Announcements for Students

Bookstore's customer appreciation event is April 9

The ISU Book Store in the Memorial Union is holding a customer appreciation event in conjunction with its semiannual Apple one-day sale Friday, April 9. There will be merchandise sales all day, plus wine samples from two wineries, Chocolaterie Stam products and grazing boxes from Madrid's Sisters in Cheese (4-6 p.m.).

Virtual events this month boost students' financial literacy

The office of student financial success has put together these free virtual events and workshops for all ISU students. Participants will be entered to win a $100 ISU Book Store giftcard. Click on the link to register.

• Curious About Credit? How to Perfect Your Score, April 20 (1-2 p.m.), Covers components of a credit score, credit management strategies, the negative things that can impact your score, how to get your free credit report (and how to read it and correct any errors in it).
• Tackle Your Debt: Winning Strategies on any Budget, April 21 (2:30-3:30 p.m.) Covers repayment process for student loan debt, keeping on top of your debt, how to pay off your loans ASAP and save thousands in interest, ISU's exit counseling requirement.
• Big Senior Send Off: Financial Advice for Grads, April 22 (4-5 p.m.), financial management workshop for graduating students, topics include the importance of saving early for retirement, starting an emergency fund and preparing for life after graduation.
• Financial Literacy Trivia with Kahoot (limited to 50 participants each day), April 21 (12:30-1:30 p.m.) and April 22 (11 a.m.-noon)

Live concert will benefit KHOI community radio

A May 9 live concert at Stephens Auditorium featuring Midwest artists Chad Elliott and Bo Ramsey will raise funds for Ames' KHOI Community Radio as part of its spring membership drive. Tickets are $25 for reserved seats, $50 for VIP seats in the first 11 rows. Livestreaming for home viewing also is available for $15/single and $25/group. Tickets and livestream links can be purchased online. Safety protocols will be in place with physical distancing in the seated areas, enhanced disinfecting procedures and face coverings required. The concert begins at 5 p.m.

Ugandan basket sale is April 12-24 in the MU

In collaboration with the Uganda Alliance Club, the Workspace is hosting a pop-up basket sale April 12-24 in its space in the Memorial Union east basement. Sale hours are 2-9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Baskets sell for $10-$25. By purchasing a handmade basket created by a member of the Tusubila ("hope") Crafts Group, you are supporting women in Kamuli, Uganda. Baskets are made with dried raffia and banana leaves, and the money from sales goes directly toward supporting the artist's family. This initiative began through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Uganda program, and students work with the Tusubila group to bring baskets over, sell them in the United States and send the money to the artists.

Daily trivia, career workshops planned for student employment week

National Student Employment Week is April 12-16. Nearly one-third of Iowa State students work on campus. In addition to the work they accomplish for the university, their employment is a powerful tool for students, helping them manage their time, connect to campus and develop career readiness skills. Virtual and free activities for all student employees include daily trivia events with prizes (1 p.m. Monday-Thursday, registration required) and career readiness workshops led by college career services staff:

• Resumes and job search tips, April 13 (two sessions: 1:10 and 3:10 p.m.), Engineering
• Professional communication and interview preparation, April 14 (noon), Design
• Utilizing your part-time job in your job/internship, April 14 (4 p.m.), Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Salary negotiation, April 15 (3:30 p.m.), Human Sciences
• Trends in hiring/job searching in a pandemic, April 16 (10 a.m.), Business

Watch for detours at I-35/U.S. Highway 30 interchange

The state Department of Transportation announced ramp closures at the the Interstate 35/U.S. Highway 30 interchange in order to complete repairs on the north- and south-bound I-35 bridges. The closures began April 6 and are scheduled to continue to Wednesday, Nov. 24, weather permitting. Several detours will involve rerouting traffic to Dayton Avenue (west of the interchange):

• Southbound I-35 drivers wanting to travel east on U.S. 30 will exit onto westbound U.S. 30, travel west to the Dayton Avenue exit and turn back onto eastbound U.S. 30.
• Eastbound U.S. 30 drivers wanting to travel north on I-35 will exit at Dayton Avenue and travel north to 13th Street, east on 13th Street to I-35 and north on I-35.  
• Westbound U.S. 30 drivers wanting to travel south on I-35 will need to proceed to Dayton Avenue and get back onto eastbound U.S. 30 to use the southbound I-35 ramp.

Training session set for April 24 for LEGO innovation contest

Iowa State students, employees and alumni are invited to a virtual training session April 24 (11 a.m.-noon) to answer questions and provide inspiration for an upcoming LEGO design contest. In a competition to be held at the Iowa State Fair in August, teams working in in two-hour time slots will build LEGO models they designed to represent Innovate at Iowa State. See the contest webpage for more information and to access the link to the training session, which will be recorded for later viewing.

Beware of 'tax refund payment' phishing scam

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has identified a phishing scam targeting individuals with ".edu" email addresses. The phishing email contains the IRS logo and a subject line such as "Tax Refund Payment." Iowa State employees or students who receive a suspicious email like this should not enter any personal information into the phishing form, and are asked to follow this process to report the suspicious email to Iowa State's IT security team. More information.

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.

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.

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.

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.).

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.

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.

Applications due March 4 for undergraduate research symposium

Undergraduate researchers are encouraged to participate in ISU's 15th annual Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression April 21 and share their research with the university community and other guests in conference-style oral presentations. This year's symposium will be held in a hybrid mode: In person for all presenters and their mentors, and online for all other attendees. The application deadline is March 4. More information, including application instructions, is online. Questions may be directed to Svitlana Zbarska, 294-2064.

Johnny's ends Saturday hours due to low numbers

Due to decreased clients on recent Saturdays, Johnny's in Hilton Coliseum will be closed on that day, effective Feb. 27. Saturday hours will resume if the need arises. Students, faculty or staff who need a COVID-19 test on a Saturday should call 515-294-5801 to schedule a test at Thielen Student Health Center. Current hours for Johnny's are: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday.

Goldfinch Room announces March 23 show

Country music artist Angela Meyer will perform on the Stephens Auditorium stage Tuesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. Reserved tables for up to four people are $40 and must be purchased in advanced. Livestream links are also available for a single stream ($10) or group ($20). Physical distancing of 10 feet between groups will be observed, and masks are required except when eating or drinking.

Sidewalks closed around Ross Hall

Crews from Servicemaster are working inside Ross Hall this week to clean fire and smoke damage caused by Monday morning's fire on the first floor. To accommodate their vehicles and dumpsters, sidewalks and bike racks on the west side of Farm House Lane near Ross Hall are closed, as is access to the building's loading dock. Pedestrians are asked to use the sidewalk on the east side of Farm House Lane. The intent is to keep Farm House Lane open, but traffic is restricted to emergency and vicinity drivers.

Purchase tickets for virtual Irish concert next month

Ireland With Michael is a virtual concert of Irish culture and music to observe the Irish American Heritage Month of March, and stars tenor Michael Londra who introduces other acclaimed Irish performers. Stephens Auditorium fans may access this video-on-demand option from 7 p.m. March 17 through 7 p.m. March 19; tickets start at $25/family.

Innovation event for students features three ISU leaders

Students are encouraged to register for the March 8 (5:30-7 p.m.) Innovation Short Circuit, "Making Friends and Influencing People Like the Deans," with Engineering dean Sam Easterling, Human Sciences dean Laura Jolly and vice president for extension and outreach John Lawrence. They'll discuss the practices, drivers and personal characteristics that create business relationships that are both valued and valuable. Building relationships through networking is the #2 skill leaders say they wish they had learned more about in school. All majors and class levels are welcome; register online.

Weather-related changes announced for Feb. 16

In-person classes scheduled before noon on Tuesday, Feb. 16, will not meet. Classes delivered online will remain in session. In-person classes scheduled after 12 p.m. will be held.  If it's necessary to extend the restrictions past noon Tuesday, the university will announce that decision by 8 a.m. 

The university will remain open for business, and employees should contact their supervisors about working arrangements. Employees in food service, public safety, security, power plant, animal care, critical maintenance and snow/ice removal who can't get to campus should contact their supervisor.

Graduate students awarded research support

Fourteen Iowa State graduate students each will receive a $10,000 Brown Graduate Fellowship to support strategic research over the next year. The program is administered by the office of the vice president for research and focuses on university research in the areas of science, agriculture and space science.

Meat Lab's in-person purchase option resumes Feb. 12

The Meat Lab sale, Kildee Hall atrium, will reopen for in-person shopping Friday, Feb 12. Sales hours will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays. Payment must be via check (no cash). The online ordering option with curbside pick-up will continue.

Regents committee meetings scheduled for Feb. 17

Preceding the full board meeting Feb. 24, four committees of the state Board of Regents will hold virtual meetings Wednesday, Feb. 17. Open portions of the meetings will be livestreamed. Agenda items are available on the board's website.

'Tracing Race at ISU' initiative seeks digital project proposals

The advisory group for the Tracing Race at Iowa State University initiative seeks proposals for digital projects that reveal the history of accomplishment and experience of people of color, and engage with the university's history of race, inequality, racism or activism. Undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff in all disciplines may submit proposals; undergraduate applicants are asked to identify a faculty/staff advisor for their project. The submission deadline is March 31. The initiative is administrated by the library's digital scholarship and initiatives department, and questions may be directed to project coordinator Erin Anderson. Virtual 40-minute Q&A sessions will be held Feb. 19 (10 a.m.) and Feb. 23 (2 p.m.) via Webex.

Info session Feb. 11 is on Cyclone Aide, DIS team leader opportunities

New student programs is recruiting students interested in developing their leadership skills as a Cyclone Aide or Destination Iowa State (DIS) team leader. Cyclone Aides work an estimated 30-40 hours/week during orientation (mid-May through early July) and during DIS (Wednesday through Saturday before fall  classes begin). DIS team leaders work an estimated 30-40 hours during DIS. An information session on both opportunities will be held Thursday, Feb. 11 (4 p.m., via Webex). Applications close Feb. 21 for Cyclone Aides; March 31 for DIS team leaders. More information, including application materials, is online. Questions may be directed to new student programs, nsp@iastate.edu, 515-294-0801.

Non-engineers sought for ISU chapter of Engineers Without Borders

The Iowa State chapter of Engineers Without Borders, a sustainable development program, seeks non-engineering members, for example, students majoring in sociology, anthropology, economics, geography, political science, public health or community planning. A 30-minute information session will be held Wednesday, Feb. 17 (7 p.m., via Zoom). Register in advance to receive the link. Students interested in earning project management experience should consider applying for the director of sustainable development post; applications are due Feb. 21.

Face coverings still required on campus, around Ames

As in the fall, statewide COVID-19 mitigations may periodically change. However, Iowa State continues to require face coverings on campus. The requirement includes university classrooms, laboratories, public and communal work areas, libraries, dining centers and residential spaces, and all other learning spaces. Face coverings also are required on all other university property whenever physical distancing is not possible. The city of Ames also requires face coverings in public settings.

Applicants sought for fall student fellowship in university museums

Established by the estate of Lori A. Jacobson, the Lynette L. Pohlman Museum Fellowship provides one-on-one mentoring to an undergraduate student who gains hands-on experience in a museum setting, assisting curators and staff with exhibitions, collections, research, programs and special projects. Applications for the paid fellowship will be accepted through April 1 for the fall 2021 semester. More information about the fellowship is online.

Fall junior applicants sought for scholarship

The office of student financial aid is seeking undergraduate applicants for the Roy J. Carver Scholarship. For the 2021-22 academic year, 20 awards of $6,000 (renewable for one year) are available. The deadline to apply online is April 1. Questions may be directed to 294-0103 or scholarships@iastate.edu. Eligibility requirements include:

• College junior classification by fall 2021
• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.80
• Financial need demonstrated in 2021-22 FAFSA
• Evidence of significant social/economic obstacles to attending college fulltime
• Graduate of accredited Iowa high school OR Iowa resident for five years

ABE student wins 3-Minute Thesis competition

Bailey Adams, a third-year doctoral student in agricultural and biosystems engineering, won this year's 3-Minute Thesis competition, held virtually Jan. 14. Sponsored by the Graduate College, during the contest graduate students describe their research in concise presentations designed for an audience unfamiliar with the topic. Adams is studying how to optimize sprayer chassis suspensions to improve boom performance. See video of his and other finalists' presentations at the Graduate College's 3-Minute Thesis webpage.

Public health data site resets for spring semester

The COVID-19 Public Health Data website updated on Feb. 1 to start tracking testing, quarantine and isolation data for the spring semester. Data from the fall semester and winter break is accessible using the Archived Data tab on the website. Resetting for the spring semester will allow ISU's public health team to provide an accurate view of how COVID-19 is occurring and being mitigated in the campus population. It also will ensure data accuracy and ease of interpretation, since student enrollment as well as faculty and staff numbers change each semester.

Creamery offers ice cream pickup for Valentine's Day

Looking for a Valentine's Day treat? The ISU Creamery will offer curbside pick-up of its ice cream Thursday, Feb. 11 (4:30-5:30 p.m., circle drive off Wallace Road, east side of Food Sciences Building). Flavor options are posted on the Creamery website. To order, email sizes (quart $12, 8-ounce cup $5.50) and flavors to Sarah Canova, scanova@iastate.edu by noon Feb. 10. Accepted forms of payment are credit/debit cards and cash (exact change). 

ITS releases cyber guide outlining services

Information technology services released a cyber guide for the first time this spring, providing a single source to introduce students to ITS services and resources. Printed versions are available at the IT Solution Center and tech lending in Park Library, on the ground floor of the Student Innovation Center and Tech CYte, inside the ISU Book Store. A digital version also is available on the cyber guide website.