Announcements
November 2015
Ombuds office will be closed during semester break
ISU's Ombuds Office, 37 Physics, will close for the entire semester break, from Friday, Dec. 18, through Friday, Jan. 8. It will reopen for business on Monday, Jan. 11. Visitors are welcome to contact the office at 294-0268 to schedule appointments for either before or after the break.
Reiman Gardens open late Thursdays in December
Reiman Gardens, including the gift shop, conservatory and outdoor lights and decorations, will stay open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays in December (Dec. 3, 10 and 17). The butterfly wing will close at its normal 4:30 p.m. time. Admission from 4:30 to 8 p.m. is by donation.
BOGO youth tickets available for Rudolph musical
Youth tickets for the Dec. 3 performance of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Musical at Stephens Auditorium are discounted through 11:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27, for online purchases only. Enter the code RED to receive two youth tickets for the price of one ($28) in levels A through D. Some sections may be sold out.
Ames issues snow ordinance for Friday evening
The city of Ames' snow ordinance will go into effect Friday (Nov. 20) at 7 p.m. and remain in effect until it has stopped snowing and the streets are plowed curb to curb. Vehicles on snow routes (identified by red and white signs) should be moved to off-street parking or to streets not designated as snow routes. Vehicles on snow routes after 7 p.m. Friday will be ticketed and towed. To assist with the plowing effort, owners are asked to not park vehicles on any residential street; however, only vehicles on snow routes are required to be moved.
Impending storm delays charter buses to Chicago, Minnesota
Due to the snowstorm forecast for the upper Midwest Friday evening, Iowa State officials have decided to delay the departure of Thanksgiving break chartered buses for students destined for the Twin Cities and Chicago. Buses destined for Minnesota will depart at 10 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 21) from the west side of the Memorial Union. Buses headed for Chicago will depart at 10 a.m. Sunday (Nov. 22), also from the west side of the Memorial Union.
Undergraduate scholarship applications are due Dec. 4
More than a dozen undergraduate scholarships for the 2016-17 academic year are available from ISU's Division of Student Affairs. Each has an application deadline of Friday, Dec. 4. Questions may directed to studentaffairs@iastate.edu or call 294-4420. The scholarships are:
- Minority Student Scholarships ($2,000 each), Four awards for African American, Native American and minority students
- Kappa Alpha Theta High Flyer Award ($10,000), Recognizes an outstanding female leader with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 who will be a senior in 2016-17
- President’s Leadership Initiative Awards ($2,000 each), Eight awards that recognize student leadership
- Sesquicentennial Leadership Award ($3,000), Recognizes a junior or senior (fall 2016) who has developed a significant, unique project
Public forum on strategic plan Dec. 1
Faculty, staff and students are invited to share their thoughts with those developing ISU's next strategic plan at a Dec. 1 public forum (4:30-6 p.m., Memorial Union Oak Room). Plan developers will be looking for ways to ensure a successful student experience, enhance ISU's research profile, support economic development, promote a welcoming and safe environment and improve the campus infrastructure.
Save the date: Open house at The Knoll is Dec. 4
Iowa State First Lady Janet Leath invites the campus community to an open house at The Knoll on Friday, Dec. 4 (3-6 p.m.). Take advantage of this unique opportunity to visit the president's home, enjoy the Leaths' holiday decorations and sample a cup of famous Knoll hot chocolate.
Volunteers sought for high school, middle school science bowls
Ames Laboratory/Iowa State Science Bowl is seeking 150 volunteers -- both scientific and nonscientific -- for the 2016 competitions (high school on Saturday, Jan. 23, and middle school on Saturday, Feb. 20, campus locations). Volunteers serve as moderators, judges, timekeepers and scorekeepers, and receive a free T-shirt and lunch. Shifts range from four to eight hours. For more information or to sign up, contact Deb Samuelson, Ames Lab, 294-9557.
'Rudolph' musical plays at Stephens on Dec. 3
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, a stage adaptation of CBS' beloved 1964 stop-motion television special, comes to Stephens Auditorium on Thursday, Dec. 3 (6:30 p.m.). Tickets, available through Ticketmaster, are $25-$59 ($28 for ISU students and youth). Family-friendly craft activities will be available prior to the show (5:30 p.m., Celebrity Cafe area) at no cost to participants.
Hort Farm produce for sale this week: Apples, potatoes, brussels sprouts
ISU's Horticulture Farm north of Ames is producing lots of apples and potatoes at this point in the semester, available for sale to members of the ISU community (use your Net-ID to log in to the sales website). Apple varieties include Chieftain, Enterprise, Golden Delicious and Gold Rush. Potato selections include yellow, red and sweet potatoes. Brussels sprouts also are available. Orders must be placed by noon Thursday for Friday pickup (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., plaza on the east side of Curtiss Hall). There will be no sale the week of Nov. 23.
CALS student clubs launch holiday fundraisers
Several student organizations in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are conducting holiday fundraisers. Funds are used for club activities, including travel expenses and entry fees for competitions.
- Block and Bridle Club, summer sausage and cheese sales ($8-$23), order forms due Nov. 19 and Dec. 10
- Forestry Club, tree and wreath sales ($20-$50) at Reiman Gardens Nov. 28-29, Dec. 4-6 and 11-13
- Horticulture Club, poinsettia sales ($10-$30), order forms due Nov. 27, sales at campus locations Dec. 2-5
- National Agri-Marketing Association, gourmet popcorn sales ($4-$11), order forms due Dec. 1
Expect steam blow at power plant after Dec. 1
The process has begun to bring into service Iowa State's three new natural gas boilers on the southeast side of the power plant. This includes a "steam blow" to remove debris that builds up inside the new piping during construction and could damage the turbine blades. Currently, staff is tuning the three boilers, using temporary piping, to get them ready; this will continue to Dec. 2 or 3 (with no activity the week of Nov. 23). Subsequently, when the steam blow begins, there will be two large plumes of steam visible from Beach Road. There also will be a low rumbling noise in the vicinity of the power plant. Once it begins, the steam blow will continue round the clock for an estimated three to four days.
Tickets to Wild Kratts show on sale Nov. 20
The popular PBS KIDS television show, Wild Kratts, is coming live to the Stephens Auditorium stage on May 3 for a 6:30 p.m. performance. Tickets go on sale Nov. 20 at 10 a.m., and may be purchased at the Iowa State Center ticket office, online through Ticketmaster or by phone at 800-745-3000. Prices are $29.75, $39.75 and $49.75. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $99.75 (includes premium seating, meet and greet, photos and Q&A opportunity).
Madrigal Dinner tickets go on sale Dec. 1
Tickets for Iowa State's 51st annual Madrigal Dinner (Jan. 15-16, 2016) go on sale Tuesday, Dec. 1. Tickets are $47 ($43 for ISU students and groups of 10 or more) and available by phone (294-8349), in person at the Memorial Union ticket office (11 a.m.-5 p.m.), online at MidwestTIX (a convenience charge applies) or by mail.
Youth program leader training is Dec. 3
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 Dec. 3 (2-4 p.m., 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 Dec. 2.
Student health forum planned for Nov. 17
Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to discuss campus health issues during a Nov. 17 outreach forum (3:30-5 p.m., 136 UDCC), hosted by the Student Health Advisory Committee. Information about current and future improvements at the Theilen Student Health Center will be shared, and audience questions will be fielded by interim director Mary Hensley and associate vice president of student affairs Martino Harmon.
Public forum on strategic plan Nov. 18
Faculty, staff and students are invited to share their thoughts with those developing ISU's next strategic plan at a Nov. 18 public forum (noon-1:30 p.m., Memorial Union Oak Room). Plan developers will be looking for ways to ensure a successful student experience, enhance ISU's research profile, support economic development, promote a welcoming and safe environment and improve the campus infrastructure. A second forum on the same topic is scheduled for Dec. 1 (4:30-6 p.m., Memorial Union Oak Room).
Nov. 19 hearing precedes regents' Ames meeting
If you'd like to comment on any items scheduled for discussion at the state Board of Regents Dec. 2 telephonic meeting in Ames, you have several options:
- Attend one of six public hearings held at the regents institutions and board office Nov. 19-20. Iowa State's hearing is Thursday, Nov. 19 (4-5 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 December meeting will be posted to the regents homepage by Nov. 17.
Free health screenings available Nov. 18-19
The kinesiology department is offering free blood pressure and body composition screenings to employees on Nov. 18 and 19 (8 a.m.-4 p.m., MU Cardinal Room). No appointment is necessary, and all participants will be entered into a drawing for one of four $50 Hy-Vee gift cards. The screenings are coordinated by Wellness Works, a student outreach program. Contact Karissa Peyer for more information.
Poinsettia pre-sale orders due Nov. 25
The Horticulture Club is selling poinsettia plants this fall in six color varieties and two sizes. Pre-orders are due Wednesday, Nov. 25, and walk-up sales will be held on campus Dec. 2-5. Prices are $10 (6.5" pots) and $30 (10" pots; three varieties only). Some colors and sizes are available only by pre-ordering; consult the club's brochure for details. Payment options are cash and check.
Universal design is topic of Nov. 12 forum
Faculty, staff and students are invited to share concerns and ideas about ways to make Iowa State a more welcoming and inclusive campus during a Nov. 12 open forum on universal design (5-7 p.m., 3137 Pearson), hosted by the Alliance for Diability Awareness. Information and ideas from the open forum will be used to create change. For more information, contact Laura Wiederholt or Steve Moats.
Beware of FBI phone scam
ISU Police has received reports of scam phone calls to students. The callers have posed as government officials (FBI) and demand payment, threatening arrest for those failing to comply. These unsolicited calls are examples of phishing. Thieves claiming to represent legitimate agencies attempt to get personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims. As a reminder, please be vigilant about any unsolicited calls or emails. Do not release bank account or Social Security numbers, date of birth or any other information that could compromise your financial security or result in identity theft. If you are the victim of a phishing scam, contact local police and the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov.
Giving Trees are up and ready for donations
The YWCA Ames-ISU and the Faculty Senate are hosting the 16th annual Giving Tree program to support nearly 150 area children in need of family services. The trees are located in:
- 103 Lab of Mechanics, Faculty Senate office
- Agronomy Hall Commons, near the main office
- College of Veterinary Medicine, large animal glass hallway
- Hamilton Hall, first floor open area by the doors
- LeBaron Hall, connecting breezeway to MacKay
To help a child in need:
- Select a tag from a tree
- Return the unwrapped items to one of the following locations by Dec. 4: 103 Lab of Mechanics, 2101 Agronomy, Vet Med tree (place gifts under the tree), 101 Hamilton or 306 MacKay
- Cash donations are accepted. Deliver cash or checks (made payable to the YWCA Ames-ISU) to the Y's office, C1102A Knapp-Storms Commons.
Contact Angela Merrick, 294-0043, or Sherri Angstrom, 294-9717, with questions.
Faculty and staff can purchase 2-for-1 Bill Maher event tickets
Iowa State faculty and staff may purchase two tickets for the price of one Thursday and Friday, Nov. 5-6 only, for Bill Maher's performance at Stephens Auditorium on Saturday, Nov. 7 (8 p.m.). This special applies to tickets in price in levels A and B only, and purchaser must present a valid ISU employee I.D. Two-for-one tickets must be purchased in person at the Stephens ticket office.
RUSH tickets on sale now for Nov. 7 Bill Maher performance
Iowa State students may purchase RUSH tickets for $25 starting Thursday, Nov. 5, for Bill Maher's performance at Stephens Auditorium on Saturday, Nov. 7 (8 p.m.). RUSH tickets are in levels A-D. All student RUSH ticket purchases require a current student I.D.; the limit is two tickets per student. RUSH tickets may only be purchased in person at the Stephens ticket office.
Final ISU After Dark of fall semester is Nov. 6
ISU AfterDark is wrapping up the semester with an event this Friday, Nov. 6, in the Memorial Union. Come to the MU between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. for lots of free fun, including performances by regurgitator Stevie Starr and performance painter David Garibaldi, Bingo, bowling, billiiards, laser tag and other games. Only current ISU students are eligible to win more than $1,000 in free prizes.
Prepackaged meals to be distributed Nov. 5 to SUV student parents
The Office of ISU Child Care & Family Resources and ISU’s The SHOP (Students Helping Our Peers) food pantry are partnering to distribute prepackaged meals to ISU student families in Schilletter and University Village. Meals can be picked up on Thursday, Nov. 5 (8-11 a.m. and 2:30-5:30 p.m. or until gone) at the Family Resource Center, 100 University Village, corner of Stange and Bruner roads. Meals will be shared on a first-come, first-served basis.
Nov. 14 football tickets discounted on Nov. 5 only
The athletics ticket office will sell tickets for the Saturday, Nov. 14, game against Oklahoma State for $14 on Thursday, Nov. 5 (14 hours only: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.). This is the final home game of the 2015 season, but the conference has not yet announced a start time. Discounted tickets, in select sections of the stadium, may be purchased online beginning at 9 a.m.
Survey will support ISU application for APLU economic development designation
A randomly selected group of faculty and staff will receive an online survey next week from the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations. The survey is intended to assess perceptions of Iowa State's economic development capabilities and impact, and opportunities to improve and expand engagement. The survey is part of an Iowa State effort to achieve designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU) as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (IEP) for promoting regional economic development. Since 2013, 48 institutions have received the APLU IEP designation. The survey should take 10-15 minutes to complete, and will be open for a four-week period beginning Nov. 9. Participation in the survey is voluntary. Survey responses will remain confidential and will only be reported in aggregate.
Webcast for ISU Plan participants is Nov. 11
University human resources is holding a live, interactive benefits webcast for ISU Plan participants on Nov. 11 (9 to 10:30 a.m.). To participate, log on, enter your name under the "Enter as Guest" heading, then click "Enter Room." If you're unable to attend, a recording of the broadcast will be available on UHR's benefits Bulletin Board following the presentation. The ISU Plan open change period ends Nov. 20 at 5 p.m.
Proposals due Nov. 30 for March workshop for middle schoolers
ISU's Office of Precollegiate Programs for Talented and Gifted (OPPTAG) seeks faculty, graduate students, staff and student organizations to provide an engaging, interactive 45-minute presentation for sixth- through eighth-graders at an investigation conference on Thursday, March 10, 2016. This is an opportunity for departments to showcase their work to curious, high-achieving, middle-school students. Those who are interested are asked to complete and submit the online proposal form by Nov. 30; selected instructors will be notified by Dec. 11. Questions may be directed to 294-1772 or opptag@iastate.edu.
Design students will demonstrate Ghanaian crafts Saturday
Students in the College of Design's studio class, “Artists, Designers and Sustainable Development,” will demonstrate craft processes common in Ghana this Saturday, Nov. 7 (10 a.m.-sundown, 3420 S. U.S. Highway 69 -- formerly Ames Landscape and Nursery). Crafts include brass casting, glass and bauxite bead making, Kente weaving, batik, tie and dye, and Adinkra (stamping cotton cloth with visual symbols). Students are studying traditional craft processes, handicraft redesign and marketable products created from trash in this studio on sustainable development strategies and service learning. Class members will travel to Ghana over winter break; part of their time will be spent visiting traditional craft markets and participating in handicraft development projects.
Time change for the Nov. 9 Osborn Club lecture
The Osborn Club lectures will debut a new format beginning Nov. 9 (Hach Hall atrium) with an earlier 6 p.m. start time and a shorter, 30-minute presentation. This month's speaker is Bruce Harmon, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of physics and astronomy, who will address "Mesmerization and Magnificence of Magnetism." Lectures are open to the public following the club member dinner.
Youth program leader training is Nov. 10
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 Nov. 10 (1-3 p.m., 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 Nov. 9.
Arts and events
The student affairs division is hosting a new event April 28-30 to promote healthy study habits and personal wellness during prep week.
The bakery in ISU Dining is hosting pop-up events this week that feature specialty items normally not sold in campus bakery cases.
