July employee benefits spotlight: Perkspot
The ISU benefits office's July highlight is Perkspot, one of the voluntary benefits introduced this spring that offers participants immediate discounts on thousands of big-name national or local brands. Perkspot can be used as a website or app to shop for everyday retail purchases and services in 26 product categories such as autos, beauty, cell phones, food, hobbies, insurance, pets, children's toys and travel. Enroll in any of the voluntary benefits by creating an account and setting preferences in Everyday Marketplace. More information.
Boulevard light poles will be banner-free through fall
The 35 light poles on University Boulevard between Lincoln Way and Ironwood Court that frequently hold welcome and special event banners will be vacant this summer and fall. The City of Ames has ordered replacements for the 32-year-old poles, but they won't arrive for three to four months. As a precaution, the city's electric services team advised the university to wait until the new poles are installed to display banners again. University marketing and communications, which coordinates the April-November banner calendar, has contacted the groups scheduled to fly their banners yet in 2025. Questions may be directed to marketing and branding manager Angie Strotman.
Undergraduate summer research poster session is July 31
Faculty and staff are especially invited to a poster session featuring summer research by undergraduate students, to be held Thursday, July 31 (2-4:30 p.m., Student Innovation Center first floor). This is an opportunity for all undergraduate students participating in a Research Experience for Undergraduates or other summer research program to present a final poster of their work. The event is free and open to the public.
Visitation for former faculty member James Young is July 10
Former faculty member James Young, 85, died July 4 at his home in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Young was a member of Iowa State's civil and environmental engineering department (1968-82), where his expertise was in industrial wastewater treatment. A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, July 10, in Fayetteville, and a scholarship in the civil engineering program at the University of Arkansas honors him. Obituary.
South 16th Street paving begins July 9; alternating traffic in place
Weather permitting, on July 9 crews will begin paving the new north lanes of South 16th Street in front of the Veterinary Medicine campus. This work will require flagging operations between Apple Place and Christensen Drive (6 a.m. to 5 p.m.), including a low speed limit and periodic halts to traffic. Drivers are encouraged to consider alternate routes or to allow extra time for delays.
It's the kinesiology and health department
Effective July 1, the department of kinesiology has a new name: department of kinesiology and health. The update better reflects the department's offerings and is consistent with the name of the undergraduate program, kinesiology and health.
Research project managers will meet July 15
The next meeting of the Research Project Management Council will be on Tuesday, July 15 (3 p.m., via Zoom). Taylor Nagle, Stacy Renfro and Maggie Norton will demonstrate the project management tools they use regularly: Smartsheet and Airtable. P&S staff whose responsibilities include research project management are invited to register online to receive the Zoom link. More information about the council.
SHOP pantry seeks faculty, staff volunteers for summer hours
Faculty and staff volunteers are needed to help keep the SHOP food pantry open during the summer term, with a special need coming up on July 7 and 16. SHOP, which serves our student community out of 1306 Beyer, would like to maintain its service hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Volunteers also are needed during deliveries from the Food Bank of Iowa on several Friday mornings each month. Use the online volunteer sign-up schedule for June-August.
Tickets are on sale for Reiman Gardens anniversary bash
Tickets may be purchased for Reiman Gardens' 30th anniversary celebration on Saturday, Sept. 13 (5-9 p.m.). In addition to beautiful gardens, this family-friendly event will feature inflatables for the kids, an all-request concert by Dustin West, food trucks and an evening drone show. A silent auction will be ongoing in the gardens that day (9 a.m.-8:15 p.m.). Tickets are $16 ($14 for members and ISU students, $7 for youth 2-12 years); proceeds support the gardens, butterfly wing and gardens programming.
AV update for Memorial Union events
Effective July 1, the Memorial Union will update its basic audiovisual package to better align with operational needs and resource availability. The standard microphone package will now include one microphone, and additional microphones will be available by request at a rate of $25 each. This change will affect all campus and community members who reserve event spaces at the Memorial Union. Event organizers are encouraged to review their AV needs in advance and plan accordingly.
"This small update will allow us to continue reinvesting in our event services infrastructure and increase the audio amenities we're able to offer customers," said Casey Dague, manager of audiovisual services. For example, upgrades planned for FY26 include a new projector and screen in the Gold Room and a new sound system and motorized projector screen in Room 3512.
The MU's event management and audiovisual teams remain committed to supporting events with high-quality services and equipment. Detailed information about booking an event in the Memorial Union, including available AV amenities, is online. Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the management office, 515-294-1437 or eventmanagement@iastate.edu.
Volunteers sought for state fair exhibit
The office of university marketing is recruiting Iowa State University volunteers to assist at the university's main exhibit at the Iowa State Fair, Thursday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 17. Volunteers may select from two assignments: roll and hand out 2025 Cyclone football posters or hand out Iowa State bags and waterless tattoos (visitors apply the tattoos on their own). A third assignment (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays when Cy visits the exhibit) is to help with photos and line management. Volunteers receive a state fair admission ticket for the day of their shift, themed T-shirt to wear during their shift and two tickets to the Cyclone football home opener on Aug. 30, compliments of the athletics department.
The university's exhibit in the air-conditioned Varied Industries Building is open 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and three volunteer shifts daily are about four hours long:
- 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m.
- 12:45-4:30 p.m.
- 4:15-8 p.m.
A fourth shift is available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as Cy's helper:
- 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
ISU conference planning and management (CPM) is managing the volunteer registration process. The volunteer registration form is first come, first served, and volunteers may select more than one shift. Register by July 7 to guarantee your shirt size; details about shirt and ticket pickup will be shared in mid- to late July.
Visitors to this year's exhibit, " Your Iowa. Your State. Your University," will learn how Iowa State has created measurable impact in Iowa in the areas of family, health, education, community, food and technology.
Questions may be directed to Angie Strotman, university marketing, 515-294-0338. Questions about the volunteer form, including requests to change a scheduled shift, may be directed to Kim Abels, CPM, 515-296-3435.
A new name: University Marketing and Communications
Effective July 1, Strategic Relations and Communications will change its name to University Marketing and Communications (shortened in conversation to "University Marcom"). The name change was recommended by Segal, the consultant that completed a campuswide communications and constituent engagement assessment earlier this year. In addition to its consistency with many of Iowa State peer universities' central teams, the name is intended to more clearly communicate the unit's oversight for university-level marketing and communication strategy. With central marketing and communications staffs fully integrated, the Office of University Marketing name will be phased out in the months ahead.
The University Marketing and Communications team is based on the second floor of the Kingland Building.
Stange Road lane switch scheduled for July 1
On Tuesday morning, July 1, traffic on Stange Road north of 13th Street will be switched to the newly paved east lanes so demolition of the west lanes can begin. Traffic on the new pavement will be in one direction, traveling northbound. Southbound traffic between 24th and 13th streets will be detoured to Grand Avenue, with CyRide bus routes detoured to Northwestern Avenue. The safety of drivers and construction workers remains a top priority.
Golfers will have access to Veenker golf course from both the north and south. A temporary entrance to Veenker, which will be necessary during the reconstruction of the west lanes, won't occur until at least mid-July.
Vet Med Trail to close at South 16th Street for 30 days
As part of a city of Ames project to widen South 16th Street to four lanes in front of the Veterinary Medicine campus, a section of the Vet Med Trail will close on Thursday, June 26, at its intersection with South 16th Street. The trail closure is expected to last about 30 days. The recommended north-south detour between South Fourth Street and Airport Road is on the path along University Boulevard.
North entrance to Memorial Union ramp reopens
A roof project at the Memorial Union is complete, and the north entrance to the MU parking ramp has reopened for the foreseeable future, pending additional construction projects next year. Visitors and permit holders also may continue using the ramp's south entrance located off of Lincoln Way.
Distinguished Alumni, Honorary Alumni award nominations due Aug. 15
Nominations are being accepted through Aug. 15 for two of the ISU Alumni Association's highest awards:
- The Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor given to alumni by the university through the alumni association. It honors ISU alumni who are nationally or internationally recognized for preeminent contributions to their profession or life's work. Nomination form
- The Honorary Alumni Award, the highest honor given by the university through the alumni association to individuals who are not graduates of Iowa State and have made significant contributions to Iowa State's welfare, reputation, prestige and pursuit of excellence. Nomination form
Questions may be directed to Katie Lickteig.
Dates announced for city-university rummage sale
The dates for the ninth annual Rummage RAMPage at the city's intermodal parking facility on Hayward Avenue are July 25-Aug. 2, during Ames' annual lease turn-over period. The community garage sale is designed to keep reusable items out of the local waste stream. It's staffed by volunteers who share in the profits based on the hours they contribute (last year 51 non-profits shared more than $62,000).
Application window opens for 2026 community visioning program
The Iowa's Living Roadways Community Visioning Program is accepting applications through Sept. 2 for the 2026 program year, the program's 30th. Communities located within one mile of a state or federal highway and with 10,000 or fewer residents, existing transportation-related issues and a committee of volunteers dedicated to the visioning process are eligible. The program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Transportation in partnership with ISU's landscape architecture extension and Trees Forever. Participating communities contribute $2,000 (cash or in-kind) toward program implementation; the visioning program provides professional services valued at more than $100,000.
Creek bank work in Brookside Park will close east trail, south bridge
A city of Ames project to stabilize the Ioway Creek in Brookside Park will begin on Monday, June 16, weather permitting. The goal is to reduce erosion along Ioway Creek affecting both park and private property, save trees and habitat and improve water quality. The work will include installing instream rock features, relocating approximately 500 feet of creek, stabilizing the stream bank, establishing vegetation and extending storm sewers. Completion of the three-phased project is anticipated for December. The east trail and south pedestrian bridge will be closed for the duration of the project. Shelters, parking lots and ballfields will remain open.
During the first phase (approximately one month), crews will install instream rock features in two locations: between 13th Street and the north pedestrian bridge, and between the south pedestrian bridge and Sixth Street. During periods of trail closures, users are encouraged to find alternate routes. A suggested route is west through the park to Haber Road and then north to 13th Street.
Departments may pre-order 2025-26 ISU calendar
The ISU Alumni Association's 2025-26 wall calendar, loaded with photos from campus and university events, is available for departmental pre-order with a P-card or Worktag/DD number. Beginning the week of July 21, orders may be picked up at the alumni center or delivered via campus mail. To receive the following price breaks, a single Worktag or P-card must be used:
- 1-19 calendars: $15 each
- 20-29 calendars: $13 each
- 30+calendars: $11 each
June lunch workshop: AI in the workplace
The June edition of the Innovation Impact Lunch Club will feature Abram Anders, associate director of the Student Innovation Center and associate professor of English, who will lead a workshop on generative AI concepts, including selecting helpful prompts. It will meet on Friday, June 27 (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., executive board room, ISU Economic Development Core Facility, ISU Research Park). Participants are invited to bring their laptop so they can practice while they learn. The free series is hosted by ISU's office of economic development and industry relations especially for its faculty and staff partners, but open to all. RSVP to mndooley@iastate.edu.
Road widening project on South 16th Street begins June 16
A two-summer city of Ames project to widen South 16th Street in front of the Veterinary Medicine campus is beginning Monday, June 16, with site preparation. Materials delivery will begin Tuesday. Two-way traffic will be maintained throughout the project with the exception of one day of alternating one-way traffic during storm sewer work at the east end of the project (date yet to be determined). Pedestrians and cyclists who use the trails along South 16th Street should seek alternate routes during construction. The north-south Vet Med multi-use trail may need to close for up to a month this summer. The project will construct a four-lane road with curb and gutter and 10-foot-wide shared use paths on both sides of the roadway and replace the street lighting.
Matthew West concert tickets on sale June 16
Tickets for a Sunday, Nov. 23, concert at Stephens Auditorium by Christian singer-songwriter Matthew West go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Monday, June 16 via Ticketmaster. His "Don't Stop Praying" tour highlights his 13th album, released in January 2024. Tickets start at $32 plus fees.
Fall funding support available for faculty success program
ncfdd's highly rated, 12-week Faculty Success Program is an online mentoring program. Offered in the fall, spring and summer, it's designed to teach faculty the skills they need to increase both their research and writing productivity while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The early registration price for fall is $4,495. The provost's office will partially support the participation of faculty (all appointments, all ranks) in the program with a $2,500 contribution. Faculty sponsored by the provost's office are expected to complete all components of the Faculty Success Program. Participants, departments/schools or colleges are expected to cover the remaining $1,995 program fees (e.g., matching funds, professional development funds, grant funds or other sources). To apply for this funding support, complete the short application form, upload the signed department form and submit your application by July 3.
Leadership transition announced in enrollment management
Katharine Johnson Suski, assistant vice president and executive director of admissions, has been appointed interim associate vice president for enrollment management, effective this week. Laura Doering, who previously held the role, will serve as a program specialist, supporting critical efforts across the offices of the registrar and student financial aid. Suski will continue to serve as executive director of admissions during the interim appointment. A national search for a permanent associate vice president for enrollment management will be launched during fall semester.
cyBUY system maintenance is scheduled for late June
The university's electronic purchasing program, cyBUY, will undergo system maintenance for updates the weekend of June 27-29. New cyBUY orders can't be created after 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, and approval of existing orders must be completed by 4 p.m. Friday, June 27. cyBUY will be back online and fully operational at 8 a.m. Monday, June 30. Questions may be emailed to cyBUY@iastate.edu.
Makerspaces tour for P&S employees is June 17
The P&S Council's community relations and advocacy committee is sponsoring its next campus tour for P&S employees on Tuesday, June 17 (12:50-2 p.m.): Four makerspaces at the Student Innovation Center. Participants should register in advance and meet at the bottom of the stepatorium.
Taking time off this month? Set up task delegations in Workday
Make sure work is not disrupted during your time off by setting up Delegations in Workday. Delegations temporarily reassign your Workday tasks to another employee and can be scheduled ahead of time. This step keeps business processes moving and prevents delays to completing required fiscal year-end actions. Learn more in this overview of Delegations.
Children invited to propose new ice cream flavor for ISU Creamery
Children 12 years and younger are invited to propose a new ice cream flavor for the ISU Creamery . . . via a coloring sheet. The sheets can be picked up at the ISU Creamery, 2955 Food Sciences Building, or downloaded from the ISU Creamery website and printed at home. Contestants will color and name their proposed flavor -- which can't already exist in the ISU Creamery's ice cream flavors lineup. (Parents may help them describe their flavor on the separate entry form.) Entries are due in the store by 5 p.m. Saturday, June 28. The ISU Creamery team will announce the winning flavor at noon Wednesday, July 2, on the creamery's Facebook and Instagram pages. The winning ice cream will be made at the creamery and sold for a limited time in the store, starting Friday, July 18. Summer hours at the store are: noon-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
Purchasing Power webinar is June 12
One of the voluntary benefits added for ISU benefits-eligible employees in March is Purchasing Power, a buy-now, pay-in-segments option that doesn't require a credit card. With it, employees purchase national-brand products, receive them at purchase time and pay for them over six to 12 months, interest-free, through payroll deduction. A 30-minute webinar, including information and Q&A, will be held for ISU employees on Thursday, June 12 (noon-12:30 p.m., via Microsoft Teams). No registration is needed; simply join the webinar. Employees can enroll in Purchasing Power and other voluntary benefits any time of the year by creating an account on the Everyday Marketplace.
Mental health first aid training offered for staff, faculty
A few spots remain for a day-long training for faculty and staff on mental health first aid, being offered monthly this summer by Iowa State University, the office of the senior vice president for student affairs and university human resources at no cost to participants. Light breakfast, lunch and snacks are included. Learn risk factors and warning signs for both mental health and addiction concerns, strategies to help someone in both non-crisis and crisis situations, and where to turn for help. It will cover:
- Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.
- Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
- How to interact with a person in crisis.
- How to connect a person with help.
- Additional information on trauma, substance use and self-care.
Please prioritize your training date; this is a full day of training (8 a.m.-5 p.m., check-in at 7:40 a.m., Hach Hall atrium).
- Wednesday, June 25
- Monday, July 7
- Friday, Aug. 8
Tickets for fall Preacher Lawson performance go on sale June 6
Tickets ($34-$54) go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, June 6, for a Sept. 25 performance at Stephens Auditorium by comedian Preacher Lawson, who will be joined by his mother and brother Justin. Lawson is best known for his appearance on the 2017 season of NBC's "America's Got Talent," where he made it to the final round. In television, Lawson can be seen on HBO's "A Black Lady Sketch Show" and NBC's "Connecting" as a series regular. He recently completed his residency hosting AGT Live in Las Vegas and performs in venues around the country. Lawson performed previously in Ames in February 2023, at a Student Union Board "After Dark" event.
June 4 update on Stange Road reconstruction
Today (June 4) access to University Village from Stange Road will transition south again, from Blankenburg Drive to Bruner Drive. Weather delays in late May have pushed back the date for reopening Stange Road to two-way traffic (one lane in each direction), but that transition is expected in the next few weeks; the specific date will be determined as the newly poured northbound lanes cure.
Hort farm's seasonal produce sale opens this week
Visitation is June 7 for former faculty member John Mabry
A visitation for professor emeritus of animal science and former director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center John Mabry will be held Saturday, June 7 (1-3 p.m., Grandon Funeral Home, 414 Lincoln Way). Mabry, an ISU faculty member from 2000 to 2015, died on May 29. Obituary.
Summer events resume June 2 in MU's Workspace
The Workspace at the Memorial Union will open June 2 with a summer calendar full of art classes, events and crafts. Drop-in crafts and Paint Your Own Pottery are open to all ages and can be done in studio or with a to-go kit. Summer hours are 2-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday through July. Everyone is welcome.
Procurement services announces recipients of supplier awards
Procurement services hosted its 2025 Supplier Awards ceremony on May 15. Recipients were:
- Environmental Excellence Award: Iowa Insulation Inc.
- Customer Service of the Year Award: Crazy Fresh
- Small Business of the Year: Schonert’s Corporate Catering and Pinnacle Productions
- cyBUY Supplier of the Year: CDW-G
- Strategic Partnership of the Year: U.S. Bank
- Supplier of the Year: Lockton
- Honorable mentions: VitalRads Veterinary Imaging Specialists and Popplers Music Store
May 26 is a university holiday
University offices are closed and summer classes won't meet on Monday, May 26, in observance of the national Memorial Day holiday.
Memorial services honor Vet Med's Jared Danielson
Jared Danielson, former Morrill Professor of veterinary pathology and senior associate dean for academic and student program success in the College of Veterinary Medicine, died May 16 after a two-year battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held Friday, May 23 (11 a.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2524 Hoover Ave., Ames). Visitation will be in the same location on Thursday, May 22 (4-7 p.m.). In addition, the college will host a Celebration of Life on Thursday (3-4 p.m., Café Commons, Patterson Hall). Obituary.
A scholarship has been established at the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Dr. Jared Danielson Memorial Scholarship (fund number 2707256). Gifts may be made online or mailed to: ISU Foundation, P.O. Box 2230, Ames 50010-2230.
Limited bloom has begun for 'corpse plant' at Reiman Gardens
The Amorphophallus titanum (or corpse plant) has bloomed for the first time at Reiman Gardens, coinciding with the public garden's 30th anniversary celebration. The plant began its blooming cycle at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. Visitors are encouraged to come quickly -- the bloom only lasts for 24 to 36 hours. Reiman Gardens will have extended hours until 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday evenings. The tropical titan is known for its enormous height and infamous odor, often compared to rotting flesh. Follow the gardens' live updates on social media for real-time bloom status.
Process renewals for student employees extending for summer or fall
Managers and job management support staff may process renewals for students extending their employment through summer or returning for fall semester. The latest employment end date allowed for renewals is May 31, 2026. The latest employment end dates allowed for student employees not being renewed are:
- Graduating seniors: May 31, 2025
- Graduating international students: Last day of classes in the semester in which they graduate.
- All other student workers: May 31, 2025
Student employees can work up to 40 hours per week during the summer starting the week of May 19, including students enrolled in summer courses. Only students registered for fall courses are allowed to work during the summer as student employees. Questions about a specific student's eligibility may be sent to uhrim@iastate.edu. General student employment policy questions may be sent to hrshelp@iastate.edu.
Gilbert selected as faculty director for University Honors Program
Stephen Gilbert, professor of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering, has been appointed faculty director of the University Honors Program, a three-year, 75% appointment. Gilbert, who also serves as associate director of the VRAC Research Center and directs the Human Computer Interaction graduate program, will direct Iowa State's undergraduate research program, help develop the Honors curriculum, foster partnerships with colleges and departments, mentor students and chair the University Honors Committee.
Renew your extended loan materials from the library now
Staff, faculty, retirees, graduate students, visiting scholars and affiliates should return or renew their university library materials (books, journals, DVDs, etc.) with a due date of May 16, 2025. Online, phone and in-person renewal is available.
New website launches for 2022-31 strategic plan
A new website has launched for Iowa State's 2022-2031 Strategic Plan. The site reflects a revision of the plan approved earlier this year by the Iowa Board of Regents. Visitors to the site can download a PDF of the plan, read progress stories and review summaries of university investments made to date to advance strategic initiatives.
Second learning community cohort for term faculty completes its work
Twelve Iowa State faculty recently completed their participation in the university's Term Faculty Learning Community, created in 2022 to foster leadership skills, build connections with peers across campus and pursue their career goals. The program is led by teaching professors Sarah Bennett-George, apparel, events and hospitality management; and Michael Bootsma, accounting; and offered through the office of the senior vice president and provost. Participants in the second cohort were:
- Erica Beirman, food science and human nutrition
- Erin Bergquist, food science and human nutrition
- Christen Burgett, animal science
- Sandra Jennings-Hammond, marketing
- Ilker Karaca, finance
- Jelena Kraft, genetics, development, and cell biology
- Carly Manz, genetics, development, and cell biology
- Brenda Mulherin, veterinary clinical services
- Cullen Padgett-Walsh, philosophy and religious studies
- Jennifer Scaccianoce, veterinary clinical services
- Jennifer Schieltz, natural resource ecology and management
- Aaron Wood, earth, atmosphere and climate
Interdisciplinary research teams recognized with university award
Two teams were chosen to receive the university's Award for Interdisciplinary Team Research and will be recognized at the university awards ceremony in the fall. This award inadvertently was left out of last week's Inside story (the provost's office apologizes for the omission). Congratulations to the 12 members of the Soynomics team and the 13 members of the Dairy Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza team.
Summer session at the exercise clinic starts May 19
The ISU Exercise Clinic, sponsored by the kinesiology department, is offering a 12-week summer session, May 19-Aug. 8. Classes are offered three days a week at 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., noon and 5:30 p.m., and are open to adults in the ISU and Ames communities at all fitness levels, from beginners to experts. Small, supervised classes feature personal trainers to keep participants on track. State-of-the-art equipment was chosen to be user-friendly for all participants. The cost of the clinic is $75. Fitness testing is done for new participants to identify an appropriate starting level. For more information or to sign up for a session, call 294-8257 or visit the website.
Hyland Avenue closing Monday for city project
Hyland Avenue, from Ontario Street to just north of the Unitarian Universalist worship center (1015 Hyland Ave.), will close on Monday, May 19, for the first of a four-phase city of Ames street reconstruction project. Sidewalks and bike lanes also will be closed.
Phase I is anticipated to take five to seven weeks, weather permitting. For motorists, the recommended detour is Grand Avenue between13th Street and Lincoln Way. Bicycle and pedestrian traffic should detour to North Dakota Avenue or consider other streets to avoid the construction.
The full project, anticipated for completion by fall, will include pavement removal and replacement on Hyland from Ontario Street to Pammel Drive, and patching on select locations between Pammel Drive and Lincoln Way. Existing bike lanes in the Hyland roadway between Ontario and Oakland streets will be relocated to a new shared-use path along the west side of Hyland.
Registration is open for summer intramurals for faculty, staff
Recreation servics is sponsoring summer intramural leagues for faculty, staff and post-grad employees at no cost to participants thanks to sponsorship by ISU Wellbeing and the division of student affairs. Compete with your coworkers or friends in departments across campus -- or sign up as a free agent and rec services staff will create a team or find a partner for you. All participants must complete the wellbeing assessment in Adventure2 (and earn 25 points). Registration information, including deadlines, is on the rec services website. These leagues will be offered this summer:
- Sand volleyball: Teams of six or more people. Games on Mondays in June (4:30 p.m. or 5:15 p.m., Southeast Recreation Complex). Faculty/staff sand volleyball sign-up.
- Bags: Teams of two people. Games on Mondays in June (6-7 p.m., Southeast Recreation Complex). Faculty/staff bags sign-up.
- Basketball: Teams of five or more people. Starting July 9, games on Wednesdays in July (noon-1 p.m., Beyer Hall). Faculty/staff basketball sign-up.
- Pickleball doubles: Teams of two people. Starting July 15, games on Tuesdays in July (4:30 or 5:15 p.m., State Gym). Faculty/staff pickleball sign-up.
Tips for keeping food safe at graduation parties
As you make plans for your graduation celebration in the next few weeks, remember also to make plans to keep your food safe to eat, says food safety expert Anirudh Naig, state extension specialist for retail food safety and associate professor in hospitality management. He cited four steps to food safety from the federal government's food safety website.