Employee wellness presentation focuses on super foods
"Super Foods -- Enhance Your Eating" is the topic of an employee wellness presentation open to all faculty and staff on Jan. 26 (10-11 a.m., 192 Parks Library). Sally Barclay, clinician in food science and human nutrition, will lead a discussion about the most nutrient-dense foods with antioxidants and how to incorporate them into your daily diet. No preregistration is required.
Register now for March 24 Veishea Service Day/Stash the Trash
Help clean up the Iowa State campus and Ames community during the annual Veishea Service Day/Stash the Trash on March 24 (8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., meet at the Reiman Gardens parking lot). Volunteers may work alone, with a group or an organization. Volunteers will receive free lunch and free admission to Reiman Gardens. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. If you're interested in participating, register online.
Controller's department seeks internal candidates for accounting manager position
The controller's department seeks qualified candidates for an accounting manager position in the sponsored programs accounting (SPA) office. This is an internal search open to current faculty, P&S (continuous or term) or permanent merit employees. Additional information about this vacancy (ID 120040) is available on the employment opportunities website.
University Honors Program seeks fall seminar proposals
The University Honors Program invites proposals for Honors seminars for fall semester from experienced instructors at any level. Proposals are due Feb. 8. Honors seminars, offered on a satisfactory/fail basis, are small (up to 17 students) one- or two-credit courses that give Honors students an opportunity to examine topics of special or current interest in an active learning environment. The Honors program will allocate $500 to seminar instructors to be used for professional development. More information, including the proposal form, is online. Questions may be directed to Honors faculty director Susan Yager, 4-4372.
Luncheon discussion looks at outcomes of ISU ADVANCE
Women faculty in the STEM fields are invited to a luncheon discussion Jan. 24 (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., MU Campanile Room) to reflect on how things at Iowa State have changed since the inception of the ADVANCE program six years ago. This free event is hosted by the ISU ADVANCE program and the office of the executive vice president and provost. RSVPs for lunch are requested by noon Jan. 19.
Student Employee of the Year nominations due Feb. 10
Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 10 for the 2012 ISU Student Employee of the Year award. The award recognizes a student's reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism, interpersonal skills and unique contribution to his or her employer. Nominees must be undergraduates employed on campus part-time for a minimum of six months between June 1, 2011, and May 31, 2012 (anticipated). The nomination guidelines and application are online; for more information, contact Julie Arnold in the Office of Student Financial Aid, 4-0103.
CESMEE hosts Jan. 24 STEM brown bag seminar
The Center for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education (CESMEE) is hosting a free STEM (science, technology, mathematics, engineering) brown bag seminar Jan. 24 (noon-1 p.m., N047 Lagomarcino) with Carol Heaverlo, outreach program coordinator for the Program for Women in Science and Engineering. Her talk, "STEM Development: Factors That Influence 6th-12th Grade Girls' Interest and Confidence in Science and Mathematics," will feature the results of a comprehensive assessment of the Taking the Road Less Traveled Career Conference program. All faculty, students and staff are welcome to attend, and to bring their lunch. Please RSVP to Tracie Miller.
Study Abroad Fair is Jan. 26
The Study Abroad Center will host the Study Abroad Fair Jan. 26 (11 a.m.-2 p.m., MU Great Hall). Representatives of programs from around the world will answer questions and share opportunities with students. Contact the Study Abroad Center, 4-6792, with questions.
CPR, AED and first aid training offered
Environmental Health and Safety will hold a day-long training session Jan. 26 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 1230 Environmental Health and Safety Service Building) for those who wish to be certified in CPR, first aid and automated external defibrillator (AED). Cost is $55 per person. Send payment by Jan. 19 to EH&S, 2809 Daley Dr., or fax intramural to 4-9357. Cancellations must occur by 48 hours prior to the training or the registration fee will not be refunded. Register online at the EH&S Learning Center.
Classes recessed, offices closed Jan. 16 for King holiday
Iowa State classes will not meet and university offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 16, to observe the national holiday honoring civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
Faculty asked to complete survey on provost's office as part of review
As required in the Faculty Handbook (Section 5.7.5), a committee of the Faculty Senate is reviewing the office of the executive vice president and provost this year. To help with that assessment, Iowa State faculty are asked to participate in an online survey that will be available Jan. 18-31. Faculty will receive an email with a link to the survey. The senate requests that all faculty complete the brief survey and submit comments as appropriate. Questions may be directed to Mike Owen, Faculty Senate past president and chair of the review committee.
W-2 forms are available online
W-2 forms for ISU employees are available now in AccessPlus (click on "employee" tab and "W2" in left column). To save on mailing costs, the university encourages employees to print the electronic version of their W-2s. Employees who haven't gone into AccessPlus and elected the electronic copy by Jan. 25 will receive a paper copy in the mail postmarked Jan. 31.
Work weekend planned for African children dressmaking
The Workspace in the Memorial Union is hosting a work weekend to benefit the non-profit organization, Little Dresses for Africa. Volunteers can assist with making dresses from pillow cases. Tasks include cutting, sewing and ironing; come for an hour or two or longer. Hours are Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday-Monday 1-4 p.m. To date, the Workspace has sent more than 400 dresses. Preregistration is not needed. The Workspace will provide the supplies, but volunteers are welcome to bring new or gently used pillowcases or notions.
Open forums scheduled for writing help center director candidates
The Dean of Students Office has selected four finalists for the director's post in the Writing and Media Help Center, 300 Carver. Candidates will be on campus for open forums Jan. 19-24. A list of the finalists and their open forum schedules is online. Each candidate's forum presentation will address the question, "What are the current issues facing university writing centers while supporting writing-across-the-curriculum efforts and how can they be addressed while developing the skills of a diverse student population?"
Proposals due March 1 for women's and diversity grants
Iowa State's Women's and Diversity Grants Program (combining formerly separate grant programs) supports initiatives that enrich the experiences of women and diverse faculty, staff and students. Up to $50,000 is available for 2012-13 for either one-time programming or seed money. Grant proposals, due March 1, may be submitted by individuals or teams (at least one team member must have faculty or staff status). Collaborative proposals, especially among academic departments and other campus units, are encouraged. Repeat programs are not eligible. Program guidelines, timeline and the application form are online in PDF form. Questions about the application process may be directed to Ruth Caccia-Birch, 4-5882.
OPPTAG offers summer teaching opportunity
The Office of Precollegiate Programs for Talented and Gifted (OPPTAG) is seeking faculty, graduate students and local teachers to teach talented and gifted students in grades 3-11 this summer. Individuals should be passionate about their field of study and have the skills to work with engaged and curious elementary, middle or high school students. If interested, contact Carmen Flagge.
Women's center interim director to speak at next P&S Council open forum
Chris Fowler, interim director of the Margaret Sloss Women's Center, will speak at the Professional and Scientific Council's open forum Thursday, Jan. 12 (noon-1 p.m., MU Gallery). Her talk will address the center's current projects and events, resources available to the campus community and how the center's mission connects to ISU's commitment to women and social justice on campus. All are welcome to attend; feel free to bring your lunch.
Get healthy with Live Healthy Iowa
The Live Healthy 100-day Wellness Challenge kicks off Jan. 23 and runs through May 1. Teams of two to 10 people may register online at Live Healthy Iowa. The registration fee for each team member is $20, which includes a T-shirt, weekly health and nutrition tips, chances to win monthly incentives, recipes and more. Get $5 off the fee with a coupon from Hy-Vee. Registrations will be accepted through Feb. 29. Iowa State's group ID number is LHISTATE.
Recognition program for academic advisers is Jan. 19
The University Academic Advising Committee is hosting a recognition event for all academic advisers on Thursday, Jan. 19 (7:30-8:45 a.m., MU Campanile Room). A light breakfast will be available, and a short program will begin at 8 a.m. Feel free to come and go as your schedule allows. An RSVP is requested, but not required, to dlmartin@iastate.edu.
Student team leaders sought for August's Destination Iowa State
Do you know a student who would make a great leader? Encourage him or her to be a team leader during Destination Iowa State, Aug. 16-18. This is a great way for current students to show their Cyclone pride, be part of a team, develop leadership skills and earn up to $250. Each team leader will mentor a group of approximately 12 students through the Destination Iowa State experience. More information and the application are online. Questions may be directed to Amy Tucker, new student programs, 4-6660.
Next Swim & Gym session begins Feb. 7
Enrollment is open for the spring Swim & Gym after-school program. The 10-week session meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45-5:30 p.m. in the Forker Building. The program provides an hour of gym time and a half hour of swimming lessons. The spring session begins Feb. 7 and runs through April 19. Cost is $85 for one child; additional children are charged on a sliding fee scale. Additional information, including a registration packet, is available online.
Volunteer judges needed for science and technology fair
Volunteers with a major, degree or background in science, engineering or technology are needed for the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa March 30-31 at the Iowa State Center. Approximately 350 to 400 judges are needed to evaluate middle and high school students' projects. Registration forms are available online. Filling out the form is a commitment to judge; no other confirmation will be provided until closer to the event. Contact Vicki Speak, 4-5738, with questions.
Nominations for homecoming awards due Feb. 1
The ISU Alumni Association is seeking homecoming award nominations by Feb. 1. Awards will be presented to outstanding ISU alumni and friends at homecoming this fall. Awards include the Alumni Medal, Alumni Merit Award, Outstanding Young Alumni Award, Impact Award, Alumni Service Award and the James A. Hopson Alumni Volunteer Award. Nomination forms are available online.
Osborn Club lecture is Jan. 9
Aaron Sadow, associate professor in chemistry and a scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory, will present "Metal Compounds for Synthetic Chemistry and Energy-Related Catalysis" at the Jan. 9 Osborn Club public lecture (7 p.m., 1420 Molecular Biology Building). The free lecture follows the club member dinner.
Campus clinic offers reading tutoring for 1-12 grade students
The Fred Duffelmeyer Reading Improvement Clinic, under the umbrella of the College of Human Sciences, will offer one-on-one reading tutoring for students in first through 12th grade this spring (5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 7-April 26, Lagomarcino Hall). Each child is paired with a graduate student studying education. More information is online or by contacting Marissa Vermeer.
Carillon concert kicks off Martin Luther King Jr. holiday events
ISU carilloneur Tin-Shi Tam will perform a carillon concert beginning at 11:50 a.m. Jan. 11 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. This is the first of several events planned in January and February to honor the civil rights leader.
Vote for Ames in Blue Zone Community campaign
You can help make the city of Ames a Blue Zones community as part of the governor's healthiest state initiative. City and campus organizers are asking residents to pledge their support by voting for Ames online. Only 10 Iowa communities will be selected for the project, which will provide resources and programs to help citizens enjoy longer, better lives.
Participants selected for 2012 Emerging Leaders Academy
The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost has selected 30 participants (17 faculty and 13 staff members) for the 2012 Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA). The 2012 cohort will meet monthly beginning Jan. 26, 2012, and continue through December; no classes are planned for June and July. A list of the 2012 participants (PDF) is available online.
Flu vaccine still available for employees
There still are some flu vaccinations available for employees who missed the October flu shot clinic. Employees should contact Occupational Medicine, 4-2056, to schedule an appointment.
Position changes in the controller's department
Effective Jan. 1, 2012, associate controller Kathy Dobbs will be promoted to controller. Controller Stephanie Fox will become the Kuali Financial System (KFS) project manager. Contact information for Dobbs and Fox will remain the same. However, Fox's new office will be located on the second floor of the Administrative Services Building.
Rec Services to offer free trial period at State Gym
Recreation Services is offering ISU faculty and staff a free trial period at the newly renovated State Gym and its addition when the facility opens for business at 6 a.m. on Jan. 9. The trial period runs through Jan. 22. Faculty and staff must present their ISU Card for access. The free trial is open only to eligible nonstudent members -- student spouses, faculty, staff, retirees, alumni, affiliates (such as ISU Foundation and alumni association employees) and their spouses. News and updates are available on the Rec Services website.
Nominations encouraged for Business dean post
The committee searching for the next dean of the College of Business is seeking applications and nominations for the post. Send nominations, with names and contact information, to search committee co-chairs Pamela White, pjwhite@iastate.edu or Dawn Bratsch-Prince, deprince@iastate.edu. Review of applications will begin on Feb. 1 and continue until the position is filled.
The co-chairs anticipate candidates for the position will visit campus during March and April. The position description for the business dean, along with other information about the search, is posted on the Business dean search site.