Announcements

July 2019

You're invited: Undergraduate research symposium is Aug. 1

Undergraduate students from Iowa State and other institutions who have been conducting research on campus this summer will present their projects in a research symposium Aug. 1 in the Memorial Union Great Hall (1-3 p.m.).

Building planning request added to Aug. 1 regents agenda

Iowa State will seek state Board of Regents permission to begin planning for an estimated $40 million building for the industrial and manufacturing systems engineering department (IMSE) during the board's Aug. 1 meeting. The project would be funded solely with private gifts. The proposed facility would be approximately 52,000 gross square feet and include teaching and research labs, classrooms and office space. IMSE currently shares the Black Engineering Building with the mechanical engineering department, and a 2014 space study indicated both departments need additional space. The proposed site for the building is southwest of Howe Hall, in the west end of parking lot 3.

UHR leadership training series open for registration

University human resources has scheduled its 2019-20 slate of leadership development series. Participants may register now via Learn@ISU, until each series begins or spots are filled. Offerings include:

  • Leadership at Any Level (five-part series), fall sessions run Sept. 17-Nov. 26, spring sessions run April 14-May 26 (9 a.m.-noon)
  • 12+ Supervisory Leadership Series (16-part series, must attend 12 sessions for certification), Sept. 10-May 5 (9 a.m.-noon)
  • Energize Your Leadership Process (six-part series), Jan. 13-March 31 (9 a.m.-noon)

Lab safety orientation for grad students offered multiple days in August

Environmental Health and Safety will host Laboratory Safety Orientation sessions daily Aug. 19-22 (8 a.m.-noon) for new graduate students working in a lab. Held in the EH&S Services Building, the orientation provides information about and hands-on-skills for working safely in a laboratory. It fulfills the three required safety trainings for general laboratory workers: Fire Safety and Fire Extinguisher, Laboratory Safety: Core Concepts, and Emergency Response training. It also includes practice cleaning up a laboratory spill, operating a fire extinguisher, and assessing and treating a laboratory injury, as well as a tour of the regulated materials facility. Register online via Learn@ISU (log in, click on 'course catalog' and find Laboratory Safety Orientation in the EH&S listings, click on 'list events' and enroll in a session).

Traffic signal at Lincoln Way/Hyland will be replaced

Replacement of the traffic signal and pedestrian ramps at Lincoln Way and Hyland Avenue will begin on Monday, July 29. Although the intersection will remain open, lane closures throughout the the estimated 3-4 week project will cause delays. This is a city of Ames project.

Newsboys United concert tickets go on sale Aug. 2

Tickets for a Nov. 2 concert in Stephens Auditorium by the Australian Christian group Newsboys United will go on sale at noon Friday, Aug. 2, via Ticketmaster, including the Stephens ticket office (noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday). Ticket prices are $30-$45, with two VIP add-on packages also available.

MU's Art for Rent open house is Aug. 6-7

The Memorial Union's art lending collection features about 275 framed posters, prints and paintings, including a number of new pieces for 2019, suitable for office or home. The annual Art for Rent open house will be held Tuesday, Aug. 6 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Wednesday, Aug. 7 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.), in the browsing library on the first floor. Pieces are available for rent for a half or full year. Rentals typically range $10-$25 per year, and patrons may take selected pieces with them from the open house. Proceeds support MU art programs.

Cirque Christmas tickets go on sale July 26

Tickets for a Dec. 22 performance of A Magical Cirque Christmas in Stephens Auditorium go on sale at noon Friday, July 26, via Ticketmaster, including the Stephens ticket office (noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday). Tickets range from $49 to $79, plus fees. The performance begins at 6 p.m. Dec. 22.

Rummage RAMPage starts this week

The 4th annual Rummage RAMPage, a cooperative effort of the city and ISU sustainability programs, will be held July 26-Aug. 3 at the Ames Intermodal Facility, 129 Hayward Ave. This community garage sale is an alternative to throwing useable household items in the trash during Ames' annual lease change and moving time. Proceeds benefit the organizations that send volunteers to staff it. Pick-up service is available for households within the city limits who want to donate items but are unable to transport them to the ramp. The pick-up fee is $25 per pickup load ($10 for college students); request service online by 5 p.m. July 25. This year's schedule is:

  • Friday, July 26: Item drop-off only
  • Saturday, July 27-Friday, Aug. 2: Sale and item drop-off
  • Saturday, Aug. 3: Sale only (items half-price)

Block of Lynn Avenue will close July 22-26

The city of Ames will close Lynn Avenue, from Lincoln Way south to Chamberlain Street, from 6 a.m. Monday, July 22, to end-of-day Friday, July 26 (weather dependent). City public works crews will replace sections of failed concrete in that block of the street. Access to properties along Lynn Avenue will be maintained.

2019-20 Stephens ticket packages are on sale

Tickets for Stephens Auditorium's five-show Broadway series package may be purchased for as low as $175 and include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; Jersey Boys, The Color Purple, Finding Neverland and Waitress. A four-show, create-your-own package is available for as low as $76 and includes all shows from the Performing Arts series. Ticket packages may be purchased online.

Timekeeping options during weekly Workday maintenance

Weekly scheduled maintenance on Saturday mornings (1-5 a.m.) prohibits campus access to the Workday system. For the few employees who may need to record timekeeping during those early weekend hours, university human resources (UHR) recommends keeping a record of hours work and collaborating with managers and timekeepers to record the hours when system access is available. Physical time clocks are not affected by the system suspension.

Gardens gift shop 'yard sale' is July 26-28

The gift shop at Reiman Gardens will hold a yard sale Friday-Sunday July 26-28 (9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily) to make room for new merchandise. Save up to 80% on home and yard decor, children's toys and women's accessories. Gardens admission is not necessary to visit the gift shop.

Workday user lab will continue through this month

The Workday go-live user lab in 032 Parks Library will contine its regular hours through Aug. 1. Registration is not required; walk in anytime during these standing hours:

  • Monday, noon-3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Thursday, 9 a.m.-noon

Avett Brothers concert tickets go on sale July 19

Tickets for a Nov. 14 concert in Stephens Auditorium by the folk-rock band Avett Brothers go on sale at noon Friday, July 19 via Ticketmaster, including the Stephens ticket office (noon-6 p.m. weekdays). Tickets range from $49.50 to $89 plus fees.

Daylong writing retreat for grad students is July 19

The Center for Communication Excellence is hosting a daylong, intensive writing retreat for graduate students working on a thesis or dissertation July 19 (0308 Elings Hall, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.). Whether several chapters remain or just the final pages, the retreat will allow the time and space to focus. Retreat leaders will present goal-setting strategies to apply and offer individualized feedback on crafting an argument, structure, selecting appropriate argumentative language, integrating references and formatting. Register for the retreat online

Update your emergency contact info in Workday

Employees need to enter their individual emergency contact information into Workday. Once logged in to Workday, select "Personal Information," then "Emergency Contacts," and "Add" to enter the information.

August workshop focuses on urban-rural connections

Registration is requested by July 22 for an Aug. 12-13 workshop to be held at the Alumni Center, "Developing a Convergence SUS Agenda for Redesigning the Urban-Rural Interface along the Mississippi River Watershed." It will focus on relationships and connectivity among urban and rural landscapes and communities in the 1.2 million-square-mile Mississippi River watershed. Cost is $30 for faculty, $20 for students. Those who plan to present a poster should indicate this in their registration and submit a poster abstract by Aug. 1.

New structure for Academic Success Center

The Academic Success Center added staff and reorganized its structure to better serve students and campus partners. Center director Katie Whipple now has assistant directors in three service areas: academic coaching and outreach; supplemental instruction and PSYCH 131; and tutoring services. Fulltime staff members were added to each area and another graduate student position was created, filling out the center's 13-member staff roster.

Graduate fellowships available to support NASA mission

The 2019-20 NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium fellowship program is accepting applications from graduate students pursuing research in STEM disciplines that support the mission of NASA. It is open to graduate students at Iowa State and the University of Iowa. Applications for the $2,5000 fellowship are due Sept. 16. Program details, including application instructions, are online.

Funding available for NASA-related undergraduate activities

Undergraduates are invited to apply for up to $5,000 from the Iowa Space Grant Consortium for hands-on activities in areas relevant to the NASA mission, such as research projects or participation in NASA-sponsored competitions. Proposals will be accepted through Jan. 17, 2020, or until funds are gone. Students (or student teams) from ISU, Drake or the universities of Iowa and Northern Iowa are eligible. Details about submission requirements (scroll to "student projects") are online.

Reminder: Morrill Road closes at Union Drive July 8

The intersection of Morrill Road and Union Drive will be closed Monday, July 8, through mid-August for reconstruction of a large area of failing pavement. Morrill Road from Osborn Drive south will be closed to through traffic, though emergency vehicles, Carver Hall lot construction traffic, and mail and trash pickup will use two-way travel on Morrill. Union Drive, from Lake LaVerne east to the northeast side of the Memorial Union, also will be closed to through traffic.

Hybridoma services move to Protein Facility

Hybridoma services on campus are changing. Services formerly provided by the Hybridoma Facility of the office of biotechnology have been transferred to its Protein Facility, 1178 Molecular Biology Building. Amanda Brockman is managing the hybridoma work since the spring retirement of Protein Facility manager Paul Kapke. Additionally, the fees charged for hybridoma services, especially for campus researchers, have been significantly reduced. Details about the changes and available hybridoma services are online. Questions may be directed to Amanda Brockman.

World Food Prize seeks graphic design interns for fall

The World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines is accepting applications for two graphic design interns for its fall George Washington Carver internship program (Aug. 26-Dec. 20), with the option to stay on through spring semester. The interns will support the director of communications and events and duties may include: print design and layout, photo editing, website content and design, and updating and maximizing social media sites. The internship is an unpaid position, but students may be eligible for course credit. A minimum of 15 hours per week is required. Details and application instructions are online.

ISU recycles 209,100 pounds during national contest

For the first time, Iowa State participated earlier this year in RecycleMania, a national recycling competition for universities and colleges. Iowa State entered the per capita classic portion of the contest managed by Keep America Beautiful, a waste reduction and recycling nonprofit. During the eight-week competition ending March 30, Iowa State recycled 209,100 pounds of paper, cardboard, bottles and cans, ranking 158th out of the 216 competing campuses. ISU recycling during the contest saved the production of more than 360 metric tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to taking 933 vehicles off the road.  

Next 'after hours' event in the gardens is Aug. 2

Enjoy a buffet dinner by Tasteful Dinners, live jazz by Ames' Indigo Monks and the opportunity to see Reiman Gardens at dusk during an 'After Hours' event Friday, Aug. 2 (5-8 p.m.). Participants are welcome to bring their favorite wine, beer or nonalcoholic drink. All guests must be at least 21 years old. Preregistration and prepayment ($34 or $25 for ISU students and garden members) are required by July 26.

Artists sought for large-scale murals

The Ames Community Arts Council seek artists to create large-scale murals intended to demonstrate the creative spirit of the Ames community and showcase local and regional artists. Individual artists and teams of artists may apply. Applications are due July 31, with the selected artists notified by Aug. 3. The goal is a mid-October completion. The inaugural two sites for the council's Back Alley Gallery series are:

  • Morning Bell Coffee Roasters, 111 Main St. (20' x 20'). The staff is hoping for a mural that's colorful, inspiring and urban.
  • Loading dock area of Stephens Auditorium (18'x 20'). Iowa State Center staff are looking for a vibrant mural depicting the diversity and culture of the performing arts as Stephens Auditorium celebrates its 50th birthday in September.

Volunteers needed for State Fair exhibit

The office of university marketing still has about 30 available slots for faculty and staff volunteers at the university's State Fair exhibit Aug. 8-18 in Des Moines. Volunteers either roll and hand out Cyclone football posters or apply waterless temporary Iowa State tattoos. There are two volunteer shifts, 8:45 a.m.-3 p.m. and 2:45-9 p.m. University employees who are interested in volunteering should sign up online by 11:59 p.m. July 2. Volunteers taking shifts during the work week should get their supervisor's approval. Questions may be directed to Stephanie Johnson in the university marketing office, (515) 294-3969.