Center, ISU Dining will host Ames networking event Aug. 23
The Iowa State Center and ISU Dining will host the Ames Chamber of Commerce's "Business After Hours" networking event Aug. 23 (5-7 p.m., Scheman Building) with a state fair-inspired theme. Complimentary food and beverages will be served, and activities will include a "guess the number of items" to win tickets and "cast your vote" (with a corn kernel) for your favorite show in the 2012-13 Performing Arts Series. All ISU employees are welcome.
Open forum is planned Aug. 16 for SAC position
Carolyn Duven, residence hall coordinator at Iowa State, is the third candidate to interview for the Memorial Union's Student Activities Center leadership and service coordinator. An open forum with Duven is planned for Aug. 16 (1-2 p.m., MU Maintenance Shop). All faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend.
EAP provider offers webinar on its services
Des Moines-based Employee and Family Resources, the university's provider for employee assistance program (EAP) services, will host an orientation webinar Sept. 12 (8:30-9 a.m.) on how to use the services available to ISU employees and their family members. Both PC (Windows 7, Vista, XP) and Mac (OS X, 10.5 or newer) users can participate. Space is limited; register online now.
Design team to present courtyard concepts at public meeting
Conceptual plans and ideas for the future of the Iowa State Center courtyard will be presented at an open meeting on Monday, Aug. 20 (5 p.m., 179 Scheman). Members of the Sasaki Associates design team will share initial concept alternatives. A site master plan is part of the $2.55 million project to upgrade and enhance the courtyard area. The meeting is free and open to the public.
ISU joins service-oriented Iowa Campus Compact
Iowa State recently joined the Iowa Campus Compact, a network of Iowa colleges and universities focused on promoting civic engagement by students. Members of the group are committed to the public purpose of higher education, including service-learning opportunities that engage students and impact communities.
"Iowa Campus Compact is a perfect fit with Iowa State¹s land-grant mission,² said President Steven Leath. "Working with students to become engaged in their communities is at the heart of what we do, and their service helps make Iowa a great place to live and work."
Comments sought on draft policy: Youth activities, pre-collegiate programs and camps
Are you involved in ISU programs that involve working with children younger than 18 years? If so, you're invited to review Iowa State's draft policy on youth activities, pre-collegiate programs and camps. Comments should be sent to policy@iastate.edu by Sept. 4.
Aug. 30 welcome event planned for black faculty and staff
An Aug. 30 kick-off reception (4-6 p.m., Multicultural Center, MU) has been planned to help relaunch the Black Faculty and Staff Association. Designed to cultivate and connect black faculty and staff with the greater university community, the BFSA provides a support system and platform to share thoughts, concerns, needs and ideas to support the university's mission. Refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Audrey Kennis, 4-8469.
Discrimination/harassment prevention training is free
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance invites all ISU employees (faculty, merit, P&S) to attend a general session on discrimination and harassment prevention. The 90-minute session will be offered several times each month this fall. Registration, including dates and times, is online via AccessPlus (once logged in, under employee tab, click on HRS training to see sessions listed alphabetically). Questions may be directed to Sara Brock, 4-7612.
Traffic congestion likely during student move-in
Students living in the residence halls this year will be moving back Aug. 14-17. The residence department suggests that faculty and staff avoid areas where move-in congestion may occur, including Union Drive in the southwest part of campus and Beach Road on the east edge.
Extension and Outreach schedules town hall meetings
Extension and Outreach wants to hear from Iowans about how Iowa State, in partnership with counties, can best serve citizens. Five town hall meetings have been scheduled across the state, including one Monday, Aug. 27, at 10:30 a.m. in Memorial Union Sun Room. Cathann Kress, Extension and Outreach vice president, and Terry Maloy, Iowa Association of County Extension Councils executive director, will participate in these conversations with Iowans.
“We are committed to listening to Iowans as we carry out our mission," Kress said. "We want to gather feedback about what we are doing well, where we need to improve and what needs to be addressed. All Iowans – citizens, community leaders, decision makers, partners, staff and extension council members – are welcome.”
Town hall meetings also will be held:
- Monday, Sept. 10, 10:30 a.m., Atlantic: Cass County ISU Extension and Outreach Office, 805 West 10th St.
- Monday, Sept.17, 10:30 a.m., Storm Lake: Prairie Lakes AEA Conference Room, 824 Flindt Drive
- Tuesday, Sept. 18, 10:30 a.m., Oskaloosa: Mahaska County ISU Extension and Outreach Office, 212 North I St.
- Wednesday, Sept.19, 10:30 a.m., Waterloo: Waterloo Center for the Arts, Law Court Theater, 225 Commercial St.
Reminder: Register for new faculty orientation events Aug. 14-15
The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching will hold a university teaching seminar Aug 14 (8 a.m.-4 p.m., Scheman Building) for all new teachers, including teaching assistants. The Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost invites all new tenure-eligible faculty to an orientation session Aug. 15 (7:45 a.m.-4 p.m., Garden Room, Reiman Gardens). Registration for both events closes this week.
Open forums set for student activities post
Two candidates will interview on campus for the leadership and service coordinator position in the Student Activities Center at the Memorial Union. This position coordinates leadership development conferences, community service events and the alternative breaks program; and serves as adviser to Dance Marathon, Freshmen Council and other service-focused student groups. Interested faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in an open forum for each of the candidates, to be held in the MU Maintenance Shop (2-3 p.m.) on these dates:
- Aug. 10: Kevin Merrill, ISU College of Human Sciences
- Aug. 13: Jessica Wilke, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Reporting process for work injury is streamlined
Staff in Human Resource Services and Environmental Health and Safety have combined the First Report of Injury and Accident Investigation online forms into a single form, creating a more efficient and user-friendly process for employees and supervisors who need to report a work injury. The change is effective Aug. 2.
The updated First Report of Injury system can be found in the same location (in AccessPlus and the "Employee" tab, click on "work injury" in the left column). The accident investigation report, which is used by EH&S staff, is accessed via a new "supervisor" tab in the online form.
Questions regarding the new process may be directed to HR Services, 4-3753.
Summer session ends Aug. 3
Iowa State's summer term concludes on Friday, Aug. 3. Students who completed their degrees during summer session have the option to participate in the May or December commencement activities.
Classes for fall semester begin on Monday, Aug. 20.
Beyer pool to close July 29 for repairs
Beyer pool will be closed and drained July 29 for repairs, upgrades and repainting. The pool is scheduled to reopen Monday, Aug. 27. ADA compliant lift chairs, handrails and ladders will be added and a new audio system will be installed. The scoreboard, starting blocks, and damaged and missing tiles will be replaced. Pool hours at State Gym will be extended to accommodate morning and noon lap swimming. Lap lanes also will be available during open swim hours.
Summer undergrad research on display Aug. 3
Students participating in Iowa State's NSF-sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU); U.S. Department of Energy's SULI program; and the HHMI summer scholars will present their work Friday, Aug. 3 (1-3 p.m., Howe Hall atrium). All are invited; refreshments will be provided.
MU art lending open house is Aug. 1-2
Support arts programming at the Memorial Union with a rental (semester or year) of a framed print or painting from the 175-piece art lending collection. Pick out yours during an open house Aug. 1 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Aug. 2 (10 a.m.-noon) in the MU browsing library. Most pieces rent for $12 to $25 for the year. New artworks have been added to the collection and select pieces will be available for sale.
Local agencies accepting donations for fire victims
College of Design department chairs appointed
Following approval of the College of Design's reorganization plan by the state Board of Regents in April and subsequent approval of a revised internal governance document by the college faculty in May, the College of Design now encompasses seven academic departments: architecture, community and regional planning, graphic design, industrial design, integrated studio arts, interior design and landscape architecture. Effective July 1, faculty members who served as interim directors of these programs for the past two years are continuing as department chairs -- some with permanent appointments, some in interim positions until searches and selection processes can be completed.
Tickets to single shows in Stephens season on sale July 16
At 10 a.m. Monday, July 16, tickets to single performances in the 2012-13 performing arts series at Stephens Auditorium will go on sale to the public. Tickets may be purchased at the Stephens box office (10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday) or through Ticketmaster.
EH&S summit focuses on radiation
The sources of radiation and what to do with them is the topic of a July 20 (7:30-9 a.m.) summit sponsored by Environmental Health and Safety. The summit is valuable for all who want to know more about safety issues at ISU, particularly principal investigators, lab safety contacts, lab managers and administrators. Register online (log in to learning center, click on schedule and select July 20 safety summit).
Union Drive closed in front of MU July 12-25
As part of ongoing concrete road pavement replacement work this summer, Union Drive on the north side of the Memorial Union is an upcoming site. Work is planned to begin July 12 and continue through July 25. The road will be closed during that time period; one traffic lane will be kept open for CyRide busses only.
Holger, Rico-Gutierrez will lead Engineering dean search
Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Hoffman has identified a 20-member search committee to seek a successor to Jonathan Wickert, who will become senior vice president and provost on July 30. Committee co-chairs are David Holger, associate provost for academic programs and dean of the Graduate College; and Luis Rico-Gutierrez, dean of the College of Design.
Garden art fair is July 8
The annual garden art fair at Reiman Gardens will be held Sunday, July 8 (9 a.m.-4 p.m.), and feature nearly 70 artists selling garden-inspired art. Admission reduced by $1 ($7 adults, $3 youth, free for members and ISU students) includes access to the art fair and all other garden features. Live music will be provided throughout the fair, and several local shops will sell food items and beverages.
Electrical fire contained in Metals Development Building
Ames fire fighters extinguished a fire in a second floor electrical equipment room in the Metals Development Building this morning (June 29). There were no injuries. The fire was confined to the electric equipment and didn't involve chemicals or dangerous substances.
Power was cut briefly to the Metals Development Building and Spedding Hall, which is across the street, as fire fighters assessed safety issues. It has since been restored. Both buildings are part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory.
Electrical fire contained in Metals Development
Ames fire fighters extinguished a fire in a second floor electrical equipment room in the Metals Development Building this morning (June 29). There were no injuries. The fire was confined to the electric equipment and didn't involve chemicals or dangerous substances.
Power remains out at the Metals Development Building and Spedding Hall, which is across the street. Both buildings are part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory.
A portion of Pammel Drive (between Morrill Road North and WOI Road) will be closed through mid-morning as fire fighters do safety checks.
Homestay hosts sought for Japanese teachers this summer
Ames-area host families still are needed to provide a 3-week homestay for 14 visiting teachers of English from Japan. The teachers will attend classes on campus and live with their hosts July 28-Aug. 18. A stipend is available. For more information, contact Alexandra Johnston, homestay coordinator in the Intensive English and Orientation Program.
Ames fireworks show moved to July 3
The Ames Jaycees, sponsors of the Independence Day fireworks show in Ames, announced they will set off fireworks the evening of Tuesday, July 3, on Iowa State property east of Jack Trice Stadium. Due to difficulties securing an electronic shoot technician, the Jaycees moved the fireworks to July 3 from the holiday itself. The show will begin at dusk, which typically has occurred between 9 and 10 p.m. The rain date for the fireworks is Saturday, July 7.
Reminder: Summer youth programs must be registered
By this fall, Iowa State will have a new policy establishing safety standards for any university program involving youth under 18 years old. In the meantime, university units or affiliates offering a youth camp or pre-collegiate program this summer must:
- Register the program with the Office of Risk Management; use Youth Program Registration (PDF) or Youth Program Registration-Third Party (PDF).
- Copy the registration to chairs and deans.
- Submit a background check request form (PDF) to the Office of University Counsel. University counsel will screen volunteers and employees against the sex offender registry. People on the registry can't assist with youth programs. University-endorsed or third-party programs are responsible for their own background checks.
- Develop a protocol to assure first aid is available to camp participants. A training presentation, Emergency and First Aid Orientation for ISU Youth Camps and Pre-Collegiate Programs (PDF) and an Urgent Care Resources Card for ISU Youth Camps and Pre-Collegiate Programs (PDF) have been developed for program leaders and staff. Additional emergency and safety training resources are available on the Environmental Health and Safety website.
The Youth Camps and Pre-Collegiate Programs website provides more information and links to forms. Please share this information with anyone planning a youth program for this summer.
Curtiss west entrance to close for step replacement
The (limestone) west steps of Curtiss Hall will be replaced with cast stone steps this summer. As a result and in light of other construction in the building, acess to Curtiss will be only at the north and south doors from Monday, July 2, through approximately Friday, Aug. 17.
Volunteer at the university's State Fair exhibit
Volunteer shifts still are available to roll football posters and apply Iowa State tattoos at the university's State Fair exhibit in the Varied Industries Building Aug. 9-19. There are two volunteer shifts, 8:45 a.m.-3 p.m. or 2:45-9 p.m. Contact Sarah Hangsleben in the university marketing office, 4-3969, by July 3.
Andreotti, Tuggle receive 2012 Bailey awards
Amy Andreotti, professor of biochemistry, biophysics and molelular biology; and Chris Tuggle, professor of animal science, are the 2012 recipients of the Bailey Research Career Development Award out of the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development. The award, established with an estate gift from Carl and Grace Bailey, fosters research by ISU full or associate professors that is innovative and has practical applications. The award this year is $50,000/year for 2-3 years, beginning July 1.
Registration is open for youth dance workshop July 9-28
Registration is open for Kids' Co'Motion, a three-week dance workshop for youth ages 8-18 years, during which participants receive training in modern dance techniques, improvisation and choreography. The workshop is held Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. July 9-27. The first two weeks are held in the Forker Building, the last week in the Ames City Auditorium, where participants will perform on July 27-28. Tuition is $200. Co'Motion Dance is in residence in the kinesiology department.
Curtiss Hall is without elevator service starting June 26
As part of the new student commons construction project in Curtiss Hall, the building's elevator will be replaced. Beginning June 26, the building will have no elevator service until January. From January until the completion of Harl Commons -- sometime next summer -- the new elevator temporarily will require a human operator and service will be by appointment only, to accommodate students and employees with disabilities, custodial needs and deliveries to the upper floors. If construction stays on schedule, Harl Commons will be completed sometime during the summer of 2013.
Registration closes June 29 for high school Design camp
A few spaces still are available for Design Condensed, an intensive one-week summer camp (July 8-14) on campus and at the Iowa 4-H Center near Luther. The camp is open to high school students who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors this fall; they need not be 4-H members. Register online by 5 p.m. June 29. Questions may be directed to Debra Satterfield or Malinda Cooper. The camp is offered by the College of Design and ISU 4-H Youth Development.
Reminder: Mixed paper pickup is June 20-21
Campus services teams will pick up boxes of mixed paper for recycling Wednesday-Thursday, June 20-21. Buildings that submitted pickup requests are reminded to have boxes (of a size and weight that one person could lift) at the specified outdoor location by 7:30 a.m. Wednesday (Thursday for those buildings with a promised Thursday pickup). More information about this recycling effort is online; questions may be directed to Sue Mallas in facilities planning and management, 4-0692.
Call for volunteers for dress-making workshop June 30-July 1
The Workspace, east ground floor of the Memorial Union, is hosting a work weekend for the non-profit organization "Little Dresses for Africa" Saturday and Sunday, June 30-July 1 (1-4 p.m. both days). Volunteers can assist with making children's dresses from pillow cases; tasks include cutting, ironing and sewing. The Workspace will provide the supplies, however donations of new or gently used pillowcases and notions may be brought that day. To date, the Workspace has donated more than 400 dresses.
Emergency repair will slow Lincoln Way traffic Wednesday-Thursday
Wednesday morning, city crews began emergency repairs to a sanitary sewer south of campus. The work closed eastbound lanes of Lincoln Way from Lynn to Beach avenues and rerouted all traffic into the westbound lanes. Vehicle access to Lincoln Way will be maintained through head-to-head traffic between Lynn and Beach avenues. However, vehicles will not be allowed to cross Lincoln Way from the north or south at these intersections: Lynn, Ash and Gray avenues, Knoll Road and Union Drive. The repairs may continue into Thursday. Drivers are asked to use caution in the area, reduce speed and be prepared to stop.
Ames Intermodal Facility ribbon cutting is June 9
The Ames Intermodal Facility will be opened with a public ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 9, at 11:30 a.m. The event will feature Federal Transit Administration administrator Peter M. Rogoff, elected officials and local leaders. The event will be held at 129 Hayward Ave., near the corner of Chamberlain Street. A program will begin at noon.
New EH&S course focuses on Biosafety Level 2 labs
Employees who work in or provide administrative oversight for a Biosafety Level 2 lab are invited to take a new classroom course being offered by ISU Environmental Health and Safety on June 14 (9-10:30 a.m., EH&S Building). In Biosafety Level 2 Laboratories and You, participants will learn about procedures and techniques they should be aware of while working in a lab. Register at EH&S' Learning Center (once logged in, click on "schedule" in the left column to see June events).
Wellness presentation will focus on fiber, whole grains
Sally Barclay, manager of the Nutrition Clinic for Employee Wellness, will give a free presentation, "Whole Grains and Fiber for Good Health," on June 13 (1:30 p.m., 192 Parks Library). No RSVP is needed. Barclay also is making summer appointments with employees who want to work on healthy lifestyle changes. Contact her to get started.
Chemistry Stores closed June 11-12
Chemistry Stores in Gilman Hall will be closed for inventory on Monday-Tuesday, June 11-12. On each of these days, dry ice and liquid nitrogen will be available at two times: 9:30-10 a.m. and 12:30-1 p.m. Gas cylinders will be delivered both days. Regular deliveries resume on June 13.
Highway 69 north of Ames closes June 11 for the summer
Employees and students commuting to Ames from the north are advised that U.S. 69 north of Ames (between 190th Street and 0.5 mile south of county road E-18) will close Monday, June 11, and remain closed until late September, weather permitting. The Iowa DOT is coordinating a project to reconstruct the road. Traffic will be detoured to a route that includes E-18, Interstate 35 and 13th Street in Ames.
Register now to participate in WelcomeFest on Aug. 22
The Student Activities Center is accepting registrations for the 2012 WelcomeFest Aug. 22 (5:30-9 p.m., MU Great Hall), designed to introduce more than 4,000 students to Iowa State departments and Ames businesses. (Student organizations have this opportunity at ClubFest.) The registration fee is $100 by July 20; $150 after that. Booths will be assigned on a first-registered (and paid) basis. More information, including registration, is online. Questions may be directed to George Micalone, 4-8081.
Design Condensed summer camp for high schoolers
The College of Design and ISU Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development will offer Design Condensed, an intensive one-week summer camp, July 8-14, on the Iowa State campus and at the Iowa 4-H Center near Luther. The camp is open to high school students who will be sophomores, juniors or seniors in the fall. The students need not be 4-H members. Download a brochure and registration form (PDF) or register online by 5 p.m. Friday, June 15. Contact Debra Satterfield, debra815@iastate.edu, or Malinda Cooper, macooper@iastate.edu, with questions.
Volunteers sought for June 23 creek cleanup
In recognition of National Rivers Month, campus volunteers will meet Saturday, June 23 (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) to remove trash from sections of College Creek on campus. No minimum time is required; all help is appreciated. Volunteers should register online and check in June 23 at the table in the Forker parking lot on the east side of campus. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and gloves; other supplies will be provided. There will be free food and water for all participants, as well as door prizes. This 4th annual cleanup is a joint effort of Live Green!, Keep Iowa State Beautiful and ISU facilities planning and management. For more information, contact Merry Rankin, 4-5052.
University Museums seeks your "curious" objects
Do you have extraordinary artifacts in storage? Specimens from a course you taught? University Museums needs your department's objects for an exhibition titled "Cabinet of Curiosities" to open in August at the Christian Petersen Art Museum in Morrill Hall. Objects in good condition will be used from mid-July for at least six months.
Cabinets of curiosities first appeared in the 16th and 17th centuries as encyclopedic collections of wondrous things. These cabinets displayed anything that fell under one of these categories: biological specimens, minerals, fossils, sculpture, paintings, decorative objects, books, musical instruments, historical artifacts or technical devices. Iowa Staters may remember that Morrill Hall once housed a third-floor museum of natural history specimens (taxidermy animals), some of which will return to the building for this exhibition. For more information or to suggest items, contact museums intern Jennifer Munoz, 515-520-1897.
Iowa Staters give back with service days
The final count is in for the ISU Alumni Association's inaugural Cy's Days of Service campaign. More than 1,500 hours were logged by ISU alumni in 24 different states. President Steven Leath and wife Janet helped kick off the month of giving back during Veishea Service Day in Ames.
Visitation for Terri Heinrich is June 1
Terri Heinrich, 53, a 26-year employee at Parks Library, died May 24. A visitation will be held Friday, June 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home, Ames. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Ames Animal Rescue Shelter or the Ames Chapter Izaak Walton League of America. Heinrich is survived by her husband Daniel Burden, president of the ISU Professional and Scientific Council and a program coordinator in the Extension Value-added Agriculture Program. More information on Heinrich.
Book club convenes on June 5
MU Workspace coordinator Letitia Kenemer will lead a fun, conversational discussion of Jonah Lehrer's book, Imagine: How Creativity Works, this summer. The book club will meet June 5 (7 p.m, MU Workspace) to meet and make a general plan for the subsequent discussions on June 19 and July 10. In his book, Lehrer demonstrates that creativity is not a gift possessed by the lucky few, but rather a variety of thought processes everyone can learn to use effectively. Book club participants may purchase their own copy of the book or pre-order one by June 4 ($26) for pickup at the June 5 gathering. The fee to join the book club is $5. For more information, call 4-0970.
Lehrer is scheduled to give a public lecture on campus Sept. 12 (8 p.m., MU Great Hall).