Announcements
November 2020
Celtic Christmas virtual concert tickets on sale
Stephens Auditorium will benefit from tickets sold for a Dec. 20 concert, A Virtually Celtic Christmas (7 p.m., filmed at the National Opera House of Ireland). Tickets are $25, with several upgrades available. The holiday concert features the voice of Irish tenor Michael Londra, who now calls Ames home, backed by the Irish Concert Orchestra, two nationally acclaimed choirs (Valda Choir and The Presentation Children's Choir) and guest singers and musicians from Ireland.
P&S seminar focuses on building campus partnerships
The next event in the Professional and Scientific Council's seminar series will be held Tuesday, Dec. 8 (2-3 p.m., via Adobe Connect). Learn how to build partnerships on campus using the Partnerships in Educational Settings framework with Maureen Griffin, program specialist in biotechnology, and Eric Hall, professional development consultant for the university.
Student food pantry has regular winter break hours
SHOP, the student food pantry, will be open during winter break on most Tuesdays and Fridays (10 a.m.-2 p.m., 1306 Beyer). Before heading over, check SHOP's website for up-to-date hours and details. How does it work? It's quick, easy and tailored to your needs:
- When you get to 1306 Beyer, complete the electronic or paper grocery list to let volunteers know what you want.
- While volunteers fill your food request, you can select any personal care items you might need.
- A volunteer hands you the bag of food and you're on your way.
Questions can be emailed to shop_exec@iastate.edu.
Students may request meals in peer-to-peer assistance program
Students in need of meals over the winter break are encouraged to contact one of the partner offices listed below to get access to ISU Dining's Give A Swipe program, in which meal-plan students may donate unused meals or Dining Dollars for their peers. Those donations turn into swipes at a dining center.
- Office of Student Assistance, 515-294-1020, studentassistance@iastate.edu
- Student Wellness, 515-294-1099, studentwellness@iastate.edu
- Student Financial Aid, 515-294-2223, financialaid@iastate.edu
- International Students and Scholars, 515-294-1120, isso@iastate.edu
- Student Counseling Services, 515-294-5056
COVID-19 testing returns temporarily to Thielen
The university's COVID-19 testing site at Johnny's in Hilton Coliseum closed Monday, Nov. 23, and will reopen Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. In the meantime (Nov. 24-Jan. 8), COVID-19 testing will be offered at the Thielen Student Health Center (7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays excluding university holidays). Faculty, staff and students who want a test should continue to call 515-294-5801 (option 9).
Faculty, staff sought to serve as Green Dot facilitators
Training is scheduled Dec. 15-18 (9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily, virtual) for faculty and staff who want to join the university's Green Dot facilitator team. In addition to participating in a monthly 30-minute meeting of facilitators, these volunteers promote the Green Dot personal violence prevention program across campus and lead program overviews and training, typically one or more each semester. Online registration closes at 8 a.m. Dec. 7. Because of the Big 12 Violence and Discrimination Awareness and Prevention Fund, facilitator training can be offered at no cost to participants. Questions may be directed to Emily Miller, student wellness, or nicci port, office of diversity and inclusion.
Forestry Club tree and wreath sale begins Nov. 28
Members of the Forestry Club will sell Christmas trees and wreaths over the next three weekends. The sale location is the Reiman Gardens parking lot. Tree prices range from $30 to $70; wreath prices from $20 to $25. Varieties include Korean fir, balsam fir and white pine. Cash or checks accepted. Sale dates and times are:
- Fridays, 3-6 p.m. (Dec. 4 and 11)
- Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Nov. 28, Dec. 12)
- Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13)
System and vendor updates planned for Dec. 2
The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching's (CELT) learning technologies team will be conducting numerous system and vendor updates on Dec. 2. The updates are done when classes are not in session to minimize disruptions.
CyRide adds morning buses for final exam Saturday
Students with 7:30 a.m. final exams this Saturday, Nov. 21, can count on CyRide, which has added early morning trips on the Red, Blue, Green and Brown routes. The full Saturday schedule is online; morning runs shaded in yellow were added for Nov. 21 only. Normal campus weekend parking rules are in place for Saturday.
FAFSA priority filing date extended for 2021-22 applicants
In response to the challenges COVID-19 has created for students and their families, ISU's office of student financial aid has extended the priority date for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to Dec. 20. Students who apply by Dec. 20 will be considered for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and ISU Grant programs, in addition to the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Student Loans. Students who submit the FAFSA after Dec. 20 are considered only for the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Student Loans.
As a result, the deadline for incoming freshmen to complete the OneApp scholarship application form for scholarships awarded by the office of student financial aid has been extended to Dec. 28. Individual colleges and departments may have a different date. Prospective students should review the deadlines on the office of student financial aid website. The OneApp deadline for continuing students remains unchanged.
CCE seeking writers interested in accountability group
The Center for Communication Excellence is conducting a survey to gauge interest in forming a writing accountability group over winter break. The group would meet from late November to mid-January. Writing accountability groups have traditionally been used among faculty and advanced academic writers to create productive writing habits and accountability measures to prompt progression towards self-declared writing goals over a specified period of time. Depending on participation and success, the center may extend the groups after winter break.
Applications for 3-Minute Thesis contest due Dec. 3
The Three-Minute Thesis competition sponsored by the Graduate College will kick off in December. The contest is open to graduate students and offers an opportunity for them to explain their research quickly in language appropriate for a general audience. Competitors are allowed one presentation slide but no other resources or props. The contest will be held via video submissions. Applications are due Dec. 3. Video submissions will be due Dec. 21, and winners will be announced Jan. 25. The winner is awarded a $500 scholarship.
Reminder: Open enrollment closes Friday at 5 p.m.
The once-a-year window to make benefits choices for the upcoming year ends Friday at 5 p.m. when open enrollment closes. Don’t forget, employees who wish to use health or dependent care flexible spending accounts must proactively enroll each year. While other benefit choices will carry over to the next year, open enrollment is an ideal time to review those elections.
Signage available for buildings with limited access
The university will be open and operational between the fall and spring semesters, but some buildings may be locked or have limited access. Building supervisors can order and post a specially developed Cyclones Care self-adhesive sign for exterior doors. Departments and units also should make sure websites and voicemail messages reflect operational changes.
Central receiving will offer limited package delivery to campus during Thanksgiving break
ISU central receiving will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, but will be open and accept inbound package deliveries on Friday, Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 27, 30 and Dec. 1) of the extended Thanksgiving break. However, delivery to campus will be limited for those three days: All next-day, time sensitive and perishable packages will be delivered to campus the same day. All ground, standard and non-time sensitive packages will be securely held at central receiving and delivered to campus starting Wednesday, Dec. 2. As a reminder, central receiving staff deliver packages to central delivery points in each campus building. Questions about package delivery during the Thanksgiving holiday break or your building's central delivery point may be directed to manager Todd Wilson, 515-294-1804, or your building supervisor. Package recipients may view their central receiving package status online.
Postal and parcel will close for Thanksgiving weekend
ISU postal and parcel will be closed over the extended Thanksgiving weekend, so there will be no processing of outbound mail or parcels Nov. 26-Dec. 1. The office will receive packages and mail from the U.S. Postal Service on Friday, Monday and Tuesday (Nov. 27 and 30, Dec. 1), and staff will deliver these items to campus buildings on Wednesday, Dec. 2.
ISU Creamery announces curbside pickup dates over break
The ISU Creamery will continue its weekday retail hours (11 a.m.-3 p.m., 2953 Food Sciences) through Tuesday, Nov. 24, and then will close until Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. It will offer curbside pickup for quart cartons Dec. 16 and Jan. 6 (3:30-5 p.m., orders due at noon the day before). Details are online.
Purchase tickets for gardens' holiday light show
Reiman Gardens is hosting an outdoor walk-through holiday light show, Winter Wonderscape, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings Dec. 3-Jan. 2, 2021 (5-10 p.m.). There won't be a show Dec. 25. Tickets should be purchased online in advance for a specific day, with daily attendance capped for safety. Tickets are $10 (members $8, children 2-12 years $5, children under 2 years free).
University Museums sites will close Nov. 20 for winter break
With fall semester ending earlier than normal, University Museum locations will be closing Friday, Nov. 20. They will reopen with new exhibitions on Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. In the meantime, take time to see:
- Contemplate Japan and A New World: 600 BCE – 600 CE, Brunnier Art Museum, Scheman Building (10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
- Who Am I?, Campbell Gallery, Morrill Hall (10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays)
- Body Image Conflict: From Hostility to Harmony (reACT exhibition), Reiman Gallery, Morrill Hall (noon-4 p.m. weekdays)
- Farm House 160, Farm House Museum (noon-4 p.m. weekdays)
New fan plan at November competitions
Amid rising COVID-19 positivity rates, athletics director Jamie Pollard announced Nov. 17 that attendance at the Nov. 21 home football game and both November men's and women's home basketball games will be limited to just the families and guests of student-athletes and program staff. "We feel it is in the best interest of our state, community and university for the Iowa State athletics department to be a leader in limiting social gatherings during these times," Pollard wrote in an update to Cyclone fans.
Response to concerns about social media post
University leaders have responded to demands made by a group of faculty, staff and students voicing their concerns about a student organization's post-Election Day social media post. Additionally, the Nov. 16 response was posted to Iowa State's Campus Climate website. Previously, university leaders addressed the issue with the student organization and informed its leaders about conduct that would violate university policy and the Student Code of Conduct.
Wanted: More yellow buckets for glass recycling
The office of sustainability is requesting additional donations of empty 5-gallon yellow buckets from Tidy Cats cat litter -- with red or blue hinged lids intact, rinsed out and dry. Following a successful July 2012 pilot, Iowa State's glass recycling project uses the buckets for discarded laboratory glass such as pipettes, slides and petri dishes. They're also used for the residence halls' recycling program. The end goal is to keep glass out of the garbage stream to prevent mechanical damage at both the city's resource recovery plant and power plant. There are two drop-off sites during business hours:
- 108 General Services Building (director of sustainability Merry Rankin's office)
- Environmental Health and Safety Services Building, front desk
Visit the Brunnier Art Museum Thanksgiving weekend
The Brunnier Art Museum will be open over the Thanksgiving weekend on Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 28-29 (1-4 p.m. daily). Visitors can see the Contemplate Japan and A New World: 600 BCE – 600 CE exhibitions, which will be closing after that weekend. Admission is free, however there is a recommended donation of $8. The Brunnier Art Museum is located on the second floor of the Scheman Building; park for free in the lot north of the building.
ISCORE proposals due Dec. 1
The Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) is accepting proposals on race and ethnicity from faculty, staff and students through Dec. 1. The 2021 ISCORE event will be held virtually March 4-5, with a preconference for faculty and staff March 3. Proposals should include a title, 200-word abstract and 1-2 learning outcomes. Students are asked to include the name of a faculty or staff member familiar with their presentation plans.
Tickets on sale for ACTORS production at Stephens Auditorium
Updated Nov. 12: Tickets are on sale this month through Stephens Auditorium for:
- ACTORS, Ames Community Theater's production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," Nov. 12-14 (7:30 p.m.) and Nov. 15 (2 p.m.), $20, tickets are available online via ThunderTix or at Alpha Copies, 3615 Lincoln Way, seating is physically distanced
- Due to the COVID-19 monthlong lockdown in England, The Choir Man livestream performance from London scheduled for Nov. 20 has been postponed to a later date. Those who bought tickets will be contacted about refund options.
Map highlights indoor spaces set aside for studying
Select classrooms and many common areas are serving as study spaces during fall semester. No reservations are needed. Occupant capacities and hours will be posted on classrooms; common spaces are available during regular building hours. Physical distancing and face covering requirements must be observed. A PDF that includes maps, locations and hours is available online.
APLU recognizes Iowa State for innovation
An effort to ramp up production of face shields when the COVID-19 pandemic hit is one example of Iowa State’s innovation and discovery that the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities recognized with its 2020 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Innovation award. The award also recognized the opportunities for innovation and collaboration through the new Student Innovation Center and the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, as well as support for startups from the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations.
Applications due Dec. 15 for term faculty professional development grants
The office of the senior vice president and provost has funds to support professional development of term faculty, particularly those with limited professional development support. Awards of up to $500 help faculty participate in a virtual or in-person conference, workshop or training. Guidelines are online, and the application (also online) is due Dec. 15 for conferences or workshops between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2021. Recipients will be notified within three weeks. Abstracts for conference presentations need not have been accepted at the time an application is submitted.
Library hours unchanged for prep and finals weeks; prep week events set
The library will remain open normal semester business hours Nov. 16-25. The library partnered with Student Health and Wellness for a series of carefully considered, physically distanced activities during prep week. Experts will lead simple relaxation techniques to help students decompress each day of prep week.
Submit library reserve requests now for winter, spring courses
Instructors wanting to place required materials on reserve at Parks Library for winter and spring courses should submit requests now via Canvas. Information and instructions are on the library's website.
Gardens host online holiday plant sale Nov. 21-29
Reiman Gardens' holiday plant sale, featuring a wide selection of poinsettias and 24-inch wreaths, will be held online Nov. 21-29. An in-person sale and online order pickup will be held Dec. 2-4 (10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, Garden Room). Cash and credit cards will be accepted at the in-person sale.
New required syllabus statement on free expression
Iowa State has adopted a new required syllabus statement to affirm the university's commitment to free expression. The statement, available on the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching website (and below), was developed in consultation with the Faculty Senate executive board and is to be used verbatim for all Iowa State University courses beginning with the upcoming winter session.
Iowa State University supports and upholds the First Amendment protection of freedom of speech and the principle of academic freedom in order to foster a learning environment where open inquiry and the vigorous debate of a diversity of ideas are encouraged. Students will not be penalized for the content or viewpoints of their speech as long as student expression in a class context is germane to the subject matter of the class and conveyed in an appropriate manner.
SHOP has employee volunteer opportunities during prep, finals week and winter break
The student leadership team for the Students Helping Our Peers (SHOP) food pantry, 1306 Beyer, is asking ISU employees to volunteer their time to help keep the SHOP open during November, December and January. Sign up in one-hour increments using the appropriate online form below; volunteering details will be emailed to you. Two schedules are available:
- Prep and Finals weeks, Nov. 16-25: Tuesdays and Friday (10 a.m.-2 p.m.) and Wednesdays (4-7 p.m.)
- Winter break, Nov. 30-Jan. 22, 2021: Tuesdays and Fridays (10 a.m.-2 p.m.)
If you are unable to volunteer at this time but are interested in helping in the future, provide us your contact information to be put on a short list for other opportunities.
'Jagged Little Pill' concert tickets on sale Nov. 16
The Broadway cast of the Tony Award-nominated musical "Jagged Little Pill" is reuniting for a live one-hour concert, featuring selections from the show, Sunday, Dec. 13 (7 p.m. CST), to support performance venues around the country. Tickets for access to the livestream are $27 through Nov. 22 ($33 after) and go on sale to the public at 9 a.m. Nov. 16. A portion of each ticket sold on the Iowa State Center's link supports Stephens Auditorium operations. Information on options for watching the performance are shared in a FAQ on the website.
'Stars and Stripes Forever' performance is Wednesday
On Wednesday, Nov. 11 -- Veteran's Day and the 100th anniversary of a concert by the John Philip Sousa Band in State Gymnasium -- members of ISU's Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band will play Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever" outside State Gym at 12:30 p.m. Before the pandemic, the music department was planning a Sousa-style concert that evening in State Gym to mark the anniversary of the Sousa Band's only concert in Ames.
Holiday art sale is Nov. 18-21
The Memorial Union's annual holiday art sale will be held Nov. 18-21 as a pop up shop in the building's new first-floor art gallery, formerly the browsing library. Hours are 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts from the MU Workspace and campus community of artists, including vases, vessels and ornaments from the ISU Gaffer's Guild, earrings and other jewelry, pottery, watercolor illustrations, paintings, upcycled bags and scarves, marbled paper and more. Mystery boxes, filled with an array of treasures from participating artists, are back by popular demand. New this year are Workspace art kits (supplies to make a hand-made gift) or the option to sign up for a monthly kit subscription. The sale will enforce a capacity limit for shoppers' safety.
Asymptomatic students may get a COVID-19 test before break
Students may get tested for COVID-19 prior to leaving for winter break -- even if they don't feel sick. Asymptomatic testing will be offered at Johnny's in Hilton Coliseum, by appointment only, Nov. 16-21. Students may schedule online; they also need to complete the pre-testing questionnaire.
December graduates asked to pick up CYlebration kits
Last week, the office of the registrar started distributing graduation CYlebration gifts to fall-semester graduates prior to virtual commencement Nov. 28. The packet includes a diploma cover or tube, streamer tube, souvenir tassel, commencement program and honors cords, if applicable. Packets may be picked up in 214 Enrollment Services Center (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday), during these assigned weeks:
- Oct. 26-30: Last names A-G
- Nov. 2-6: Last names H-O
- Nov. 9-13: Last names P-Z
Graduates unable to pick up their gift during their assigned week should e-mail graduation@iastate.edu.
Regent committees will meet Nov. 10; full board on Nov. 18
Four board committees will meet virtually Nov. 10 (11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.) in advance of the full state Board of Regents meeting Nov. 18. Iowa State items on the committee agendas include:
- Proposed (but not yet shared) naming for the athletics department's new sports performance center, and revised description and budget for a project to replace the southeast window wall system at Parks Library (property and facilities committee).
- Closure of the economic department's Iowa Community Vitality Center due to the director's retirement, and faculty professional development requests for FY22 (academic affairs committee).
- Bond issuance schedule for calendar year 2021, including for the renovation of floors 4-6 at the Memorial Union (investment and finance committee).
Chase Rice to perform for ISU students Nov. 13
Country singer/songwriter Chase Rice will perform a free virtual concert and conversation with Iowa State students on Friday, Nov. 13 (8 p.m. via Zoom). Iowa State students must register online at www.sub.iastate.edu with their ISU email address to receive a link the night of the show.
Register for Jan. 19-20 Project LEA/RN workshop
Project LEA/RN will host an in-person workshop Jan. 19-20, 2021 (9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, Memorial Union, following Cyclones Care guidelines) aimed at training educators to help their students learn the kind of thinking required to solve complex problems. Faculty, staff and graduate students are welcome. Participants will share insights about the brain based on current research, engage in strategies that promote interaction and deep thinking, and apply them to situations in which they facilitate learning -- classes, orientation sessions, extension meetings or other learning situations. This workshop will not directly address the technology involved with remote and online learning. Enrollment is limited to 20. To register or for more information, contact Project LEA/RN director Jan Wiersema, (712) 221-1203.
Public comments invited for draft policy on renaming property
A public comment period continues through Nov. 23 for a draft policy on considering the removal of names from university property. The draft is available in the policy library.
Honors students will present archives research
The university community is invited to listen in Wednesday, Nov. 11 (3:30-5 p.m., via Webex) when 10 Honors students enrolled this fall in Hon321Q, Archives Investigations, present their final projects based on primary source research from items in the university's special collections and university archives. The students represent five colleges and all undergraduate years:
- Agriculture and Life Sciences: Audrey Jenkins
- Business: Luella Gaskell, Nathan Mathews
- Design: Rachel Brokenshire
- Engineering: Aiden Lee Petersen
- Liberal Arts and Sciences: Ada Ellingworth, Emily Gehling, Zachary Hauptmann, Delenn Palmer, Nolan Pithan
Arts and events
This academic year marks the 10th anniversary of therapy dogs visiting Parks Library to help students de-stress during prep week.
