Announcements
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
