Reminder: Iowa State has an ethics hotline
Iowa State contracts with a third-party hotline vendor, EthicsPoint, to allow anonymous reporting of activities that may involve criminal, noncompliant or unsafe behavior impacting ISU. You may submit a report online or by calling (toll-free) 866-384-4277.
Nominate an ISU woman for 2014 calendar
The nomination form for the Catt Center's 2014 "Women Impacting ISU" calendar is now online. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Sept. 30. Questions may be directed to Kristine Keil, 4-9867. More information is online.
LAS college invites students to "Picnic on the Plaza"
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is hosting "Picnic on the Plaza" for all LAS students and friends on Sept. 6 (11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Catt Hall plaza). Enjoy free food, student club displays, music, a photo booth and more. In case of rain, the picnic will be held in 302 and 353 Catt Hall.
Policy reminders for students who will drive university vehicles
All undergraduate and graduate students who will drive a university vehicle must have a motor vehicle record check through ISU's Transportation Services every six months. Based on their recent driving history, some students will not receive permission to drive university vehicles.
In addition, students who are at least 20 years old and plan to drive either a 15-passenger ISU van or any ISU vehicle towing a trailer are required to take a free, two-hour class and complete a live driving session. The class is offered once a month in the evening; driving sessions are scheduled with transportation services staff. This training is required just once in your Iowa State career. Faculty and staff who will drive a large van or pull a trailer as part of their work with a student organization also are required to take the van and trailer training because student organization vehicle/travel insurance is with an outside vendor.
Host an event at the Alumni Center
ISU Alumni Center spaces, indoors and outdoors, are available for departmental meetings, alumni reunions and special events as well as personal events, such as weddings, anniversary receptions and birthday celebrations. Discounts are available for spaces rented for university business and for Alumni Association members and student organizations. For more information and pricing, visit the rental website, or contact events staff at (515) 294-4625 or email alumnicenter@iastate.edu.
Energy use expected to peak in the heat; officials urge reduced electricity use
High heat and humidity over the next few days promise to put very high demand on electric services in the area. Ames and university officials urge residents to reduce electricity use to help reduce costs and improve system reliability during the sweltering weather. Energy conservation is particularly helpful during peak usage hours, generally from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Here are some tips for reducing electricity use:
- Turn thermostats up a few degrees
- Shut off lights that are unnecessary; use task lighting instead of area lighting
- Shut off or unplug equipment that's not in use
- Avoid using major equipment during the hottest part of the day
- Reduce openings and closing of exterior doors
- Close blinds and drapes to block the sun
Nutcracker Ballet auditions are Sept. 8
Auditions for the Dec. 14-15 performances of The Nutcracker Ballet at Stephens Auditorium will be held Sunday, Sept. 8 (noon-7:30 p.m., Stephens). This 33rd annual production showcases the talent of more than 200 local dancers as young as 6 years old. Guest professional dancers dance in the principal roles. Registration begins at 11:15 a.m.; dancers are asked to arrive early to complete paperwork prior to their audition. More information, including audition times, is online at the Iowa State Center website.
City provides "How to Party in Ames" brochure
The City of Ames has a brochure, How to Party in Ames, intended to advise new residents "how to have fun with your friends and not get into any trouble with your neighbors or the police." It includes information about the city's noise and bootlegging laws and monitoring your own gathering. It also includes a phone list of relevant city offices. Other helpful information about being a good neighbor is on the city's "Strong Neighborhoods" site.
LGBTA ice cream social is Aug. 29
All faculty, staff and students are welcome at the 2013 LGBTA Alliance and Friends ice cream social on Thursday, Aug. 29 (6-8 p.m., plaza north of the Student Services Building -- or Howe Hall atrium if raining). The event is an opportunity to welcome new and returning students by connecting them to the LGBTQQIA (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and allies) programs, services, organizations and resources available for the Iowa State community. The event will include activities, frozen treats and helpful information from numerous organizations. Come for all or part of the social. Questions may be directed to Brad Freihoefer, LGBT Student Services director, 4-5433.
Fall volunteer fair is Sept. 11
The 2013 fall volunteer fair will be held Wednesday, Sept. 11 (10 a.m.-2 p.m., MU Great Hall). Co-sponsored by the ISU Psychology Club and ISU chapter of the 10,000 Hours Show, the fair helps students from all disciplines find volunteer and internship opportunities with social service agencies in the Ames and Des Moines area. A list of participating agencies is online so students can explore agency websites prior to the fair.
Up late at Parks Library: Extended hours
Starting Aug. 26, Parks Library hours will be extended to better accommodate the study needs of students. Five days a week, Sunday-Thursday, Parks will be open until 2 a.m. -- two hours past the midnight closings in previous school years. Detailed information on library hours is online.
New hours
- Sunday, 12:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.
- Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. – 2 a.m.
- Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Saturday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Graduate students sought for bioeconomy fellowships
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. Three fellowships will be awarded to new graduate students admitted for spring 2014, and nine fellowships for new graduate students admitted for fall 2014. Additional information, including fellowship selection criteria and application deadlines, is online.
You're invited: Open house to welcome Business dean David Spalding
The College of Business invites the ISU community to an open house to welcome Raisbeck Endowed Dean David Spalding, who arrived on campus Aug. 1. The open house is Wednesday, Sept. 4 (3-5 p.m., Bergstrom Commons, Gerdin). Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served.
Workshop introduces grad students to Parks Library
"Everything You Need to Know About the Library" is designed for Iowa State graduate students and will be offered twice next month: Sept. 12 (3-4:30 p.m.) and Sept. 13 (1:30-3 p.m.). Grad students will find out who their subject librarian is and learn more about the resources and services that will help them in their research and writing. RSVP is required (click on the preferred date above). Questions may be directed to Jody Kalvik, 4-6117.
Tickets on sale Aug. 26 for two upcoming Stephens concerts
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Aug. 26 for two fall Stephens Auditorium concerts. Country artist Kacey Musgraves will perform at 8 p.m. on Oct. 23, and Fitz and The Tantrums, along with electro-pop band Capital Cities, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 19. Tickets for Musgraves' concert are $25 ($20 for students). Tickets are $35 ($25 for students) for the Fitz and The Tantrums/Capital Cities performance. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster. Discounted student tickets must be purchased at the Stephens ticket office (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.). Students are limited to two tickets per university ID.
MU's poster sale is Aug. 21-30
The Student Activities Center in the Memorial Union is hosting its annual poster sale Aug. 21-30 (9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, MU Campanile Room). There are thousands of choices from art prints and movies to music and pop culture. Most posters are priced between $8 and $12. Proceeds from the sale support art programs at the Memorial Union.
Committee on women seeks new members
The University Committee on Women announces membership openings for faculty, P&S staff, merit staff and students for the 2013-14 academic year. Information about the UCW is online. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application for membership; applications are due Aug. 30. The application can be downloaded from the News & Announcements list in the right column of the UCW website. For more information, contact Jaime Watson, Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost.
Summer session concludes on Aug. 9
Iowa State's second summer session wraps up on Friday, Aug. 9. Fall semester classes begin on Monday, Aug. 26.
Slow going, some closures on Bissell
Electrical utility work will continue to slow traffic and close the roadway and sidewalks along Bissell Drive over the next two weeks.
Road and driveway closures:
• Full closure of Pammel Drive just east of the Bissell intersection, Aug. 5 - midday Aug. 7
• North Armory parking lot closed Aug. 9-14.
Periodic sidewalk closures:
• From the front doors of Sweeney Hall to Osborn Drive
• From north of Armory to Hach Hall
Chance the Rapper will perform on campus Aug. 29
Tickets are on sale online now for a Thursday, Aug. 29, performance by Chicago-based hip-hop artist Chance the Rapper (Chancelor Bennett). The performance will begin at 8 p.m. in the MU Great Hall. Tickets are $15 ($10 with ISU student ID). Online purchases are subject to a 3 percent MidwesTIX fee. In-person and phone ticket sales will begin Monday Aug. 26 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) in the MU's Maintenance Shop box office, 4-8349.
Leath joins AAU, APLU colleagues in asking President, Congress to close 'innovation deficit'
President Steven Leath is among 165 university presidents who signed an open letter to President Obama and Congress, appearing in an advertisement in Politico today. The university leaders point to an "innovation deficit" resulting from eroding federal investments in research and higher education and additional sequestration cuts while other nations increase their investments in these areas. The university leaders ask elected officials to "reject unsound budget cuts and recommit to strong and sustained investments in research and education." Universities represented in the letter are members of the Association of American Universities or the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. Iowa State belongs to both.
University Community Childcare has fall openings
University Community Childcare, located on the north edge of campus (Stange Road at Bruner Drive) has openings for fall 2013 in its Toddler-2 years, preschool and before/after school programs. UCC is a private, nonprofit center providing childcare for infants through preschool, as well as school-aged children throughout the year. Care for mildly ill children is available in the Comfort Zone program Sept. 1-early May. More information about UCC programs, curriculum and enrollment is available online.
Update: West end of Osborn Drive will reopen July 27
As part of a utility project that will improve electrical service to the northwest part of campus, it is necessary to close the west end of Osborn Drive (at Bissell Road) on Monday, July 22. The road is scheduled to reopen on Saturday, July 27. CyRide routes that normally travel along Osborn will be rerouted to Pammel Drive during this period.
University Boulevard south of Sixth Street will reopen Friday
Concrete patching work that closed University Boulevard at Lincoln Way last week is on schedule to wrap up by end of day on Friday, July 26, and the four lanes will reopen to Sixth Street. Alternate routes onto campus during this closure include Beach Road, N. Hazel Road to Sixth Street, or Grand Avenue to either Sixth or 13th Street.
Concrete repair work on University from Sixth Street to Stange Road is expected to be completed by Aug. 9. This stretch of the project requires lane closures, but a single lane of traffic will remain open in each direction.
Two phone training sessions added for July 17
IT Services is coordinating a free one-hour training session, "Aastra 101," on using the university's new telephones. Two additional sessions on Wednesday, July 17 (9 and 11 a.m.) will be offered in 206 Durham Center; instruction will focus on the features available on the phone. Register online. The documents below will help all new telephone users, and espeically are recommended for review before attending a training session:
- Updated how to Set Up Your Aastra Telephone and Features
- Quick Reference Guide: Set Up Your Aastra Telephone and Features (PDF): A print-friendly quick reference guide version of many of the topics in the "how to"
DNA Facility installs new genetic analysis equipment
Iowa State's DNA Facility has new instrumentation that can economically measure the expression of many genes or gene variants across a large number of samples. The Fluidigm® BioMark™ HD system uses microfluidic technology to accurately combine reagents and samples into thousands of individual nanoliter-scale reactions in a single run. The instrumentation can perform real-time PCR gene expression, end-point PCR SNP, genotyping and digital PCR assays in a high-throughput, low-volume fluidic chip. For more information, contact facility manager Gary Polking, 4-1813, or assistant scientist Jonathan Mlocek, 4-0841.
Streets south of West Lincoln Way project closed July 15
On Monday, July 15, crews will begin laying the new asphalt on Lincoln Way between Hayward and Franklin avenues shortly after 7 a.m. The new surface will require time to cool before traffic can cross on it, so the side streets south of Lincoln Way (S. Wilmouth, State, Hyland and Sheldon avenues) will close temporarily. They should reopen by the end of day Monday; some openings could be sooner. Residents living on the south side of Lincoln Way are asked to move any needed vehicles out of their driveways prior to 7 a.m. Monday.
Registration is open for teaching orientation and seminar
Registration is open for all new teachers (faculty, staff and graduate teaching assistants) for the University Teaching Seminar (Aug. 20) and New Tenure-eligible Faculty Orientation (Aug. 21). Department administrators should direct recent new faculty (tenure-eligible and non-tenure eligible) and TAs to the registration page. This CELT website includes more information about both events.
Reminder: University Boulevard will close at Lincoln Way for up to 2 weeks
Concrete patching work on University Boulevard is scheduled to begin July 15 and be completed in two phases. Phase 1 will repair the road between Lincoln Way and Sixth Street. To maximize the construction quality, this section of University Boulevard will be closed for an anticipated 10-14 days beginning July 15.
Alternate routes onto campus during Phase 1 include Beach Road, N. Hazel Road to Sixth Street, or Grand Avenue to either Sixth or 13th Street.
Phase 2 (Sixth Street to Stange Road) will require lane closures in late July/early August, but a single lane of traffic will remain open in each direction.
Brunnier Art Museum to close July 4-Aug. 26
The Brunnier Art Museum, 295 Scheman Building, will close July 4 through Aug. 26 for renovations. A permanent collection decorative arts gallery and new lighting system will be installed. Regular business hours will resume Aug.27.
Comments sought on guidelines for ag work in developing countries
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences seeks comments and input on a draft set of guidelines for the work of faculty, staff and students in agricultural development activities in developing countries. The goal of the guidelines is to provide a clear understanding on how and why the college works in developing nations and in partnership with others. The final document will be the college’s foundation as it works to to solve hunger and poverty challenges and will outline what is needed for responsible public-private partnerships that strengthen that work. Deadline for submitting comments is Sept. 1, 2013. All comments should be emailed to cals@iastate.edu.
East campus bike path will reopen June 29
The east campus bike path that runs along the north side of the Lied Recreation Center, which was closed in mid-March for flood protection work to Lied, is scheduled to reopen on Saturday, June 29.
Renewable energy lecture series opens July 11
Leading professionals will share their expertise in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency in a new lectures series sponsored by the Iowa Energy Center. Biofuels industry analyst Doug Williams will present the first lecture on July 11 (1-2 p.m., MU Gold Room, reception follows). Participants may attend in person or online; those attending in person are asked to RSVP to Denise Junod, 515-965-7055, by June 28.
Team PrISUm is racing in Texas June 27-29
Iowa State's student solar car race team, Team PrISUm, is competing in the Formula Sun Grand Prix this week on a 3.4 mile Formula 1 track in Austin, Texas. The team passed all seven scrutineering tests and is ready to race. Track laps will be counted on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Follow their progress on the competition site or via Facebook.
University closed July 4
University offices will be closed and classes will not be held on Thursday, July 4, to observe the national Independence Day holiday. Iowa State will reopen on Friday, July 5. The faculty-staff newspaper, Inside Iowa State, will not publish on July 4; the next issue is July 11.
Volunteers will clean College Creek, empty sandbags Saturday
Street improvements on Lincoln Way will last six weeks
A city of Ames street improvement project on Lincoln Way (between Hayward and Franklin avenues) will begin June 24 and is expected to take about six weeks. One lane of traffic in each direction will remain open throughout the project, but drivers should expect delays and are encouraged to consider alternate routes. Hayward Avenue will be closed at Lincoln Way during the project to create a traffic crossover space for traffic to return to its normal lanes. Access to Hayward will be from Chamberlain Street.
The work will include asphalt removal and street resurfacing, repairs to curbs and gutters, and upgrades to sidewalk ramps. Phase 1 will close the two south lanes of Lincoln Way for 3-4 weeks, with head-to-head traffic in the north lanes. Phase 2 will close the north lanes for 2-3 weeks, with traffic shifted to the south lanes.
Wellness talk: Shopping for summer fruits and vegetables
A dietetic intern in the Nutrition Clinic for Employee Wellness will present a free talk, "Summer Fruits and Vegetables: Add Color to Your Cart!" on Thursday, June 20 (11:30 a.m.-noon, 192 Parks Library). All are welcome; no RSVP is necessary.
Give College Creek some TLC June 29
Volunteers will give College Creek some TLC Saturday, June 29, during the fifth 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 Live Green!, Keep Iowa State Beautiful and ISU facilities planning and management. For more information, contact Merry Rankin, 4-5052.
Reminder: Iowa State has an ethics hotline
Iowa State contracts with a third-party hotline vendor, EthicsPoint, to allow anonymous reporting of activities that may involve criminal, noncompliant or unsafe behavior impacting ISU. You may submit a report online or by calling (toll-free) 866-384-4277.
Campus visits scheduled for executive chef candidates
Two finalists for the position of executive chef in ISU Dining will interview on campus. The interviews will include an open forum with the campus community (10:45-11:45 a.m., Mezzanine Room, Union Drive Community Center). Peter Castillo, currently with Great Plains Food Service Consulting, Lenexa, Kan., will be on campus Tuesday, June 11. Gary Johnson, formerly with Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, Hershey, Pa., will be on campus Tuesday, June 18.
Chemistry Stores closed June 11-12 for inventory
Chemistry Stores in Gilman Hall will be closed for inventory Tuesday-Wednesday, June 11-12. Dry ice and liquid nitrogen will be available both days from 9:30 to 10 a.m. and 12:30 to 1 p.m. Only gas cylinders will be delivered Tuesday and Wednesday, with other regular deliveries resuming on Thursday, June 13.
June 2
Training on youth-related policies and forms is May 30
The offices of risk management, university counsel and 4-H youth development will hold a training session on May 30 (10 a.m.-noon, Extension 4-H Youth Building) that targets departmental/unit youth program leaders who plan and supervise youth programs and administrative assistants who complete administrative tasks for youth programs. The training will provide the most current information on youth-related policies, procedures and forms that need to be completed to successfully conduct youth programs at Iowa State. Those planning to attend are asked to send an email to the office of risk management.
University closed May 27 for holiday
University offices will be closed and summer session classes will not meet on Monday, May 27, in observance of the national Memorial Day holiday.
South end of Morrill Road closed May 20-28
Morrill Road between Lincoln Way and Union Drive (west side of the Memorial Union) is scheduled to close Monday, May 20, for concrete pavement replacement. The work should be completed prior to May 29, when new student orientation begins. The parking meters along Morrill Road at the Memorial Union will not be available, but pedestrians will be allowed through the area. Vehicle access to the MU parking ramp will be at the south driveway (for westbound Lincoln Way traffic) and the north driveway (for eastbound Lincoln Way traffic via Union Drive).
Summer session opens Monday
Classes begin Monday, May 20, in Iowa State's first summer session and conclude Friday, July 12. Classes in Session II begin Monday, June 17, and conclude Friday, Aug. 9.
Tickets available May 17 for Stephen King musical at Stephens
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. May 17 for a Nov. 2 performance at Stephens Auditorium of Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, a southern gothic supernatural musical written by Stephen King with music by John Mellencamp and T Bone Burnett. Tickets are $39.50 to $67.50 and available from the Stephens ticket office or through Ticketmaster (surcharges apply).
Alumni association awards dinner is May 31
Alumni and friends of the ISU Alumni Association are invited to the ISUAA Inspiration Awards and Annual Recognition Dinner on May 31 at the ISU Alumni Center. It begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by the annual meeting and dinner. Following dinner, ISUAA president Jeff Johnson will recognize the 2013 recipients of the Faculty-Staff Inspiration Award. A dessert reception will conclude the evening. Registration is requested by May 10; the cost is $35 per person ($30 for ISUAA members).
Vet Med offers free eye exams to service dogs in May
The Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center is offering free eye exams to eligible service dogs during the month of May. Visit ACVO Eye Exam Service Animal Qualifications before making an appointment to be sure your dog qualifies for the exam. If it does, contact VMC at 4-4900 to schedule an appointment.
ISU students take top prizes in business plan competition
Iowa State students Colin Hurd (senior, agricultural education and studies) and Shivani Garg (graduate student, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology) each claimed a $5,000 top prize May 3 at the finals of the statewide Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition in Des Moines. Hurd's Agriculture Concepts has an after-market tillage solution, Track Till, that reduces field compaction. Garg's Omega Chea Renewables has a plan to commercially produce sustainable, bio-based raw materials for detergents, lubricants and polymer manufacturing. The third award went to University of Iowa student Ryan Ries.