Announcements for Students

Lunabotics club heads to international competition

The ISU Lunabotics Club is competing this week (July 23-24) in the PISCES Robotic International Space Mining Competition in Hilo, Hawaii. Team Cyclone Space Mining is one of seven college or university teams competing to see who can mine the most regolith at the site used by Apollo astronauts training for moon missions. The PISCES You Tube channel will broadcast the competition.

Aug. 1 hearing precedes regents' telephonic meeting

If you'd like to comment on any items scheduled for discussion at the state Board of Regents Aug. 6  telephonic meeting, you have several options:

•  Attend one of six public hearings held at the regents institutions and board office July 31-Aug. 1. Iowa State's hearing is Aug. 1 (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 August meeting will be posted to the regents homepage by July 29.

Beach Road traffic limited by steam line work July 21-Aug. 8

Drivers are advised to avoid Beach Road on the east side of campus for about three weeks beginning Monday, July 21. Work on the steam line project in the Richardson Court  area will severely restrict traffic, especially for southbound traffic on Beach Road. The road will not close, however the area will be congested.

Creek cleaners dislodge 200 pounds of garbage

The sixth annual College Creek cleanup, rescheduled from June 28 to July 12 due to high waters, was another success. Twenty-seven volunteers collectively provided about 75 hours to pick up trash in and around the portion of College Creek that flows through campus (Lincoln Way adjacent to the MU ramp to University Boulevard). They collected approximately 200 pounds of trash, primarily cans, bottles and plastic bags.

EH&S safety summit is July 18

Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) is holding a summer safety summit, "Misadventures: A Story of Success After a Mishap," on Friday, July 18 (7:45-9 a.m., 1230 EH&S Building). Registration is free; more information is available online. Call 4-5359 with questions.

Hold the date: Race checkpoint event is July 26

Ames is a checkpoint site on Day 6 of the eight-day American Solar Car Challenge, and Iowa State will host an event near the checkpoint site at the Iowa State Center. The university community is invited to take part and cheer on Iowa State's Team PrISUm Saturday, July 26 (1-4 p.m., Lot D-2 north of Jack Trice Stadium). Other event details will be announced next week. About 20 university solar car teams will race from Austin, Texas, to Minneapolis July 21-28.

Sweeney Hall will reopen July 21

Sweeney Hall, which has been closed to the public due to smoke and water damage from a May 30 fire, will return to its regular open hours beginning Monday, July 21. The building will be open daily from 7 a.m. to midnight and locked all day on holidays.

Veishea Task Force report to Leath

The 2014 Veishea Task Force’s final report and recommendations were delivered to President Steven Leath on July 11. Leath thanked the task force and its chair, senior vice president for student affairs Tom Hill, for its hard work. He said he will review the report and announce his decision with respect to the recommendations by early August. He  added he was making the task force report available today because of the broad interest in the work of the task force. The report (and appendices) are available on the Veishea Task Force website.

Network upgrade snags the phones

A major upgrade that will boost Iowa State's network capacity from 10 GB to 100 GB hit a snag July 9 when a malfunction in the new equipment brought down the university phone system, and to a lesser extent, other online campus services. Angela Bradley, ITS associate chief information officer, apologized for the network problems and said outside consultants have been helping campus engineers troubleshoot what appears to be a hardware issue with some new routers.

Art critique is July 17 at the MU

The Workspace in the Memorial Union will host an art critique on Thursday, July 17 (7 p.m.,  MU Pioneer Room). Artists of all skill levels are invited to share up to three pieces of work in any media. In a comfortable atmosphere, they can get feedback and share their observations with other artists. This event is free and no preregistration is necessary. Questions may be directed to Letitia Kenemer, 4-0971.

OSPA director candidate interviews begin July 9

Five finalists will interview on campus for the director's post in the Office of Sponsored Programs Administration. Their visits will include an open forum with the campus community. The candidates and open forum details are:

• July 9: Rochelle Athey, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh (10:30-11:30 a.m., MU room 3558)
• July 10: Michael Warnock, University of Missouri, Columbia (10:30-11:30 a.m., MU Oak Room)
• July 11: Keith Osterhage, Temple University, Philadelphia (10:30-11:30 a.m., MU Oak Room)
• July 14: Jennifer Taylor, Vanderbilt University, Nashville (10:30-11:30 a.m., MU Oak Room)
• July 15: Rebecca Musselman, Iowa State (10:30-11:30 a.m., MU Oak Room)

Jamie Lynn Spears concert tickets are on sale

Country pop artist Jamie Lynn Spears will perform in the MU Great Hall on Thursday, Aug. 28 (8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m.). Tickets are $12 ($5 with an ISU student ID) plus service fees and go on sale July 4 via midwestix. Country/rock singer and songwriter Brandon Lay will open the show.

Championship event on campus July 6-11

The National Junior Disability Championships will bring an estimated 200 participants (ages 7 to 22 years) and more than 200 coaches, officials and family members to campus July 6-11. Athletes participating in this Paralympic-style competition have physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, cerebral palsy, visual impairments, blindness, limb deficiencies or amputations. Competitions will be held in swimming, archery, track and field, table tennis, power lifting, boccia and cycling. ISU facilities that will serve as competition sites include Lied recreation center and outdoor field, Beyer Hall, State Gym, Cyclone Sports Complex and the Iowa State Center lots. All sporting events are open to the public.

University closed on July 4

University offices will be closed and classes will not meet on Friday, July 4, in observance of the national Independence Day holiday.

Reminder: IPRT realignment takes effect July 1

As of July 1, the Institute for Physical Research and Technology (IPRT) will cease to operate as an administrative center. Its centers and activities will report to other administrative units. These changes were first announced in January by the offices of the Vice President for Research and of Economic Development and Industry Relations. The IPRT realignment is part of the university’s ongoing effort to streamline research and economic development units. IPRT administrative staff were reassigned to VPR office and are assuming new responsibilities. Administrative services that were offered to the former IPRT centers are now the responsibility of the unit that serves as the home for each center.

College Creek cleanup moved to July 12

The College Creek cleanup effort scheduled for Saturday, June 28, has been postponed due to rising water conditions. The cleanup will take place on Saturday, July 12 (11 a.m.-2 p.m.). Volunteers can sign up online. For more information, contact Merry Rankin, 4-5052, or visit ISU's Live Green website.

Reiman Gardens to host sesquicentennial events July 3

As part of the City of Ames' 150th celebration, Reiman Gardens will open its gates at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, for free cake, activities, music and viewing of the Independence Day fireworks display. The Ames Choral Society and Ames Municipal Band will perform, along with roving musicians. The fireworks show begins at dusk.

FSHN team places second

An ISU team of students majoring in food science and human nutrition placed second in the Disney Nutritious Foods for Kids Product Development Competition. Celia Bravard (captain), Katie Ranard, Gail Barnum, Rebecca Gordon and Karen Valde created "Flight Bites." The nutritious snack option -- based on the Disney movie Planes -- was made with fruit and whole grains, and without food allergens.

Volunteers needed for Ames sesquicentennial events

Organizers for the Ames sesquicentennial celebration are seeking volunteers to help with events planned July 3-5. Shift times vary and include posts at downtown street barricades, visitor tent, parade, games and entertainment stage. Volunteers must be 14 or older, but youth groups with adult supervision are allowed. Sign up online, or visit ames150.com for more information.

Fireworks: Take out what you bring in

Revelers who plan to watch the Ames fireworks display from green spaces along University Boulevard are asked to carry home everything they brought with them -- including sparkler wires and other fireworks residue, which are hazardous for future events held in the area. This year's Independence Day fireworks display will begin at dusk on Thursday, July 3.

Second forum on TIER review is June 24

A second public forum on the state Board of Regents' TIER efficiency review will be held Tuesday, June 24 (9 to 11 a.m., Howe Hall auditorium). At the forum, regents, ISU officials and representatives of Deloitte Consulting will answer questions about the just-completed first phase of the Transparent, Inclusive Efficiency Review and outline plans for phase 2. (Send questions to tierforum@iastate.edu or tweet #TIERforum.) Those unable to attend can follow the forum on:

• Livestream
• Twitter (@IowaStateUNews)
• Tagboard (#TIERforum)

Watch World Cup soccer at the MU

The Memorial Union will host viewings of all 2014 FIFA World Cup matches for free. Matches that begin before 5 p.m. (Monday-Friday) will be shown in the Multicultural Center on the second floor. Matches scheduled after 5 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays will be shown in the MU main lounge (by the post office counter).

Show College Creek some love

Volunteers will show College Creek some love Saturday, June 28, during the sixth annual cleanup of the small stream that passes through Iowa State's campus. Volunteers are sought to wade through sections of the creek and along the creek bank, picking up trash. The cleanup is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., but volunteers can come and go as their schedules allow. They will receive free food and water and a chance at door prizes contributed by local businesses. Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes and, if desired, bring their own gloves. Cleanup supplies will be provided. Register online for the event and check in (beginning at 10:30 a.m.) at the Forker Building parking lot. The cleanup is a joint effort of Iowa State's Live Green!, Keep Iowa State Beautiful and ISU facilities planning and management. For more information, contact Merry Rankin, 4-5052.

Tickets for fall Wiggles concert go on sale June 20

Tickets for an Oct. 12 performance at Stephens Auditorium by Australia's children entertainment group, The Wiggles, go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, June 20, at all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets are $20-$49, plus fees. Show time is 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12.

Business plan competition deadline extended to June 20

The submission deadline for the John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan competition for businesses less than four years old has been extended one week, to June 20. A total of $50,000 will be awarded to the top three business plans ($25,000-$15,000-$10,000). The competition is sponsored by the Pappajohn entrepreneurial centers at Iowa's three public universities, Drake University and North Iowa Area Community College.

Jerrod Niemann concert tickets go on sale Friday

Tickets for an Aug. 27 outdoor concert by country music artist Jerrod Niemann, with guest performer Craig Campbell, go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, June 13, through Ticketmaster. The concert, to be held in the renovated Harvester Plaza at the Iowa State Center, is in conjunction with the 2014 Farm Progress Show Aug. 26-28 east of Boone. Tickets (general admission, lawn seating) are $25 plus fees.

Problem solvers bring world conference to campus this week

The Future Problem Solving program's 40th annual international conference will bring about 2,500 visitors to campus Thursday-Sunday, June 12-15. Students in grades 4-12 will compete in three components: global issues problem solving, community problem solving and scenario writing, all around the topics of civic/cultural issues, education, the environment, health, and human services. In addition to the United States, countries represented include Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Guests will begin arriving mid-day Wednesday, with the opening ceremony scheduled for Thursday (7:45- 9 p.m., Hilton). Competitions and presentations will take place Friday and Saturday (all day, Forker, Carver, Pearson, Scheman and Hilton), with  award presentations scheduled for Saturday (6:45-8:45 p.m.) and Sunday (8:45-11 a.m.), both in Hilton. Visitors will live in the Richardson Court, Martin, Helser and Friley residence halls. Participants will depart Sunday afternoon. The group will hold its 2015 international conference in Ames as well.

Registrar's staff consolidate in one building

The tuition and fees assessment and special registrations functions of the Office of the Registrar relocated to 10 Enrollment Services Center on June 5. Those staff members previously worked in 0460 Beardshear. The Registrar's communications unit relocated from room 10 to 210 Enrollment Services Center. Phone numbers for all staff remain the same.

Sweeney Hall remains closed

Sweeney Hall remains closed to the public until further notice. Although the May 30 fire was limited to the roof of the west section of the building, roof repairs and a thorough cleaning of the building’s interior must be completed before the building is re-opened to the public. Chemical and Biological Engineering faculty and staff should report as usual.

For questions or requests for building access, call 294-7642.

President's annual address is Sept. 12

President Steven Leath will present his annual address to the university community on Friday, Sept. 12 (8-9 a.m., MU Great Hall). Refreshments will be available prior to his talk, which will begin at 8:15 a.m. It will conclude with a time for questions. All are invited.

'VISIONS' project is focus of June 8 lecture

Photographer Jim Heemstra and VISIONS editor Carole Gieseke will talk about their two-year, cross-country project during a lecture at the Brunnier Art Museum on Sunday, June 8 (2-3 p.m., 295 Scheman). The pair traveled to all 50 states and the District of Columbia to capture the stories and images of ISU alumni. The portraits are featured in a Brunnier exhibit through Aug. 9. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Art abandonment project is June 7 in The Workspace

On Saturday, June 7 (1-4 p.m.), The Workspace will host an art abandonment event. Participants will create something for the joy of making it, and then leave it for an unsuspecting person to find – at the coffee shop, on a park bench or anywhere a stranger might stumble upon it. The Workspace will provide the supplies and demonstrate some techniques to get you started. Special tags will be available to attach to the artwork that explains the project to their finders. All skill levels are welcome; the cost is $5 per person and preregistration is not necessary.

After Hours at Reiman Gardens is June 6

The three-piece band The El Dorados will provide danceable music during After Hours at Reiman Gardens Friday, June 6 (4:30-7 p.m.). The event includes a cash bar of beers and wines from Olde Main Brewing Co. and complimentary snacks. Admission is $8 ($4 for members and ISU students). All who attend must be at least 21. The gardens' conservatory, butterfly wing and gift shop will remain open during the event.

Welch-Lincoln Way traffic lights out June 1

Traffic signals at the corner of Welch Avenue and Lincoln Way  will be out Sunday, June 1, beginning at 1 p.m. A four-way stop will be set up at the intersection. Work at the Kingland construction site in the area necessitates the outage.

Sheldon-West intersection to close June 2 for reconstruction

The intersection of Sheldon Avenue and West Street/Union Drive on the west side of campus will close Monday morning, June 2, for an estimated three weeks. The intersection is one in a four-stage City of Ames project to remove and replace Sheldon Avenue north of Lincoln Way this summer. Minor storm and sanitary sewer work will be done at the intersection as part of this phase. Drivers are asked to heed any temporary parking restrictions in this area.

The new paving on Sheldon (Lincoln Way to just south of the West Street intersection) will reopen to local traffic only on June 2.

State Avenue section is closed for two weeks

Following approval from the Ames City Council Tuesday evening, a section of State Avenue (both directions) closed at 7 a.m. Wednesday, May 28, for two weeks. The section, from north of the bridge over U.S. Highway 30 to just south of Mortensen Road, is managed by Iowa State. Originally scheduled for repair, the road's condition was much worse than anticipated and the university opted to completely reconstruct that section of the street. During the closure, no vehicle access will be allowed. The closure will not affect the Mortensen Road intersection.

Workspace offers June book club

Read and discuss Tom and David Kelley’s book, Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All, in a fun, conversational enviroment, the MU Workspace's summer book club. On Monday, June 2 (7 p.m., The Workspace, east basement of MU), meet others in the group. Workspace coordinator Letitia Kenemer will share some creativity exercises you can do on your own. The second meeting, on Monday, June 23, will be a discussion of the book. Creative Confidence develops the reader's understanding of how creativity can be exercised and strengthened. The fee is $5. Participants also provide their own copy of the book. Questions may be directed to Kenemer, 4-0971.

University museums closed May 24-26

The Brunnier Art Museum in the Scheman Building, Christian Petersen Art Museum in Morrill Hall and the Farm House Museum will be closed Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26. 

Art critique is May 28 at the MU

The Workspace in the Memorial Union is hosting an art critique on Wednesday, May 28 (7 p.m., Gallery Room). Artists of all skill levels are invited to bring up to three pieces of work in any media. Share your artwork in a comfortable atmosphere and get feedback and ideas from other artists. This event is free and no preregistration is necessary. Questions may be directed to Letitia Kenemer, 294-0971.

You're invited: Community picnic is May 23

Special Olympics Iowa is hosting a community picnic on Friday, May 23, to celebrate the summer games' 30th year at Iowa State. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Iowa State Center courtyard, south of the Scheman Building. Lunch will be provided by Hickory Park and a short program will begin at 12:30 p.m. Admission is free, but RSVPs are requested by email (crichey@soiowa.org) or phone (515-986-5520).

Registration is open for annual 'pork chop' golf event

Golf registration is open for the annual Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open, an 18-hole best ball tournament to benefit an endowed scholarship fund named for the former animal science professor. This year's event will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, at ISU's Veenker golf course. Registration is $85 ($340 for a four-person team) and includes golf, lunch and beverages. Registration closes June 11 or when a field of 32 teams is reached. 

May 30 hearing on campus precedes next regents' meeting

If you'd like to comment on any items scheduled for discussion at the state Board of Regents meeting June 4-5 at Iowa State, you have several options:

• Attend one of six public hearings held at the regents institutions and board office May 29-30. Iowa State's hearing is May 30 (noon-1 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 June meeting will be posted to the regents homepage by May 27.

Two sororities will join ISU Greek community

The ISU Greek community is welcoming two sororities to campus. Alpha Phi International Fraternity's Zeta Delta chapter will return to Iowa State this fall. The chapter had been at ISU from 1977 until 1998, when membership declined. Delta Gamma International Fraternity will establish its chapter by fall 2016. Both organizations are part of the National Panhellenic Conference and will join the 15 chapters that make up ISU's Collegiate Panhellenic Council. More information is available online. 

Bike to Work events begin May 10

The Ames Bike Coalition, in partnership with Healthiest Ames and local businesses, has planned several community events for Bike to Work Week, May 10-16 in Ames. Events include free breakfast, group rides and entertainment; bike helmets are required for admission.

Teams to provide updates on presidential research initiative

It's been nearly a year since seven research teams received presidential awards to pursue projects of ground-breaking potential. In a one hour-presentation, hosted by President Steven Leath on May 9, the teams will provide brief updates on their progress. The presentation will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Oak Room. The grants are part of the Presidential Initiative for Interdisciplinary Research, a program launched by Leath to support research efforts that could lead to major advances, discoveries and technologies.

Child lab school has preschool openings

The ISU Child Development Laboratory School, Palmer Building, has several full-time openings in its preschool classrooms for children who turn 4 before Sept. 15.  More information and the application are available online.

Twenty One Pilots tickets go on sale May 2

Tickets for an Oct. 5 concert in the MU Great Hall by the indie/electronic/hip-hop duo Twenty One Pilots go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, May 2, via Midwestix. Tickets are $30 ($20 with ISU student ID), plus service fees. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5; doors open at 6:30 p.m. Twenty One Pilots recently performed at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards and on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

Art Mart rescheduled for May 9-10

Art Mart, the annual art sale at the Memorial Union originally scheduled for April 11-12, will be held Friday, May 9 (noon-6 p.m.) and Saturday, May 10 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), in the MU Trophy Tavern (west side of the food court commons). Items include blown glass vessels and ornaments, pottery, Venetian glass jewelry, beaded and sterling silver jewelry, fabric bags and framed campus photos. Most items sell for $5-20; proceeds support the host clubs and organizations and the local artists.

Nominations sought for 2015 Women Impacting ISU calendar

The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics is seeking applications for the 2015 Women Impacting ISU calendar. The calendar honors women currently employed or enrolled at Iowa State. Anyone, whether affiliated with the university or not, may nominate a current student, faculty or staff member. The deadline for nominations is Sept. 30. Additional information is online. 

Regents approve faculty P&T requests

Meeting April 24 in Council Bluffs, the state Board of Regents gave final approval to faculty promotions, including tenure, at the three regent universities. Iowa State's request included 76 faculty members. The changes take effect in August for the 2014-15 academic year.