Announcements
July 2020
Fall student hiring is open in Workday
Last year, with the implementation of Workday, hiring student employees -- both regular hourly and work-study eligible -- moved online. Hiring has opened for fall semester, with work-study eligible hires now approved in Workday. Departments that want to check work-study eligibility of fall employees can do so in Workday External Student. If the student is a new hire, use this hiring job aid in CyBox. If the student is a returning employee, the employer needs to complete a "data change" process in Workday; slides 3-4 of this job aid will assist them.
Students seeking work on-campus are encouraged to use the online student job board provided by the student employment office. It's also the encouraged and common place for departments to advertise part-time student employee positions, at no cost to departments. More information, including instructions on posting open positions, is on the student job board website.
UHR service center reopens to walk-ins Aug. 10
The university human resources (UHR) service center (3810 Beardshear) will reopen for walk-in transactions Aug. 10, though appointments still are encouraged. The center's regular hours will be 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m., but it will open at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesdays. Through Aug. 7, the service center is open by appointment only from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. To help limit in-person interactions, UHR also is working with HR delivery teams and local departments to encourage new employees to complete Form I-9 paperwork via Workday.
Employees asked to fill support roles for COVID-19 testing at Lied Rec
Tuition reimbursement policy change gets a temporary tweak
In response to feedback from employees, senior leaders have approved a temporary modification to changes in the university's tuition reimbursement program for merit and professional and scientific (P&S) employees. Program participants who, in the last year, took courses for credit at universities and colleges other than Iowa State may apply for tuition reimbursement for courses at those schools for two more semesters: fall 2020 and spring 2021. This extension does not apply to employees who are taking their first course at another university this fall or next spring.
The extension is intended to give past participants more time to identify other financial resources if they opt to continue in their current academic programs. University human resources also will contact those individuals for assistance with next steps.
Announced last month as part of plans to address the fiscal year 2021 budget shortfall, the tuition reimbursement program will be limited to Iowa State courses (up to four credits per semester at general ISU rates), beginning this fall. The application period for fall semester tuition reimbursement runs through Friday, Aug. 14.
Memorial Union book sale is Aug. 4-5
The Memorial Union, in conjunction with ISU Suprlus, is hosting a used book sale Aug. 4-5 in the Great Hall. Hours Tuesday are 4-7 p.m. and Wednesday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Many of the books are from the MU's browsing library, which has been converted to an art gallery. Prices start at $1; cash and credit cards will be accepted. Face coverings are required, and social distancing guidelines will be followed. The sale features more than 1,500 books -- some signed, including fiction, history, art, poetry, short stories, reference, biographies, classics and children's books.
MU's Art for Rent open house is Aug. 5-6
The Memorial Union is hosting its annual Art for Rent open house Aug. 5-6 in the Gallery on the third floor. Hours Wednesday are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Thursday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Face coverings are required, and social distancing guidelines will be followed. The art lending collection includes about 275 framed posters, prints and paintings available for rent for a half year or full year. Annual rentals typically range from $10 to $25, and patrons may take selected pieces with them that day. Renters do not have to be affiliated with Iowa State to participate. Proceeds from rentals directly support art programs at the Memorial Union.
Watch for move-in congestion Aug. 3-16
Students living in the residence halls and campus apartments this year will be moving in Aug. 3-16. The department of residence suggests that faculty and staff avoid areas where move-in congestion may occur, including Union Drive and Beach Road.
CYstarters to hold virtual Demo Day on July 30
On July 30 from noon-1:30 p.m., celebrate the 20 student entrepreneurs who participated in Iowa State's 11-week summer accelerator program, CYstarters. Student will give presentations on the businesses they've been building, and President Wendy Wintersteen and Ivy College of Business dean David Spalding will provide remarks. The virtual event is open to the public and will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. RSVP online.
Reminder: Post interior signage before fall semester
Departments and units should be working with their building supervisors on internal signage needs to post "Cyclones Care" behavior messages. Facilities planning and management (FPM) staff have been installing signage for exterior doors, restrooms, elevators and general university classrooms. Signs for other interior spaces are the responsibility of departments and units, working with their building supervisors. The pool of fundamental signage includes messaging for multiple locations, with attention to accessibility compliance. Contact your building supervisor to be sure your spaces send the right message to students, faculty, staff and visitors.
The fundamental building signage featuring the "Cyclones Care" messaging campaign is coordinated through building supervisors, FPM, ISU Dining and the residence department.
Iowa singer/songwriters to perform on Stephens Auditorium lawn
The Goldfinch Room will feature Iowa singer/songwriters in four Tuesday night performances on the Stephens Auditorium north lawn over the next month. The lawn will open at 6 p.m. for each performance, with the music from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $5, and no advance sales are available. The schedule is as follows:
- July 28 J. Jeffrey Messerole
- Aug. 4 Ryne Doughty
- Aug. 11 David G. Smith
- Aug. 18 Fred Love
Physically distanced seating areas for up to four people will be designated on the lawn. Attendees can bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Beer, wine, soda and water will be available for sale at an outdoor bar area, and The Traveling Pig food truck will offer food. Outside food and nonalcoholic beverages may be brought to the event.
Face coverings will be required when entering and exiting the event as well as when moving to and from restrooms inside Stephens Auditorium or to purchase food or drinks. Face coverings will not be required inside designated seating areas.
Webinar looks at ISU partnerships in Uganda's Kamuli district
The Consortium for Innovation in Post-Harvest Loss & Food Waste Reduction will host a webinar July 29 (9-10 a.m.) that provides an overview of Iowa State's partnership with institutions and communities in Uganda's Kamuli district to improve agriculture, health and education. Panelists also will discuss the potential to replicate this development and philanthropic model in other Ugandan communities and throughout Africa to improve food security. Panelists are David Acker, associate dean for Global Engagement in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods; Thomas Brumm, Charles E. and Mary B. Sukup Professor in Food Security and associate director of the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods; and Thomas Buyinza, post-harvest technology specialist for the ISU-Uganda Program. Webinar registration.
Fourth town hall for faculty and staff scheduled for July 30
President Wendy Wintersteen and senior leaders will hold their fourth virtual town hall for faculty and staff Thursday, July 30 (3-4:30 p.m. via Webex). They'll discuss plans to support a safe and healthy fall semester. Participants may access the town hall through Webex events, which now can accommodate up to 3,000 attendees. Participants may type questions for leaders in the Q&A box.
Vet Med trail closed for 4-6 weeks for paving
The Vet Med trail from South 16th Street to Airport Road is closed for paving improvements, expected to take four to six weeks. A north section of the same city trail (from near South Third Street to South 16th Street) closed March 16 and will remain closed for 16-18 months as part of the project to extend South Grand Avenue to South 16th Street. The University Boulevard detour in place for that project will be extended south to Airport Road during this summer's trail paving project.
CARES Act funds available for student laptop purchases; apply by July 31
Iowa State has developed a Laptop Loaner Program to support students who may not have access to laptop technology the university is requiring this fall. Loaner laptops will be provided to current ISU students through the University Library while the inventory lasts. Fulltime, degree-seeking students with the greatest financial need and those who have exhausted other options for financial aid will receive priority. Requests for participation in the Laptop Loaner Program will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. CST on Friday, July 31.
Students who checked out a loaner laptop this spring can't keep the same device for fall semester. They must return it by Aug. 12 to avoid being charged a replacement cost plus fees. They may contact the library's tech lending manager David Harborth to get a Fedex label for returning the device to the library.
A limited amount of funding through the federal CARES Act is available for students with documented financial need who need to purchase a laptop. The office of student financial aid will review all requests to the Laptop Loaner Program for possible CARES Act awards.
Applicants need the following information to complete the Laptop Loaner Program request form:
- University ID (9-digit identification number provided to you upon acceptance to Iowa State University)
- College (for example, Design, Ag & Life Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, etc.)
- System preference (Mac or PC)
Students who are unable to locate their University ID should contact the IT Solution Center at 515-294-4000.
Calendar is searchable for religious, cultural holidays
The office of the vice president for diversity and inclusion has created a searchable calendar of religious and cultural holidays and observances to assist event planners and others on campus in checking for potential conflicts when planning events. Because many of the holidays fluctuate, the calendar is a constant work in progress; however, it is up to date for the 2020-21 academic year. Find the calendar under the DEI Resources dropdown menu on the diversity and inclusion homepage.
Memorial Union is reopening Aug. 3
Beginning Monday, Aug. 3, the Memorial Union will be open Monday through Saturday 7 a.m.-10 p.m. (Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.). Some services, including the Workspace, U.S. Postal Service counter and Cybowl and Billiards, will reopen Monday, Aug. 17.
Through Aug. 2, the building's south (Lincoln Way) doors will remain the only open entrance to the MU. Visitors can access the ISU Book Store, MU Market Cafe and ground-floor restrooms from that entrance.
Phased return begins for face-to-face human subject research
Face-to-face interaction with human research participants, prohibited since March due to COVID-19, is now allowed under certain conditions if it can't be performed remotely and presents a low risk of exposure. Requirements for in-person research involving human subjects include conducting the research in university facilities, complying with all ISU policies related to COVID-19 and establishing a risk mitigation plan approved the lead principal investigator's department chair or unit director. For more details, see the human subjects section of the COVID-19 FAQ maintained by the office of the vice president for research.
Some facts about COVID-19 and building ventilation
Facilities planning and management has issued COVID-19-based guidance on building ventilation systems, including outdoor air intake, air filters and acceptable use of personal filtration devices. FPM reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate the risk of spreading the coronavirus through building ventilation systems is likely to be low. More effective deterrents include physical distancing, face coverings when physical distancing can't be maintained, frequent and thorough hand washing and staying home when you're sick.
New FAQ addresses alternative work arrangement for at-risk employees
Following updates to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance related to people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, the university has updated its documentation process for employees, post-docs and graduate assistants requesting an alternative work arrangement. For those who already have requested or been approved for an alternative work arrangement, there is no further action needed at this time. A new resource, "COVID-19 High Risk Alternative Work Arrangement FAQ," has been posted on the UHR COVID-19 website to address many of the questions and answers regarding this process.
Grooms to present campus webinar
Dr. Dan Grooms, the Dr. Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of Veterinary Medicine, will present a Zoom webinar Wednesday, July 22 (noon, registration required). His topic is "Cyclone Strong: Responding to a Global Human Health Pandemic."
Refund option returns for employee parking permits
Faculty and staff who renew their campus parking permits this summer may later return them for a refund. In March, when the pandemic began, the university suspended the parking division's refund policy, and refunds were allowed only for those ending their employment. As of July 1, the refund policy is back in effect. Faculty and staff can receive a prorated refund if they paid in advance or have their payroll deductions stopped. Those who return a permit and purchase a general staff permit in the future would need to complete new paperwork in 27 Armory. Those wanting a new reserved permit would need to contact the parking division office to be placed on a waiting list.
Welch Avenue road project begins phase 4
A city of Ames project to reconstruct and redesign Welch Avenue from Lincoln Way to Chamberlain Street entered phase 4 this week. This phase, estimated at 3-4 weeks, includes pavement removal and underground utility improvements from the CVS/Kingland driveway to the middle of the Fire Station No. 2 driveway. In addition to replacing original infrastructure more than a century old, the project includes pavement reconstruction and water quality improvements. Features of the new Welch Avenue include bike lanes in both travel lanes, extended sidewalks and permeable pavers and tree trenches for improved stormwater management. All work is expected to wrap up by the end of November.
Regents meet July 20-21
The state Board of Regents will meet July 20-21 at the board office in Urbandale to conduct annual evaluations of institutional heads and the board's executive director, in closed session. The next regular meeting of the board is Wednesday, July 29, a telephonic meeting also originating from the board office.
UHR provides employee leave guidance for Labor Day
Due to an adjusted fall calendar, the university will be open and classes will be in session on Labor Day (Sept. 7). Faculty and staff with instructional or student support responsibilities are expected to work. University human resources developed an FAQ -- including guidance for nonexempt, exempt and merit employees -- with time off and leave information.
CyRide fares and front-door boarding resume July 15
On Wednesday, July 15, CyRide will resume collecting fares and riders will board at the front doors of buses. CyRide's Dial-A-Ride service for individuals with disabilities also will resume fare collection on July 15. CyRide is not selling a summer pass this year. July monthly passes will be sold at half price ($17 regular; $8 reduced) at CyRide pass sale outlets.
Wintersteen statement in support of international students
In a July 7 statement, President Wendy Wintersteen shared her concern for Iowa State's international students, specifically the anxiety caused by a federal rule earlier this week that international students whose fall coursework is all online may not stay in the U.S. She said Iowa State leaders are coordinating with national higher education organizations on the issue. "We are advocating for our international students to have maximum flexibility to continue their education at ISU as we prioritize health and safety during the COVID-19 crisis," Wintersteen wrote.
Resourcefulness, creativity online workshop is July 10
Sponsored by Iowa State's WorkLife team, a livestreamed Zoom workshop Friday, July 10 (2-3 p.m.) will lead participants in step-by-step experiences to produce useful and creative items, repurposed or upcycled from everyday materials around the home. This workshop's projects include: shoestring bracelets and keychains, embellished jeans and denim items, and melted crayon paperweights. Items to gather before the workshop starts. Presenters are Linda Niehm, professor and director of entrepreneurship and retailing; and Lauren Niehm, senior in product development, both in the department of apparel, events and hospitality management. Preregister.
Outdoor sculpture exhibit opens in Reiman Gardens
"Ribbit the Exhibit," an outdoor collection of human-scale frog sculptures, opened this week at Reiman Gardens and will run through early October. Artist J.A. Cobb crafted the pieces from copper and gave each one personality and interests, including frogs modeling the Grant Wood classic, "American Gothic." The outdoor areas of Reiman Gardens are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; buildings remain closed.
New ISU policy covers parcels shipped out of the country
In response to new federal rules on export and trade that took effect June 29, Iowa State has a new policy on shipping international parcels. To avoid customs delays, seizure of goods or inadvertent violation of the new rules, ISU parcels leaving the country require the office of research ethics' international shipping form (downloadable on the policy website) and must be shipped through ISU postal and parcel services. Bypassing these requirements makes shipping costs ineligible for reimbursement. The university policy covers parcels; letters, postcards and flat envelopes don't apply.
Arts and events
This academic year marks the 10th anniversary of therapy dogs visiting Parks Library to help students de-stress during prep week.
