Student Announcements

August 2022

Undergraduate biochemists will share their summer work

The first nine undergraduate participants in the Biochemistry Summer Research Program will present their work during a showcase Thursday, Sept. 8 (4-6 p.m., 1414 Molecular Biology Building). To apply to the program, candidates pitched a research proposal describing a plan of work with a faculty mentor. In addition to research, their summer experience included weekly workshops on building professional communication skills.

Sept. 5 is university holiday

University offices are closed and classes will not meet on Monday, Sept. 5, in observance of the national Labor Day holiday.

Department merger takes effect this week

Two departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences -- entomology, and plant pathology and microbiology -- officially merge on Sept. 1 to become the department of plant pathology, entomology and microbiology. The intent is to strengthen both programs and open channels in research, teaching and other collaborations. Discussions for merging the departments started in 2019 and final approval from the state Board of Regents occurred in June 2021. Steven Harris has chaired both departments since April 2021. Since it opened in spring 2018, teaching and lab spaces in the Advanced Teaching and Research Building have promoted collaboration among both departments' faculty, staff and students. Faculty, staff, students and alumni of the two programs will celebrate the merger on Sept. 9.

Learn about entrepreneurship resources for students

An information session for ISU students, "Start Something While at Iowa State: Entrepreneurship Resources," will be offered twice this month: Sept. 13 and 16 (4-5 p.m., 3231 Student Innovation Center). Students with an idea for a business are invited to learn about all the resources offered for free to Iowa State students and about the opportunities to get involved at the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. Register online.

Application window is open for summer Cyclone Aide positions

Looking for a paid leadership opportunity on campus? Become a Cyclone Aide. The position offers opportunities to:

  • Develop leadership and customer service skills
  • Positively impact new students and guests during orientation
  • Coordinate programs for Destination Iowa State and mentor DIS team leaders

Cyclone Aides work May-August, earning $12/hour. They receive summer housing and a meal package. Learn more about the time commitment, responsibilities and benefits of the position. Apply online by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 12. Questions may be directed to Cassidy Conway, 515-294-3765.

Student organizations: Opportunities to participate in Homecoming week

The Homecoming central committee invites all student organizations to get involved in Iowa State's Homecoming celebration, Oct. 30-Nov. 5. Student organizations are invited to participate in two large public events, a kick-off in the Iowa State Center parking lot on Sunday, Oct. 30 (replacing the parade downtown), and ExCYtment in the Streets on Thursday, Nov. 3. Faculty and staff advisors are asked to encourage their student orgs to take part. Details and sign-up are on this Google form. All signups are due by Sept. 30. Questions about student organization involvement in Homecoming can be sent to hcc.kickoff@gmail.com. All clubs are welcome, so be creative and help show off the best of Iowa State to the Ames community.

Nest announces monthly gatherings for fall

The library hosts monthly informal social gatherings for graduate and undergraduate students in the International Nest (4-6 p.m., 034 Parks Library). They're an opportunity to meet people, enjoy conversation and get connected with the library.

  • Sept. 8, Topic: Libraries in our home countries, ISU librarians and university library services to help students succeed
  • Oct. 13, Let's talk about our cultures
  • Nov. 10, Holiday traditions around the globe
  • Dec. 1, A chat with librarians about the end of the semester

Base print credits increased for students

Beginning this semester, base printing credits for students doubled from 500 to 1,000. The additional credits are funded through student technology fees. When nearing a zero-credit balance, students can submit a request for more print credits for no additional cost. The request button is available in the ISU Service Portal.

Employees and students have free access to NYT, WSJ

Students, faculty and staff can enjoy free access to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. For details on how to sign up or more information, see the guidance the university library offers for accessing both publications.  

Open house set for Sept. 1 at Student Innovation Center

Students, faculty and staff have a chance to see hands-on creativity in action at the Student Innovation Center's open house Sept. 1 (4-6 p.m.), which will feature demonstrations in the newly opened maker spaces, giveaways, displays and activities to promote the opportunities colleges and student organizations offer at the center.

CyBowl & Billiards announces upgrades

CyBowl & Billiards, on the ground floor of the Memorial Union, has added the Underground Café, and guests may order their favorite restaurant foods such as pizza, chicken tenders, franks in a blanket, taquitos, mozzarella sticks and French fries while they play. Last spring, couches at each bowling lane were replaced with red loungers. Upgrades completed while the building was closed during the pandemic include resurfaced bowling lanes, a new bar top created from old lanes and installation of state-of-the-art pinsetters. The renovated spaces are available for private rentals and party reservations; individual lanes or billiards tables also may be reserved. CyBowl & Billiards is open to the public; ISU students receive special rates. Email cybowl@iastate.edu for any questions or to book an upcoming meeting or party.

City-university garage sale sets records

At the 6th annual Rummage RAMPage (July 29-Aug. 6 at the Ames Intermodal parking facility), buyers provided new homes for more than 143,000 pounds of donated furniture and housewares -- about 24% more than the previous high at the 2019 sale. The event raised more than $49,000 for 41 local non-profit agencies and student organizations, also a record. Collectively, those groups provided more than 1,500 volunteer labor hours for the community sale. The 2022 Rummage RAMPage received the inaugural Outstanding Waste Diversion Program and Video Award from the Iowa Society of Solid Waste Operations.

Driver shortage forces CyRide to reduce weekend service

Due to an acute driver shortage, CyRide has announced that, starting Sunday, Aug. 21, and until further notice, it will operate its break service schedules on Saturdays and Sundays. This means any shaded lines on a bus schedule will not run on Saturdays and Sundays. Reducing weekend trips is one strategy to preserve existing services and avoid unpredictable missed trips that potentially could strand passengers.

Goo Goo Dolls tickets on sale Aug. 19

Tickets will go on sale 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19 for a concert by platinum-selling alt-rock band Goo Goo Dolls at Stephens Auditorium on Oct. 30. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show cost from $29.50 to $79.50, plus fees, and can be purchased online or at the Iowa State Center ticket office, which is open weekdays 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Monthly art walks announced for fall semester

University museums staff will lead a monthly art walk on Wednesdays (noon-1 p.m.) this fall. These walking tours begin at different places on campus (including indoors beginning in December) and focus on a theme. The art walks are free; registration is requested.

Single event tickets for Stephens season now on sale

Individual tickets for all 17 shows in the 2022-23 Performing Arts Series at Stephens Auditorium are now on sale. Previously, subscription packages, which require ticket purchases for at least four events, had been on sale. Subscription options remain available, too. The 2022-23 season opens on Sept. 20 and runs through April 22, 2023.  Tickets may be purchased online via Ticketmaster or at the Stephens ticket office (11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and beginning 90 minutes before any ticketed event).

MU poster sale runs Aug. 17-26

The Memorial Union will host its annual poster sale to kick off fall semester Aug. 17-26 in the Campanile Room. It's open to the public. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Choose from among hundreds of posters, most of which are priced between $8 and $15. Sale proceeds support MU art exhibit programs.

Childcare assistance for undergraduate parents

ISU WorkLife & Family Services is accepting applications for the undergraduate Childcare Assistance Program (CAP).  This scholarship program is available to undergraduate student parents attending Iowa State who have out-of-pocket costs for child care services. Eligible student parents may receive up to $1,250 per semester. Students with the highest financial need will receive priority consideration. Full eligibility guidelines and application instructions are available on the Child Care & Family Services website. Questions may be emailed to worklife@iastate.edu.

'A Charlie Brown Christmas' tickets on sale Aug. 5

Tickets for a Nov. 29 performance of the Broadway-style production of "A Charlie Brown Christmas Live" at Stephens Auditorium go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 5, online through Ticketmaster or at the Stephens Auditorium ticket office. Tickets are $31-$51. The performance begins at 6:30 p.m.

ClubFest planned for Aug. 31

The annual ClubFest, an opportunity for students to learn about many of the clubs and organizations at Iowa State, will be Aug. 31 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) at the Memorial Union. Student organizations will have display tables on the MU terraces, all of its ballrooms and west of the building along Morrill Road and the parking loop. From 6:15 a.m. to 6 p.m., Morrill Road will close from Union Drive to the ramp entrance off Morrill south of the MU. A volunteer fair featuring Ames nonprofits and agencies will be held the same day in the MU Campanile Room (11 a.m.-3 p.m.). Student organizations can begin registering for ClubFest Aug. 10.

Illegal parking, nuisance party fines increase Aug.19-21

In response to concerns about large house parties, noise, excessive drinking, unsafe behavior and illegal parking during the weekend before the start of Iowa State classes, the Ames City Council approved changes to the city code. These changes apply only to the weekend of Friday, Aug. 19, through Sunday, Aug. 21.

On Saturday, Aug. 20, vehicles that are illegally parked on streets from Lincoln Way south to Mortensen Road and from Beach Avenue west to State Avenue are subject to immediate towing. The immediate towing is necessary to ensure emergency vehicles have access to neighborhoods or residents.  From 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, through 4 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, the fine for being cited with a nuisance party is $650 for the first offense and $855 for the second offense.

Nominations, applications sought for student affairs board

Senior vice president for student affairs Toyia Younger is seeking undergraduate and graduate students to serve on the 2022-23 Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Student Advisory Board. Student board members provide critical feedback on events, programs and policies impacting the student experience at Iowa State. Board members meet monthly with Younger and engage in discussions online. Faculty and staff may nominate a student by Aug. 24 or encourage students to apply online by Aug. 31.

City-university rummage sale wraps up on Saturday

The annual Rummage Rampage, held at the Ames Intermodal Facility, 129 Hayward Ave. to coincide with apartment leases expiring, is in its final days. Local residents donate no-longer needed items with a still-useful life for this community sale. The remaining schedule is:

  • Thursday-Friday, Aug. 4-5, noon-6 p.m., sales and drop-off
  • Saturday, Aug. 6, 8 a.m.-noon, half-price sale only (no drop-offs)

Summer undergraduate research event is Aug. 4

ISU's summer Undergraduate Research Symposium will be held Thursday, Aug. 4 (1-3 p.m., MU Great Hall). During the summer, many campus labs provided opportunities for Iowa State students and participants in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates program to conduct research. Learn more about 75 projects presented by 100+ students in a poster format (and summarized in this symposium program). Refreshments will be provided. Questions may be directed to Svitlana Zbarska, undergraduate research program coordinator campuswide, 515-294-2064.