Student Announcements
COVID-19 testing returns temporarily to Thielen
The university's COVID-19 testing site at Johnny's in Hilton Coliseum will close at the end of the day Tuesday, Nov. 24, and reopen Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. In the meantime, COVID-19 testing will be offered at the Thielen Student Health Center (7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays excluding university holidays; 9 a.m.-noon Nov. 30 and Dec. 1). Faculty, staff and students who want a test should continue to call 515-294-5801 (option 9).
FAFSA priority filing date extended for 2021-22 applicants
In response to the challenges COVID-19 has created for students and their families, ISU's office of student financial aid has extended the priority date for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to Dec. 20. Students who apply by Dec. 20 will be considered for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and ISU Grant programs, in addition to the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Student Loans. Students who submit the FAFSA after Dec. 20 are considered only for the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Student Loans.
As a result, the deadline for incoming freshmen to complete the OneApp scholarship application form for scholarships awarded by the office of student financial aid has been extended to Dec. 28. Individual colleges and departments may have a different date. Prospective students should review the deadlines on the office of student financial aid website. The OneApp deadline for continuing students remains unchanged.
CCE seeking writers interested in accountability group
The Center for Communication Excellence is conducting a survey to gauge interest in forming a writing accountability group over winter break. The group would meet from late November to mid-January. Writing accountability groups have traditionally been used among faculty and advanced academic writers to create productive writing habits and accountability measures to prompt progression towards self-declared writing goals over a specified period of time. Depending on participation and success, the center may extend the groups after winter break.
Applications for 3-Minute Thesis contest due Dec. 3
The Three-Minute Thesis competition sponsored by the Graduate College will kick off in December. The contest is open to graduate students and offers an opportunity for them to explain their research quickly in language appropriate for a general audience. Competitors are allowed one presentation slide but no other resources or props. The contest will be held via video submissions. Applications are due Dec. 3. Video submissions will be due Dec. 21, and winners will be announced Jan. 25. The winner is awarded a $500 scholarship.
ISU Creamery announces curbside pickup dates over break
The ISU Creamery will continue its weekday retail hours (11 a.m.-3 p.m., 2953 Food Sciences) through Tuesday, Nov. 24, and then will close until Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. It will offer curbside pickup for quart cartons Dec. 16 and Jan. 6 (3:30-5 p.m., orders due at noon the day before). Details are online.
Purchase tickets for gardens' holiday light show
Reiman Gardens is hosting an outdoor walk-through holiday light show, Winter Wonderscape, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings Dec. 3-Jan. 2, 2021 (5-10 p.m.). There won't be a show Dec. 25. Tickets should be purchased online in advance for a specific day, with daily attendance capped for safety. Tickets are $10 (members $8, children 2-12 years $5, children under 2 years free).
New fan plan at November competitions
Amid rising COVID-19 positivity rates, athletics director Jamie Pollard announced Nov. 17 that attendance at the Nov. 21 home football game and both November men's and women's home basketball games will be limited to just the families and guests of student-athletes and program staff. "We feel it is in the best interest of our state, community and university for the Iowa State athletics department to be a leader in limiting social gatherings during these times," Pollard wrote in an update to Cyclone fans.
Response to concerns about social media post
University leaders have responded to demands made by a group of faculty, staff and students voicing their concerns about a student organization's post-Election Day social media post. Additionally, the Nov. 16 response was posted to Iowa State's Campus Climate website. Previously, university leaders addressed the issue with the student organization and informed its leaders about conduct that would violate university policy and the Student Code of Conduct.
Wanted: More yellow buckets for glass recycling
The office of sustainability is requesting additional donations of empty 5-gallon yellow buckets from Tidy Cats cat litter -- with red or blue hinged lids intact, rinsed out and dry. Following a successful July 2012 pilot, Iowa State's glass recycling project uses the buckets for discarded laboratory glass such as pipettes, slides and petri dishes. They're also used for the residence halls' recycling program. The end goal is to keep glass out of the garbage stream to prevent mechanical damage at both the city's resource recovery plant and power plant. There are two drop-off sites during business hours:
- 108 General Services Building (director of sustainability Merry Rankin's office)
- Environmental Health and Safety Services Building, front desk
ISCORE proposals due Dec. 1
The Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) is accepting proposals on race and ethnicity from faculty, staff and students through Dec. 1. The 2021 ISCORE event will be held virtually March 4-5, with a preconference for faculty and staff March 3. Proposals should include a title, 200-word abstract and 1-2 learning outcomes. Students are asked to include the name of a faculty or staff member familiar with their presentation plans.
Map highlights indoor spaces set aside for studying
Select classrooms and many common areas are serving as study spaces during fall semester. No reservations are needed. Occupant capacities and hours will be posted on classrooms; common spaces are available during regular building hours. Physical distancing and face covering requirements must be observed. A PDF that includes maps, locations and hours is available online.
APLU recognizes Iowa State for innovation
An effort to ramp up production of face shields when the COVID-19 pandemic hit is one example of Iowa State’s innovation and discovery that the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities recognized with its 2020 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Innovation award. The award also recognized the opportunities for innovation and collaboration through the new Student Innovation Center and the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, as well as support for startups from the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations.
Library hours unchanged for prep and finals weeks; prep week events set
The library will remain open normal semester business hours Nov. 16-25. The library partnered with Student Health and Wellness for a series of carefully considered, physically distanced activities during prep week. Experts will lead simple relaxation techniques to help students decompress each day of prep week.
SHOP has employee volunteer opportunities during prep, finals week and winter break
The student leadership team for the Students Helping Our Peers (SHOP) food pantry, 1306 Beyer, is asking ISU employees to volunteer their time to help keep the SHOP open during November, December and January. Sign up in one-hour increments using the appropriate online form below; volunteering details will be emailed to you. Two schedules are available:
- Prep and Finals weeks, Nov. 16-25: Tuesdays and Friday (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) and Wednesdays (4-7 p.m.)
- Winter break, Nov. 30-Jan. 22, 2021: Tuesdays and Fridays (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)
If you are unable to volunteer at this time but are interested in helping in the future, provide us your contact information to be put on a short list for other opportunities.
'Jagged Little Pill' concert tickets on sale Nov. 16
The Broadway cast of the Tony Award-nominated musical "Jagged Little Pill" is reuniting for a live one-hour concert, featuring selections from the show, Sunday, Dec. 13 (7 p.m. CST), to support performance venues around the country. Tickets for access to the livestream are $27 through Nov. 22 ($33 after) and go on sale to the public at 9 a.m. Nov. 16. A portion of each ticket sold on the Iowa State Center's link supports Stephens Auditorium operations. Information on options for watching the performance are shared in a FAQ on the website.