Announcements
August 2023
Sept. 4 is a university holiday
Classes will not meet and offices will be closed in observance of the national Labor Day holiday.
Explore funding opportunities with the National Endowment for the Humanities at workshop
Claudia Kinkela, senior program officer in the National Endowment for the Humanities' division of research, will lead an NEH overview and grant writing workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 27 (8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 3560 Memorial Union). She'll introduce NEH funding opportunities, provide tips for writing a successful application, talk in-depth about NEH fellowships and reserve time for Q&A. The workshop is free but registration is required. Lunch will be provided. From 2 to 5 p.m., Kinkela will offer one-on-one meetings with up to 12 registered faculty members who are actively working on NEH grant proposals. Indicate your interest at registration. The Center for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities is hosting this campus event.
Virtual presentation explores fairness, validity in faculty promotions
The ADVANCE Midwest Partnership (of which ISU is a member) is hosting a virtual presentation, "Exploring Fairness and Validity in Promotion and Tenure," on Sept. 19 (noon CST). Register online to receive the link. The presenters are Christiane Spitzmueller, vice provost for academic affairs and strategy at the University of California, Merced; and Juan Madera, Curtis L. Carlson Endowed Professor in the College of Global Hospitality Leadership, University of Houston. They'll share insights from a comprehensive study of more than 10,000 external review letters across 2,000+ promotion cases at 10 universities. Funded by NSF ADVANCE, the ADVANCE Midwest Partnership -- Joining Forces is a partnership of four research institutions, including Iowa State, Michigan State, Western Michigan and North Dakota State universities.
Proposals due Sept. 22 for spring Honors seminars
The University Honors program invites proposals for teaching an Honors seminar in spring 2024. Proposals, submitted via an online proposal form, are due Friday, Sept. 22. These one- or two-credit courses, offered for a half or full term, allow Honors students to examine topics of current or special interest. They are offered on a pass/fail basis, and enrollment typically is limited to 17 students. Honors allocates $500 per seminar for the professional development (e.g. professional subscriptions, membership fees, travel) of the instructor(s). Guidelines for an effective Honors seminar are on the Honors website; questions may be directed to Leisha Estep or Laurie Smith Law. List of past seminars.
Proposals due Sept. 8 for fall STEM conferences for girls
The Program for Women in Science and Engineering seeks session proposals for its two Go Further STEM conferences for young women in grades 8-10 on Nov. 2 and Nov. 9 (primarily in the Memorial Union). Faculty, staff, graduate students and student organiations are welcome to present. The online proposal form is due Friday, Sept. 8. Presentations are for 45 or 90 minutes, and the goal is to have at least one female-identifying presenter in each session. A guidelines and best practices sheet provides other helpful information for preparing proposals. If you'd like to discuss a session idea or have questions, contact Mackenzie Schwartz, mjs18@iastate.edu.
Nominations open for 2024 Women Impacting ISU calendar
The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, which coordinates publication of the annual "Women Impacting ISU" calendar, is accepting nominations for the 2024 edition through Sunday, Sept. 24. The calendar highlights the positive impact of 12 women on campus. To be eligible, faculty and staff must be employed by the university for the 2024 calendar year. Students graduating in May 2024 are eligible. The calendar is open to individuals who identify as "woman," inclusive of cisgender, transgender and nonbinary identities. More information, including the nomination form, list of previous calendar honorees and an FAQ, are online.
Pop-up shop for biz attire is Sept. 6-7
Gently used business attire is available for free to all ISU students during the first pop-up shop of the academic year Sept. 6-7 in 1009 LeBaron. Hours are 9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday. The event is hosted by the college directors of multicultural student success with funding from student government and donations from the university community. The intent is to equip students with suitable clothing prior to the fall and spring semester career fairs.
Substance-free football tailgates are back this fall
Iowa State's Collegiate Recovery Community is hosting Cardinal and Goal'd substance-free tailgates prior to the first four Cyclone home football games (Sept. 2, 9 and 23, Oct. 7). The tailgates open two hours before the announced kickoff, feature free food and games, and are open to all. Collegiate Recovery is a peer support-based community to connect folks in recovery or seeking recovery from chemical or behavioral addiction to campus services and resources that will help them thrive.
Regents disability awareness summit is Oct. 26
Bug Village happening Saturday
Bug Village ’23 will take place as scheduled on Saturday (Aug. 26) as the cooling system is working in the Advanced Teaching Research Building (2213 Pammel Dr.). Activities begin on the first floor at 11 a.m. with an open house followed by "Insect Collecting 101" (2:30-5 p.m.). Events conclude with the insect light collecting event at Carr Park (7-10 p.m.). Parking is available behind and beside the Advanced Teaching Research Building.
ISU Alert: Most classes moved online through Aug. 25
Due to a fire at the power plant, the university is experiencing disruptions to the cooling system on campus. Classes that can, will move online for the remainder of Thursday, Aug. 24 and all day Friday, Aug. 25. Students should check email and Canvas for information from their instructors. Veterinary Medicine classes are NOT canceled as it is not impacted by the cooling system. Updates are being posted online.
A reminder of fall opening events
Inside compiled a list of college events celebrating the start of a new academic year. Included on the list is a save-the-date for the university's fall awards ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 20.
Library's tech lending has the gear you need
Tech Lending, located on the first floor in Parks Library, is the campus resource for borrowing technology, audiovisual and computer-related items. Tech items are free to checkout.
Workday Student awareness survey #4 is open through Sept. 1
As part of the phased rollout of Workday Student and Receivables during 2023 and 2024, employees are encouraged to take the periodic awareness surveys so the project team can provide campus with helpful resources during the implementation. Fourth in the series, the newest 5-10 minute survey in Qualtrics is open through Friday, Sept. 1. Survey results will serve as a barometer of employee knowledge and awareness to better shape training and communication in the near future. The more employees who complete the survey, the more data will be available for ensuring a successful transition. Direct any questions to workcyte_feedback@iastate.edu. Workday Student will replace legacy systems such as ADIN and AccessPlus.
Residence team assembles cool suggestions for a really hot week
With unprecedented first-week-of-class heat in central Iowa, staff in the residence department built a new website this week, Staying Cool in the High Heat, to share information with students living in residence halls without air conditioning. Students are urged to stay hydrated and spend as much time as possible in cooled spaces on campus, including dining centers, Parks Library, Memorial Union and the air conditioned lounges and dens on their residence hall floors. Seating has been added to Conversations, normally a get-and-go location in Oak Elm residence hall, and the room is open 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. The residence department has relaxed its rule against sleeping in lounges, students may linger in the dining centers past posted hours, and students may sleep in a friend's air conditioned campus housing, with the roommate's approval.
Sixth cohort of Cardinal Women* is underway
The 65 members of the 2023 Cardinal Women* cohort began their work Aug. 15 and will meet monthly all fall, supplemented with sessions in Canvas. The program provides personal and professional leadership development for Iowa State faculty and staff who identify as women. It was developed and is led by Tera Lawson, procurement services, and Denise Williams-Klotz, ISU Foundation, at no cost to participants.
Wynonna concert tickets go on sale Aug. 25
Tickets for an Oct. 27 concert by country music icon Wynonna Judd at Stephens Auditorium go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25, via Ticketmaster and the ticket office at Stephens. This 15-city tour features the songs off Judd's first two solo albums, "Wynonna" (1992), and "Tell Me Why" (1993), performed track by track. Ticket prices range from $49.50 to $159.50, or $299.50 for front row seats, plus fees.
Ivy Digital Strategy Symposium is Sept. 21
Registration is open for the inaugural Ivy Digital Strategy Symposium on Sept. 21 at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center. Hosted by CIRAS and the Ivy College of Business, the conference is for professionals in marketing, operations, business analytics and technology transformation. Attendees will hear from thought leaders and industry experts, learn best practices for digital strategies and network with other professionals. Early bird pricing is available through Sept. 1, and registration closes Sept. 13.
National Endowment for the Humanities grant workshop is Sept. 27
The Center for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities is collaborating with the National Endowment for the Humanities to host an NEH overview and grant-writing workshop for faculty and staff on Sept. 27 (8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 3560 Memorial Union). Claudia Kinkela, senior program officer in NEH's division of research, will introduce NEH funding opportunities, provide tips for writing a successful application and talk about NEH fellowships. Time will be reserved for Q&A, and lunch is provided. Registration is free but required.
Additionally, Kinkela will offer one-on-one meetings with up to 12 registered faculty members actively working on NEH grant proposals. These private appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and require a short (one page or less) project description. Request a meeting in the registration process.
Organic farming training day is Sept. 12
ISU's Organic Agriculture Program, with the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service, will host an organic farming training day about the new 823 Organic Management Practice Standards on Tuesday, Sept. 12 (9 a.m.-5 p.m., Garden Room, Reiman Gardens). The training is free and lunch is provided, but registration is required. There will be a Zoom link, but in-person attendance is preferred for hands-on training.
Smile and Write resumes in early September
Smile and Write, a free online program that uses peer accountability to help faculty and staff participants accomplish their individual writing goals, resumes the first week in September via Zoom. Throughout the fall semester, a two-hour slot on Tuesdays (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) will be set aside. Additionally, 15 other two-hour sessions are scheduled throughout the semester on the other four days of the week. Register ahead of time to receive the link. Questions may be sent to Katharine Hensley, faculty success coordinator in the provost's office.
Business clothing donations sought
Nicely done, garage sale pros
Environmental health shares tips for staying safe in the heat
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for central Iowa through Wednesday evening, with peak heat index values anticipated around 105 to 110 degrees during the day and overnight lows in the mid- to low-70s. Employees who work outdoors and their supervisors are encouraged to consult the heat stress informational sites provided by ISU environmental health and safety. The site includes a summary of the difference in symptoms between heat exhaustion and the more dangerous heat stroke.
Creek cleanup nets 500+ pounds of trash
Twenty volunteers provided nearly 60 hours of service July 15 to clean sections of College Creek in campus and campustown during the annual creek clean-up coordinated by staff in the office of sustainability. The volunteers removed more than 500 pounds of trash, including a bicycle, office chairs, picnic table, fencing, plastic bags, bottles, cans and food containers. See their photos.
Illegal parking could lead to immediate towing on Saturday
The City of Ames cautions drivers to avoid parking illegally on streets in neighborhoods adjacent to campus on Saturday, Aug. 19. Where an "IMMEDIATE TOWING" sign is posted, parking illegally could lead to your car being towed very quickly. Many of the residential streets are narrow and only allow parking on one side. Read signs carefully and don't rely on how others park to find legal parking.
Annual quilt show is Aug. 25-27 at Reiman Gardens
Reiman Gardens and the Iowa Quilters Guild will host a three-day quilting show Friday-Sunday, Aug. 25-27. The show will award prizes from central Iowa sponsors in several themed categories, and vendors demonstrating, displaying and selling fabric art will be available. The show is open during regular garden hours except for Sunday, when the show concludes at 4 p.m. Visitors pay regular gardens admission (free for members and ISU students with ID).
Register for free access to NY Times, Wall Street Journal
Faculty, staff and students with an Iowa State Net ID can get complimentary access to "The New York Times" and "The Wall Street Journal" through the university library. Register for a free account with the two publications to enjoy access to their suite of digital products, including decades of archives.
Updates completed to manual on allowable business expenses
The ISU Allowability and Appropriateness Manual, available on the controller's website, has been updated. The manual, which provides clear and consistent guidance for allowable business expenses, was revised with input from several groups on campus. The new manual has many great features, including:
- A new format, including bookmarks by topic for easy searchability.
- A focus on principal-based guidance to assure consistency and assist departments with best practices, while allowing cost center managers, business unit managers and PIs to have more agency in decision-making.
- Updated guidance in several areas, including hospitality and team building activities, to address new and emerging allowability questions.
The manual is designed to be a living document and will be reviewed and updated on a periodic basis to reflect the needs of campus.
'Twilight Zone' inspired drag show coming to Stephens
Tickets go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 18, for an Oct. 13 performance at Stephens Auditorium of the newest stage edition of RuPaul's Drag Race: "Night of the Living Drag." Show time is 8 p.m., and tickets range from $39 to $99 plus fees via Ticketmaster or the Stephens ticket office (weekdays 11 a.m.-4 p.m.). The show is timed for the Halloween season and features a "Twilight Zone" theme around the mysterious fates of numerous drag queens. The show is not recommended for children younger than 14 years.
Reiman Gardens to host first plants and climate symposium
More than a dozen science and climate experts will share their research during Reiman Gardens' first Plants and Climate Symposium on Sept. 15-16. The symposium will focus on best practices to address and mitigate climate change awareness and readiness, for both general and professional audiences. Attendees can choose from two tracks: current climate, weather science and research; or home gardening and sustainability. Registration ($139, students and post docs $99) is required.
Tickets on sale Aug. 14 for single shows in 2023-24 series
Individual tickets went on sale Monday, Aug. 14, for 10 performances in the 2023-24 Performing Arts Series at Stephens (four others previously went on sale):
- iLuminate, Oct. 21
- The Fab Four, Nov. 19
- Jesus Christ Superstar, Jan. 30, 2024
- Langston Hughes Project: Ask Your Mama --12 moods for Jazz, Feb. 8
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Feb. 12
- Swan Lake (World Ballet Series), March 21
- Chanticleer, April 5
- MANIA: The ABBA Tribute, April 6
- Mean Girls, April 11
- Chicago the Musical, May 14
Commuter lots, CyRide stop, moving as part of CYTown development
The CyRide Hub and commuter parking at the Iowa State Center lots will relocate in early August as part of the athletics department's CYTown development. On Monday, Aug. 7, the current CyRide bus stop on Alumni Lane will move to the northeast corner of the center lots, adjacent to lot D3. The new CyRide stop location -- on CYTown Lane -- will be permanent. Plans to construct a new facility in that spot are in the works. Lots D3-5, C3 and B3 will be available for commuters on Aug. 7, and two more lots, C4 and C5, will open on Friday, Aug. 18. Updated parking map.
Get help on your proposal for affordable course materials
Last spring, the University Library put out a call for proposals for the Affordable Course Materials initiative, funded as part of a 2022 initial project of the new strategic plan. With $220,000 available for projects across the university, potential applicants may have questions about the program and what it can support. Discuss your project ideas and get your questions answered during an online Q&A session on Thursday, Aug. 17 (noon-1 p.m.) Register online.
Orientation for new graduate students is Aug. 15
The Graduate College will hold its annual orientation session for new graduate students on Tuesday, Aug. 15 (10 a.m.-1 p.m., Memorial Union Sun Room). The event includes a panel of returning graduate students who will share insights, campus resource fair and lunch. The event is free; RSVPs are requested.
Plant introduction station to celebrate 75th year
The North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a free public open house at the facility (1305 State Ave., 2-6 p.m.) on Aug. 15. Station staff will be available to answer questions and light refreshments will be provided. The station’s mission is to protect and expand plant genetic diversity and facilitate plant conservation and use in research and crop improvement.
Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium is Aug. 3
The university community is invited to the Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium on Thursday, Aug. 3 (1-3 p.m., MU Great Hall). During the summer, many research labs provided opportunities for students and REU program (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) summer participants to conduct research, and 77 projects by more than 100 students will be presented in a poster format. An online Symposium Program lists the programs and presenters, abstracts and short videos about their research projects, for those who want to review it in advance. Refreshments will be provided. Come and support the undergraduate researchers, their faculty mentors and summer REU program coordinators. Questions may be directed to Svitlana Zbarska, undergraduate research program coordinator campus-wide, 515-294-2064.
Next 'Goldfinch' lawn concert is Aug. 22
The Goldfinch Room in Stephens Auditorium announces the next Goldfinch on the Lawn concert with Iowa musicians Scott Stilwell and John Paul Burtch on Tuesday, Aug. 22 (6:30 p.m., outside the southeast corner of Stephens Auditorium, bring your own lawn chairs or blankets). Tickets are $10 at the door or $7 in advance online. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, including The Sandwich Stop food truck operated by the three Savage brothers, ISU alumni. No outside alcohol is permitted in the area.
Undergraduate, graduate students sought for advisory board
Senior vice president for student affairs Toyia Younger invites you to apply to serve on the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs (SVPSA) Advisory Board. This unique opportunity allows you to share your opinions and perspectives directly with a senior leader at Iowa State on an ongoing basis to help improve the student experience. Board members consist of undergraduate and graduate students, represent all academic colleges and embody varying experiences. Students meet once per month with Younger and also provide feedback to questions online. Learn more and apply by Aug. 30. This is a paid, ongoing leadership experience for students.
Nominate students for 2023-24 student affairs advisory board
Senior vice president for student affairs Toyia Younger is seeking undergraduate and graduate students to serve on the 2023-24 Senior Vice President for Student Affairs (SVPSA) Student Advisory Board. Student board members provide Younger critical feedback on campus events, programs and policies impacting the student experience at Iowa State University. They meet monthly with Younger and also engage in discussions online. Faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate a student by Aug. 23 or encourage them to apply by Aug. 30.
Welcome Weekend volunteers needed
Senior leaders are still looking for several dozen faculty and staff volunteers for Cyclone Welcome Weekend on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 18-19. Most of the 140 volunteer slots are filled! Welcome Weekend events are for all Iowa State students -- both new and returning -- and include a Friday evening cookout at the Lied recreation center, central campus breakfast Saturday morning, and Saturday evening activities at Hilton Coliseum and the Scheman Building courtyard. The intent is to engage ISU students in healthy, community-building activities to reduce high-risk behaviors associated with the weekend before fall classes begin. Sign up online. If the slots are full and you still are interested in volunteering, email cww@iastate.edu to add your name to a volunteer backup list. Employee volunteers may work with their supervisors to adjust their work schedules that week.
