Student Announcements

March 2021

Renewal begins April 6 for library extended loan items

ISU Library items that were borrowed on extended loan and due May 7, 2021, can be renewed beginning Tuesday, April 6. Renewal options include online, in person or via phone. 

Student club's Animal Learning Day is April 17

The Block and Bridle Club will hold its annual Animal Learning Day on Saturday, April 17 (9 a.m.-1 p.m., Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center, 2508 Mortensen Rd.). The event is free and provides an opportunity for the public to learn about animals in agriculture and interact with them. Face coverings and social distancing will be required.

ISU Creamery is adding Saturday hours

Beginning April 10, the ISU Creamery, 2953 Food Sciences Building, will be open on Saturdays (2-6 p.m.). Weekday hours this semester remain noon-4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. More information about ice cream flavors and sizes is on the ISU Creamery website.

Pop-up plant sale is April 1 at Reiman Gardens

To make room in the greenhouse for new plants, Reiman Gardens is holding a pop-up plant sale Thursday, April 1 (10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., conservatory complex lobby). Shop a variety of tropical houseplants such as orchids, sansevierias, clivias, bromeliads, tropical fruit trees and succulents. Prices range from $1 to $35. Plants will be sold "as is;" garden staff recommend keeping purchased plants in quarantine from other house plants for a week or two.

Registrar shares spring graduation dates, times

The registrar's office has posted start times for spring commencement events: separate master's, Ph.D. and D.V.M. events Friday, May 7, and undergraduate events by college Saturday, May 8, on two stages at Jack Trice Stadium.

Aerospace engineering professor passes away

Colleagues are mourning the death of R. Ganesh Rajagopalan, a professor of aerospace engineering who passed away March 19. Rajagopalan was a highly regarded researcher responsible for unique contributions to rotorcraft, wind energy systems and computational fluid dynamics. He joined the Iowa State faculty in 1985 as an assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor in 1991 and professor in 2001. He recently was recognized by Iowa State's 25-Year Club for his 35 years of service to the university. Due to COVID-19 precautions, there will be no public visitation, and a private memorial ceremony will be held. 

Happy Birthday, Iowa State

Happy 163rd Iowa State! Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm was established on March 22, 1858, by the legislature of the State of Iowa. Story County was selected as a site in June 1859 and the original farm of 648 acres was purchased for $5,379. In 1862, the Iowa legislature voted to accept the provision of the Morrill Act, which was awarded to the agricultural college in 1864. It would be another five years before the college enrolled its first class.

Restrictions eased for sororities, fraternities

The division of student affairs has revised restrictions on social events and visitors for the sorority and fraternity community. In a March 12 message sent to students and advisors in the sorority and fraternity community, student affairs leaders announced some parts of a moratorium have been lifted or altered as the result of fewer COVID-19 cases within the community and across campus. Under the new guidance, sorority and fraternity chapters are required to register all events through the university event authorization system and, when appropriate, through their governing councils. Also, chapters can host events off-campus at approved locations, and may host outdoor philanthropic events at their houses. Chapters may allow one guest per member living in the chapter house.

Last fall, the division of student affairs, in partnership with the office of sorority and fraternity engagement, implemented restrictions on social events, nonmember visitors and nonresident traffic as a result of high COVID-19 transmission rates in some chapters.

Nominations due April 19 for Ivy Women in Business Awards

The Ivy College of Business invites nominations for its annual Ivy Women in Business Awards. Established in 2017, the awards celebrate women in business and their champions, and serve as an opportunity to inspire female college students as they prepare for a bright future in business. Please consider submitting a nomination and sharing this information with anyone who may be interested. Nominations must be received online by April 19.

Rock of Ages livestream concert is April 24; tickets support Stephens

The five-time Tony Award-nominated musical Rock of Ages will play a one night, bi-coastal livestream jamfest, Rock of Ages: All-Star Reunion Concert, Saturday, April 24 (7 p.m. CST). Proceeds from tickets bought on this link support Stephens Auditorium. Tickets go on sale at noon Tuesday, March 16; early bird pricing is $27 through March 21 and $33 after. Ticket purchasers have the option of watching the concert live and/or on demand for an additional 24 hours. Stream the show on any computer browser (laptop or desktop), mobile web, the Stellar Android or iOS app, or on TV via the Stellar app on Apple TV, Fire TV and Roku.

It's Wednesday; buy some ice cream

The Dairy Science Club's Wednesday ice cream sale will feature vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, Oreo and Resse's flavors today (noon-2 p.m., near the Lush Auditorium north doors in Kildee Hall). The price is $2 per cup. The club also fills orders for events and functions; send an email to dairyscienceicecream@gmail.com for more information.

Applications due March 31 for DIS team leaders

Applications are due March 31 for Destination Iowa State (DIS) team leaders, a paid leadership opportunity for returning students. DIS is the three-day welcome/acclimation event for first-year students before fall semester begins. Learn more about the position on Instagram (@IowaStateLeaders) or join a live virtual information session Thursday, March 25 (4 p.m.). Or apply online.

Pappajohn Center hosts free 'Start Something' workshops during March and April

The Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship is hosting a series of "Start Something" free workshops during March and April designed for freelancers doing the '5 to 9' and looking to create a side income. Each week, participants will learn more about developing a skillset -- for example, flipping thrift store items, selling your art on Etsy or investing in real estate. Students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome. The virtual events take place over Zoom (noon-1 p.m.).

ISU guidance forthcoming on international travel

State Board of Regents president Michael Richards announced March 11 that he has lifted the board's ban on international business-related travel for faculty, staff and students. The ban had been in place since March 5, 2020, in response to the escalation of COVID-19 cases around the world. Richards' action gives decision-making authority to the university presidents for their respective campuses. Further guidance for Iowa State faculty, staff and students on university-sponsored international travel will be released soon.

Students: Accept innovation challenge on voting

A series of online workshops are available to help guide student teams working to design campaigns to increase student voting in public elections. The innovation design sprint begins March 24, with $3,000 in prizes being awarded April 16. It's sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, political science department and the Student Innovation Center.

Innovation showcase is April 16-23

Save the date: Ignite Innovation Showcase will be held Friday-Friday, April 16-23. It will include competitions, a festival of student-produced films, the spring undergraduate research symposium, workshops, annual Fashion Show and more. Live and virtual sessions will highlight the investment faculty, staff and the broader community make in Iowa State's student innovators, and demonstrate student ownership in innovation. All spectators will participate virtually.

Title IX sexual harassment is focus of March 26 summit

The Sexual Misconduct Leadership Committee invites faculty and staff to attend the Campus Virtual Summit Addressing Title IX Sexual Harassment on Friday, March 26 (1-2 p.m. via Webex). Two sessions will be offered; one for students and one for faculty and staff. Registration is encouraged but not required.

On March 8, President Biden signed an executive order directing the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate the Trump administration's Title IX regulations to determine whether the regulations are consistent with the policies of the Biden-Harris administration. Because the Title IX regulations went through an official notice and comment process, it is widely accepted that the regulations can't simply be revoked without a similar notice and comment period. So, Biden's executive order doesn't have an immediate impact on institutions, but foreshadows possible changes. The summit will cover current ISU regulations on sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking.

Daylight saving time starts Sunday

Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 14. Spring ahead; turn your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night when you head to bed.

Library hosts conversation with Iowa book author

University Library will host a virtual conversation with alumna Helen Gunderson ('67) about her two-volume anthology, "The Road I Grew Up On: Requiem for a Vanishing Era," March 24 (6-7 p.m. via Zoom). The book consists of regional and neighborhood history, a personal memoir, spiritual insights and many photographs of Black Hawk County. Daniel Hartwig, head of special collections and university archives, will moderate a conversation between Gunderson and Cornelia Butler Flora, Distinguished Professor of sociology emerita. Registration is requested.

Women of achievement recipients to be honored March 11

The 10 recipients of the Ames-ISU YWCA's 2021 "Women of Achievement" awards will be recognized during a virtual event Thursday, March 11 (6:30-8 p.m., livestreamed on Facebook). The women include three ISU staff members, four ISU students and three Story County community members.

Order in advance for ice cream pickup on March 11

The ISU Creamery will offer its next ice cream curbside pickup on Thursday, March 11 (4:30-5:30 p.m., circular drive on east side of Food Sciences Building). Select from eight college and six classic flavors. Orders for 8-ounce cups ($5.50) and 32-ounce cartons ($12) should be emailed by noon March 10 to scanova@iastate.edu. Accepted forms of payment are credit/debit cards and cash (exact change). 

Sustainapalooza is Wednesday in the MU

ISU's 2021 Symposium on Sustainability continues, Wednesday, March 3, with an in-person Sustainapalooza (5:30-8:30 p.m., MU Great Hall). Hosted by the office of sustainability, the come-and-go event is an opportunity for members of the campus community to pick up some green-minded ideas and giveaways.