Announcements for Students

Library recycling moves past pilot phase

A student pilot project to recycle food and beverage containers in Parks Library that wrapped up in late January went well, and the recycling will continue indefinitely. Aly Straube, a junior in chemical engineering and the Government of the Student Body's director of sustainability, said volunteers from the student Genetics Club will monitor and empty the blue receptacles when classes are in session; library staff and student assistants will handle the program during breaks. There is a food/beverage container recycling bin on each of the library's four floors, strategically placed next to the newspaper recycling bin. Items suitable for these bins are:

• Clear and colored glass bottles
• Plastic bottles and food containers Nos. 1-7 -- including many microwave meal containers
• Tin and aluminum cans

Next Osborn Club lecture is March 10

Alexander King, Critical Materials Institute, U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory, will present "Critical Materials: Past, Present and Future" at the Osborn Club lecture on March 10 (7 p.m., Hach Hall atrium). Lectures are free and open to the public following the club dinner. 

Beware of 'pay raise' phishing scam

A new email phishing scam  tells employees they are qualified for a raise on their next paycheck, and instructs them to click on a link. Do not click on the link, or on any link in an email with an unrecognized sender.

Snow ordinance in effect Thursday at 8 a.m.

The City of Ames snow ordinance will go into effect at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20. If the predicted snow does not accumulate, the snow ordinance will not be in effect. Vehicles parked along snow routes (marked by red and white signs) must be moved or they will be ticketed and towed. Drivers should move vehicles to off-street parking or to streets that are not designated snow routes. To assist in plowing efforts, all Ames residents are asked to remove parked vehicles from residential streets. However, only those on snow routes are required to move them. The snow ordinance remains in effect until streets are completely plowed from curb to curb, and it has stopped snowing.

Nominations sought for Memorial Union awards

Many individuals have given their time and resources to make the Memorial Union a great place for students, alumni, faculty and friends of Iowa State. The MU staff recognizes these contributions through its annual awards: The M.J. Riggs Award, the Four Seasons Award and the Harold Pride Service Medallion. Award descriptions and forms are online; nominations are due March 15.

March 6 hearing on campus precedes regents Iowa City meeting

If you'd like to comment on any items scheduled for discussion at the state Board of Regents meeting March 12 in  Iowa City, you have several options:

• Attend one of six public hearings held at the regents institutions and board office March 6-7. Iowa State's hearing is Thursday, March 6 (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 March meeting will be posted to the regents homepage by March 4.

Ames snow ordinance in effect at noon Monday

The City of Ames snow ordinance will go into effect at noon Monday, Feb. 17. The ordinance is operational when 2 inches of snow has fallen on major Ames streets.  Vehicles parked along snow routes (marked by red and white signs) must be moved or they will be ticketed and towed. Drivers should move vehicles to off-street parking or to streets that are not designated snow routes. To assist in plowing efforts, all Ames residents are asked to remove parked vehicles from residential streets. However, only those on snow routes are required to move them. The snow ordinance remains in effect until streets are completely plowed from curb to curb, AND it has stopped snowing

Professor emeritus to read from new memoir

University Professor Emeritus of English Neil Nakadate will read from his new memoir on Feb. 19 (7 p.m., MU Sun Room). Looking After Minidoka is the story of the discrimination and incarceration in a U.S. detention camp (named Minidoka) faced by Nakadate's Japanese American family during World War II. The presentation is free and open to the public.

BBQ lunch truck moves indoors temporarily

The Smokin’ G’s BBQ food truck has moved inside Kildee Hall until spring. Diners can find their food in the Iowa Farm Bureau Pavilion Tuesdays through Thursday (11 a.m.-2 p.m.) The Marshalltown-based business is one of the truck vendors that came to  campus last August.

Sustainability symposium registration open

The fifth edition of Iowa State's  Symposium on Sustainability takes place Tuesday, Feb. 25. If you're planning to attend any or all of the free symposium in the Memorial Union, please register online by 7 p.m. Feb. 23.

Remote viewing: The Tuesday afternoon sessions (1-5 p.m.), which include panels, a visioning forum and the Live Green awards ceremony, also can be viewed remotely. Those viewing sessions online needn't register.

Eating disorders awareness week is Feb. 20-28

Obesity and addictions expert and author Ralph Carson will headline a week of campus events Feb. 20-28 in observance of the national Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Carson's talk is Feb. 20 (7 p.m., MU Sun Room). Events are free and open to the public.

Feb. 10 Coach Talk with Bill Fennelly is canceled

Due to recruiting commitments, Bill Fennelly's Feb. 10 Coach Talk has been canceled. 

Registration is open for March 7 ISCORE

All faculty, staff and students are invited to attend the 15th annual Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) on Friday, March 7 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Memorial Union). Registration is free but required. University Professor in the School of Education Dan Robinson will give the morning address (9 a.m., MU Sun Room). The luncheon speaker is Chancellor Harold Martin Sr., North Carolina A&T State University.

College of Business offers free tax preparation

ISU accounting students are offering free tax preparation services through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, beginning Feb. 17 through April 15. Taxpayers with household incomes of $52,000 or less are eligible for basic return preparation services. Additional information, including hours, is available online. 

Osborn Club lecture is Feb. 10

William Gutowski Jr., professor of geological and atmospheric sciences, will speak about "The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report: Where We Are, Where We Are Heading," at the next Osborn Club lecture on Feb. 10 (7 p.m., Hach Hall atrium). The lecture is free and open to the public following the club member dinner. 

University faculty and staff award nominations due Feb. 20

Nominations for University awards given annually to outstanding faculty and staff must be submitted online to the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost by Feb. 20. Earlier deadlines may be required for colleges and unit submissions. Award descriptions, criteria and nomination instructions are online.

Ames snow ordinance in effect at 6 p.m. Tuesday

The City of Ames snow ordinance will go into effect at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4. Snow plows may be dispatched prior to this time. However, no tickets or towing of vehicles will take place before 6 p.m.Vehicles parked along snow routes (marked by red and white signs) must be moved or they will be ticketed and towed. Drivers should move vehicles to off-street parking or to streets that are not designated snow routes. To assist in plowing efforts, all Ames residents are asked to remove parked vehicles from residential streets. However, only those on snow routes are required to move them. The snow ordinance remains in effect until streets are completely plowed from curb to curb, AND it has stopped snowing

'Vagina Monologues' tickets on sale now

Tickets are on sale for three ISU performances of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues on Feb. 13 (8:30 p.m.) and Feb. 14 (6 and 8:30 p.m.), all in the MU Maintenance Shop. Tickets are $12 (ISU students $10) via MIDWESTIX, the MU ticket office or by phone, 515-294-8349. Proceeds will be donated to Ames' Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support and the 2014 V-Day spotlight campaign. For more information, contact the Margaret Sloss Women's Center, 515-294-4154.

Nominations for gender equity awards due Feb. 21

Nominations for the Margaret Sloss Gender Equity Award are being accepted through Feb. 21. Nominees may be faculty, staff students or members of the Ames community who have demonstrated a commitment to helping women gain equity within the university or Ames communities. Recipients will be honored at a ceremony on March 25 (1-3 p.m., MU Campanile Room).

Hort Club will sell roses on Feb. 14

As a Valentine's Day fundraiser, members of the Horticulture Club will sell roses (red, white, dark pink, yellow) on Friday, Feb. 14 (9 a..m.-4 p.m., ground floor west end, Memorial Union). Prices range from $5 (single rose) to $55 (12 roses in a vase, including the optional Cyclone Bouquet -- six red and six yellow roses). Prices include flowers, greenery, card and either a vase or tissue paper and cellophane sleeve. Payment must be by cash or check. You also may pre-order roses through Feb. 10 and pick them up Feb. 14 (7 a.m.-5 p.m., 0045 Horticulture -- not the MU); email roses@iastate.edu to request a pre-order form.  Questions may be directed to 515-450-1920. 

Ames snow ordinance in effect 6 a.m. Saturday

The City of Ames snow ordinance will go into effect at 6 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. The ordinance is operational when 2 inches of snow has fallen on major Ames streets.  Vehicles parked along snow routes (marked by red and white signs) must be moved or they will be ticketed and towed. Drivers should move vehicles to off-street parking or to streets that are not designated snow routes. To assist in plowing efforts, all Ames residents are asked to remove parked vehicles from residential streets. However, only those on snow routes are required to move them. The snow ordinance remains in effect until streets are completely plowed from curb to curb, AND it has stopped snowing

Deadlines for YWCA awards, student scholarship are approaching

The YWCA Ames-ISU iseeks nominations for its annual Woman of Achievement and Rising Star awards. Nominations are due Feb. 4; instructions and forms are online. The YWCA also is accepting applications through Feb. 14 for its $1,000 scholarship for a female ISU student who has demonstrated a commitment to eliminating racism or empowering women. That application and criteria also are online.

Library workshop introduces bibliography management program

Lost the references you need for your research paper? Thesis and dissertation citations becoming unmanageable? The library is offering a research workshop on Feb. 21 (2:30-4 p.m., 134 Parks Library) that introduces EndNote Basic, a free bibliographic management program that helps you collect, organize, format and use collected citations in writing projects. Faculty, staff and students are welcome. Pre-registration is required.

Register for spring Swim & Gym

Registration is open for Swim & Gym, an after-school program that promotes physical activity for children ages 5-12 years. Staffed by physical education majors in the kinesiology department, the program includes swim lessons and a variety of activities, such as team sports, gymnastics, fitness and dance. The program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 4- April 17, in the Forker Building. Cost is $85. More information, including the registration form, is online. Questions may be directed to Jenny Smith, 4-1762.

Public visitation for Coach Bray is Friday

A public visitation for assistant football coach Curtis Bray will be held on Friday, Jan. 17 (4-8 p.m.)  at the First Evangelical Free Church in Ames. Bray, a member of the Cyclone football coaching staff for five seasons, died Wednesday. Funeral services will be held in Pittsburgh next week with date and time pending. The Bray Memorial Fund, established through the Great Western Bank in Ames (316 S. Duff Ave.) will support youth programs in the Ames and Pittsburgh (Pa.) areas. Checks for the fund can be made out to Heather Bray.

Industry-sponsored research is topic of brown bag workshop

ISU Research Foundation executive director Lisa Lorenzen will lead a discussion on the differences between engaging in research sponsored by industry and by the federal government during a lunchtime workshop on Friday, Jan. 31 (12:10-1 p.m., 130 College of Design). She'll also review ISU's Flexible Solutions program for engaging in industry and how to request confidentiality and material transfer agreements. Participants are welcome to bring their lunch; cookies will be provided.

Still time to get your Madrigal Dinner tickets

Tickets for the music department's 49th annual Madrigal Dinner on Jan. 17 or Jan. 18 (5:30 p.m. social hour; 6:30 p.m. dinner, MU Great Hall) still are available. Tickets for Friday's dinner are available through noon on Jan. 15; tickets for Saturday's performance are available through noon on Jan. 16. Tickets are $42 ($38 for students, senior citizens and groups of 10 or more) and available through MidwesTIX or at the MU ticket office, 4-8349. 

MU poster sale is Jan. 20-24

The Student Activities Center is hosting the annual poster sale at the Memorial Union Jan. 20-24 (9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Cardinal Room). Selections range from art prints and movies to music and pop culture.  Most posters cost $8-$12. Proceeds from the sale support art programs at the Memorial Union.

Jan. 30 public hearing on campus precedes regents' meeting

If you'd like to comment on any items scheduled for discussion at the state Board of Regents meeting Feb. 5-6 in Cedar Falls, you have several options:

• Attend one of six public hearings held at the regents institutions and board office Jan. 30-31. Iowa State's hearing is Jan. 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 February meeting will be posted to the regents homepage by Jan. 28.

Mobile lunch locations are still open

Two of the four food trucks that parked at campus locations last summer and fall still are serving customers during the winter months. Finley's Curbside Bistro sits outside at the intersection of Stange Road and Osborne Drive. Smokin' G's BBQ operates from a portable site in the Kildee Hall pavilion. Both locations offer hot lunch items from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays.

Bioeconomy graduate fellowships offered for fall 2014

One-year competitive graduate fellowships are offered as part of the Leading the Bioeconomy Initiative appropriation from the Iowa Legislature, and administered through the Bioeconomy Institute (BEI). These fellowships seek to attract high-caliber graduate students to ISU in agriculture, biosciences, chemical sciences, engineering, economics and other disciplines with research interests related to the bioeconomy.

Nine fellowships will be awarded to new graduate students admitted for fall 2014. Each fellowship provides up to $33,000 for one year that may be used for tuition, stipend, benefits and a conference presentation by the fellowship recipient. The funds must be spent by June 30, 2015. Details, including application requirements and selection criteria, are available online. Submit requests to Jan Meyer, 4-3759.

United Way contributions set record

United Way campaign

The Iowa State community contributed a record $348,701 to the 2013 United Way of Story County fundraising campaign. The university exceeded its goal by more than $13,500. ISU also earned a Live United award in recognition of its campaign efforts, contributions and success. In all, the UWSC campaign raised a record $1.9 million in 2013. The funds support initiatives that address the education, income and health needs of Story County residents.

ISU scholarship deadlines in the next week

The Office of Student Financial Aid reminds students of upcoming application deadlines for these university-sponsored scholarships:

• David J. Henry Scholarship (1), $2,000 for an ISU senior, selection is based on leadership and academics, deadline: Jan. 17
• Osher Reentry Scholarship (spring 2014 award), $1,500-$2,500, for undergraduates aged 25-50 years, deadlne: Jan. 21

Proposed expansion at Iowa State Center is topic of public meetings

The Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau will host three public meetings on Thursday, Jan. 16 (10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., all in 4 Scheman Building), to give Ames voters a chance to learn more about the March 4 bond referendum for the proposed renovation and expansion of the Scheman Building as a convention center. The estimated $38 million project would renovate Scheman and attach a new building to its north side. The cost would be split evenly between the university and the city, with -- if voters approve it -- the city's portion funded by a bond sale. 

Study Abroad Fair is Jan. 23

Iowa State's Study Abroad Center will host the semi-­-annual Study Abroad Fair on Thursday, Jan. 23 (10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., MU Great Hall). Students will have direct contact with program directors overseeing study abroad options.

Call for entries for student art exhibition at the MU

ISU's Memorial Union seeks entries for Art Inspired, a juried art exhibition for Iowa State students. Up to 40 pieces will be selected for display Jan. 24-March 10 in the MU Pioneer Room. Students may enter up to three entries in any media. The artwork dropoff date is Tuesday, Jan. 21 (9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Pioneer Room, third floor). The juror is Rachel Buse, a Des Moines-based sculptor who also will select four entries for cash awards.

Workshop teaches tudents how to get elected, appointed

Campaign College, a free interactive workshop that teaches college women how to get elected or appointed to campus leadership positions, will be held Saturday, Jan. 18 (1-5:30 p.m., MU Campanile Room). Registration, via the Catt Center for Women and Politics, is requested. All ISU students are welcome to participate.

Regents schedule two forums on superintendent search

The state Board of Regents has scheduled two open forums (PDF) for the public to provide input on desired qualities in the next superintendent of the Iowa School for the Deaf, Council Bluffs; and the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, Vinton. Superintendent Patrick Clancy is retiring in June. The forums are scheduled for 5-6:30 p.m. on Jan. 13  (ISD campus) and Jan. 16 (IBSSS campus). The public also may participate in the Jan. 16 forum via the ICN, including the DMACC campus in Ankeny.

Registration is open for women's spring dance workshop

Registration is open for Women in Motion, a semester-long dance workshop for women offered by Valerie Williams' Co'Motion Dance Theater. In addition to learning dances, participants are involved in composition, creativity and the final dance performance (May 9-10, Ames City Auditorium). Sunday afternoon classes (1-2:30 p.m., Forker Building) begin Feb. 2. The $130 fee includes classes, costumes and comeraderie. Register online or by phone, 515-232-7374. Valerie Williams is the ISU dance program's artist in residence.

Next Osborn Club lecture is Jan. 13

Byron Brehm-Stecher, associate professor of food science and human nutrition, will present "Natural and Value-added Antimicrobials for Foods and Food Processing Surfaces" at the next Osborn Club lecture on Jan. 13 (6:45 p.m., Molecular Biology Building, Atrium). Lectures are free and open to the public following the club dinner. 

Ames snow ordinance in effect 10 p.m. Dec. 21

The City of Ames snow ordinance will go into effect at 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. The ordinance is operational when 2 inches of snow has fallen on major Ames streets.  Vehicles parked along snow routes (marked by red and white signs) must be moved or they will be ticketed and towed. Drivers should move vehicles to off-street parking or to streets that are not designated snow routes. To assist in plowing efforts, all Ames residents are asked to remove parked vehicles from residential streets. However, only those on snow routes are required to move them. The snow ordinance remains in effect until streets are completely plowed from curb to curb, AND it has stopped snowing

Green your resolutions

Hard up for New Year's resolutions? Director of sustainability Merry Rankin has got you covered. The December edition of Live Green! Monthly also includes sustainable gift ideas and a guide to DIY weatherizing.

Library is testing food/beverage container recycling through Jan. 31

GSB director of sustainability Aly Straube is the driving force behind an eight-week pilot project at Parks Library to recycle empty food and beverage containers -- metal, glass and plastic. There's a blue waist-high recycling bin on every floor of the library through Jan. 31; look for it next to the newspaper recycling container.

Former journalism prof Bill Kunerth dies

William "Bill" Kunerth, 89, a longtime journalism professor at Iowa State, died Dec. 9 in Belle Fourche, S.D. Kunerth taught investigative reporting and editing courses at Iowa State for some 30 years, retiring in 1988.  His funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 14, at St. James Lutheran Church, Belle Fourche. Kunerth asked that memorials in his name be sent to the Kunerth-Wechsler Investigative Reporting Fund, Greenlee School of Journalism, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50010, or to St. James Episcopal Church, 8066 6^th Ave., Belle Fourche, S.D.  57717. 

GSB seeks student feedback on sustainability initiatives

The Government of the Student Body seeks student feedback on various sustainability initiatives currently under way at Iowa State. The  anonymous online survey will take about five minutes to complete and will be used to  determine the direction of sustainability projects at Iowa State. Direct comments or questions to Mike Hoefer mjhoefer@iastate.edu.

Ames snow ordinance in effect at 10 p.m. Sunday

Tree lighting ceremony moved indoors due to weather

Due to a cold forecast for today (Dec. 6), WinterFest organizers have moved the 6 p.m. Tree Lighting Ceremony indoors to the first floor of Beardshear Hall. Participants are asked to enter the building via the front (east) entrance steps.

Friday's Knoll open house extended to 5:30

First Lady Janet Leath has extended the hours of today's (Dec. 6) open house at The Knoll, the president's residence, to 3-5:30 p.m. to allow employees to arrive after the work day. The reception is part of WinterFest events. See the first floor rooms of the house, which are decorated for the holidays, and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, prepared from former first lady Ellen Parks' recipe. The university community is welcome.

Meteorological Society is No. 1, again

For the second consecutive year, the American Meteorological Society named Iowa State's student chapter the most outstanding in the nation. It is the student organization's fourth win in the past eight years.

Bus-to-train connection added for winter break

Amtrak is offering a winter break bus connection from the Ames Intermodal Facility to its Osceola station. The Thruway Bus Connection is available Dec. 18-20 and Jan. 11-13. Fares, which include bus and rail tickets, start at $61 (Chicago) and $98 (Denver) each way. Ticket information is available through Amtrak (online or call 800-872-7245).