Announcements

September 2018

Faculty, staff invited to welcome reception for student veterans

All faculty and staff, regardless of military status, are welcome to meet student veterans and military-affiliated students at a reception Thursday, Oct. 11 (4-6 p.m., MU Colonel Pride Lounge). Family members of all are invited, as well. The event provides an opportunity for students to meet and network with faculty and staff from across ISU. This is a come-and-go event; feel free to stop by, say hello and grab a bite. RSVPs are requested.

Drag show and lip sync benefit performance is Sept. 29

The ISU chapter of Delta Lambda Phi fraternity is hosting the Yellow Rose Drag Show Saturday, Sept. 29 (8 p.m., MU Great Hall, doors open at 7 p.m.). Tickets are $7 and proceeds benefit the Trevor Project, an organization committed to ending suicide among LGBTQIA+ youth and improving lives. All are welcome; for those who haven't attended a drag performance, this is an opportunity to learn about the history of drag. 

Training for youth program leaders is Oct. 9

The offices of Risk Management, Extension and Outreach, and Conference Planning and Management will offer training on Oct. 9 (9-11 a.m., 1155 Administrative Services Building) that provides youth program leaders, administrators and student organization officers information regarding youth-related policies, procedures and forms for successfully conducting youth programs at ISU. The training is for anyone responsible for planning and supervising youth programs or providing administrative support for one. Preregistration is required; send an email to orm@iastate.edu by Oct. 7.

All are welcome at LGBTQIA+ history month events

Iowa State will observe LGBTQIA+ History Month during October. This national celebration honors the legacies of LGBTQIA+ communities and explores issues impacting LGBTQIA+ people today. A full schedule of events is online. All are welcome to participate! Questions about LGBTQIA+ History Month may be sent to center@iastate.edu

Jo Koy tickets go on sale Sept. 27

Comedian Jo Koy brings his "Break the Mold" tour to Stephens Auditorium Friday, Nov. 2 (8 p.m.). Tickets, $38 and $48 plus fees, go on sale to the public at noon Sept. 27 via Ticketmaster, including the Stephens ticket office (Monday-Friday, noon-6 p.m.).

Veterans Center offers training for faculty, staff

Veterans Center staff will lead two sessions of its free Gold Star training for faculty and staff this semester. Learn tips and strategies aimed at serving student veterans, military personnel and their families. Registration is requested. Training dates are:

  • Wed, Oct. 17 (1-2 p.m., MU Campanile Room)
  • Tuesday, Nov. 27 (1-2 p.m., MU Gallery Room)

Graduate interdepartmental research showcase is Oct. 17

The Graduate College-sponsored Interdepartmental Research Showcase, highlighting Iowa State's 24 interdepartmental graduate programs, will be held Oct. 17 (7-9 p.m., MU Great Hall). It will include a workshop on Sketchnoting by industrial design assistant professor Verena Paepcke-Hjeltness, informal poster session and time for networking.  Workshop registration is appreciated; the registration deadline if you're presenting a poster (old or new) is Oct. 1. Questions may be directed to graduate student Thea Gessler.

Summer hours at Reiman Gardens wrap up Sept. 30

Sunday, Sept. 30 marks the last day of summer hours at Reiman Gardens. Effective Oct. 1, hours for all facilities (outdoor gardens, conservatory, butterfly wing, gift shop) are 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily.

Reiman Gardens seeks lots of volunteers in October

Reiman Gardens seeks several groups of volunteers during October to:

  • Plant thousands of tulip and daffodil bulbs throughout the garden, Oct. 15-19 (mornings and afternoons), Oct. 20 (morning only)
  • Stencil and carve hundereds of pumpkins, Oct. 15-17 (noon-9 p.m.), Oct. 18-19 (9 a.m.-9 p.m.)

Volunteers are asked to sign up by Friday, Oct. 5. Large groups (10+ volunteers) are asked to email volunteer coordinator Taylor Woodcock to schedule time for either project.

Workshop examines flexible polices for faculty

The provost's office will host a workshop on flexible faculty polices Thursday, Oct. 11 (2-3:30 p.m., MU Oak Room). Some of the policies covered will be part-time tenure track, extension of the tenure clock, arrival of a child and how the Faculty Modified Duties Assignment policy can be of assistance, as well as how these intersect with other HR policies and the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. Presenters will be associate provost for faculty Dawn Bratsch-Prince, Engineering associate dean Sriram Sundararajan, and employee accommodation coordinator Leslie Ginder, university human resources. Refreshments will be served. Register via Learn@ISU.

FEMA wireless test alert scheduled for Oct. 3

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) will conduct its first test of a national wireless emergency alert system on Wednesday, Oct. 3 (1:18 p.m. CDT). The alert, with the headline "Presidential Alert," is scheduled to pop up on every cell phone in the nation (similar to AMBER alerts). This test is not associated with the university's "ISU Alert" service. No action will be required when cell phone owners receive the test message.

Tickets on sale for Oct. 6 Bacon Expo

The sixth annual Bacon Expo, "Bacon at the Big Top," will be held Saturday, Oct. 6 (11 a.m.-2 p.m., Hansen Student Learning Center, 2508 Mortensen Rd.). In addition to an assortment of bacon treats by food vendors, the event features live music and educational displays about the pork industry. Tickets are $10, either online or at the door (ISU students $8 in advance and $10 at the door, children 6-12 years $5). A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics of Iowa, the planning team's charity of choice this year.

New student financial literacy course moves to fall semester

Iowa State freshmen automatically were enrolled this fall in the online financial literacy program, Cyclone CashCourse, accessed in Canvas. During the first year (2017-18) of the program, mandated by the state Board of Regents for Iowa's three public universities, Iowa State offered CashCourse during spring semester. Other tweaks to the program:

  • Transfer students aren't required to complete it this year.
  • Direct-from-high-school freshmen have until the end of fall semester to complete the four modules.
  • Module topics this fall: Managing money, paying for college and borrowing student loans, understanding credit and saving/investing in your future.
  • Five in-person workshops, each three hours, are scheduled for students who prefer a classroom setting (all modules are covered in a workshop).

Thursday's student picnic moved to MU Great Hall

A Sept. 20 student picnic and program to celebrate the presidential installation of Wendy Wintersteen has been relocated to the Memorial Union Great Hall (11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.). The event, sponsored by ISU's Student Government, includes a free lunch, entertainment and a short program to honor President Wintersteen. Students are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items for the SHOP campus food pantry as part of the celebration.

Campus vigil for Barquin is Wednesday evening

The Iowa State community is invited to a vigil in remembrance of Celia Barquin Arozamena on Wednesday, Sept. 19 (7 p.m., north lawn of the campanile on central campus). Barquin, a former member of the Cyclone women's golf team and senior in civil engineering, was killed Sept. 17 at an Ames golf course. Reflections will shared by friends and fellow student-athletes.

Call for proposals opens for P&S professional development conference

The Professional and Scientific Council's professional development conference subcommittee is seeking presenters -- faculty or P&S staff -- and recommendations for presenters for the Feb. 26, 2019, conference. Presenters and those recommending a presenter should complete this online form by 5 p.m. Oct. 5. The subcommittee will review all submissions and announce its selections by Nov. 1. Proposals should focus on the personal and professional development of P&S employees in areas such as leadership, health and wellness, professional resources and human interaction. More information is online.

Inclusion workshop for faculty is Sept. 26

Reg Stewart, vice president for diversity and inclusion; and Jose Rosa, faculty fellow for diversity and inclusion, will lead a workshop for all faculty, "Mission Not-Impossible: Inclusion at a Land-Grant Institution," on Wednesday, Sept. 26 (10 a.m.-noon, MU Cardinal Room). It is intended to help faculty identify sources of bias -- explicit and implicit -- in their interactions with students, colleagues and community members, and develop mechanisms for addressing unintended bias. Participation has two requirements -- an inquisitive mind and an electronic device (phone, tablet, laptop) that can connect to the internet. Light refreshments will be served; register online via Learn@ISU.

Women's center hosts open house Sept. 20

The university community is invited to stop in at the Sloss House Sept. 20 (1-3 p.m.) to learn about the services and programs the Margaret Sloss Women's Center provides to students. Meet the center staff, learn how you can reserve the space for your group or attend professional development events and discover resources across campus. There will be popcorn with all the fixings, a button maker and fun.

Registration is open for girls' STEM conference

Taking the Road Less Traveled is a one-day conference on campus for middle school and high school girls to learn about the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields and how to infuse their passions within a career. The fall conferences will be held on Thursdays -- Oct. 25 for 8th graders and Nov. 8 for 9th and 10th graders (9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. each date). The cost is $15, which includes lunch and conference materials. Register online.

Oct 7 concert features country artists Brett Young, Jordan Davis

Tickets for an Oct. 7 concert by country artist Brett Young are on sale via Midwestix.com. Tickets are $35 (ISU students with ID $25) plus fees. Doors will open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. concert in the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center, 2508 Mortensen Rd. Young was nominated as the "New Male Vocalist of the Year" for the Academy of Country Music Awards and for "New Artist of the Year" at the Country Music Association Awards in 2017. Nashville-based country artist Jordan Davis recently was added as direct support for Young at this concert. 

Try Zipcar car sharing for 30 days

Zipcar, Iowa State's car-sharing vendor since January, is discounting its $70 annual membership fee through Sept. 30. Apply before the deadline and pay $15, including a 30-day free trial. Zipcar has three vehicles in campus lots: two south of the Administrative Services Building and one south of State Gym, available by the hour or day for personal errands and travel. You need a valid driver's license and credit card to join. Current Zipcar members receive a $10 credit if they use a Zipcar three times this month.

Employees should lease vehicles from transportation services for work-related travel.

Provide an entry in the Oct. 21 Homecoming parade

All ISU colleges, departments and professional organizations are invited to submit an entry for the Homecoming parade on Sunday, Oct. 21 (2 p.m., downtown Ames). Entries can be traditional floats, decorated vehicles or walking entries. The registration deadline is Oct. 7; the cost is $50, payable as an intramural or with credit card. More information, including the registration form, is online.

Register to mentor first-year student researchers

Faculty interested in working with talented first-year students in their research are invited to explore the First-Year Mentor Program. Offered by the honors program, the opportunity matches students and faculty on the basis of mutual interests and specified skills. Students can be mentored directly by faculty or another member of the research team. To participate, register online by Tuesday, Sept. 25. Contact Svitlana Zbarska, szbar@iastate.edu, 294-2064) for more information.

Faculty, staff sought to judge various Homecoming events

Student directors of Homecoming 2018 are asking all faculty and staff to consider judging various student activities during Homecoming week, Oct. 21-27. More information, including judging options and the signup form, is online. Questions may be emailed to the Homecoming Central directors, Grace Rosson and Andrew Larson.

Consent message added to sexual misconduct initiative

This semester, the office of equal opportunity launched a "Consent is BAE" (before anything else) educational campaign to follow up on last year's "Know The Code" initiative that encouraged students to be informed about the university's student conduct code. The new campaign defines what consent is -- and is not -- in the context of sexual activity.

Kenny G concert tickets go on sale Sept. 14

Musician Kenny G's "The Miracles Holiday and Hits" tour stops at Stephens Auditorium Nov. 28 (8 p.m.). Tickets, beginning at $35 plus fees, go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Sept. 14 via Ticketmaster, including the Stephens ticket office.

Applicants sought for two faculty fellows in CELT

The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching seeks applications for two faculty fellow positions. These are half-time, two-year appointments for tenured faculty, to begin spring or fall semester 2019. Applications are due Oct. 15. The primary responsibilities would be to:

Tour Stephens during Sept. 21 anniversary event

The public is invited to a Stephens Auditorium 50th anniversary year kick-off event Friday, Sept. 21 (5-8 p.m., program at 7 p.m.) in the building. The free event will include music, light refreshments, a history display and tours of the building, from the "duck under" (basement) to the third-floor balcony. The program will include speakers and videos, from former President James Hilton discussing site development to the Iowa Public Television 2005 video, "Building of the Century." RSVPs are requested by Monday, Sept. 17, to mborton@iastate.edu or 294-3348. Stephens was built from 1966 to 1969, at a cost of about $4.4 million -- all gifts and grants. No tax dollars were used.

Meet ACCESS staff Sept. 20

The campus community is invited to a Sept. 20 meet-and-greet with new ACCESS executive director Tess Cody and campus advocate Tricia Ingram Williams (4-6 p.m., MU Cardinal Room). ACCESS (Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support) is a local domestic violence and sexual assault organization with five Central Iowa locations. Light refreshments will be served, hosted by student health and wellness, ISU Police and the dean of students office.

Order Homecoming shirts, sweatshirt by Oct. 8

The ISU Alumni Association is taking orders through Oct. 8 for exclusive "This is State" 2018 Homecoming apparel -- unisex short- and long-sleeve T-shirts and crew sweatshirt. Orders can be shipped; all Ames orders will be available for pickup at the alumni association Oct. 22-26 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily). Homecoming week is Oct. 21-27.

Register to be in the audience for Oct. 16 taping of 'The Story Collider'

Five Iowa State faculty were selected to participate in a taping for The Story Collider on Oct. 16 (8-10 p.m., MU Maintenance Shop). Registration to be in the audience is free, but required by Oct. 5. The Story Collider provides podcasts that give story tellers -- researchers, engineers, patients, poets, doctors, comedians and more -- a format to tell their stories about how science has shaped their lives. Questions about the event may be directed to the office of the vice president for research.

Tickets on sale now for Oct. 21 KURE Fest in the MU

The indie pop bands Smallpools and Wet will headline KURE Fest, the annual student radio station concert Sunday, Oct. 21 (7 p.m., MU Great Hall, doors open at 6 p.m.) Tickets are $20 (ISU students with I.D. $12) plus fees, and available now on Midwestix and in the MU Maintenance Shop box office (weekdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.).

Call for student artwork for MU exhibition

The Memorial Union is issuing a call for Iowa State student artwork for the "Studies in Creativity" exhibition that will run Oct. 12-Dec. 11 in the MU Gallery. Up to three pieces in any media may be submitted through Sept. 25; juror Emily Kessinger, founder of Des Moines' Yellow Door Gallery, will select around 40 pieces for the exhibit. Submission directions are online.

ISU WellBeing launches second year of Adventure2

The second year of ISU WellBeing's portal, Adventure2, launched on Sept. 5. Adventure2 offers all benefits-eligible employees multiple options for living better:

  • New programs and fun tracking tools for all aspects of being well -- mental, spiritual, physical, emotional, financial and community.
  • A wellbeing self assessment to help employees find topics most relevant to them.
  • Challenges for which they earn points in a tiered recognition system (counting starts over every year). Scheduled are things like a 4-week Monday evening cooking course, local foods festival and flu shot clinic in October. But challenges also include habit-forming activities such as practicing mindfulness, eating lunch or stepping every day.  Join your colleagues and track 1 million steps by the end of October in President Wintersteen's 'step challenge.' 

Library to host performance series

A new monologue series will kick off Sept. 10 at Parks Library. The performances will be from 12:15-12:45 p.m. in the Grant Wood Foyer on the first floor, north of Bookends Café. The first Monday Monologues will feature English lecturers Jennifer Knox and Jacob Dawson addressing the craft of creative writing with readings. Theater lecturer Tiffany Antone will curate nonpartisan get out the vote plays on Oct. 1, and English associate professor Charissa Menefee will wrap up the fall series Oct. 29 with Halloween readings.

"Dining Green" event is Sept. 10 on library lawn

As part of its 10th anniversary celebration, Live Green! will host "Dining Green: Food and Features" on Sept. 10 (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Parks Library lawn). With help from ISU Dining and several student organizations, see what Iowa State has done to "green its plate" and the unique ways the university dines green. Enjoy free cookies and apples.

Red Green tickets go on sale Sept. 6

Red Green, star of the former Canadian television comedy, "The Red Green Show," returns to Stephens Auditorium April 17, 2019 (7 p.m.). Tickets, which start at $63.50 plus fees, go on sale at noon Thursday, Sept. 6, via Ticketmaster, including the Stephens ticket office.

Study Abroad Fair to be held Sept. 13

Learn about interning, studying and volunteering abroad in experiences ranging from one week to one year at the Study Abroad Fair Sept. 13 (10:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m., MU Great Hall). Students can enter their names for a chance to win study abroad scholarships. In addition, the U.S. Postal Service is taking appointments for passport applications and renewals at the fair; contact Natalie Welter, 515-251-2360 or Natalie.r.welter@usps.gov to schedule an appointment.

Abstracts for student poster presentations due Sept. 28

Iowa State students are invited to enter poster abstracts for a poster competition and display preceding the Oct. 15 Norman Borlaug Lecture in the Memorial Union. The posters submitted should describe work in the general area of world food issues. Finalists for the poster presentation will be selected from the abstract submissions. To be considered, complete the Borlaug Student Poster Competition Submission survey by Friday, Sept. 28. The poster competition is coordinated by ISU's Nutritional Sciences Council. Prizes of $200, $150 and $75 for both undergraduate and graduate student categories come from funds provided by the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Human Sciences and Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Sign up to read The Spark email

The office of multicultural student affairs once again is offering university faculty and staff an ongoing professional development opportunity that focuses on serving multicultural students. The Spark is a weekly email series that serves as training for faculty and staff with a time commitment of roughly 15-20 minutes per week. Sign up for The Spark by Friday, Sept. 21. Some of the content will be the same, but last year's readers are welcome to sign up again. ISU students of color have experiences to share -- please join in listening to them.

Instructors needed for middle school TAG conferences in November

The Office of Admissions' early outreach program seeks outstanding faculty, graduate students, staff and student organizations to provide an interesting and dynamic 45-minute workshop for 6-8 grade students during its Investigation Series, a conference for gifted middle school students to explore new interest areas through hands-on and engaging sessions. More information, including conference dates and times, and the proposal form, are online. Proposals are due Sept. 14. Qestions may be directed to Crystal Rexius, 294-7786.

Morrill Road parking spaces raffle is Sept. 21

One-week use of three parking spaces along Morrill Road will be raffled to raise funds for United Way of Story County. Tickets, $5 each, may be purchased in 1550 Beardshear from noon Sept. 7 to 4 p.m. Sept. 21, when the drawing will be held. The parking spaces are donated by associate provosts Dawn Bratsch-Prince and Ann Marie VanDerZanden, and provost Jonathan Wickert.