Announcements for Students

Rec services to reopen Beyer Hall, Lied Rec Center

Beyer Hall and Lied Rec Center will reopen with the start of fall classes. Under its fall reopening plan, recreation services will open both facilities -- closed since mid-March -- beginning Aug. 17, though some amenities will remain unavailable. State Gym, which reopened in June, will expand its hours starting Aug. 17. The reopening plan also calls for some intramural students sports this fall and a return to in-person fitness classes. Virtual fitness classes still will be offered, and in-person classes will have limited capacity and may be held in nontraditional spaces, include outdoors east of Lied Rec Center.

Library reopens for limited hours, resumes regular hours Aug. 17

Parks Library reopened with limited hours Aug. 3. The library will resume normal business hours on Aug. 17, the first day of fall classes. Special collections and university archives, which remain closed from Aug. 3-16, will reopen with limited hours beginning Aug. 17.

Volunteers clean sections of College Creek

The 2020 College Creek cleanup on June 27, organized by the Live Green initiative, implemented physical distancing to ensure staff and volunteer safety. Twenty-nine volunteers provided nearly 70 hours of volunteer service and retrieved more than 400 pounds of trash from College Creek on campus and in campustown. 2020 College Creek photo gallery.

Fall student hiring is open in Workday

Last year, with the implementation of Workday, hiring student employees -- both regular hourly and work-study eligible -- moved online. Hiring has opened for fall semester, with work-study eligible hires now approved in Workday. Departments that want to check work-study eligibility of fall employees can do so in Workday External Student. If the student is a new hire, use this hiring job aid in CyBox. If the student is a returning employee, the employer needs to complete a "data change" process in Workday; slides 3-4 of this job aid will assist them.

Students seeking work on-campus are encouraged to use the online student job board provided by the student employment office. It's also the encouraged and common place for departments to advertise part-time student employee positions, at no cost to departments. More information, including instructions on posting open positions, is on the student job board website.

UHR service center reopens to walk-ins Aug. 10

The university human resources (UHR) service center (3810 Beardshear) will reopen for walk-in transactions Aug. 10, though appointments still are encouraged. The center's regular hours will be 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m., but it will open at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesdays. Through Aug. 7, the service center is open by appointment only from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. To help limit in-person interactions, UHR also is working with HR delivery teams and local departments to encourage new employees to complete Form I-9 paperwork via Workday. 

Employees asked to fill support roles for COVID-19 testing at Lied Rec

Memorial Union book sale is Aug. 4-5

The Memorial Union, in conjunction with ISU Suprlus, is hosting a used book sale Aug. 4-5 in the Great Hall. Hours Tuesday are 4-7 p.m. and Wednesday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Many of the books are from the MU's browsing library, which has been converted to an art gallery. Prices start at $1; cash and credit cards will be accepted. Face coverings are required, and social distancing guidelines will be followed. The sale features more than 1,500 books -- some signed, including fiction, history, art, poetry, short stories, reference, biographies, classics and children's books.

MU's Art for Rent open house is Aug. 5-6

The Memorial Union is hosting its annual Art for Rent open house Aug. 5-6 in the Gallery on the third floor. Hours Wednesday are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Thursday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Face coverings are required, and social distancing guidelines will be followed. The art lending collection includes about 275 framed posters, prints and paintings available for rent for a half year or full year. Annual rentals typically range from $10 to $25, and patrons may take selected pieces with them that day. Renters do not have to be affiliated with Iowa State to participate. Proceeds from rentals directly support art programs at the Memorial Union.

CYstarters to hold virtual Demo Day on July 30

On July 30 from noon-1:30 p.m., celebrate the 20 student entrepreneurs who participated in Iowa State's 11-week summer accelerator program, CYstarters. Student will give presentations on the businesses they've been building, and President Wendy Wintersteen and Ivy College of Business dean David Spalding will provide remarks. The virtual event is open to the public and will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. RSVP online.

Iowa singer/songwriters to perform on Stephens Auditorium lawn

The Goldfinch Room will feature Iowa singer/songwriters in four Tuesday night performances on the Stephens Auditorium north lawn over the next month. The lawn will open at 6 p.m. for each performance, with the music from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $5, and no advance sales are available. The schedule is as follows:

• July 28 J. Jeffrey Messerole
• Aug. 4 Ryne Doughty
• Aug. 11 David G. Smith
• Aug. 18 Fred Love

Physically distanced seating areas for up to four people will be designated on the lawn. Attendees can bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Beer, wine, soda and water will be available for sale at an outdoor bar area, and The Traveling Pig food truck will offer food. Outside food and nonalcoholic beverages may be brought to the event.

Face coverings will be required when entering and exiting the event as well as when moving to and from restrooms inside Stephens Auditorium or to purchase food or drinks. Face coverings will not be required inside designated seating areas.

Webinar looks at ISU partnerships in Uganda's Kamuli district

The Consortium for Innovation in Post-Harvest Loss & Food Waste Reduction will host a webinar July 29 (9-10 a.m.) that provides an overview of Iowa State's partnership with institutions and communities in Uganda's Kamuli district to improve agriculture, health and education. Panelists also will discuss the potential to replicate this development and philanthropic model in other Ugandan communities and throughout Africa to improve food security. Panelists are David Acker, associate dean for Global Engagement in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods; Thomas Brumm, Charles E. and Mary B. Sukup Professor in Food Security and associate director of the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods; and Thomas Buyinza, post-harvest technology specialist for the ISU-Uganda Program. Webinar registration.

Vet Med trail closed for 4-6 weeks for paving

CARES Act funds available for student laptop purchases; apply by July 31

Iowa State has developed a Laptop Loaner Program to support students who may not have access to laptop technology the university is requiring this fall. Loaner laptops will be provided to current ISU students through the University Library while the inventory lasts. Fulltime, degree-seeking students with the greatest financial need and those who have exhausted other options for financial aid will receive priority. Requests for participation in the Laptop Loaner Program will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, July 31.

Students who checked out a loaner laptop this spring can't keep the same device for fall semester. They must return it by Aug. 12 to avoid being charged a replacement cost plus fees. They may contact the library's tech lending manager David Harborth to get a Fedex label for returning the device to the library.

A limited amount of funding through the federal CARES Act is available for students with documented financial need who need to purchase a laptop. The office of student financial aid will review all requests to the Laptop Loaner Program for possible CARES Act awards.

Applicants need the following information to complete the Laptop Loaner Program request form:

• University ID (9-digit identification number provided to you upon acceptance to Iowa State University)
• College (for example, Design, Ag & Life Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, etc.)
• System preference (Mac or PC)

Students who are unable to locate their University ID should contact the IT Solution Center at 515-294-4000.

Calendar is searchable for religious, cultural holidays

The office of the vice president for diversity and inclusion has created a searchable calendar of religious and cultural holidays and observances to assist event planners and others on campus in checking for potential conflicts when planning events. Because many of the holidays fluctuate, the calendar is a constant work in progress; however, it is up to date for the 2020-21 academic year. Find the calendar under the DEI Resources dropdown menu on the diversity and inclusion homepage.

Memorial Union is reopening Aug. 3

Beginning Monday, Aug. 3, the Memorial Union will be open Monday through Saturday 7 a.m.-10 p.m. (Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.). Some services, including the Workspace, U.S. Postal Service counter and Cybowl and Billiards, will reopen Monday, Aug. 17.

Through Aug. 2, the building's south (Lincoln Way) doors will remain the only open entrance to the MU. Visitors can access the ISU Book Store, MU Market Cafe and ground-floor restrooms from that entrance.

Some facts about COVID-19 and building ventilation

Facilities planning and management has issued COVID-19-based guidance on building ventilation systems, including outdoor air intake, air filters and acceptable use of personal filtration devices. FPM reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate the risk of spreading the coronavirus through building ventilation systems is likely to be low. More effective deterrents include physical distancing, face coverings when physical distancing can't be maintained, frequent and thorough hand washing and staying home when you're sick.

Grooms to present campus webinar

Dr. Dan Grooms, the Dr. Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of Veterinary Medicine, will present a Zoom webinar Wednesday, July 22 (noon, registration required). His topic is "Cyclone Strong: Responding to a Global Human Health Pandemic."

Welch Avenue road project begins phase 4

A city of Ames project to reconstruct and redesign Welch Avenue from Lincoln Way to Chamberlain Street entered phase 4 this week. This phase, estimated at 3-4 weeks, includes pavement removal and underground utility improvements from the CVS/Kingland driveway to the middle of the Fire Station No. 2 driveway. In addition to replacing original infrastructure more than a century old, the project includes pavement reconstruction and water quality improvements. Features of the new Welch Avenue include bike lanes in both travel lanes, extended sidewalks and permeable pavers and tree trenches for improved stormwater management. All work is expected to wrap up by the end of November.

CyRide fares and front-door boarding resume July 15

On Wednesday, July 15, CyRide will resume collecting fares and riders will board at the front doors of buses. CyRide's Dial-A-Ride service for individuals with disabilities also will resume fare collection on July 15. CyRide is not selling a summer pass this year. July monthly passes will be sold at half price ($17 regular; $8 reduced) at CyRide pass sale outlets. 

Wintersteen statement in support of international students

In a July 7 statement, President Wendy Wintersteen shared her concern for Iowa State's international students, specifically the anxiety caused by a federal rule earlier this week that international students whose fall coursework is all online may not stay in the U.S. She said Iowa State leaders are coordinating with national higher education organizations on the issue. "We are advocating for our international students to have maximum flexibility to continue their education at ISU as we prioritize health and safety during the COVID-19 crisis," Wintersteen wrote.

Resourcefulness, creativity online workshop is July 10

Sponsored by Iowa State's WorkLife team, a livestreamed Zoom workshop Friday, July 10 (2-3 p.m.) will lead participants in step-by-step experiences to produce useful and creative items, repurposed or upcycled from everyday materials around the home. This workshop's projects include: shoestring bracelets and keychains, embellished jeans and denim items, and melted crayon paperweights. Items to gather before the workshop starts. Presenters are Linda Niehm, professor and director of entrepreneurship and retailing; and Lauren Niehm, senior in product development, both in the department of apparel, events and hospitality management. Preregister.

Outdoor sculpture exhibit opens in Reiman Gardens

"Ribbit the Exhibit," an outdoor collection of human-scale frog sculptures, opened this week at Reiman Gardens and will run through early October. Artist J.A. Cobb crafted the pieces from copper and gave each one personality and interests, including frogs modeling the Grant Wood classic, "American Gothic." The outdoor areas of Reiman Gardens are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; buildings remain closed.

Lab safety orientation for graduate students goes virtual for fall

July 3 is university holiday

Friday, July 3, is a university holiday in observance of the national Independence Day on July 4. Classes will not be in session.

City-university summer rummage sale canceled

Rummage Rampage, the joint city of Ames-Iowa State University project to find second homes for reusable household items and reduce the waste stream, has been canceled for 2020 as a precaution against COVID-19. Launched in 2016, it's typically held during the annual lease turnover time in Ames (last week of July). As an option this year, the city provides a list on its website of locations that accept various items.

Visitation for Wally Huffman is June 18

A visition for Wallace Huffman, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences and professor of economics, will be held Thursday, June 18 (3-7 p.m., prayer service at 7 p.m., Reiman Ballroom, ISU Alumni Center, 420 Beach Ave.). A public burial will be held Friday, June 19 (2 p.m.) in the ISU Cemetery, following a private funeral service in Des Moines in the morning. Social distancing and face coverings are requested at all events.

Huffman died June 10 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minn. He earned his undergraduate degree at Iowa State in 1966 and joined the ISU faculty in 1974. Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be used for a future memorial in Huffman's name. Obituary.

Building openings will be phased over summer

Opening/unlocking campus buildings will be a phased process over the summer as employees return to their campus workspaces. Building supervisors will make these decisions as departments in their buildings become ready. Changes to campus buildings' closed/open status will be updated in the building information website.

Help wanted for annual College Creek cleanup June 27

Volunteers are invited to help with the annual cleanup of designated campus sections of College Creek Saturday, June 27 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.). Physical distancing will be practiced. No minimum time is required; all help is appreciated. Supplies (gloves, bags and trash grabbers) will be provided or volunteers may bring their own; refreshments will be provided. Registration is requested. Volunteer check-in will start at 9:30 a.m. in the Forker parking lot.

Public Vet Med webinar addresses periodontal disease in cats, dogs

Faculty in the College of Veterinary Medicine are hosting a series of free webinars for the public via Zoom; the next one is Thursday, June 11 (1 p.m.). This week's topic is periodontal disease in dogs and cats, presented by Dr. Brenda Mulherin, associate clinical professor of veterinary clinical sciences and board-certified veterinary dentist at the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center. Sign up at the registration link.

Fall study abroad programs canceled

Fall study abroad programs that were scheduled to depart before Dec. 1, 2020, have been canceled. Iowa State made this difficult decision as a result of continued global concerns with COVID-19 and to allow students ample time to defer their study abroad to another semester and register for fall classes on campus. The university will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates when decisions are made on study abroad programs scheduled after Dec. 1.

Students have counseling options for pandemic concerns

Members of the Iowa State community with questions related to the COVID-19 pandemic or who just need to talk with someone can receive free virtual counseling and assistance via COVID Recovery Iowa. The service is provided by the Iowa Department of Human Services with support from FEMA. Counselors are available 24/7 to talk and offer strategies for coping with the pandemic. To request free assistance, call 1-844-775-9276 or fill out the online form.

Student Counseling Services also offers telehealth services including video-based counseling sessions and phone consultations. Iowa State students can call 515-294-5056 Monday through Friday (7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) to determine what type of service is the best fit.

Legislature scheduled to resume June 3

The 2020 Iowa Legislative session, suspended March 16 about two-thirds into its planned 100 days, resumes Wednesday, June 3. Before then and at the request of the governor and legislative leaders, Iowa's Revenue Estimating Conference is meeting Friday, May 29, to set new numbers lawmakers will use to rebuild their state budget. The three-member panel last met March 12, a few days within Iowa State's decision to (at that time temporarily) move spring semester instruction online.

The last bill passed in March before legislators headed home extended state appropriations at the current level (FY20) for two months into the new fiscal year, or through July and August.

ISU Book Store will reopen June 1

The ISU Book Store is planning to safely reopen to the public on Monday, June 1, with store hours of 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Visitors must enter the store from the south (Lincoln Way) entrance to the Memorial Union. The parking ramp will be open, however, the only access to the building will be on the Lincoln Way side. As always, customers will receive one hour of free ramp parking with any purchase. 

Alumna Beth Ford to discuss food production, distribution

Beth Ford, president and chief executive officer of Land O'Lakes and a 1986 alumna of Iowa State, will discuss challenges in farming, food production and distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic with Washington Post writer Jonathan Capehart on Wednesday, May 27 (2 p.m. CST). Their conversation will be livestreamed at washingtonpostlive.com, and the Post's Facebook Live and YouTube sites.

Reiman Gardens shares plan to reopen

Reiman Gardens will reopen to the public Monday, June 8, with restrictions in place due to the ongoing pandemic and several upgrade projects underway in the gardens. Hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Buildings will be closed, including the conservatory complex, Mahlstede Building and Hunziker House, so entry will occur at the east outdoor gate (opposite stadium lot S-2).

Vet Med alumna with CDC post will present public health webinar May 28

The College of Veterinary Medicine is hosting a series of free webinars for the public, via Zoom, on Thursdays during May. On May 28 (2 p.m.), Vet Med alumna Renee Funk will present "Public Health Response to COVID-19." Dr. Funk is the associate director for emergency management at the National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She is co-leading the environmental health team for the COVID-19 response at the CDC/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Sign up at the registration link.

Monetary gifts sought for university's annual food drive for United Way

The university community's annual Live United food drive is taking place virtually through May 28. Monetary contributions will benefit 13 food pantries in Story County and ensure children and families have food during the summer months. ISU faculty, staff, students and friends can support the effort two ways:

• Donate via the United Way of Story County website. Select "LIVE UNITED food drive" in the drop-down menu and type "Iowa State University" as the employer.
• Mail checks, payable to United Way of Story County, to the United Way of Story County, 316 Clark Ave., Ames 50010. Write "ISU Live United Food Drive" in the memo line.

Questions may be directed to Iowa State's Live United food drive cochairs, Haley Cook or Tara Fisher.

Trail project south of Ames will close intersection for three weeks

To accommodate construction on a Story County Conservation multi-use trail project, 520th Avenue (State Avenue extended) south of Ames will be closed at 260th Street May 27-June 17. The trail, connecting the Tedesco Environmental Learning Corridor in the research park to county road R-38, will run along 260th Street. Access will remain to university farm properties on both roads, but travel between the two roads will be shut down. Through traffic on 520th will be detoured to University Boulevard.

Spring Cyclone tour goes online May 20

Initially planned as a six-day, 12-stop tour across the state, the athletics department's annual Cyclone Tailgate Tour will move online Wednesday, May 20 (5-7 p.m.), to protect staff, coaches and fans. The live broadcast of this family-friendly event is free and available for all Cyclone fans on cyclones.com, the department's Facebook and Twitter pages (@CycloneATH) and Mediacom's Cyclones.tv channel. Fans can RSVP for a chance to win prizes during the show and submit questions in advance.

Library shares three options for returning materials

Through May 31, university library staff say clients can return borrowed items -- excluding tech lending -- one of three ways, depending on their circumstances:

• Use the drop box at Parks Library
• Request a pre-paid return label and ship them
• Drop off at one of 45 public or university libraries in the upper Midwest

Equine eye care is topic of next Vet Med webinar

Faculty in the College of Veterinary Medicine are hosting a series of free webinars for the public, via Zoom, on Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. This week's topic is "Who Cares About Equine Eyes?" presented by Dr. Rachel Allbaugh, associate professor of veterinary clinical sciences and board-certified ophthalmologist at the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center. Sign up at the registration link.

Library users will use Okta to access online resources

The multi-phase process of implementing OpenAthens at the ISU library continues May 11. Library resource users already are familiar with logging into library systems. In the next phase, users will experience a rerouted path -- logging in to Okta -- to access online resources via OpenAthens.

Enjoy virtual exhibition by Focus grant recipients through May

The Memorial Union is hosting a virtual exhibition of work created by students who received a Focus grant in the last year for artistic projects done outside of the classroom. The exhibit, representing 14 students from nine majors, will be online through May 31.

Creamery sponsors 'college flavors' ice cream contest

The Iowa State Creamery in the department of food science and human nutrition is hosting an "ice cream flavors of Iowa State colleges" contest open to all ISU faculty, staff, students and alumni. Participants don't have to make any ice cream; simply describe an ice cream concept and why it represents a specific ISU college. Online entries are due June 15 and winning entries will be announced by July 15; contest rules are online. Innovation and feasibility of production will be key considerations in evaluating entries.

Opening this fall after a 51-year hiatus, the creamery will have a retail store on the second floor of the Food Sciences Building. The highest-scoring ice cream entry from each college also will be launched this fall at Sparks, the student-operated café in the Student Innovation Center.

Student health center is county site for sexual assault exams

Food pantry sets up in West Side Market

A food pantry for students and their families is available in the West Side Market space on the lower level of the Union Drive Community Center, 207 Beyer Ct. Service hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (May 4, 5 and 8). Starting May 11, operational days will be Tuesdays and Fridays. No student ID is required, and staff will not be asking for any information. Participants are asked to follow the posted instructions and get the food they need. More information is online. This service is a collaborative effort of units within the division of student affairs and is supported by the ISU Foundation's Cyclone Strong Fund.

Emergency aid available for students

Iowa State students with a 2019-20 FAFSA on file and a demonstrated financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for an emergency grant to help with expenses related to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care or childcare. Through the federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act, the university will receive $10.85 million in funding for this purpose. More information, including the application form, is online. 

Students who don't meet the criteria for a CARES Act grant might be eligible for emergency funds from other sources, including the ISU Foundation's CycloneStrong campaign and the University Innovation Alliance, of which ISU is a member. President Wintersteen's message to students.

Seven-month project on Welch Avenue begins May 4

A city of Ames project to reconstruct and redesign the block of Welch Avenue between Lincoln Way and Chamberlain Avenue begins May 4 and will continue through November. The project includes replacing original underground utilities more than a century old (Welch Avenue and Lincoln Way), and improvements on Welch such as new road pavement, bike lanes in both traffic lanes, wider sidewalks, permeable pavers and tree trenches for improved stormwater management. The work will involve temporary lane, road and sidewalk closures, but there will be access to businesses along Lincoln Way and Welch Avenue throughout the construction. Drivers are advised to park along Chamberlain Avenue and at the Ames Intermodal Facility, 129 Hayward Ave. Updates will be available on the city's construction projects website.

STEM undergraduate scholarship applications due June 22

Full-time ISU undergraduate students enrolled in a STEM major are invited to apply for a $5,000 scholarship from the Iowa Space Grant Consortium, headquartered at Iowa State. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with a GPA of at least 3.0 who will graduate no earlier than May 2021. The online application deadline is June 22; more information is online.

First reading of tuition proposal set for special May 4 meeting