Announcements for Students

Get an update on the MU feasibility study on Oct. 31

The Memorial Union has been working with INVISION Architecture, Des Moines, for several months on a feasibility study of the MU's space and services. Preliminary plans based on data gathered from surveys and focus groups will be available for faculty, staff and students to view on Oct. 31 (10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., MU Campanile Room). Visitors can review preliminary drawings and INVISION representatives will be on hand to answer questions. 

Christy Johnson-Lynch joins the Nov. 6 Cyclone luncheon

Cyclone volleyball head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch is the featured speaker at the November Cyclone Club luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 6 (noon-1 p.m., Reiman Ballroom, ISU Alumni Center). Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; a catered lunch from Hy-Vee is available for $10. Door prizes are awarded at every luncheon. The public is welcome.

Hort station has Chieftain apples for sale

ISU's Horticulture Research Station north of Ames now has Chieftain apples ready for purchase. Golden Delicious and Goldrush apples, potatoes and onions also are available this week. The Chieftain apple was developed by Iowa State's own Spencer Beach in 1917. Faculty, staff and students may place their orders online through noon Thursday using their net-ID number; orders may be picked up in the Horticulture Hall basement headhouse on Friday (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.). Payment is by check or cash at pickup.

Proposals sought for ISCORE 2015

Focus committee seeks entries for grant proposals

Focus, an organization that fosters ISU students in the visual, literary and performing arts, is seeking entries for grant proposals. Student artists, writers and performers can apply for up to $600 in funding for creative projects done outside the classroom. Students must have a faculty member familiar with their project as an adviser. A written description and detailed budget also are required. Applications are due Nov. 3 and can be submitted to the Student Activities Center, MU Room 1560. More information is available online. 

Lots of ice cream flavors today

At its weekly Wednesday ice cream sale today (11 a.m.-1 p.m., near the Lush auditorium north doors in Kildee Hall), the Dairy Science Club will have these flavors on hand: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mint chocolate chip, Oreo, Reese's, Butterfinger, Twix and Heath (in caramel ice cream). An 8-ounce cup costs $1. 

See partial solar eclipse at Thursday's star party

The ISU community is invited to a partial solar eclipse star party Thursday, Oct. 23 (4-6:20 p.m., sidewalk on the east side of parking lot 6, west of Sukup Hall). Participants will have an opportunity to learn about and safely observe the eclipse, which starts at 4:31 p.m. and ends at 6:44 p.m. Hosts include the Physics and Astronomy Club and outreach volunteers from the physics and astronomy department. If it's cloudy, an image feed of the event will be provided, and the telescopes will be used to view a scale solar system.

Registrar's scheduling/fees unit returns to center Oct. 24

The scheduling and fees unit of the Registrar’s Office, which since Sept. 2 had relocated temporarily to 139 Durham Center during remodeling, will move back to its space in 10 Enrollment Services Center on Fri., Oct. 24. Registar's staff thanks the campus community for its patience during the remodeling period.

You're invited: Second annual dinner to support veterans

ISU employees and students are invited to a Nov. 12 (5-7:30 p.m.) community supper in the Memorial Union Great Hall honoring veterans and their families. As part of ISU's commitment to the Vietnam War Commemorative Partnership Program, this year's event will honor men and women of the Vietnam era. It begins with a social time at 5 p.m.; ceremonies begin at 5:30 p.m. Join others from the Iowa State and Ames community in recognizing the service and sacrifices of so many. The event is free, but RSVPs are requested to veteranscenter@iastate.edu.

Library workshops address research funding, bibliography help

University Library will offer two research-focused workshops the last week of October. The first, on Oct. 30 (3-4:30 p.m.), will cover online funding searches using large database tools (Foundation Center, Pivot) available to ISU faculty, grad students and post docs. The second, on Oct. 31 (3-4:30 p.m.), is an introduction to the bibliography management program EndNote Web. Registration is free (online), but required for each workshop.

Greek-hosted Trick or Treat is Oct. 28

Members of Iowa State's Greek community will host their annual Greek Trick or Treat on Tuesday, Oct. 28 (6-8 p.m., MU Sun Room). It's open to the public; faculty, staff and student parents especially are invited to bring their children for carnival games, treats and fun.

Hilton Madness is Saturday, Oct. 18

The athletics department will host its first "Hilton Madness," an introduction of the 2014-15 Cyclone men's and women's basketball teams, on Saturday, Oct. 18 (6 p.m., Hilton Coliseum, doors open at 5:30 p.m.). Activities include team introductions, a 2014 NCAA banner ceremony, and three-point shooting and dunk contests. At  7 p.m., the broadcast of the Cyclone football team's game against Texas will be shown on the scoreboard video screens. An autograph session with players and coaches begins at 7:30 p.m. in Johnny's. Hilton Madness is free and open to the public.

Stange lane in Somerset closes Oct. 17

The southbound lane of Stange Road, from Bloomington Road to Kingston Drive (in the Taylor Glenn/Somerset neighborhood) will close at 7 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, and remain closed for approximately two weeks while a second southbound lane is constructed on Stange Road. Single lanes of southbound and northbound traffic will be head-to-head in the northbound lanes.

Student veterans invited to welcome back reception

Senior vice president for student affairs Tom Hill, along with Cmdr. Daniel Buhr (Navy), Lt. Colonel Richard Smith (Army) and Lt. Colonel Ryan Hollman (Air Force) cordially invite student veterans to a reception on Friday, Oct. 24 (3-5 p.m., MU Campanile Room) welcoming them back to campus. Complimentary food and beverages will be served. RSVPs are requested by Oct. 17 to Jean Foley, 294-4420.

Dance performance is Oct. 18

Co'Motion Dance Theater will present "Flow," a dance production featuring sound, video projections and sensor technology, on Oct. 18 (7 p.m., Toman Dance Studio, Forker Building). Tickets, $15 ($10 for students and seniors), are available at the door.

Men's basketball single game tickets go on sale Oct. 22

While Cyclone men's basketball season tickets have sold out for the first time ever, a limited number of single game tickets will go on sale at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22. There is a limit of four tickets per game per customer. Tickets ($35 each for conference games, $25 for non-conference games) may be purchased online, by phone (4-1816) or at the ticket office in the Jacobsen Building.

Next Osborn Club lecture is Nov. 10

Klaus Ruedenberg, Distinguished Professor Emeritus and U.S. Department of Energy Ames Laboratory associate, will present part one of "Three Millennia of Atoms and Molecules" at the Osborn Club lecture on Nov. 10 (7 p.m., following club member dinner, Hach Hall atrium). Part two of Ruedenberg's presentation is planned for Dec. 8. The lecture portion of the program is open to the public.

MU seeks entries for juried student art show

The Memorial Union is seeking entries for "Studies in Creativity 2014," the annual fall student juried art exhibition. The exhibit is open to ISU students, and up to three entries in any media may be submitted. Artwork should be dropped off at the MU Gallery on Oct. 20 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Chosen pieces will be displayed Oct. 23-Dec. 9. Rules and entry information are available online. Contact Letitia Kenemer, 4-0971, with questions. 

Free performance by regurgitator is Oct. 18

Professional regurgitation artist Stevie Starr will perform on campus on Saturday, Oct. 18 (8 p.m, MU Great Hall, doors open at 7:30 p.m.). Admission is free and the public is welcome. Starr, who has performed on campus previously, currently holds two titles in the Guinness Book of World Records for swallowing half-dollar coins and hard-boiled eggs. He has appeared on television's Britain’s Got Talent, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Disability Awareness Week events begin Oct. 13

Experience the campus using a wheelchair, cane or blindfold on Tuesday, Oct. 14 (11 a.m.-2 p.m., Student Services Building) as part of Disabilities Awareness Week. An open house (Oct. 13, 2-4 p.m., 1076 Student Services Building) and student panel discussion (Oct. 14, 3:15-4:15 p.m., 292 UDCC) also are part of the week's activities. On Friday, Oct. 17, ISU hosts the 2014 Disability Awareness Summit (9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Memorial Union), sponsored by the state Board of Regents. Participation is free, but registration is required.

Pep rally and Homecoming celebration is Friday night

Stop by the ISU Alumni Center on Friday, Oct. 10 (5-9 p.m.) for the Homecoming celebration and pep rally. Activities include kid-friendly games, birthday cupcakes for Cy’s 60th birthday and a cash bar. A limited amount of pizza will be available ($5 or free with a 2014 Homecoming button) until 7 p.m. or until it runs out. Other highlights include:

• Live music (5-7 p.m.)
• Pep rally featuring coaches, student athletes and Yell-Like-Hell finals (7-8 p.m.) 

ISU Coming Out Week is Oct. 13-17

In conjunction with National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11), the Iowa State Pride Summit is sponsoring a week's worth of events to raise awareness and celebrate the coming out process. Events begin Monday, Oct. 13, with a kickoff reception (4-6 p.m., program at 5 p.m.) that will recognize Iowa State's nine LGBTQQIA organizations, and continue through Friday evening, Oct. 17.

Entries due Oct. 15 in scarecrow-making contest

Reiman Gardens is sponsoring a scarecrow-making contest that's open to individuals, clubs and classrooms in two age categories: Youth (under 18 years) and adult (18 years and older). Participants are encouraged to incorporate elements of the gardens' annual theme -- science fiction and space -- into their entries, which are due by 4:30 p.m. Oct. 15. There is no entry fee. Up to 15 scarecrows will be displayed outdoors at the gardens Oct. 23-31. More information, including contest rules and entry form, is online.

Hort station's produce website is working again

The horticulture research station's produce order website is working again. ISU students, faculty and staff can use their net-ID login to order apples and other types of fresh produce. The website shows available produce each Monday and shuts down Thursday at noon. Produce orders are brought to the headhouse in Horticulture Hall basement for pickup each Friday (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.). Varieties of apples available now include Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Gala, Royal Gala, Lura, Jonathan and Cortland. Other varieties will be available soon. The price for all apple varieties is $6 for a 5-pound bag.

Agriculture Career Day is Oct. 14

Agriculture Career Day, set for Oct. 14, is expected to bring more than 250 employers, a record number recruiting for jobs in agriculture and natural resources. Last year, 225 employers and nearly 2,500 students participated in the annual job fair. The nation’s largest agricultural career fair runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  in the Lied Recreation Athletic Center. The college's placement rate for recent graduates has been 97 percent or higher for 17 consecutive years. More information.

Oct. 16 hearing precedes regents' Iowa City meeting

If you'd like to comment on any items scheduled for discussion at the state Board of Regents meeting Oct. 22-23 in Iowa City, you have several options:

• Attend one of six public hearings held at the regents institutions and board office Oct. 16-17. Iowa State's hearing is Thursday, Oct. 16 (4-5 p.m., Memorial Union Oak Room). All public hearings will be video recorded and posted to the regents' hearings website. Transparency officer Shirley Knipfel will preside at the meeting.

• Provide written comments to regents transparency officer Sheila Doyle Koppin, sdoyle@iastate.edu.

Meeting materials and an agenda for the October meeting will be posted to the regents homepage by Oct. 14.

Bacon Expo tickets go on sale Oct. 10

A limited 1,800 tickets will be sold for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' second annual Baco Expo on Saturday, Nov. 8 (1-5 p.m., Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center). Tickets ($8 plus fees) go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 10, via MIDWESTIX.com. The Bacon Expo provides an alcohol-free, fun atmosphere for bacon enthusiasts and showcases student organizations and education opportunities in the college.

LAS college online auction runs Oct. 8-15

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is hosting its third annual online auction. Items include a variety of baked goods, a meal out with the dean, Iowa State apparel and more. Anyone with an ISU NetID can bid. Proceeds will benefit the 2014 United Way of Story County campaign.

General election voter info

The Story County auditor's Nov. 4 general election website contains information on:

• Voter registration and early voting in the Memorial Union Oct. 13-17
• Absentee ballot request forms
• Election day polling places
• Sample ballots

Flu vaccinations available at student health

Flu vaccines are available through student health. No appointment is necessary for walk-ins on Wednesdays (9 a.m.-noon) and Saturdays (9-11:30 a.m.). Students can make appointments for other times that fit into their schedules. The flu vaccine is $30 for either injection or nasal mist. See more information on the student health site.

Latest efficiency proposals topic of Oct. 13 town hall meeting

The university community is invited to attend an Oct. 13 town hall meeting (8:30-10 a.m., Memorial Union Gallery) on the latest efficiency proposals developed as part of the state Board of Regents' Transparent, Inclusive Efficiency Review (TIER). At the town hall, representatives of the regents consultants, Deloitte Consulting, will describe and answer questions about eight efficiencies or "business cases" proposed for possible implementation at the three state universities. The business cases are in the areas of information technology, human resources, finance and facilities. The event will be livestreamed from the TIER site.

Online auction runs through Oct. 8

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' annual online auction to benefit United Way opens today (Oct. 2) and continues through 5 p.m. on Oct. 8. Payment on winning bids must be cash or check; all proceeds go to United Way of Story County. Items include baked goods, ISU clothing, jewelry, fall yard service and more.

Oct. 8 lecture looks at poverty and politics in suburban St. Louis

As the recent unrest in Ferguson, Mo., fades from national media coverage, University of Missouri professor Todd Swanstrom will provide perspective into issues of poverty, politics and planning in the suburbs of St. Louis during a lecture Wednesday, Oct. 8 (5:30 p.m., Kocimski Auditorium, College of Design). A reception cosponsored by ISU's six undergraduate colleges will precede the lecture (5 p.m., College of Design atrium). Following the lecture, the colleges' multicultural liaison officers will facilitate small-group discussions about issues of race and class. The reception, lecture and discussion are free and open to the public.

Reminder: Regents' meeting on TIER cases is Oct. 2

The Board of Regents will hear presentations on eight efficiencies or "business cases" proposed for possible implementation at the state universities at an Oct. 2 meeting (8:30-12:30 p.m., 230 Scheman Building). The business cases, in the areas of information technology, human resources, finance and facilities, are part of the regent's Transparent, Inclusive Efficiency Review (TIER).  Audio of the meeting will be streamed online. Find the link at www.regents.iowa.gov/Meetings/agenda.html.

Chinese students plan Oct. 3 memorial service

The Chinese Students and Scholars Association is holding a memorial service for ISU junior Tong Shao at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, on the lawn south of the campanile. Tong, a chemical engineering major from China, was reported missing Sept. 17. A body found in Iowa City was identified as Tong on Sept. 29. Counselors from the ISU student counseling service will be available at the memorial service.

Security and fire safety report available online

Iowa State's annual security and fire safety report (PDF) is now available online. This report is required by federal laws and contains policy statements as well as crime statistics and fire safety information for the university. 

CIRAS celebrates Manufacturing Day with free movie night

The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS), along with Iowa State Engineering Community Outreach, is celebrating national Manufacturing Day (Oct. 3) by hosting a screening of American Made Movie, a documentary about the rise and fall of American manufacturing.The screening takes place Thursday, Oct. 2 (7 p.m., Howe Hall), followed by a discussion among audience members and area manufacturing leaders about manufacturing in Iowa. Made-in-Iowa refreshments will be available. This free event is open to the public.

Homecoming is Oct. 5-12

The ISU Alumni Association invites faculty, staff and students to participate in Homecoming events next week (Oct. 5-12). "Experience the Excytement" will include several observances of Cy's 60th birthday, a Friday evening pep rally, Cyclone Central pregame tailgate, Sunday breakfast at Reiman Gardens and more. The Student Alumni Leadership Council also will host a series of events, including the Yell Like Hell competition, lunchtime picnics on central campus, midnight pancakes and mass campaniling. Homecoming buttons ($5) are on sale at the ISU alumni center (8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, first floor window) and through Oct. 3 in the Memorial Union (10 a.m.-2 p.m. daily, MU south atrium). During Homecoming week, buttons will be sold at the central campus picnic tent (11 a.m.-1 p.m., Sunday through Friday).

Register now for Iowa State's Healthiest State Walk, Oct. 8

Join the College of Human Sciences on Oct. 8 for the Healthiest State Walk, an event held in conjunction with the Healthiest State Initiative, which aims to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation by 2016. Faculty, staff and students are invited to grab a friend or colleague and participate in the walk. Multiple campus routes are available online. To participate, please register online by Oct. 8. 

ITS responds to Bash bug

Information technology services staff are taking steps to respond to a serious security vulnerability that could affect many UNIX-like operating systems including Linux, Mac OS X, NETBSD, Solaris and others. Microsoft Windows devices are not affected.  The vulnerability, in a common Unix program called Bash, is known as the Shellshock bug. It allows remote attackers to execute code to, for example, take over systems or access confidential information.

ITS is responding to this threat by:

• Installing patches and workarounds on ISU central systems
• Monitoring network traffic to identify attacks from off-campus and blocking them when feasible
• Monitoring network traffic to identify systems on campus that have been exploited
• Searching for on-campus systems that are vulnerable and alerting their administrators
• Providing information and encouraging everyone to install patches to their systems as soon as possible

ITS staff said that almost any UNIX-based device exposed to the Internet -- including embedded devices like network attached storage units, webcams and routers -- is probably vulnerable in some way. They advise units running their own web servers to contact their vendor and apply updates immediately.  Those with Macs should apply software updates as soon as they are released. More information is available from the ITS site.

Input sought on fraternity/sorority parking code

The public is invited to a discussion about parking codes for fraternity and sorority housing. It will be held on Thursday, Oct. 2 (7-9 p.m., lower lounge of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 2210 Lincoln Way).

Reminder: Women's calendar nominations due Sept. 30

Nominations will be accepted through  5 p.m. Sept. 30 for the 2015 Women Impacting ISU calendar, which highlights the accomplishments and achievements of 12 women currently on campus as faculty, staff or students. Seniors graduating in May 2015 may be nominated. The nomination form is on the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics website.

Childcare board of directors seeks members

University Community Childcare (UCC) seeks new members for its governing board of directors. UCC is a private, non-profit corporation serving the ISU, Ames and Story County communities. Its functions include providing quality early care and education, giving ISU student parents access to affordable childcare and giving students valuable work experience. No special skills are needed to serve other than a desire to support human services. Board members serve for two years and are either parents of children attending the childcare center or Ames community members. For more information or to volunteer, contact the board's vice chair, Belinda Hegelheimer.

Library workshop is on Scopus database

The University Library will offer a hands-on workshop on the Scopus database on Thursday, Oct. 9 (3-4:30 p.m., library location shared at registration). Scopus is a multidisciplinary database of peer-reviewed journal articles, books, conference proceedings and patents with searchable cited references. Users can find the latest research in their fields and discover who's citing their work. Preregistration is required; enrollment limited to 48.

October Cyclone Club lunch features soccer coach

Cyclone soccer head coach Tony Minatta will be the featured speaker at the October Cyclone Club luncheon, Thursday, Oct. 2 (noon-1 p.m., Reiman Ballroom, ISU Alumni Center). Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and lunch, catered by Hy-Vee, is available for $10. Door prizes are awarded at every luncheon. The public is invited.

Presentation looks at protecting software functionality

The ISU Research Foundation and Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer are sponsoring a presentation (PDF), "The Current State of Software Protection," on Tuesday, Oct. 14 (2:10-3 p.m., 1810 Gilman). Software expert and Minneapolis patent attorney Steve Lundberg will explain how recent court cases, including a Supreme Court decision, may affect the patentability of software functionality. Bring your questions.

Hort Farm apples for sale

The ISU Horticulture Research Station has Gala, Jonathan, McIntosh and Fuji apples for sale. Cost is $6 for a 5-pound bag. As the harvest season progresses, more apple varieties will become available (until November). Faculty, staff and students may order apples and other fresh produce online using your ISU net-ID login. Produce available for purchase is posted on the website every Monday. Orders may be picked up in the parking lot north of Horticulture Hall on Fridays (noon-2 p.m.). Contact Nick Howell with questions. 

ISU community invited to meeting on Ames transportation plan

Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend the Sept. 30 public meeting to kick off development of the Ames regional transportation plan. The meeting will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Room 220 of the Scheman Building. The Ames Mobility 2040 long-range plan will establish a vision for transportation in Ames as well of portions of the city of Gilbert and Boone and Story counties. The focus will be on developing a transportation system that  improves mobility, accessibility and safety for drivers, bicyclists, pedestrians and others.

David Nail concert is Oct. 2

Grammy-nominated country singer David Nail comes to campus Oct. 2 for an 8 p.m. concert at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center. Tickets are $25 ($15 for ISU students with ID), and available online via midwestix.com (additional fees apply) or at the M-Shop box office (weekdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.). ISU student Maria Doud and Brooke Eden, Loxahatchee, FL, also will perform. Doors open at 7 p.m. This event is hosted by the Student Union Board and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences student council, as part of CALS Week events.

Fine dining dinners announced for fall

Students in the fall Fine Dining Management class will offer themed dinners on four Wednesdays this fall in the Tearoom, 23A MacKay. The price is $30 per person ($35 with wine), payable by cash, check or CyCash after dinner. Dinners begin at 6:30 p.m.; doors open at 6:15 p.m. Following are the dates, cuisine themes and student contacts for reservations (indicate any dietary restrictions at the time you make your reservation):

• Oct. 29: Contemporary American, Jessie Weaver
• Nov. 5: European, Ashley Moyna
• Nov. 12: Southern American, Quentin Silvey
• Nov. 19: Asian, Anh Ho