Announcements

August 2015

Knitting workshop for community art project is Thursday

A free knitting workshop, for those who'd like to learn and experienced knitters who want to take part in a College of Design community art project, will be held Thursday, Sept. 3 (5:30-7:30 p.m., Design on Main, 203 Main St.). Knitters will receive instruction in creating one-foot squares that will be used in April to "yarn bomb" the facade of Design on Main. Intertwine is coordinated by assistant professor of art and visual culture Jennifer Drinkwater; the workshop will be led by local fiber artist Kristin Roach. Regular knitting/crocheting circles will be held (5:30-7:30 p.m., Design on Main) on these Thursdays this semester: Sept. 17; Oct. 1, 15 and 29; Nov. 12; Dec. 3 and 17.

Sick kids? Consider The Comfort Zone

The Comfort Zone is a "get-well" center for mildly ill children, infants through fifth grade, who are cared for by a registered nurse and professional child care staff. Preregistration is required to bring your child(ren) to The Comfort Zone. Information is available online or by emailing czone@iastate.edu. The Comfort Zone, located at 100 University Village on the north side of campus, opens for the academic year on Sept 1.

Black Faculty and Staff Association reception is Sept. 2

The Black Faculty and Staff Association will host its annual welcome reception on Sept. 2 (4-6 p.m., MU Multicultural Center). All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. For more information, email bfsa@iastate.edu or call 294-9555.

Iowa State Center announces Norah Jones concert

Nine-time Grammy winner Norah Jones will have an Oct. 30 (8 p.m.) concert at Stephens Auditorium. Tickets ($32.50-$68 plus fees) go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, via Ticketmaster, including the ticket office at Stephens.

Rhoads is guest speaker at first Cyclone luncheon

The Ames and Story County Cyclone Club will host the first Cyclone Club Luncheon of the year on Thursday, Sept. 3 (doors open at 11:30 p.m., Reiman Ballroom, ISU Alumni Center). The emcee is Voice of the Cyclones John Walters and the guest speaker is head football coach Paul Rhoads. Hy-Vee will cater a $10 lunch; no preregistration is required. All Cyclone fans are welcome.

Sept. 4 hearing precedes regents' Cedar Falls meeting

If you'd like to comment on any items scheduled for discussion at the state Board of Regents Sept. 9 meeting in Cedar Falls, you have several options:

  • Attend one of six public hearings held at the regents institutions and board office Sept. 3-4. Iowa State's hearing is Friday, Sept. 4 (noon-1 p.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 Josh Lehman, jlehman@iastate.edu.

Meeting materials and an agenda for the September meeting will be posted to the regents homepage by Sept. 1.

Leath's annual address is Sept. 10

President Steven Leath will share his priorities for the 2015-16 academic year during his annual address on Thursday evening, Sept. 10 (7 p.m., Memorial Union Great Hall). A Q&A session will follow the remarks. Refreshments will be available beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Register now to be undergraduate research mentor

Faculty and other researchers interested in mentoring one or more first-year Honors students spring semester 2016 are asked to register to participate by Sept. 18. Students earn credit for research experience, and may be mentored directly by faculty or by a member of a research team (i.e., post-doc, graduate student), as long as a faculty member is the supervisor of record. More information, including a timetable, examples of mentor projects and registration form, is online. Contact Susan Yager, 294-0172, with questions.

New name: Office of Student Conduct

The Office of Judicial Affairs, a unit in the Dean of Students Office, has been renamed the Office of Student Conduct.  Most universities have made similar name changes to distinguish between student conduct in a collegiate environment and U.S. judicial system proceedings. "The updated departmental name provides clarity and better reflects the holistic and developmental approach germane to student affairs practice," dean of students Pamela Anthony said.

Three new members selected for Biotech Council

Jeffrey Essner, associate professor of genetics, development and cell biology; Aileen Keating, assistant professor of animal science; and Gustavo MacIntosh, associate professor of biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, have been selected to serve three-year terms on Iowa State's Biotechnology Council. The council makes recommendations to the Office of Biotechnology on program activities that support biotechnology research, education and outreach.

Nominations sought for 2016 Women Impacting ISU calendar

Nominations are being accepted for the 2016 Women Impacting ISU calendar. 2016 marks the calendar's 10th anniversary, which was developed as a tribute to current students, faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves through their accomplishments at ISU. More than 1,000 calendars are distributed each year. The nomination form is online. 

Youth program leader training is Sept. 1

The offices of risk management and conference planning and management, and ISU Extension and Outreach are hosting training for youth program leaders, administrators and student organization officers on Sept. 1 (10 a.m.-noon, 1020 Extension 4-H Building). The training will cover the policies, procedures and forms necessary to conduct youth programs at Iowa State. Preregistration is required. To register, email orm@iastate.edu by Aug. 31. 

Blackboard technical support moved to IT Solution Center

Instructor technical support for Blackboard moved to the Solution Center on Aug. 3, making it available for added evening and weekend hours. Student users also have access to Blackboard support through the Solution Center. Help is available online, by phone (294-4000), via email (solution@iastate.edu) and in person (195 Durham Center).

Women's Equality Day is Aug. 26

Aug. 26 is the 95th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, extending voting rights to women. The Catt Center for Women and Politics, Sloss Women's Center and Ames League of Women Voters will co-host a celebration Aug. 26 (10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Plaza of Heroines, Catt Hall). Story County residents can register to vote (free cookies and lemonade for those who do), and all are welcome to learn more about programs offered by the Catt and Sloss centers. A new student organization, a chapter of the Andrew Goodman Foundation, also will have a presence.

Registration is open for youth reading improvement session

The School of Education's Duffelmeyer Reading Improvement Clinic is accepting registrations for the 2015 fall tutoring program for students in grades 1-12. The session runs Sept. 15-Nov. 17 (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:15-6:30 p.m., Lagomarcino Hall). Apply online.

Kevin Hart concert tickets go on sale Aug. 24

Comedian Kevin Hart brings his "What Now?" tour to campus on Sunday, Oct. 4 (8 p.m., Hilton Coliseum). Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, via Ticketmaster or at the ISU Athletics ticket office, Jacobsen Building. Tickets are $65 ($25 for Iowa State students), plus fees, and are general admission by level: floor, 100-level, 200-level. Student sales are limited to 1 ticket per ISU student ID; a total of 4,000 student tickets will be available.

North childcare center has preschool openings

The Tumblin’ Tigers and Cheerful Cheetahs preschool programs at University Community Childcare, located north of campus on Stange Road, have openings for 2 1/2- to 5-year-old children. Children may be enrolled two, three or five full or partial days per week. If your child is 4 years old on or before Sept. 15, you may be eligible for 10 free hours of preschool. A sliding fee scale is available for qualified families. For more information or to register a child, contact UCC via email or phone, 294-9838.

VP for Research's luncheon for new faculty is Sept. 3

New faculty are invited to join vice president for research (VPR) Sarah Nusser and staff from the VPR office for a luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 3 (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., MU Sun Room). Nusser will provide brief remarks about VPR research services. During dessert and coffee, faculty are invited to rotate among tables to discuss various research topics with VPR staff, including developing research ideas, achieving recognition in the arts and humanities, preparing and submitting grant proposals, and more. Online registration is requested by Aug. 27.

Website introduces newcomers to technology on campus

New members of the Iowa State community now have a technology roadmap to lead them through their first days and weeks on campus. ISU information technology's "New to ISU" website will help newcomers get up to speed on the most frequently used technology on campus. The site is split into two sections – one for students, one for faculty and staff – so members of each group get the information most useful to them. It introduces resources like Blackboard, AccessPlus, email, connecting to the university network and much more. For those seeking more in-depth information, it also links to numerous how-to pages on the full IT website.

Alternative energy loans clear $40 million

The Iowa Energy Center's alternative energy revolving loan program issued its 373rd loan last month, for solar arrays on a livestock and grain farm near Winfield, to surpass the $40 million mark. Program loans have helped leverage nearly $239 million in private sector resources since the program began in 1996. The center was created in 1990 by the Iowa Legislature and is administered by Iowa State.

Work-study authorization forms available in AccessPlus

Any faculty and staff members who plan to hire work-study students for fall semester must complete a work-study authorization form, available in AccessPlus (uBusiness tab > Student Employment > Work-Study Auth Form). Forms must be completed before a student can earn work study. If you have questions, contact the Student Employment Center at 294-5627 or email studentjobs@iastate.edu.

'The Nutcracker Ballet' auditions are Sept. 13

Auditions for Iowa State Center's 2015 production of The Nutcracker Ballet are Sept. 13 (11:15 a.m., Stephens Auditorium). Registration forms and more information are available online. Bring completed registration forms to the audition. Email perform@iastate.edu with questions. Performances are Dec. 12 (1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) and Dec. 13 (1:30 p.m.)

Students move into residence halls Aug. 18-21

Students living in the residence halls this year will be moving in Aug. 18-21. Residence department staff advise faculty and staff to avoid areas where movein congestion may occur on these days, including Union Drive and Beach Road.

P&S lunch event is Aug. 19

The Professional and Scientific Council invites all P&S employees to a BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch) event on Aug. 19 (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., MU patio, or in the food court if the weather is unpleasant). Get acquainted with other P&S employees and also get to know your P&S Council representatives. Come when you can, leave when you need to. 

MU poster sale is Aug. 19-28

The Student Activities Center will host the Memorial Union's annual poster sale Aug. 19-28 (9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, MU Campanile Room). Select from thousands of posters, including art prints, movies, pop culture and music. Most posters are priced $8-$12. Sale proceeds support art programs at the Memorial Union.

Limited lunch options today at MU

Due to a damaged gas line, food service in the Memorial Union will be limited today.

  • Panda Express will be closed
  • The MU Food Court will be unable to offer pizza or burgers. Chicken, salad bar, deli case, sides, desserts and drinks will be available
  • Subway will be open for full service

The gas line is being repaired. 

Lights at Stange/13th intersection are yet to be programmed

New traffic signals are operational at the intersection of 13th Street and Stange Road. The signals are operating in a "default" mode until the controllers are programed and the pedestrian/bike equipment are fully operational. The signal phasing will be fine-tuned through mid-September as university and school traffic patterns are established. Eventually, the signal at Daley Drive (which accesses the Administrative Services and Extension 4-H buildings) will be coordinated with the 13th Street signal to improve traffic. 

Lab safety orientation targets graduate students

Incoming graduate students who will be working in a lab are invited to register for a laboratory safety orientation hosted by Environmental Health and Safety. The orientation will be offered three times: Aug. 18-20 (8:20 a.m.-noon daily, 1230 EH&S Building), and provides valuable hands-on skills needed to work safely in a campus laboratory. Registration is required online. More information is available on the EH&S site or in this video.

Rachel Platten concert tickets on sale now

Pop singer and songwriter Rachel Platten, of recent "Fight Song" fame, will perform on campus Wednesday, Oct. 28 (8 p.m., MU Great Hall, doors open at 7 p.m.). Tickets are $25 ($15 for ISU students with ID), plus fees, and available now via Midwestix. Platten recently supported Andy Grammer and Alex & Sierra’s tour and currently is touring with Colbie Caillat and Christina Perri.

Family resource guide is online now

ISU Child Care and Family Resource Services, a unit of University Human Resources, has created and posted on its website an ISU Family Resource Guide (PDF). The guide provides families with information on a wide array of services, resources and programs available on campus and in the City of Ames and Story County. Topics include food and nutrition, housing, health care, transportation and resources for parents, which are futher broken out by community. Units and offices are invited to share this resource with new student, faculty and staff families.

Advertise PT positions for student employees

The Student Employment Center offers faculty and staff a place to advertise parttime positions for students. Questions about using the system may be directed to studentjobs@iastate.edu or 294-5627. To advertise a job:

  • Log in to AccessPlus
  • Click on the "u Business" tab
  • Select "Student Employment"
  • Enter the employer ID number and click "Post Job"

Ag Business Club is nation’s outstanding chapter

The ISU Agricultural Business Club recently received the Outstanding Chapter Award and the Creative Club Award at the Agricultural and Applied Economics annual meeting in San Francisco. The club has earned the Outstanding Chapter Award 11 times since 2000, and the Creative Club Award also 11 times since 2000.