Statewide tornado drill at 10:15 a.m.
Iowa State will participate in a statewide tornado drill this morning at 10:15 a.m. As part of the exercise, local sirens will be activated. Faculty, staff and students needn't take any action during the drill. However, public safety officials encourage everyone to discuss actions they'd take in their offices and classrooms in the event of a tornado.
Get your lawn mower tuned up for spring
The Agriculture Systems Technology Club is holding its annual lawnmower service on April 5 (1-6 p.m.) and April 6 (8 a.m.-3 p.m.). Cost is $35 for push mowers and $50 for riding mowers (service only; no major repairs). Drop off mowers at Industrial Education II (west of horse barns) during the service times. Pickup and delivery is available in Ames only for an additional $15 ($20 for riding mowers). Call 515-708-8672 or email astservicedays@gmail.com by 2 p.m. April 4 to request this additional service.
Engel Family Upstander Award nominations due April 15
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is seeking nominations of outstanding, deserving ISU undergraduate students for the Engel Family Upstander Award for Courage and Leadership (PDF). Candidates should be individuals who choose to take a positive stand on an issue of diversity and tolerance – often in difficult circumstances – and act on behalf of others.
Next Osborn Club lecture is April 8
David Wilson, professor of history and mechanical engineering, will present "Messages from the History of Science" at the next Osborn Club lecture on April 8 (7 p.m., 1420 Molecular Biology). The lecture is free and open to the public following the club dinner.
Next Harkin Institute brown bag lecture moved to April 5
The next in a series of Harkin Institute of Public Policy brown bag research lectures has been moved from March 29 to April 5 (11:30 a.m., 302 Catt). University professor Peter Orazem will present “Economic Freedom, Human Rights, and the Returns to Human Capital: An Evaluation of the Schultz Hypothesis.” Contact David Peterson for more information.
Five-week swing dancing class offered at MU Workspace
The Workspace at the Memorial Union is hosting a Swing Dancing Class beginning Monday, April 8 (7-8 p.m.) for five weeks. No partner or experience is required. Learn the basic swing moves as well as elements of the Jitterbug, Charleston and Lindy Hop. The cost is $35 for ISU students, faculty or staff and $40 for the public. Pre-registration is recommended and can be done by calling The Workspace, 294-0970.
Register now for April workshops at the library
Library faculty will lead two workshops in April that target faculty and undergraduate students. "Getting Started with EndNote Web" (a free bibliographic management program) will be offfered April 3 (3-4:30 p.m.). "Blinded by the Cites? Finding Works that Cite Great Research" will be offered April 11 (9:30-11 a.m.). Library workshops are free but registration is required as seating is limited. Questions may be directed to Jody Kalvik, 4-6117.
Roll up your sleeves for April 4 blood drive
The U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory is holding a blood drive April 4 (10 a.m.-3 p.m., 205 Technical and Administrative Services Building). The drive is open to all Iowa State employees and their spouses. All donors will have a chance to win a raffle item. Volunteers also are needed for this event. If you're able to help, contact Occupational Medicine at 4-2056. If you have questions about whether you are elgible to donate blood, call 1-800-Red Cross.
Spring training: Get ready for Kuali debut
If you work with university processes and systems, a little spring training on the Kuali system is in order. The training will prepare you for changes that occur July 1, when some administrative systems are switched to the Kuali system. Two basic training sessions will be offered from late March through mid-May. The courses, each consisting of three 1.5-hour sessions, are:
- Kuali Financial Systems, designed for all users entering financial transactions
- eData, designed for all users reporting financial information
Keep your lab chemical inventory on new website
Environmental Health and Safety announces a new web interface (PDF) designed to make it easier for university employees to maintain a chemical inventory, keep it current and fulfill the annual update requirement. The interface meets the requirements of the ISU Right to Know and Laboratory Safety programs. Questions may be directed to EH&S, 4-5359.
Dunphy hosts Science Channel show on Friday
Brendan Dunphy, a research associate in the entomology department and familiar to many Iowans as the storyteller in Iowa State's "Choose Your Adventure" TV spots, is the host and narrator of "Planet Ant," a documentary about insects airing March 22 (9 p.m.) on the Science Channel.
Peterson retirement reception moved to March 25
The retirement reception for architect Dave Peterson in facilities planning and management, originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 27, has been moved up to Monday, March 25. Time and location remain the same: 2-4 p.m., 142 General Services Building.
Three candidates will interview for MU program coordinator
Three candidates will interview during the last week in March for a program coordinator position at the Memorial Union; their schedules include an open forum to allow faculty, staff and students to learn more about the candidates and provide input. Questions about the search may be directed to Scott Southward. The forums will be held from 11 to 11:50 a.m. on March 26 (3512 MU), March 28 (MU Pioneer Room) and March 29 (MU Gold Room).
Spring break is March 18-22
Iowa State classes will be in recess March 18-22 for spring break. Inside Iowa State will not publish on March 21; the next issue is scheduled for March 28. News and announcements websites will be updated during break week.
P&S Council open forum is March 14
Get an overview of the April 2 P&S Professional Development Initiative and Conference (8 a.m.- 5 p.m., Scheman) during a Professional and Scientific Council open forum March 14 (noon-1 p.m., MU Campanile Room). All are welcome. Feel free to bring your lunch.
Storm spotter training is March 27
The environmental health and safety department will host a free Severe Storm Spotter training on March 27 (1:30-3:30 p.m., MU Sun Room). Presenters are from the National Weather Service. This training is open to all ISU faculty, staff and students, particularly those who work outdoors. Registration is encouraged. Details are online.
Apply by March 29 for 2013-14 research mentor assistantship
The March 29 application deadline is approaching for the 2013-14 undergraduate research assistantship program. The assistantships encourage outstanding juniors and seniors to pursue graduate study by offering hands-on experience in a formal research setting. The faculty mentor pays 40 percent of the student's wages; college work-study pays the remaining 60 percent. Applications (both student and faculty/staff) should be turned in to the Student Employment Center, 0640 Beardshear. Students must be U.S. citizens, complete the FAFSA, be eligible for work-study funds and maintain a GPA of 3.25 or higher. Preference is given to qualified students and faculty/staff who, on their respective applications, ask to work together. More information, including guidelines, procedures and forms, is online.
ISU Surplus won't hold sales March 19-20
ISU Surplus will not be open for departmental or public sales on March 19-20, due to spring break.
Spring ahead on Sunday morning
Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 10. Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour before heading to bed Saturday night.
Nominate a colleague for Honors teaching/mentoring award
The University Honors program is accepting nominations (including self nominations) for its 2013 Teaching and Mentoring awards. Faculty and staff who support the Honors program -- including teaching honors courses and seminars, academic advising, serving as a research mentor -- are eligible. Two $500 awards are made each year. Letters of nomination and optional supporting materials (such as syllabi or student letters) should be delivered to 2130 Jischke Honors Building by 5 p.m. March 27. Questions may be directed to Honors program faculty director Susan Yager, 4-4372.
East campus bike path (north of Lied) will close March 11
The east campus bike path that links University Boulevard to Beach Road (and runs along the north side of the Lied Recreation Center) will close Monday morning, March 11, for an anticipated seven weeks. Phase I of schedule flood protection work to the Lied facility will build a series of berms and flood gates around it. The target date to reopen the bike path is Tuesday, April 30. Recommended alternate routes into campus are: University Boulevard (north) to Wallace Road or (south) to Lincoln Way.
Workshop focuses on finding non-government research grants
A March 28 (3-4:30 p.m.) Parks Library workshop for faculty and graduate students will focus on non-government funding sources for research in the humanities, social sciences and sciences. Rebecca Jackson, ISU Library; and Donna Van Pelt, ISU Foundation, are the presenters. Pre-registration is required. Questions may be directed to Jody Kalvik, 4-6117.
Attention Delta Dental enrollees: Your input is requested
Delta Dental, Iowa State's dental health provider, is asking employees who are enrolled in the dental plan to complete a short member satisfaction survey. The survey closes at 5 p.m. March 15.
Sleepout will cast light on veterans homelessness
Members of Iowa State's Veterans Club will camp out south of the campanile March 11-15 to increase awareness of homelessness among U.S. veterans and support the federal Department of Veterans Affairs' initiative to end veterans homelessness by 2015. Club members will accept donations, including non-perishable foods that will be delivered to local food pantries (including the SHOP on campus) and money, which will go to the Emergency Residence Project in Ames and the Veterans Community Gratitude Fund, which assists student veterans on campus. This event is in conjunction with the Story County Homeless Stand Down on March 15. For more information, contact Jathan Chicoine, veterans services coordinator.
P&S award nominations due April 1
Nominations are being accepted for individual CYtation and team awards, recognizing outstanding service and contributions to the university within the last year. Nominations are due April 1 and can be submitted by any ISU employee. More information, including individual and team nomination forms, is available online.
March 5 Reiman entrepreneur speaker canceled due to illness
A scheduled March 5 lunch event with Diego Veitia, founder and chairman of International Assets Holding (now INTL FCStone Inc.), has been canceled due to the speaker's illness.The event was part of the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship's speaker series.
Update license plate changes through parking division
If your license plate number has changed, you'll need to update your parking permit registration. The parking division of public safety is making that easy for you to do instantly with this online license plate update form. You'll need your old and new license plate numbers and your vehicle's color, make/model and year. You also can update when you renew your parking permit. The Iowa Department of Transportation is in the process of replacing old license plates throughout the state. The new plates carry a different alpha-numeric sequence.
New summer bridge program for first-year multicultural engineering students
The College of Engineering has collaborated with the division of student affairs to deliver a summer bridge program for first-year multicultural engineering students. The APEX program (Academic Program for Excellence), an established summer bridge program managed by the dean of student’s office, helps students entering Iowa State directly from high school prepare for the rigors of college life. The newly created engineering track within APEX meets the needs of incoming engineering students. This includes focused academic coursework along with co-curricular activities such as visits to industry and laboratory experiences.
Next Osborn Club lecture is March 11
Hongwei Xin, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and animal science; ABE associate chair for research; and director of the Egg Industry Center, will discuss "A Comprehensive Assessment of Aviary Laying-hen Housing System in the Midwest" at the Osborn Club lecture on March 11 (7 p.m., 1420 Molecular Biology). The lecture is free and open to the public following the club member dinner.
Alumna will present ADVANCE seminar on March 8
ISU alumna and animal nutritionist Nancy Irlbeck, associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State, will present a seminar, "Coming Into Your Own," on March 8 (9 a.m., 1204 Kildee). Her talk is part of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences' ADVANCE program to enhance the recruitment and advancement of women in the STEM fields. Irlbeck earned bachelor's (animal sciences) and master's (animal nutrition) degrees at Iowa State. All are welcome.
Annual Staniforth lecture is March 5
Frank Forcella, a research agronomist with the USDA-ARS North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory in Morris, Minn., will present the agronomy department's 24th annual David Staniforth Memorial Lecture on Tuesday, March 5 (4:10-5 p.m., 2050 Agronomy). The title of his talk is "Weeds, Crops and Health." Forcella also is an adjunct professor in both the agronomy and plant genetics department at the University of Minnesota, Morris; and the plant science department at South Dakota State University, Brookings. A reception in the Agronomy commons will follow his talk.
Veenker golf course to hold open house March 3
A "Bring on Spring" open house will be held at Veenker Memorial Golf Course on Sunday, March 3 (1-4 p.m.). The event will feature door prizes, refreshments and an opportunity to meet Greg Dingel, Veenker's new golf professional. Prize drawings will be held every half hour and the club house gift shop will offer merchandise discounts to season pass holders.
Shoe drive planned for March 4 women's hoops finale
The Iowa State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will host a shoe drive at the March 4 Cyclone women’s basketball game. Fans are encouraged to place new or used shoes in boxes located at the Hilton Coliseum entrances. All shoes will be donated to Soles4Souls, a nonprofit organization which will distribute the shoes in the U.S. and overseas. Collection boxes also will be located in the Jacobson Athletics Building lobby through mid-March.
Ames snow ordinance in effect at 5 p.m. Feb. 26
The City of Ames Snow Ordinance is expected to go into effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26. The ordinance is operational when 2 inches of snow has fallen on major Ames streets. Vehicles parked along snow routes (marked by red and white signs) must be moved or they will be ticketed and towed. Drivers should move vehicles to off-street parking or to streets that are not designated snow routes. To assist in plowing efforts, all Ames residents are asked to remove parked vehicles from residential streets. However, only those on snow routes are required to move them. The snow ordinance remains in effect until streets are completely plowed from curb to curb, AND it has stopped snowing.
Register now for EH&S Safety Summit, March 15
Environmental Health and Safety is holding a safety summit (PDF) March 15 (7:45-9 a.m., Environmental Health and Safety Services Building, 2809 Daley Dr.) for all employees. Learn how severe weather or a lab fire can impact your research. Register online (click on "Training;" log in to Learning Center; click on "Schedule" under My Menu; go to March 15 and select "EH&S Safety Summit").
Regents seek member from the public for task force
The state Board of Regents is soliciting nominees from the public to serve on a task force that will study transparency and openness at Iowa's regent schools. The board created the task force at its Feb. 6 meeting and expects to approve its membership at its March 13 meeting in Ames. One member must represent the public. Nominations should be received by 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 6. Members of the public are invited to submit their names, contact information and a brief summary (20 words or less) of why they're interested in serving on the task force. Nominations should be sent to board policy and operations officer Ann McCarthy, or via the regents' website.
Security measures for nitric acid use to be lifted
Effective Feb. 28, security measures in place since 2011 for purchasing and using nitric acid in campus laboratories will be lifted. ISU's environmental health and safety department has completed the process of reclassifying the campus with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, making the 2011 measures unnecessary. However, the university is required to keep campus quantities of nitric acid and other "chemicals of interest" (PDF) below regulatory levels to avoid security measures in the future. Researchers who need to increase their quantities of nitric acid or other chemicals on the list are asked to contact Ryan Wyllie at EH&S, 4-4092, to ensure that the university stays in compliance. Researchers also are reminded to submit their chemical inventory to EH&S annually.
Faculty, staff volunteers sought for Veishea events
Senior vice president for student affairs Tom Hill invites faculty and staff from across the university to volunteer at Veishea events on April 19-21. Volunteer opportunities include assisting students at Live@Veishea and serving at the midnight pancake feed. Sign up online by March 18. For more information, contact Keith Robinder in the Dean of Students Office.
Ames snow ordinance should go into effect about 5 p.m. Feb. 21
Library workshop targets grad students
Parks Library's spring workshop series opens March 8 with an event for graduate students: "Everything You Need to Know About the Library" (3-4:30 p.m., 134 Parks Library). Find out who your subject librarian is and library services that can strengthen your research and writing. Registration is required.
Registration opens for STEM careers conference for girls
Registration is open for three April conferences during which girls explore career options in the science, technology, engineering an math-related fields. "Taking the Road Less Traveled" is sponsored by the Program for Women in Science and Engineering; registration costs $8 and includes lunch and conference materials. The April 11 conference is for girls in grades 9-12; conferences on April 18 and April 25 target girls in grades 6-8. Questions may be directed to Carol Heaverlo, 4-5883, or Katie Gibson, 4-5319.
Employee wellness: "Tools for Weight Management," Feb. 22
Faculty and staff are invited to "Tools for Weight Managment," presented by FSHN 480 students, on Feb. 22 (noon, 192 Parks Library). No registration required; feel free to bring your lunch.
University faculty and staff award nominations due Feb. 20
Final nominations for University awards given annually to outstanding faculty and staff must be submitted online to the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost by Feb. 20. Earlier deadlines may be required for colleges and unit submissions. Award descriptions, criteria and nomination instructions are online.
Seats still available for Miranda Lambert/Dierks Bentley
Country music performers Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley bring their "Locked and Reloaded Tour" to Hilton Coliseum this Thursday (Feb. 21) for a 7:30 p.m. show, and tickets still are available. Purchase tickets through Ticketmaster.
Nominations for Live Green Sustainability Award extended
If you know faculty, staff or students who are making an impact on campus sustainability efforts, consider nominating them for the Live Green Awards for Excellence in Sustainability. The awards will be presented at the Symposium on Sustainability, Feb. 25-26 in the Memorial Union. Nomination forms and supporting materials were due by 5 p.m. Feb. 15. However, if you need more time to complete a nomination, contact Merry Rankin, mrankin@iastate.edu, to request an extension. The forms and details on the award are on the symposium website.
Enrollment deadline for LTC insurance extended to Feb. 28
Genworth Financial has extended the enrollment deadline for long-term care (LTC) insurance to Feb. 28. Eligible Iowa State employees under age 66 may enroll with no underwriting (guaranteed acceptance) through Feb. 28. Streamlined underwriting for qualifying spouses also is available during this time. This is a limited-time offer, and will not be available each year. After Feb. 28, benefits eligible employees and family members still may apply but underwriting will be required.
Upcoming LTC informational webinars:
Feb. 13, 10 a.m. (live webinar)
Meeting number: 712 498 452
Meeting password: LAF55gltc
Feb. 19, noon (live webinar)
Meeting number: 717 937 177
Meeting password: LAF55gltc
Teleconference: (866) 692-3158 (participant code is 760167)
Feb. 21, 2 p.m. (live webinar)
Meeting number: 714 101 244
Meeting password: LAF55gltc
Teleconference (866) 692-3158 (participant code is 7660167)
Contact Genworth Financial online (group ID is ISU; access code is groupltc) or call (800) 416-3624 with questions about LTC insurance.
Nominations sought for Margaret Sloss Gender Equity Awards
Nominations for the Margaret Sloss Gender Equity Awards (MSGEA) are being accepted through Feb. 28. The MSGEA ceremony is planned for March 26 (3:30-5 p.m., MU Campanile Room). More information is available on the Dean of Students website.
Franke will present Rossmann Manatt lecture on Feb. 22
Warren Franke, professor of kinesiology and director of ISU's Exercise Clinic, will give the annual Rossmann Manatt lecture on Feb. 22 (1:10 p.m., MU Gallery). In "Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Public Safety Personnel: Is It the Job or the Doughnuts?" Franke will discuss his research on how environmental factors may increase the chance for cardiovascular disease and other chronic health issues in law enforcement officers. The Rossmann Manatt Award recognizes a tenured faculty member in the College of Human Sciences who has demonstrated exceptional creativity and productivity in scholarship, teaching and service and who shows great promise for continuing such achievement.
It's a Troxel Hall mockup
If you work on the east side of campus, you may have noticed a small structure in the southwest corner of the Troxel Hall construction site. It's a mockup of the building and includes all the exterior components (brick, window systems, air and vapor barriers, flashings, caulking, etc.). These components have been installed by the subcontractors that will perform the work on Troxel Hall. Constructing a mockup lets the construction team confirm proper installation techniques, assure proper interfaces between the construction materials and see the final appearance of the exterior shell before the actual work is done on Troxel Hall. The goal is to identify potential issues and assure a high-quality finished product. The mockup will be removed at the conclusion of the project.
Volunteers needed for State Science and Technology Fair
The State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa and the FFA Agriscience Fair are seeking volunteers with a background in science, engineering or technology to judge junior high and high school research projects on April 5 at Hilton Coliseum. A total of 350 junior high and 100 high school judges are needed (all-day shifts preferred; half-day also appreciated). Online training will be provided prior to April 5. To become a judge, complete the online registration form. Contact Vicki Speake, 4-5738, with questions.