Student Announcements
May 2022
COVID-19: By the numbers
For the week that ended May 22, the positive rate for COVID-19 tests completed at the Thielen Student Health Center was 30% (3 of 10 tests completed), up from 23.9% a week earlier. Testing reflects both symptomatic students and student-athletes following NCAA testing protocols. The vaccination rate among Story County residents at least 5 years old rose to 66.4% as of May 25. Iowa State is providing weekly updates on these and other public health benchmarks on its COVID-19: By the numbers website.
May 30 is university holiday
University offices are closed and classes will not meet Monday, May 30, in observance of the national Memorial Day holiday.
Flags temporarily removed from central campus pole
The American and state of Iowa flags that fly over central campus have been temporarily removed until the aging flag pole can be replaced. A recent inspection discovered structural concerns in the top section of the 80-foot pole, which has withstood numerous wind storms and a derecho. Facilities planning and management staff are working on estimates, including cost and time needed to complete the project. The best estimate is that the current flag pole was installed in the mid-1970s. The university will have flags on display May 30 for the Memorial Day holiday at the Memorial Union east entrance driveway.
Creamery adds ice cream sandwiches
Partnering with Des Moines-based Iowa Cookie Co, the ISU Creamery now offers three varieties of ice cream sandwiches, called "grabbers." All of the sandwiches feature the creamery's Two Swans (vanilla) ice cream paired with chocolate chip, double chocolate or almond sugar cookies. Grabbers sell for $6.50 in limited supplies at the creamery's retail store, 2955 Food Sciences Building.
Extension, Iowa Public Radio collaborate on gardening podcast
ISU Extension and Outreach and Iowa Public Radio have launched a podcast series, "Garden Variety," that will cover topics of interest to Midwestern gardeners including horticulture, forestry, entomology and more. IPR host Charity Nebbe will host experts, including extension specialists, sharing answers to common gardening questions.
College Creek cleanup is June 18
In recognition of National Rivers Month, small groups of volunteers will walk along designated sections of the College Creek bank on campus and pick up trash on Saturday, June 18 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.). No time commitment is required, and all help is appreciated. Registration is requested to ensure supply quantities. Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes. Supplies (bug repellent, sunscreen, gloves, bags and trash grabbers) are provided; volunteers also are welcome to bring their own. Refreshments also will be provided. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Forker Building parking lot.
New name: Military-Affiliated Student Center
The Veterans Center will be called the Military-Affiliated Student Center, effective July 1. The new name highlights the department's focus on serving all military-affiliated students on campus, and is more inclusive for the reservists, National Guard, active duty, ROTC and family members of service members the center serves. The center also has a new home, 5600 Memorial Union.
COVID 19: By the numbers
For the week that ended May 8, the positive rate for COVID-19 tests completed at the Thielen Student Health Center was 12.5% (9 of 72 tests completed), down from 13.64% a week earlier. Testing reflects both symptomatic students and student-athletes following NCAA testing protocols. The vaccination rate among Story County residents at least 5 years old rose to 66.3% as of May 11. Iowa State is providing weekly updates on these and other public health benchmarks on its COVID-19: By the numbers website.
Student affairs units are moving to new MU offices
A 15-month renovation project on floors four through six at the Memorial Union is wrapping up, and six student affairs offices have set dates they anticipate being ready for walk-in traffic:
|
Unit |
Office suite |
Opening date |
|
Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success |
4600 |
May 16 |
|
Veterans Student Center |
5600 |
May 19 |
|
International Students and Scholars |
4530 |
May 24 |
|
NCORE-ISCORE |
6571 |
June 8 |
|
ISU Lectures Program |
6558 |
June 13 |
|
Student Legal Services |
6660 |
June 23 |
CSAFE demonstrations, reception set for May 23
Employees and students from the Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence (CSAFE) will share accomplishments from the past year that support the forensic science and legal communities during a technology demonstration and reception Monday, May 23 (5-6 p.m., Garden Room, Reiman Gardens). It is open to the public. Researchers will give demonstrations of CSAFE-developed technology, and undergraduate and graduate students will present posters on their research projects.
Cyclone 'Tailgate Tour' covers the state this month
The athletics department's annual "Tailgate Tour" hits the road this month, with a western Iowa loop May 16-18 (Carroll, Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Okoboji, Sheffield and Clear Lake) and eastern Iowa loop May 23-25 (Iowa Falls, Cedar Rapids, Ottumwa, Bettendorf, Dubuque and Waterloo). The schedule features daily noon and early evening stops. In addition to a short program, fans can meet head coaches and Cy and stock up on Cyclone merchandise. The tour stops are free; food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Final days: Complete regents' free speech training this week
As announced in early February, the state Board of Regents expects all students and employees to complete, by the end of spring semester, virtual training about free speech and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The training emphasizes the importance of how to both use speech and expression in classroom and out-of-class activities and respect the protected speech and activity of others. Faculty and staff will find the training under "My Learning Tracks" when they log in to Learn@ISU. Students will find it on their Canvas dashboard. Completing the training on a laptop or desktop computer is recommended.
May 16-22 is bike to work week
May 16-22 is National Bike to Work Week. Ames residents are encouraged to bike to work, school or around their neighborhood. Mayor John Haila and city council members will host a free continental breakfast for bike commuters Monday, May 16 (7-9 a.m., in front of City Hall, 515 Clark Ave., city hall foyer if the weather threatens). The week will end with the annual Mayor and City Council bike ride beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 21 (9 a.m., city hall west parking lot).
COVID-19: By the numbers
For the week that ended May 1, the positive rate for COVID-19 tests completed at the Thielen Student Health Center was 13.64% (9 of 66 tests completed), up from 11.43% a week earlier. Testing reflects both symptomatic students and student-athletes following NCAA testing protocols. The vaccination rate among Story County residents at least 5 years old rose to 66.2% as of May 4. Iowa State is providing weekly updates on these and other public health benchmarks on its COVID-19: By the numbers website.
Community radio fundraising concert is May 26
Tickets are on sale now for a May 26 concert at Stephens Auditorium by Quad Cities-based Avey Grouws Band, with opener and Iowa native Matt Woods. It starts at 7 p.m. The concert is the second-annual spring fundraising concert for Ames' KHOI community radio. Advance tickets are $20 (general admission) and $50 (VIP reserved: orchestra pit and first 11 rows), and available through the radio station online or at the studio (cash only, 622 Douglas Ave., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays). Tickets go up $5 the day of the show.
Reiman Gardens open late commencement weekend
To accommodate guests visiting campus for graduation events, Reiman Gardens will remain open until 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, May 12-14.