P&S Council professional development seminar is Sept. 10
The Professional and Scientific Council has made a few changes to its P&S open forum format. The forums now will be called P&S Council professional development seminars with the slogan, "Second Tuesday at Two." The slogan reflects a change in seminar times from 2-3 p.m.
The first seminar using the new format will be presented by Cathann Kress, vice president for Extension and Outreach, on Sept. 10 (2-3 p.m., MU Campanile Room). She will talk about "How to Survive and Thrive in a Complex Organization." All are invited to attend. The forum also will be broadcast live; to view, log in as a guest with your name.
Proposals for publication support grants are due Oct. 7
The fall deadline for Iowa State's publication subvention grants program is Oct. 7. The subvention is an endowment to be used to help publish the scholarly writings and other worthy original works of ISU faculty and staff. Any fulltime faculty member or P&S staff member at the rank of P37 or above may apply. More information, including application directions, is online.
Funeral service for longtime chemistry professor John Corbett is Friday
The funeral service for Distinguished Professor John Corbett, 87, will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at St. John’s by the Campus, 2338 Lincoln Way in Ames. Corbett, who died Sept. 2, was on the ISU chemistry faculty and U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory staff for more than 60 years and also was a member of the National Academy of Sciences. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Anglican Episcopal Church or the Youth and Shelter Services Inc., both in Ames.
Regents' Sept. 6 public hearing will precede Sept. 10-11 meeting
The Board of Regents will hold a public hearing Sept. 6 (noon-1 p.m.) in the board office at 11260 Aurora Ave., Urbandale. The hearing will allow individuals to comment on items scheduled for the Sept. 10-11 board meeting. Materials for that meeting will be available for review on the Regents website at approximately 1 p.m. Sept. 4. Those who can't attend the hearing can comment on the September agenda by providing written comments via the regents website. The regents will begin scheduling similar public hearings on the campuses of the regents universities and schools, prior to the Oct. 23-24 meeting, as part of a series of transparency measures adopted by the regents in August. All public hearings will be video recorded and posted to the Regents website. See Regents release on the hearings (PDF).
EAP training: The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership
University human resources (formerly human resource services), in conjunction with Employee and Family Resources, is offering professional development classes to benefits-eligible employees. The next class, "The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership," is Sept. 10 (8-11 a.m., MU Gallery). There is no cost to attend. Register via AccessPlus (Employee tab > "HRS Training"). Space is limited.
Online wellness opportunity
Iowa State employees may participate in an online positive lifestyle program called "Living Well ... It's Up to You." The fall session begins Sept. 18 and runs each Wednesday (12:10-12:55 p.m.) for eight weeks. Cost is $25, but $20 is reimbursed with successful completion of the program. For more details and to register, contact Sally Barclay.
Harl Commons, Global Cafe open in Curtiss Hall today
The new Harl Commons, ISU Dining's Global Café and east courtyard entry to Curtiss Hall opened today (Sept. 3). Remaining finish work on the project will be completed during off hours and weekends.
Bacon Expo tickets go on sale Sept. 6
Tickets for the first Iowa State Bacon Expo (1-5 p.m. Oct. 19, Scheman Building courtyard) go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, through Ticketmaster. The Bacon Expo is a family event organized by students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. It will feature student club exhibits, vendor samples, T-shirt sales and a bacon-eating contest. Admission tickets (1,200 of them) cost $8. Visitors will purchase bacon samples with punch cards, to be sold for $10 at the event.
Sick kids? Consider The Comfort Zone
The Comfort Zone is a "get-well" center for mildly ill children, infants through fifth grade, who are cared for by a registered nurse and professional child care staff. Preregistration is required to send your child(ren) there. Information is available online or by emailing czone@iastate.edu. The Comfort Zone, located at 100 University Village, opens Sept. 3.
Proposals sought for Honors seminars
The Honors Program is seeking proposals from experienced faculty interested in offering Honors seminars (one- or two-credit courses, half- or full-term) on any topic to high-ability undergraduates. Seminars are pass/fail and usually limited to 17 students. A proposal form and examples of current seminars are online. Proposal deadline is Sept. 18. Contact Susan Yager, 4-4372, for more information.
University is closed Sept. 2 for national holiday
Iowa State offices will be closed and classes will not be held on Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of the national Labor Day holiday.
Roy Reiman to speak Sept. 12 at Reiman entrepreneur series
Roy Reiman, founder of Reiman Publications, the largest subscription-supported publishing firm in the nation, will be the guest speaker at the next Reiman Entrepreneur Speaker Series event on Sept. 12 (lunch at 11:30 a.m.; talk at noon, MU Sun Room). The public is invited to attend, but preregistration is required.
Beat the heat: Buy Dairy Science Club ice cream
Members of the Dairy Science Club sell homemade ice cream every Wednesday (11 a.m.-1 p.m., outside the north entrance to Lush Auditorium, Kildee Hall). The cost is $1 for an 8-ounce cup; shoppers have 6-8 flavors to choose from each week -- and often a fun "flavor of the month."
Reminder: Iowa State has an ethics hotline
Iowa State contracts with a third-party hotline vendor, EthicsPoint, to allow anonymous reporting of activities that may involve criminal, noncompliant or unsafe behavior impacting ISU. You may submit a report online or by calling (toll-free) 866-384-4277.
Nominate an ISU woman for 2014 calendar
The nomination form for the Catt Center's 2014 "Women Impacting ISU" calendar is now online. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Sept. 30. Questions may be directed to Kristine Keil, 4-9867. More information is online.
Policy reminders for students who will drive university vehicles
All undergraduate and graduate students who will drive a university vehicle must have a motor vehicle record check through ISU's Transportation Services every six months. Based on their recent driving history, some students will not receive permission to drive university vehicles.
In addition, students who are at least 20 years old and plan to drive either a 15-passenger ISU van or any ISU vehicle towing a trailer are required to take a free, two-hour class and complete a live driving session. The class is offered once a month in the evening; driving sessions are scheduled with transportation services staff. This training is required just once in your Iowa State career. Faculty and staff who will drive a large van or pull a trailer as part of their work with a student organization also are required to take the van and trailer training because student organization vehicle/travel insurance is with an outside vendor.
New Biotechnology Council members named
Julie Dickerson, professor of electrical and computer engineering; Cathy Miller, associate professor of veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine; and Edward Yu, professor of chemistry and of physics and astronomy, have been selected to serve three-year terms on Iowa State's Biotechnology Council. The council makes recommendations to the Office of Biotechnology on program activities supporting biotechnology research, education and outreach. Additional information about the Biotechnology Council and a list of current members is online.
Host an event at the Alumni Center
ISU Alumni Center spaces, indoors and outdoors, are available for departmental meetings, alumni reunions and special events as well as personal events, such as weddings, anniversary receptions and birthday celebrations. Discounts are available for spaces rented for university business and for Alumni Association members and student organizations. For more information and pricing, visit the rental website, or contact events staff at (515) 294-4625 or email alumnicenter@iastate.edu.
Energy use expected to peak in the heat; officials urge reduced electricity use
High heat and humidity over the next few days promise to put very high demand on electric services in the area. Ames and university officials urge residents to reduce electricity use to help reduce costs and improve system reliability during the sweltering weather. Energy conservation is particularly helpful during peak usage hours, generally from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Here are some tips for reducing electricity use:
- Turn thermostats up a few degrees
- Shut off lights that are unnecessary; use task lighting instead of area lighting
- Shut off or unplug equipment that's not in use
- Avoid using major equipment during the hottest part of the day
- Reduce openings and closing of exterior doors
- Close blinds and drapes to block the sun
Research mentors sought for first-year Honors students
Faculty and other researchers are sought to mentor first-year Honors students in a research setting during spring semester. Students may be mentored directly by faculty or by someone on a research team (e.g., a post-doc or graduate student) with the supervision of the faculty member. Students and mentors are matched based on mutual research interests and needed skills. Students work either three or six hours per week, receiving one credit for each three-hour commitment. Interested faculty should complete the mentor information form, available online, by Sept. 20. Additional information and project examples are available online. Contact Dana Schumacher, 4-0172, with questions.
Nutcracker Ballet auditions are Sept. 8
Auditions for the Dec. 14-15 performances of The Nutcracker Ballet at Stephens Auditorium will be held Sunday, Sept. 8 (noon-7:30 p.m., Stephens). This 33rd annual production showcases the talent of more than 200 local dancers as young as 6 years old. Guest professional dancers dance in the principal roles. Registration begins at 11:15 a.m.; dancers are asked to arrive early to complete paperwork prior to their audition. More information, including audition times, is online at the Iowa State Center website.
Registration deadline for employee leadership series is Sept. 9
Alumni association indoor tailgates begin this Saturday
The ISU Alumni Association is bringing the tailgate indoors again for the 2013 football season. Head to the ISU Alumni Center three hours before kickoff of every home football game to socialize, eat and drink, watch games on the big screen or relax on the terrace. There’s fun for all ages, so bring the whole family. All are welcome free of charge. However, you must register in advance if you'd like to purchase a meal. The first tailgate of the season begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31.
You're invited: OSPA director candidate receptions
All faculty and staff are invited to attend receptions for two finalists for the director of the Office of Sponsored Programs Administration. The candidates and their reception times are below:
- Valrey Kettner, associate vice president, Office of Sponsored Programs Administration, North Dakota State University, Sept. 3 (3:30-4:45 p.m., MU Gold Room)
- Madison Gray, senior assistant director, Office of Contract and Research Administration, Vanderbilt University, Sept. 9 (3:30-4:45 p.m., 3150 Beardshear)
Copies of the candidates' resumes and evaluation forms are available from Laurie Engleen, 4-6344. Return evaluations to Engleen (VPRED office, 2610 Beardshear) by Sept. 13.
LGBTA ice cream social is Aug. 29
All faculty, staff and students are welcome at the 2013 LGBTA Alliance and Friends ice cream social on Thursday, Aug. 29 (6-8 p.m., plaza north of the Student Services Building -- or Howe Hall atrium if raining). The event is an opportunity to welcome new and returning students by connecting them to the LGBTQQIA (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and allies) programs, services, organizations and resources available for the Iowa State community. The event will include activities, frozen treats and helpful information from numerous organizations. Come for all or part of the social. Questions may be directed to Brad Freihoefer, LGBT Student Services director, 4-5433.
Fall volunteer fair is Sept. 11
The 2013 fall volunteer fair will be held Wednesday, Sept. 11 (10 a.m.-2 p.m., MU Great Hall). Co-sponsored by the ISU Psychology Club and ISU chapter of the 10,000 Hours Show, the fair helps students from all disciplines find volunteer and internship opportunities with social service agencies in the Ames and Des Moines area. A list of participating agencies is online so students can explore agency websites prior to the fair.
Join the LGBT faculty/staff association
LGBT faculty, staff, and allies are invited to become members of the ISU LGBT faculty/staff association (formerly known as workOUT). Activities planned for this semester include a welcome potluck (sponsored by the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost), ISU football tailgating and the creation of a university committee to support the LGBT community at Iowa State. For more information, contact Nicci Port.
Graduate students sought for bioeconomy fellowships
One-year competitive graduate fellowships are offered as part of the Leading the Bioeconomy Initiative appropriation from the Iowa Legislature, and administered through the Bioeconomy Institute (BEI). These fellowships seek to attract high-caliber graduate students to ISU in agriculture, biosciences, chemical sciences, engineering, economics and other disciplines with research interests related to the bioeconomy. Three fellowships will be awarded to new graduate students admitted for spring 2014, and nine fellowships for new graduate students admitted for fall 2014. Additional information, including fellowship selection criteria and application deadlines, is online.
You're invited: Open house to welcome Business dean David Spalding
The College of Business invites the ISU community to an open house to welcome Raisbeck Endowed Dean David Spalding, who arrived on campus Aug. 1. The open house is Wednesday, Sept. 4 (3-5 p.m., Bergstrom Commons, Gerdin). Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served.
Workshop introduces grad students to Parks Library
"Everything You Need to Know About the Library" is designed for Iowa State graduate students and will be offered twice next month: Sept. 12 (3-4:30 p.m.) and Sept. 13 (1:30-3 p.m.). Grad students will find out who their subject librarian is and learn more about the resources and services that will help them in their research and writing. RSVP is required (click on the preferred date above). Questions may be directed to Jody Kalvik, 4-6117.
Tickets on sale Aug. 26 for two upcoming Stephens concerts
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Aug. 26 for two fall Stephens Auditorium concerts. Country artist Kacey Musgraves will perform at 8 p.m. on Oct. 23, and Fitz and The Tantrums, along with electro-pop band Capital Cities, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 19. Tickets for Musgraves' concert are $25 ($20 for students). Tickets are $35 ($25 for students) for the Fitz and The Tantrums/Capital Cities performance. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. Discounted student tickets must be purchased at the Stephens ticket office (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.). Students are limited to two tickets per university ID.
MU's poster sale is Aug. 21-30
The Student Activities Center in the Memorial Union is hosting its annual poster sale Aug. 21-30 (9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, MU Campanile Room). There are thousands of choices from art prints and movies to music and pop culture. Most posters are priced between $8 and $12. Proceeds from the sale support art programs at the Memorial Union.
Reminder: File authorization form for each work-study student
Departments are reminded to file a Work-Study Authorization on AccessPlus for each work-study student employed in your department during the 2013-14 academic year. Work-study funds are not secured until departments receive a confirmation email from ISU's Student Employment Center.
Fall, spring jobs for students may be posted now
The Student Employment Center is posting work-study and non-work-study positions for the 2013-2014 academic year (fall and/or spring). The position advertisement form is available on AccessPlus (Student Employment).
Iowa Energy Center announces new grant opportunities
The Iowa Energy Center has launched three new competitive grant programs to help Iowa organizations be more successful in attracting external funding that support projects related to energy research, development, demonstration, deployment, education and workforce development. More information is available online.
Committee on women seeks new members
The University Committee on Women announces membership openings for faculty, P&S staff, merit staff and students for the 2013-14 academic year. Information about the UCW is online. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application for membership; applications are due Aug. 30. The application can be downloaded from the News & Announcements list in the right column of the UCW website. For more information, contact Jaime Watson, Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost.
Registration open for ISU Youth Program Awareness Training
The Office of Risk Management, University Council and 4-H Extension and Outreach collectively are holding a training session for youth program leaders and administrators on Aug. 28 (9-11 a.m., Extension 4-H Building, Room 1020). The training will address youth-related policies, procedures and forms that must be completed to conduct youth programs at Iowa State. Register in advance by emailing the Office of Risk Management. Additional training may be available the last week of each month.
Watch for traffic congestion near residence halls
Students will be returning to campus residence halls Aug. 20-23. During this time, the residence department encourages faculty and staff to avoid areas where move-in congestion may occur, including Union Drive and Beach Road.
Summer session concludes on Aug. 9
Iowa State's second summer session wraps up on Friday, Aug. 9. Fall semester classes begin on Monday, Aug. 26.
Slow going, some closures on Bissell
Electrical utility work will continue to slow traffic and close the roadway and sidewalks along Bissell Drive over the next two weeks.
Road and driveway closures:
• Full closure of Pammel Drive just east of the Bissell intersection, Aug. 5 - midday Aug. 7
• North Armory parking lot closed Aug. 9-14.
Periodic sidewalk closures:
• From the front doors of Sweeney Hall to Osborn Drive
• From north of Armory to Hach Hall
Memorial service for Donald Thompson is Aug. 12
Donald Thompson, 86, former professor of aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics and founding director of the Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, died July 29 after a two-year battle with cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, Aug. 12 (11 a.m.), at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N. 4th St., Clear Lake. Visitation will be Sunday, Aug. 11 (5-7 p.m.), at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake. Guests are invited to a luncheon following the service on Monday.
Chance the Rapper will perform on campus Aug. 29
Tickets are on sale online now for a Thursday, Aug. 29, performance by Chicago-based hip-hop artist Chance the Rapper (Chancelor Bennett). The performance will begin at 8 p.m. in the MU Great Hall. Tickets are $15 ($10 with ISU student ID). Online purchases are subject to a 3 percent MidwesTIX fee. In-person and phone ticket sales will begin Monday Aug. 26 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) in the MU's Maintenance Shop box office, 4-8349.
Leath joins AAU, APLU colleagues in asking President, Congress to close 'innovation deficit'
President Steven Leath is among 165 university presidents who signed an open letter to President Obama and Congress, appearing in an advertisement in Politico today. The university leaders point to an "innovation deficit" resulting from eroding federal investments in research and higher education and additional sequestration cuts while other nations increase their investments in these areas. The university leaders ask elected officials to "reject unsound budget cuts and recommit to strong and sustained investments in research and education." Universities represented in the letter are members of the Association of American Universities or the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. Iowa State belongs to both.
University Community Childcare has fall openings
University Community Childcare, located on the north edge of campus (Stange Road at Bruner Drive) has openings for fall 2013 in its Toddler-2 years, preschool and before/after school programs. UCC is a private, nonprofit center providing childcare for infants through preschool, as well as school-aged children throughout the year. Care for mildly ill children is available in the Comfort Zone program Sept. 1-early May. More information about UCC programs, curriculum and enrollment is available online.
Update: West end of Osborn Drive will reopen July 27
As part of a utility project that will improve electrical service to the northwest part of campus, it is necessary to close the west end of Osborn Drive (at Bissell Road) on Monday, July 22. The road is scheduled to reopen on Saturday, July 27. CyRide routes that normally travel along Osborn will be rerouted to Pammel Drive during this period.
A few phone requests
Employees are reminded (if you haven't already) to clean out voicemails from the Avaya phone system. All voicemails in that system will be removed on July 31. Employees also are reminded to log in to the Aastra (Clearspan) web portal (http://phone.iastate.edu) to set your password. Even if you don't plan to program your phone through the web portal, setting up a unique password will prevent potential hackers who acquire the default password from accessing your phone number.
University Boulevard south of Sixth Street will reopen Friday
Concrete patching work that closed University Boulevard at Lincoln Way last week is on schedule to wrap up by end of day on Friday, July 26, and the four lanes will reopen to Sixth Street. Alternate routes onto campus during this closure include Beach Road, N. Hazel Road to Sixth Street, or Grand Avenue to either Sixth or 13th Street.
Concrete repair work on University from Sixth Street to Stange Road is expected to be completed by Aug. 9. This stretch of the project requires lane closures, but a single lane of traffic will remain open in each direction.
Two phone training sessions added for July 17
IT Services is coordinating a free one-hour training session, "Aastra 101," on using the university's new telephones. Two additional sessions on Wednesday, July 17 (9 and 11 a.m.) will be offered in 206 Durham Center; instruction will focus on the features available on the phone. Register online. The documents below will help all new telephone users, and espeically are recommended for review before attending a training session:
- Updated how to Set Up Your Aastra Telephone and Features
- Quick Reference Guide: Set Up Your Aastra Telephone and Features (PDF): A print-friendly quick reference guide version of many of the topics in the "how to"
Memorial reception for former faculty member Ken Frey is July 21
Ken Frey, former professor of agronomy who was active in the department until 2001, died July 14 in Ames. An acknowledgement and memorial reception will be held in the main dining room at Green Hills Retirement Community, Ames, on Sunday, July 21 (2 p.m.). Inurnment will be in the Iowa State University Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the Frey family requests contributions in Ken Frey's name to the Green Hills Memorial Fund, 2200 Hamilton Dr., Ames, IA, 50014-8209. Obituary.
Training session for youth program staff is July 25
The offices of risk management, university counsel and 4-H youth development will hold a training session on July 25 (9-11 a.m., 1020 Extension 4-H Building) that targets departmental/unit employees who plan and supervise youth programs and administrative assistants who complete administrative tasks for youth programs. The training will provide the most current information on youth-related policies, procedures and forms that need to be completed to successfully conduct youth programs at Iowa State. Those planning to attend are asked to send an email to the office of risk management.