Announcements
Digital accessibility team hosts monthly training
The information technology services digital accessibility team will host the second in a series of monthly Siteimprove webinars on Thursday, Dec. 12 (10 a.m., register online).
The schedule is (all webinars begin at 10 a.m.):
- Dec.12: What's your top five? Identifying and fixing issues
- Jan. 16, 2025: Making accessibility perceivable: Unveiling the WCAG principle 1 framework
- Feb. 13: Keep it moving: Navigating WCAG principle 2 for an operable web
- March 13: Making sense of accessibility: Mastering WCAG principle 3 for understandable design
- April 17: Built to last: Ensuring robust accessibility with WCAG principle 4
- May 15: Perfecting PDFs: Unlocking accessibility with Siteimprove tools
Each session will conclude with a 15-minute Q&A. A captioned recording and transcript will be provided after each session. To request disability accommodations, or for additional questions or support, email digitalaccess@iastate.edu.
Two-day GIS course offered Jan. 16-17
Staff in ISU Extension and Outreach's community and economic development unit are hosting a two-day course on a geographic information system (GIS), Essentials of ArcGIS Pro, Jan. 16-17, 2025 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily, Economic Development Core Facility, ISU Research Park). New and experienced GIS users are welcome. Participants will explore the new features in Esri's ArcGIS Pro software suite and learn about making maps with geospatial data, mapping data from tables, querying datasets and displaying, projecting and editing data. The price is $600/person ($300 for ISU staff, students and faculty). Online registration closes Jan. 10. Questions may be directed to Bailey Hanson.
Volunteers sought to assist at Dec. 21 commencement
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10-11 a.m.
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1-2 p.m.
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3-4 p.m.
Reminder: Okta dashboard turns off Dec. 9
On Monday, Dec. 9, IT Services will turn off the old Okta dashboard, and university employees and students no longer will have access to university apps at iastate.okta.com, including passwords to their apps. All users should be using the new Microsoft sign-on dashboard (login.iastate.edu) to sign in. If necessary, remember to update any browser bookmarks.
Before Dec. 9, users should record any passwords (other than their primary ISU password) for apps or sites that weren't transferred from Okta to the Microsoft sign-on dashboard. For example, ISU benefits apps (such as MyWellmark), as well as any personal apps or sites were not transferred to the Microsoft sign-on dashboard. Employees received an email reminder with instructions Dec. 3; questions may be directed to the IT Solution Center or the project team.
Volunteers still sought for prep week kickoff event
The division of student affairs will host the second iteration of Cy's Finals Frenzy this Sunday-Tuesday, Dec. 8-10. This once-a-semester event promotes healthy study habits and personal wellness as students prepare for final exams. All activities are free for Iowa State students and take place in the Memorial Union. Volunteers are needed to help the event run smoothly, and faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up for a shift (or two). Fan-favorite events and offerings for students are back, including Bingo, movie night, free snacks and wellness activities such as yoga. Academic support will be available for students seeking additional help with specific exam preparation and projects.
Help keep the SHOP pantry open during winter break
SHOP food pantry is in need of faculty and staff volunteers during prep and finals weeks and throughout winter break. The food pantry in Beyer Hall is open afternoon hours Mondays through Wednesdays (Monday only the weeks of Christmas and New Year's Day). Use the SignUp Genius site to select your shifts. First-time volunteers: An orientation module has been created for you in Canvas (also accessible from the sign-up site).
Gardens' light show opens with toy drive
Tickets are on sale for Reiman Gardens' Winter Wonderscape and must be purchased online in advance. The holiday light show happens Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings (5-9 p.m.) Dec. 5-28, plus Monday, Dec. 23. Tickets, $16 ($14 for member adults and ISU students; $7 for youth 2-12 years) are sold in half-hour time increments from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Once guests enter during their ticketed time slot, they may stay as long as they wish (the gardens close at 9 p.m. during this event). Weather permitting, s'mores kits can be purchased (and used) near the Hunziker House.
The Dec. 5 opener will include a toy drive (5:30-8:30 p.m.) to benefit Boys and Girls Clubs of Story County, Ames (Wonderscape ticket required). Bring a new unwrapped toy and meet members of the Cyclone women's basketball team (two groups of four student athletes will be present for 90 minutes each to accept toys ).
Classrooms reserved for prep week evening study
Room scheduling will reserve these 10 general university classrooms for students to use as study rooms during prep week, Dec. 9-13 (5:30-11 p.m. daily):
- Carver 0118, 0124, 0128
- Ross 0125, 0127, 0129
- Town Engineering 0230, 0270
- Pearson 1106, 2131
In addition, university museums will offer extended hours at the Christian Petersen Art Museum in Morrill Hall on Thursday, Dec. 12 (5-9 p.m.) with relaxing activities and a quiet place to study.
And Dec. 11-19 (7 a.m.-10 p.m.), the second floor lounge and rooms 3512, 3534, 3538 and 3540 in the Memorial Union are reserved for quiet study.
Registration is open for 'business of art' March conference
Registration is open for the 7th annual Business of Art conference March 7-8, 2025, at Reiman Gardens, hosted by the Ames Community Arts Council and the Octagon Center for the Arts. Designed to strengthen business skills and provide resources for both formally trained and self-taught creatives, the conference is open to professionals and students in all types of creative work, part time or full time, in all stages of their career. Through Jan. 1, registration is $90 for professional artists and $45 for student artists (after Jan. 1, it increases to $100 for professionals, $50 for students). The fee includes lunch and snacks on both days; single day registration is not offered.
Nominate student employee, student employee supervisor for ISU award
The office of student financial aid seeks nominations through Jan. 31, 2025, for two 2024-25 awards. Follow each link for more information about the award criteria and nomination form.
- Student Employee of the Year. Recognize the outstanding efforts of hourly undergraduate student employees who are making a difference as leaders and innovators in their roles.
- Student Employee Supervisor of the Year (in partnership with university human resources). Recognize the exceptional supervisors of hourly student employees for their mentorship and professionalism.
Forestry club will sell holiday trees, wreaths in December
The forestry club will sell Christmas trees ($65-$110 depending on height and variety) and wreaths ($25-$35) in the Reiman Gardens parking lot on weekends in early December. Cash, check and card are accepted payment. Tree varieties are Korean fir, balsam fir, Canaan fir and white pine. Questions may be directed to club member Delaney Graef. Sale hours are:
- Friday, Dec. 6 and 13, 3-6 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 1, Saturday, Dec. 7 and 14, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 8 and 15, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Arts and events
Gift shopping, touring the campanile and admiring the President's Leadership Class' decorating efforts at the Knoll are among many fun options during the Dec. 6 WinterFest.
