 p.m., Cyclone tattoos
  • Sunday, Aug. 19, 2:45-9 p.m., Cyclone tattoos
  • Sunday, Aug. 19, 2:45-9 p.m., football posters