Announcements

May 2015

Osborn Drive opens to through traffic on June 1

Osborn Drive will reopen to campus traffic at 5 a.m. Monday, June 1. A section of the road in front of Snedecor Hall closed May 11 while crews removed a utility tunnel that ran under the road. The work was part of the Davidson Hall demolition.

Four ISU accreditation reports are focus of early regents committee meeting

To expedite its June 4 meeting, the state Board of Regents' education and student affairs committee also will meet on Wednesday, June 3 (4-6 p.m., 275 Scheman) to review four ISU accreditation reports:

  • Landscape architecture programs
  • College of Business
  • Accounting programs
  • Educator preparation programs 

Registration is open for Iowa Caucuses MOOC

The Iowa Caucuses as the first test in the U.S. presidential selection process is the focus of Iowa State's first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), to begin in September and continue into February 2016. Enrollment is free and registration is open to all. University Professor of political science Steffen Schmidt is the instructor. Students won't earn academic credit but will receive a certificate of completion for completing 50 percent of the course activities.

Three student architectural projects among top 10 nationally

Iowa State University architecture graduate students are among the winners of a national American Institute of Architects' student competition. More than 400 students from 38 schools participated in the competition.

Projects by three ISU teams were selected in the inaugural AIA COTE Top 10 for Students competition sponsored by the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment (AIA COTE), Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and ViewGlass.

- See more at: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2015/05/27/aiacote-wins#sthash.5DKaYvJm.dpuf

Iowa State University architecture graduate students are among the winners of a national American Institute of Architects' student competition. More than 400 students from 38 schools participated in the competition.

Projects by three ISU teams were selected in the inaugural AIA COTE Top 10 for Students competition sponsored by the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment (AIA COTE), Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and ViewGlass.

- See more at: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2015/05/27/aiacote-wins#sthash.5DKaYvJm.dpuf

Iowa State University architecture graduate students are among the winners of a national American Institute of Architects' student competition. More than 400 students from 38 schools participated in the competition.

Projects by three ISU teams were selected in the inaugural AIA COTE Top 10 for Students competition sponsored by the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment (AIA COTE), Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and ViewGlass.

- See more at: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2015/05/27/aiacote-wins#sthash.5DKaYvJm.dpuf

Three teams of ISU architectural graduate students are among 10 winners of a national American Institute of Architects' student competition. More that 400 students from 38 schools participated in the competition, which challenged students to develop projects that integrate architecture, natural systems and technology to protect and enhance the environment.

Electronic letter of intent system set for relaunch on June 9

Following additional development and testing this spring, the electronic Letter of Intent (eLOI) system is scheduled for relaunch on Tuesday, June 9. Built within AccessPlus and using data from PeopleAdmin, the eLOI system eliminates paper LOIs, expedites the offer/acceptance process and creates an electronic record, the first step toward a document management process for personnel records. Live training sessions will be offered the weeks of June 1 and June 8 for eLOI originators. Additional training resources, useful especially for eLOI approvers, are online. Questions about the eLOI may be directed to project lead Brenda Behling, 294-8236.

Chemistry Stores will be closed June 8-10

Chemistry Stores in Gilman Hall will be closed for inventory Monday, June 8, through Wednesday, June 10. It will reopen at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 11. During the inventory days, dry ice and liquid nitrogen will be available daily at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. There will be no deliveries during inventory days, with the exception of special order gas cylinders, which will be delivered to specified locations only.

The cutoff for fiscal year 2015 purchases from Chemistry Stores is noon on Tuesday, June 30.

Little Big Town concert tickets go on sale June 5

Tickets for an Oct. 9 concert at Stephens Auditorium by the Grammy Award-winning country group, Little Big Town, go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, June 5, via Ticketmaster. Tickets are $35 and $45, plus fees. The concert begins at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9.

North Ames commuters: 24th Street reconstruction begins May 28

A city of Ames road project to reconstruct 24th Street from Northwestern Avenue west to the railroad tracks will begin at the west end on Thursday, May 28. Phase 1 extends from Hayes Avenue (including the intersection) west to the railroad crossing, and is anticipated to take 14 working days, weather dependent. Vehicles will need to detour. During the remainder of the phases, one lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction.

West Street reconstruction moves closer to campus

The city's reconstruction of West Street moves into phase 3B (between Sheldon and Hyland avenues) on Tuesday, May 26, with an expected 2-3 week timeline. The West-Hyland intersection will be reconstructed toward the end of, or immediately following, 3B and is expected to take 2 weeks. Access to campus via West Street will be impacted through late June. Sheldon Avenue will remain open during both phases.

Registration open for Design summer middle/high school offerings

The College of Design, in conjunction with ISU Extension and Outreach, will offer workshops for middle and high school students and a one-week residential camp for high schoolers this summer. The options include the one-day "Explore Design!" in nine cities, the 2.5-day "Design Innovation" workshop on campus (both open to 6-12 graders), and the one-week "Design Condensed" camp for high school sophomores, juniors or seniors and May graduates, also on campus June 21-27. Details, including descriptions, costs and registration instructions, are online.

Anniversary events at Reiman Gardens continue June 5-6

As part of its 20th year celebration, Reiman Gardens staff will host a Big Band dance on Friday, June 5 (4:30-8 p.m.) and a family-friendly day on Saturday, June 6 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.). Both are open to the public. The cost of Friday's event is $35 (members $30) through May 31; and $50 for everyone after that. Registration is requested. Visitors on Saturday pay regular garden admission, $8 (members and ISU students free, seniors $7, kids ages 4-17 $4), and can enjoy a full schedule of entertainment, in addition to current garden exhibits. Registration is not needed. Reiman Gardens was dedicated in September 2005.

Third May training session offered for electronic personnel action system

A third training session has been added this month for originators/approvers within the Electronic Personnel Action (EPA) system: Thursday, May 28 (9:30-11 a.m., 308 Elings). The session covers EPA action types, fields and terminology. Participants should feel free to bring specific questions. Register via AccessPlus (in the Employee Tab, click on "UHR Training" in the left column, then "Courses.") 

Athletics department has free yard signs for pick up

Iowa State fans are invited to show their Cyclone pride with yard signs for their homes. The sign features "Forever One" on one side and the athletics department's "I-State" logo on the other. Available while supplies last, the free signs can be picked up at the Jacobson Building, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Signs will not be mailed.

May 28 hearing precedes regents' Ames meeting

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

  • Attend one of six public hearings held at the regents institutions and board office May 28-29. Iowa State's hearing is Thursday, May 28 (noon-1p.m.), Oak Room,
    Memorial Union. 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 26.

Registration is open for Kids' Co'Motion summer dance

Kids' Co'Motion, intended to help children ages 8-18 years exercise their minds, bodies and imaginations, will be held July 6-24. The class meets five days a week (10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.), in the Forker Building for two weeks and at the Ames City Auditorium the final week. Participants learn dance technique and work together to build a dance performance that is presented July 24-25. The cost is $210 and registration is online; register before June 1 and receive a $10 discount. Co'Motion Dance Theater is in residence at the ISU dance program.

Blackboard Learn system unavailable on May 15-16

The Blackboard Learn system’s Oracle database server is scheduled to undergo major software updates, which will improve overall system performance. The system will be offline beginning at 6 a.m. CST Friday, May 15. It's likely this update will take all day Friday and possibly all day Saturday, May 16. A more specific timeframe will be announced after further testing.

Troxel Hall is closing for two weeks

Troxel Hall will be closed May 10-22. On May 19, custodial services will partner with the 3M Corp. to host a floor finish demonstration in the building. Two floor processes will be demonstrated to invited schools, universities and businesses.

Fall deadlines announced for internal arts/humanities funding proposals

The Center for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities announces fall deadlines for proposals for these internal funding opportunities:

  • Research Grants (Sept. 8) 
  • Symposium Grants (Oct. 15)
  • Spring 2016 Fellowship in the Arts and Humanities (Sept. 8 for letters of intent) 

These internal grants support individual research, teams organizing symposia of national distinction, and a series of events honoring an ISU scholar (tenured associate or full professor) in the arts and humanities.

Bike to Work Week is May 11-15

From 2000 to 2013, the number of bicycle commuters in the United States has grown by about 60 percent. If you're interested in joining those ranks, give it a try during national Bike to Work Week, May 11-15. Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 15. Cycling commuters are invited to attend a series of events during the week hosted by the city or Ames businesses.

Summer office hours option begins May 11

University offices may implement summer flexible hours (7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. with a shortened lunch break), beginning Monday, May 11, and continuing through Friday, Aug. 14. Units participating in flexible hours should have approval from the appropriate dean, vice president or senior vice president.

There are a few exceptions in the summer hours policy. The offices of deans, vice presidents, senior vice presidents and the president must be staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on holidays.

Tickets for November "MythBusters" show on sale May 8

Tickets for a new live show featuring Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, cohosts of the Emmy-nominated Discovery series "MythBusters," go on sale May 8 at 10 a.m. "MythBusters: Jamie and Adam Unleased!" takes the stage at Stephens Auditorium on Monday, Nov. 20,  at 7 p.m. The show will feature on-stage experiments, audience participation, videos and behind-the-scenes stories. Tickets are available at the Iowa State Center ticket office (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) and through Ticketmaster

Annual art mart is May 7-9

The Workspace will host Art Mart, the Memorial Union's annual arts sale, on May 7 (11 a.m.-6 p.m.) May 8 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) and May 9 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) in the Trophy Tavern, first floor near the food court. Most items sell for $5-$20 and include blown glass pieces by Gaffer's Guild members, and pottery, glass jewelry, beaded and sterling jewelry, fabric bags, recycled accessories, throw pillows, dyed scarves and framed photos of campus by Workspace instructors and students.

Friday softball cancelled; double-header scheduled for Saturday

Due to rain, the Cyclones' 4 p.m. softball game against Texas Tech today has been postponed. The teams will play a double-header on Saturday, starting at noon. Sunday's single game also begins at noon.

Learn to dance this summer

Valerie Williams of Co'Motion Dance Theater, in residence in the ISU Dance program, is teaching a summer six-week dance course that will introduce participants to a variety of social dance styles. The class meets Thursdays (7-9 p.m.) from June 25 through July 30 at Reiman Gardens. No experience is necessary. Cost is $90 for an individual, $125 for a couple ($72 and $100, respectively for members, $61 and $85 for ISU students). Register online or by calling 294-1318.