Announcements
COVID-19: By the numbers
For the week that ended Nov. 28, the positive rate for COVID-19 tests completed at the Thielen Student Health Center was 5% (2 of 40 tests completed), down from 6.4% two weeks earlier. Testing reflects both symptomatic students and student-athletes following NCAA testing protocols. The Story County positivity rate for the week ending Dec. 1 was 12.33%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccination rate among Story County residents at least 12 years of age rose to 65% as of Dec. 1. Iowa State is providing weekly updates on these and other public health benchmarks on its COVID-19: By the numbers website.
Honors program fall poster event is Dec. 8
The University Honors program will hold its fall poster presentation event Wednesday, Dec. 8 (3-5 p.m., Memorial Union Great Hall). Fall 2021 Honors graduates as well as other Honors students will be present to answer questions and speak with individuals interested in their projects. A convocation will follow at 5:30 p.m. in the Sun Room.
Volunteers sought to assist at gardens' holiday light show
Reiman Gardens is recruiting volunteers with holiday cheer to staff this year's Winter Wonderscape holiday light show Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from Dec. 2 through Jan. 1 (except for Christmas Day). Volunteer slots are 4:30-7 p.m. and 6:30-9:15 p.m. It's a great activity for individuals, families and service groups. Volunteers get a behind-the-scenes look at this holiday event and receive two complimentary tickets to the light show each time they volunteer. Sign up online.
Register for Jan. 11-12 Project LEA/RN workshop
Project LEA/RN will host an in-person workshop Jan. 11-12, 2022 (9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, 1022 Agronomy, following Cyclones Care guidelines) aimed at training educators to help their students learn the kind of thinking required to solve complex problems. Faculty, staff and graduate students are welcome. Participants will share insights about the brain based on current research, engage in strategies that promote interaction and deep thinking, and apply them to situations in which they facilitate learning -- classes, orientation sessions, extension meetings or other learning situations. This workshop will not directly address the technology involved with remote and online learning. Enrollment is limited to 20. To register or for more information, contact Project LEA/RN director Jan Wiersema, (712) 221-1203.
Adobe Sign replaces DocuSign as university e-signature software
Iowa State is replacing DocuSign as its designated software for contracts and documents that require electronic signatures. This includes business and HR processes in Workday. A three-year contract for Adobe Sign began Nov. 1, and the university will be in a transition period until the DocuSign contract expires April 29, 2022.
An IT services team led by software development manager Jim Hurley is coordinating the conversion, which includes migrating more than 700 DocuSign documents to Adobe Sign and downloading all signed documents to a location where they'll be accessible once the DocuSign contract concludes. The team will contact document owners once their documents are moved to Adobe Sign. Questions about the change may be emailed to adobesign@iastate.edu.
Ten classrooms reserved for evening study during prep week
Room scheduling has designated 10 general university classrooms on central campus for students to use as study rooms during prep week, Dec. 6-10 (5:30-11 p.m. daily). They are:
- Carver 0274 and 0294
- Pearson 1105
- Physics 0038, 0056 and 0058
- Ross 0027, 0028, 0029 and 0131
Extension's 2022 calendar features edible Iowa plants
Extension and Outreach's 2022 garden calendar was created around the theme of edibles, and features 12 images of edible plants and flowers found in Iowa, including rhubarb, pineapple sage, dandelions and tomatoes. The calendar is gardener-focused but appeals to anyone looking for a photographic plant calendar. It's available for $8 on the ISU Extension Store or in many extension county offices.
Deadline is Dec. 15 for spring professional development funds for term faculty
The office of the senior vice president and provost provides funds to support professional development of term faculty -- up to $500 to participate in a virtual or in-person activity, such as trainings, workshops or conferences. Applications from faculty with limited professional development support particularly are encouraged. Applications are due Dec. 15 for opportunities Jan. 1-June 30, 2022. Abstracts for conference presentations don't need to be accepted at the time of submission. Recipients will be notified within three weeks of the deadline. More information, including submission directions, is online.
Forestry Club annual Christmas tree sale begins Nov. 27
The Forestry Club is holding its annual Christmas tree fundraiser in the Reiman Gardens parking lot Nov. 27-28, Dec. 3-5 and Dec. 10-12. Hours are 3-6 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. The club will have wreaths, white pines and Korean, balsam amd Canaan firs. Cash or checks only. Proceeds go toward club activities and student development.
