Council seminar takes a look at Ames Lab
Adam Schwartz, director of Ames National Laboratory, will present at the P&S Council's monthly seminar on Thursday, Jan. 23 (2-3 p.m., virtual presentation, register in Workday). For more than 77 years, Ames Lab has partnered with Iowa State to lead in the discovery, synthesis, analysis and use of new materials, novel chemistries and transformational analytical tools. The partnership led to technology-relevant materials like lead-free solders, new catalysts for biofuel production and analytical techniques that make our lives healthier and safer. Schwartz's overview will highlight recent progress in critical materials challenges and future directions for Ames National Laboratory.
Success center offers workshops for your classroom
The Academic Success Center offers workshops for the classroom. In addition to a 20-minute "Intro to Our Services" workshop, a variety of 45-60-minute workshops cover writing, communication and academic skills including public speaking, bullet journaling, study skills and more. To submit a workshop request, use the center's webform.
Further Jan. 1 revisions for travel reimbursement
A Dec. 12 story in Inside shared changes to Iowa State's travel reimbursement policy and procedures that took effect Jan. 1. Based on employee input, a couple of the changes were further tweaked for clarity. The story site is updated with these changes:
- Travel status for meal reimbursement: To receive reimbursement for dinner, the required time for in-travel-status was changed to 6:30 p.m. (from 4 p.m.).
- Travel duration: Travelers should arrive no earlier than 24 hours (domestic) or 48 hours (international), based on the destination time zone, before a business event. (Original language required travel to begin no earlier than 24 hours for domestic, 48 hours for international travel.)
- Non-employees traveling for Iowa State business must provide receipts for reimbursement (they no longer receive a per diem but rather are reimbursed for actual expenses).
Matt Mathews stand-up comedy show stops at Stephens
Comedian, Alabama native and social media sensation Matt Mathews brings his national stand-up comedy tour, "Boujee On A Budget," to Stephens Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 24 (7 p.m.). Tickets, starting at $33.50, pay be purchased online via Ticketmaster and at the Stephens ticket office.
Next Goldfinch Room show is Jan. 19
The next performance in Stephens Auditorium's Goldfinch Room series will feature Evander Ellsbury and Kelli Rae Powell on Sunday, Jan. 19 (5 p.m., doors open at 4:15 p.m.). Table tickets (admission for up to four people) may be purchased online for $40. Food and beverages may be pre-ordered online or purchased at the show.
Recycle holiday or unused cards through Jan. 15
As in past years, the Office of Sustainability and ISU Recycling Services will partner to collect the fronts from used holiday cards (and any greeting cards), as well as any new, unused cards with or without envelopes to support St. Jude's Ranch for Children's recycled card program. Please note: The program can't accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greetings products. A collection box will be available Dec. 23-Jan. 15 near the key desk in General Services Building. Card fronts and unused cards and envelopes also can be sent via campus mail to Steve Kohtz, 152 General Services. Contact Merry Rankin, 515-294-5052, or Steve Kohtz, 515-766-0877, with questions.
Next Inside will post on Jan. 9
Inside Iowa State will take a hiatus for the Christmas and New Year holidays. The first edition of 2025 will post on Jan. 9.
Art museums closing for winter exhibition changes
University museums' Brunnier Art Museum, Farm House Museum and Christian Petersen Art Museum all are closed for exhibition changes from Dec. 23 through Jan. 20, 2025 (the Petersen museum in Morrill Hall will close at 2 p.m. on Dec. 20). Public hours at each museum will resume Jan. 21, the first day of spring semester.
Register for laboratory safety workshop in January
Environmental Health and Safety will host an in-person workshop on Jan. 8, 10, 14 and 16 for on-campus laboratory workers, including faculty, staff and students (graduate and undergraduate). Participants receive hands-on experience on topics such as hazardous waste disposal, chemical storage and spill cleanup; and a Regulated Materials Facility tour. Before attending, learners must complete the Safety Data Sheets online training (30 minutes).
Registration open for spring physical activity kids program
Registration is open for the spring session of Iowa State KIN Kids, an after-school program for Ames-area children ages 4-12 years that focuses on physical activity and meets in the Forker Building. The 10-week program is led by pre-service teachers who are earning a degree in kinesiology with a focus in physical education licensure. The program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays Feb. 11-April 25; (drop-off at 3:45-4 p.m. and pick-up at 5:15-5:30 p.m.). The cost is $50 per child. Contact associate teaching professor of kinesiology Jenny Smith for more information, including registration. Formerly known as Swim and Gym, the program no longer includes swimming since the Forker pool's closure in 2024.
Donate a used musical instrument at Stephens Auditorium
Through Dec. 23, Stephens Auditorium staff are hosting a used musical instrument drive to benefit the students in band/music programs at area schools. Instruments that can be hand carried (no pianos, please) can be brought to Stephens during December shows or during Stephens ticket office hours (11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday). Instruments requiring minor repair or parts replacement are acceptable. Last year's drive collected 60 instruments that were distributed among eight area school districts. For more information about this instrument collection drive, email perform@iastate.edu or call 515-294-2479.
Save the date for Carver event
Business dean nominations requested by Jan. 6
Nominations and applications for Iowa State's next Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business should be submitted by Jan. 6, 2025, to the Buffkin/Baker search firm at isuivydean@buffkinbaker.com. Applications should include a cover letter, CV and three references. Preliminary screening of candidates is expected to begin shortly thereafter. More information about the search is available on the provost's office website.
Reminder: Winery's holiday sale closes soon
Help keep the SHOP pantry open during winter break
SHOP food pantry is in need of faculty and staff volunteers during prep and finals weeks and throughout winter break. The food pantry in Beyer Hall is open afternoon hours Mondays through Wednesdays (Monday only the weeks of Christmas and New Year's Day). Use the SignUp Genius site to select your shifts. First-time volunteers: An orientation module has been created for you in Canvas (also accessible from the sign-up site).
Digital accessibility team hosts monthly training
The information technology services digital accessibility team will host the second in a series of monthly Siteimprove webinars on Thursday, Dec. 12 (10 a.m., register online).
The schedule is (all webinars begin at 10 a.m.):
- Dec.12: What's your top five? Identifying and fixing issues
- Jan. 16, 2025: Making accessibility perceivable: Unveiling the WCAG principle 1 framework
- Feb. 13: Keep it moving: Navigating WCAG principle 2 for an operable web
- March 13: Making sense of accessibility: Mastering WCAG principle 3 for understandable design
- April 17: Built to last: Ensuring robust accessibility with WCAG principle 4
- May 15: Perfecting PDFs: Unlocking accessibility with Siteimprove tools
Each session will conclude with a 15-minute Q&A. A captioned recording and transcript will be provided after each session. To request disability accommodations, or for additional questions or support, email digitalaccess@iastate.edu.
Two-day GIS course offered Jan. 16-17
Staff in ISU Extension and Outreach's community and economic development unit are hosting a two-day course on a geographic information system (GIS), Essentials of ArcGIS Pro, Jan. 16-17, 2025 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily, Economic Development Core Facility, ISU Research Park). New and experienced GIS users are welcome. Participants will explore the new features in Esri's ArcGIS Pro software suite and learn about making maps with geospatial data, mapping data from tables, querying datasets and displaying, projecting and editing data. The price is $600/person ($300 for ISU staff, students and faculty). Online registration closes Jan. 10. Questions may be directed to Bailey Hanson.
Volunteers sought to assist at Dec. 21 commencement
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Reminder: Okta dashboard turns off Dec. 9
On Monday, Dec. 9, IT Services will turn off the old Okta dashboard, and university employees and students no longer will have access to university apps at iastate.okta.com, including passwords to their apps. All users should be using the new Microsoft sign-on dashboard (login.iastate.edu) to sign in. If necessary, remember to update any browser bookmarks.
Before Dec. 9, users should record any passwords (other than their primary ISU password) for apps or sites that weren't transferred from Okta to the Microsoft sign-on dashboard. For example, ISU benefits apps (such as MyWellmark), as well as any personal apps or sites were not transferred to the Microsoft sign-on dashboard. Employees received an email reminder with instructions Dec. 3; questions may be directed to the IT Solution Center or the project team.
Share your thoughts on Ames transportation needs
An online open house for Ames Connect 2050, the Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization's next area transportation plan, closes on Friday, Dec. 6. The online open house has information about the plan and includes multiple ways to provide comments, including an interactive comment map and a survey. University staff are participating in the process as members of the planning organization's technical and policy committees.
Volunteers still sought for prep week kickoff event
The division of student affairs will host the second iteration of Cy's Finals Frenzy this Sunday-Tuesday, Dec. 8-10. This once-a-semester event promotes healthy study habits and personal wellness as students prepare for final exams. All activities are free for Iowa State students and take place in the Memorial Union. Volunteers are needed to help the event run smoothly, and faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up for a shift (or two). Fan-favorite events and offerings for students are back, including Bingo, movie night, free snacks and wellness activities such as yoga. Academic support will be available for students seeking additional help with specific exam preparation and projects.
Gardens' light show opens with toy drive
Tickets are on sale for Reiman Gardens' Winter Wonderscape and must be purchased online in advance. The holiday light show happens Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings (5-9 p.m.) Dec. 5-28, plus Monday, Dec. 23. Tickets, $16 ($14 for member adults and ISU students; $7 for youth 2-12 years) are sold in half-hour time increments from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Once guests enter during their ticketed time slot, they may stay as long as they wish (the gardens close at 9 p.m. during this event). Weather permitting, s'mores kits can be purchased (and used) near the Hunziker House.
The Dec. 5 opener will include a toy drive (5:30-8:30 p.m.) to benefit Boys and Girls Clubs of Story County, Ames (Wonderscape ticket required). Bring a new unwrapped toy and meet members of the Cyclone women's basketball team (two groups of four student athletes will be present for 90 minutes each to accept toys ).
Classrooms reserved for prep week evening study
Room scheduling will reserve these 10 general university classrooms for students to use as study rooms during prep week, Dec. 9-13 (5:30-11 p.m. daily):
- Carver 0118, 0124, 0128
- Ross 0125, 0127, 0129
- Town Engineering 0230, 0270
- Pearson 1106, 2131
In addition, university museums will offer extended hours at the Christian Petersen Art Museum in Morrill Hall on Thursday, Dec. 12 (5-9 p.m.) with relaxing activities and a quiet place to study.
And Dec. 11-19 (7 a.m.-10 p.m.), the second floor lounge and rooms 3512, 3534, 3538 and 3540 in the Memorial Union are reserved for quiet study.
Horticulture club selling poinsettias this week
The horticulture club is selling poinsettias as a fundraiser to cover club activities, traveling expenses and student enrichment. Club members grew the plants in the horticulture greenhouses. Pot sizes are 4, 6 and 10 inches; prices vary from $12 to $40. Plants may be purchased (and pre-orders picked up) this week at these campus locations:
- Dec. 4 (9:15 a.m.-3 p.m.), Curtiss Hall
- Dec. 5 (9:15 a.m.-3 p.m.), Beardshear Hall
- Dec. 6 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), Union Drive Community Center
- Dec. 7 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), Reiman Gardens
Art Mart holiday sale is Dec. 3-6
Pottery, blown glass, jewelry, decor, paintings and accessories created by campus artists will be sold at the annual Art Mart Tuesday-Friday, Dec. 3-6 in the Art Gallery, first floor of the Memorial Union. Hours are:
- Dec. 3, 4-7 p.m.
- Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Dec. 5, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Dec. 6 (Winterfest), 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Maker mart at Innovate 1858 is Dec. 4
Innovate 1858, a student-run store in the Student Innovation Center that carries only products created by ISU students and alumni, is hosting a Maker Market on Wednesday, Dec. 4 (4-6 p.m.). It will feature a range of products from both alumni and current students. Meet a few of the makers and enjoy activities such as pictures with Elsa and Anna, raffle prizes, winter-themed crafts and more.
Benefits open enrollment closes Friday
Benefits-eligible employees are reminded that the annual open enrollment window for 2025 health, dental and pharmacy plans, as well as voluntary benefits (flex spending accounts, vision benefit) closes at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22. Find lots of useful information on the benefits open enrollment website, then complete your enrollment in Workday (follow the tile in announcements).
Inside takes Thanksgiving hiatus
Inside Iowa State won't publish on Thursday, Nov. 28, due to the national Thanksgiving holiday. The newsletter will resume the following week, on Dec. 5.
Registration is open for 'business of art' March conference
Registration is open for the 7th annual Business of Art conference March 7-8, 2025, at Reiman Gardens, hosted by the Ames Community Arts Council and the Octagon Center for the Arts. Designed to strengthen business skills and provide resources for both formally trained and self-taught creatives, the conference is open to professionals and students in all types of creative work, part time or full time, in all stages of their career. Through Jan. 1, registration is $90 for professional artists and $45 for student artists (after Jan. 1, it increases to $100 for professionals, $50 for students). The fee includes lunch and snacks on both days; single day registration is not offered.
Nominate student employee, student employee supervisor for ISU award
The office of student financial aid seeks nominations through Jan. 31, 2025, for two 2024-25 awards. Follow each link for more information about the award criteria and nomination form.
- Student Employee of the Year. Recognize the outstanding efforts of hourly undergraduate student employees who are making a difference as leaders and innovators in their roles.
- Student Employee Supervisor of the Year (in partnership with university human resources). Recognize the exceptional supervisors of hourly student employees for their mentorship and professionalism.
Workday Student appreciation reception is Dec. 5
Academic advisors, faculty and student support staff involved in the Workday Student transition during the last year are invited to an appreciation event on Thursday, Dec. 5 (11 a.m.-noon, first floor, Beardshear Hall) hosted by the Workday implementation leadership team. Light refreshments will be served.
Gaffers' glass ornament sale is Dec. 3
Save the date: Winterfest celebration is Dec. 6
Cookie decorating, campanile tours, the president's winter open house and multiple options to gift shop while supporting campus artists and entrepreneurs are on the schedule for the 2024 Winterfest celebration Friday, Dec. 6 (mid-afternoon through the evening). The Dec. 5 edition of Inside will include an event preview.
Forestry club will sell holiday trees, wreaths in December
The forestry club will sell Christmas trees ($65-$110 depending on height and variety) and wreaths ($25-$35) in the Reiman Gardens parking lot on weekends in early December. Cash, check and card are accepted payment. Tree varieties are Korean fir, balsam fir, Canaan fir and white pine. Questions may be directed to club member Delaney Graef. Sale hours are:
- Friday, Dec. 6 and 13, 3-6 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 1, Saturday, Dec. 7 and 14, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 8 and 15, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dog wash is Nov. 23 at Vet Med campus
Iowa State's chapter of Omega Tau Sigma veterinary professional fraternity will hold its fall dog wash on Saturday, Nov. 23 (8 a.m.-2 p.m., Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine). The service includes a basic wash, towel dry and combing. Nail trims are available for $5 with a wash ($7 without). Prices are (add $5 for matted hair):
- Dogs under 30 lbs., $12
- Dogs 30-60 lbs., $14
- Dogs 60-90 lbs., $16
- Dogs over 90 lbs., $18
Schedule your appointment by calling 515-294-4900, or stopping by the front desk at the small animal hospital.
Chef Freddie Bitsoie to lecture, cook on campus
ISU Dining will co-sponsor a campus visit by renowned chef Freddie Bitsoie Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 18-19. During his Monday public lecture, Native American Cuisine, Foods and the Way of Life (6 p.m., MU Great Hall, free), Bitsoie will discuss a cultural progression of Native American foods. On Tuesday, in collaboration with Chef Bitsoie, ISU Dining will showcase a special menu of Native American-inspired dishes at Friley Windows dining center (3-7 p.m.). The cost of the meal is $15 (dining locations are cashless). Bitsoie's menu features:
- New Mexican green chile corn chowder
- Three Sisters Salad
- Wild rice salad
- Navajo sumac seared steak with juniper sauce
- Chocolate pumpkin bread pudding
"ISU Dining is excited to welcome Chef Freddie Bitsoie into our kitchen as we learn the cultural history behind these inspired dishes," said Paige Ermer, associate director of residential dining. "All are welcome to learn and enjoy."
Two ISU beers available at the M-Shop
The M-Shop venue in the Memorial Union has started serving locally crafted beer made by Iowa State students in the Brewing Lab, Food Sciences Building. The available beers on tap are Trainwreck Pilsner and ISU Lager.
Postcard prints exhibition and silent auction return to College of Design
The University Print Society's 24th Postcard Print Exchange Exhibition will be on view Nov. 18-Dec. 6 in Gallery 181 on the first floor of the College of Design. The show features 170 postcards touching on this year's theme of "Insects and Their Environment." It showcases postcards from Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, New York, Ohio and Texas, as well as international postcards from Belgium, Canada, England, South Korea and the Netherlands. Postcards on display are for sale through a bidding process described in the gallery. Bidding ends at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; proceeds help fund the student club's activities for the coming year. A public reception with light refreshments will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19 (5-6:30 p.m., Gallery 181).
Workshop will cover the basics of machine learning and artificial intelligence
IT Services' high performance computing (HPC) group will host a free virtual workshop, "Introduction to Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence with High Performance Computing," on Wednesday, Nov. 20 (6-7 p.m., register to receive the link). Taught in collaboration with the university's Translational AI Center, the workshop will cover the basics of machine learning and artificial intelligence and provide hands-on examples using the Iowa State HPC cluster. Attendees will gain a foundation that enables them to learn more about ML/AI and its applications on their own. Experience with Python is recommended. For more information about the HPC workshop series, email hpc-help@iastate.edu.
Academic advising fall summit is Dec. 13
The University Academic Advising Committee will host its annual fall summit on Friday, Dec. 13 (8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Memorial Union). All those who serve in an undergraduate academic advising capacity (faculty and P&S staff) are welcome. Registration is free and requested by Dec. 6 (register by Nov. 18 to receive a special T-shirt gift).
November innovation lunch speaker is Jim Oliver
The November edition of the Innovation Impact Lunch Club will feature Student Innovation Center director Jim Oliver. It will meet on Friday, Nov. 22 (11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m., training room, ISU Economic Development Core Facility, 1805 Collaboration Pl.). Learn more about how Oliver and his team engage students and external stakeholders in the state-of-the-art facility. 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. Lunch is provided; RSVPs are requested to Stacy Dreyer.
Research project management group meets Dec. 10
The Research Project Management Council, supported by the office of the vice president for research, will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10 (2 p.m. via Zoom, register to receive the link). The council is open to all P&S staff who manage sponsored research projects or programs. Even if you can't attend this event, project/program managers are asked to register so council leaders have your information for future opportunities.
The council is a collaborative forum to recognize and enhance the role of research project management at the university. It brings together project management professionals to share best practices, address common challenges and foster a supportive network that advances the success of research initiatives. The group's direction is guided by the needs and priorities of its members, ensuring that the council remains responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities. Contact Nicole Scott or Stacy Renfro with questions.
What's GIS? Learn more at this Nov. 20 event
Iowa State's GIS Support and Research Facility and University Library will host a come-and-go GIS Day 2024 on Wednesday, Nov. 20 (9 a.m.-noon, The Catalyst, 199 Parks Library). All are welcome, from the GIS curious to the GIS user. Learn more about GIS opportunities and programs on campus, and enjoy speakers sharing their research, free swag and food, and a map competition with prizes in two categories.
Help keep SHOP pantry open during fall break
The SHOP food pantry in Beyer Hall is in need of faculty and staff volunteers to maintain its regular service hours during fall break week (Monday-Tuesday, Nov. 25-26). The sign-up form is online; volunteers will receive an email with instructions.
Regents approve 2025-26 faculty development plans
In other Iowa State business at the state Board of Regents meeting Nov. 7:
- The regents approved professional development proposals from 43 ISU faculty (PDF) (see pp. 27-35) during the 2025-26 academic year. The faculty represent all six undergraduate colleges, and their proposals include 33 semester-long plans and 10 for the full academic year.
- President Wendy Wintersteen introduced a new university initiative, "Cyclone Civics," that responds to directive 9 in the board's 2023 directives related to DEI units, positions and programming at Iowa's three regent universities. Cyclone Civics will include a civics literacy program and assessment for students, professional development event for faculty and staff, and a yearlong campus commemoration, "America at 250," beginning fall 2025 and concluding in April 2026.
November concert date set for Goldfinch Room series
The November performance in Stephens Auditorium's Goldfinch Room concert series is the Nashville duo, Goldpine. Married couple Benjamin and Kassie Wilson return to the Goldfinch stage on Sunday, Nov. 17 (5 p.m.). Limited numbers of tables (seating up to four, $40) and general admission seats ($15) are available. C'est la Crêpe, owned by ISU student Mia Nichols, is the food vendor for this performance, offering six different crepes selections.
Workday officially is ISU's system of record
Iowa State's implementation of Workday student and receivables reached an important milestone last week. As of Nov. 1, Workday officially is the system of record with the most current and accurate student information and receivables data. Faculty, staff and students no longer should consult legacy systems for current data; AccessPlus and ADIN will be available for historical purposes only.
Official transcripts now will be generated from Workday. A small set of students have transcript holds in place until all related data is verified. These students still can request an official transcript in Workday; the pending information will be finalized and the transcript then made available.
Flu shots are still available
A limited number of flu vaccinations still are available. Eligible employees can call occupational medicine, Technical and Administrative Services Building, at 294-2056 to schedule an appointment.
New EH&S waste removal request system launches Nov. 18
Environmental Health & Safety is upgrading its waste removal request form to provide a more user-friendly experience for chemical and hazardous waste generators on campus. Effective Monday, Nov. 18, the new system will feature a chemical search function that allows users to search within chemical names. For example, searching "ethyl" will return multiple results like diethyl, poly ethyl, ethyl acetate, etc. Users also will be able to save favorites for waste streams they submit regularly, which is useful when a submittal has a long list of chemicals. Additionally, a user can copy a favorite they created for one laboratory to another within the same building, eliminating the need to create a new request for each laboratory or space. More information, including a video tutorial and operation procedure document, is online.
Council hosts November drive for student food pantry
To support Iowa State students during the university winter break, the Professional and Scientific Council is holding a donation drive for the SHOP food pantry through Friday, Nov. 29. The final pick-up will be Monday, Dec. 2. SHOP's list of needed food items is online, as is the council's list of drop-off locations for this drive.