Announcements
July 2024
You're invited: Open house at Student Counseling Services is Aug. 16
The Student Counseling Services team, led by director Kristen Sievert, is hosting an open house for faculty, staff and community mental health partners on Friday, Aug. 16 (2-4 p.m., third floor of the Student Services Building). Meet the staff, tour the facility, learn about resources available for your students and enjoy some light refreshments. Free parking will be available for this event in campus lots 1 (south of State Gym) and 59C (southeast of Helser Hall).
Big 12 Conference membership swells to 16 this week
The recent realignment of the Big 12 Conference will be completed on Aug. 2. Following the July 1 departure of two schools (universities of Oklahoma and Texas), the University of Colorado returns this week after 13 years and three others become first-time members: Arizona State University and the universities of Arizona and Utah. As a reminder, four other universities joined the conference last summer: Brigham Young University and the universities of Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston. For the first time, the conference has 16 members.
Rent framed art from the Memorial Union
The Memorial Union is hosting an art-for-rent open house Aug. 6-8 (MU Art Gallery). Hours are 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday. The art rental collection includes about 275 framed posters, prints and paintings. Available to rent for a half or full year, selections may be viewed during the open house and taken that day. Rentals typically range from $10 to $25 per year, and patrons don't have to be affiliated with Iowa State University. Proceeds from rentals support art programs at the Memorial Union.
Memorial Union closed until 10 a.m. July 25
Most of the Memorial Union -- excluding the the south atrium (bookstore, visitors center and MU Market and Café) -- will be closed 5-10 a.m. Thursday, July 25, for an electrical power tie-in for the renovation projects in the building. Use the south doors to access these locations during the building closure. The west end of the third floor will be without power until noon.
Dining venues in the Hub will reopen Thursday
ISU Dining venues in the Hub will reopen Thursday morning, following a two-day closing after part of the large elm tree at the southwest corner of the building came down Tuesday on the Hub roof. Campus services crews are still removing the remaining section of the tree, so the south and southwest building entrances are closed. Customers should use the northwest door (closest to Parks Library).
Regents to review university budgets at July 31 meeting
Fiscal year 2025 operating budgets are on the agenda when the state Board of Regents meets virtually on Wednesday, July 31 (11 a.m., originating from the board's Urbandale office). The full agenda is online. A livestream will be available on the board's website.
Take a turn at the state fair
About 30 faculty and staff volunteer slots, primarily on the second weekend, are still open at the university's main exhibit at the Iowa State Fair, Aug.-18 (9 a.m.-8 p.m.). Three volunteer shifts daily are each about four hours long. Volunteers choose from two assignments: roll and hand out 2024 Cyclone football posters or hand out Iowa State bags and waterless tattoos. They receive a complimentary state fair admission ticket for the day of their shift(s) and a themed T-shirt to wear at the exhibit (these items will be available for pick-up in late July).
Visitors to this year's exhibit, "Catch the Cyclone Vision," will enjoy multiple 360-degree video experiences from campus such as the spring football game, Fashion Show or the carillon room near the top of the campanile. Questions may be directed to Angie Strotman, university marketing, 515-294-0338. Questions about the volunteer form, including changing or adding a shift, may be directed to Kim Abels, conference planning and management, 515-296-3435.
ISU Creamery will sell flavor contest winner
Mint Chocolate Dough is the winner of the ISU Creamery's contest in which children (12 years and younger) were invited to "color" a new ice cream flavor. The winning flavor, mint ice cream with chocolate flakes and chocolate chip cookie dough, will only be sold by the scoop (not pre-packaged containers) beginning Saturday, July 27, while supplies last. The contest drew 127 entries, and all of those coloring sheets are on display at the retail store, 2955 Food Sciences Building. Summer hours are noon-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Operations/finance candidate visits conclude next week
Three finalists for the senior vice president for operations and finance post have visited campus in the last week, and a fourth will interview July 22-23 (name and curriculum vitae will be shared on the administrative searches website the preceding business day). The candidates meet with various campus and community leaders. The visits don't include a campus forum, but all operations and finance employees have the opportunity to meet each finalist during division forums.
Ames Bookmobile stops at new campus location
In partnership with the University Library, the Ames Public Library's Bookmobile has a regular Iowa State stop on its weekly route: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursdays. Because of construction in the vicinity of Parks Library, the Bookmobile's campus stop has moved to Stange Road near Kildee Hall (where several food trucks set up during the day).
You're invited: CYstarters' Demo Day is July 30
The members of CYstarters' ninth cohort will share the progress they made this summer on their businesses during Demo Day on Tuesday, July 30 (3-5 p.m., CORE Facility atrium, 1805 Collaboration Pl., ISU Research Park), with appetizers and networking to follow (5-6:30 p.m.). The cohort includes students from every ISU college. Registration is free but requested. CYstarters is an 11-week summer accelerator for ISU students or recent graduates to focus on their startup or business idea.
Christian Petersen, Farm House museums closing July 29 for a month
The Christian Petersen Art Museum in Morrill Hall and central campus' Farm House Museum will close Saturday, July 29, so museums staff can change out some exhibitions. Both museums will reopen Monday, Aug. 26.
Community garage sale runs July 27-Aug. 3 on Hayward Avenue
The 8th annual Rummage RAMPage, a city-university community garage sale designed to keep reuseable household items out of the local waste stream, will be held Saturday, July 27, through Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Ames Intermodal Facility, 129 Hayward Ave. The event coincides each summer with apartment leases ending on July 31. Nearly 50 area non-profit organizations provide the volunteer labor and share proceeds from the sale. A list of accepted items (and not accepted items) is online. Payment is via Venmo or cash; no credit cards or personal checks. Key dates for 2024 are:
- Friday, July 26, noon-6 p.m., drop-off only
- Saturday, July 27, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., sale and drop-off
- Sunday, July 28, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., sale and drop-off
- Monday-Friday, July 29-Aug. 2, noon-6 p.m., sale and drop-off
- Saturday, Aug. 3, 8 a.m.-noon, half-price sale only (no drop-offs)
P&S Council leaders to discuss goals for 2024-25
The Professional and Scientific (P&S) Council's July 11 meeting was the first hybrid meeting in its history. Some councilors met in-person at the Student Innovation Center's Launch Pad and others joined virtually through Microsoft Teams. President Jason Follett said the executive committee will hold a retreat in August to discuss goals for the year and review council bylaws. The next council meeting is Thursday, Sept. 5 (4250 Student Innovation Center).
Sign up now for fall Master Gardener training in your home county
Iowans who want to complete Master Gardener training this fall can apply through Aug. 12. The training will be offered in 44 counties by gardening experts with ISU Extension and Outreach. Counties seek participants of all backgrounds and experience levels who desire to grow their horticultural knowledge and serve their communities. The process includes online learning modules, attendance at at least four in-person training sessions organized by the county office, a final exam and a 40-hour internship in the training county.
Feature film about Uganda initiatives illustrate center's purpose
As part of a yearlong celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences created a 69-minute feature film about its program in Uganda's Kamuli district, including the origins of the program, strategies, challenges faced and the impact on the families and communities in that region.
Football single-game, mini-pack tickets on sale July 11
Three-game mini-packs, single-game tickets and parking passes for the 2024 Iowa State football season go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 11. A mini-pack lets fans purchase tickets to any three home games for $180. Season tickets (all seven home games) remain available, starting at $299. Tickets can be purchased online (recommended to avoid long wait times) or by phone: toll free at 1-888-478-2925, locally at 515-294-1816. Pre-sold, single-game parking ($25/car) is online only and closes at noon the Friday before each game or when passes sell out.
Transportation services' customer appreciation lunch is July 17
Transportation Services is hosting a customer appreciation lunch on Wednesday, July 17 (11 a.m.-1 p.m., 919 Haber Rd.). Stop by for grilled hot dogs and burgers, drinks and cookies, and enjoy a quick tour of recent facility upgrades before you return to work.
Funding help available for national faculty success program
In a continuing program for fall 2024, the provost's office will partially sponsor faculty participation (all faculty tracks) in NCFDD's Faculty Success Program by contributing $2,500 towards the early registration of $4,495. Participants are expected to cover the remaining program fees through options such as department or college matching funds, professional development funds, grant funds or other sources. Faculty sponsored by the provost's office are expected to participate in and complete all components of the program. The fall Faculty Success Program runs Sept. 30-Dec. 8, and registration closes Aug. 28. To apply for ISU funding support, complete the application by July 29. Questions may be directed to Katharine Hensley, 515-294-8823.
Sloss House closed for renovations
The 140-year-old Sloss House, on the east rim of central campus, is closed until at least October, pending construction timelines. Planned renovations to the house include a front porch revitalization, installation of an accessible front door, floor refinishing and more. Services provided by the Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity remain available:
- Students are encouraged to email slosscenter@iastate.edu to make an appointment with staff.
- Personal care items temporarily are housed at The Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success, fourth floor of the Memorial Union.
- Parenting and child care supplies are available through the Office of Child Care and Family Services located near University Community Childcare on Stange Road.
Highway 69 closing near Kelley for two months
Faculty, staff and students who commute to campus from the south via U.S. Highway 69 should be aware of an upcoming road closure between Ames and Huxley. From 7 a.m. Thursday, July 11, through Sept. 24 (weather permitting) the road will close just north of 280th Street/Story County road E-57 (near Kelley and adjacent to Iowa State's Animal Resource Station) while the Walnut Creek bridge is replaced with a box culvert. The marked detour route (PDF) takes travelers to the west, using Iowa 210, Story County road R-38 and U.S. Highway 30.
Adding up the impact of annual creek cleanup
During the 15th annual College Creek cleanup on June 22, 26 volunteers provided more than 60 combined hours of service to remove 475 pounds of trash from College Creek and two 30-gallon barrels of the invasive garlic mustard from areas surrounding the creek. Ames businesses supported them with refreshments and door prizes. Since the first cleanup event in 2009, 563 volunteers have contributed more than 1,300 hours of service and removed more than 8,100 pounds of trash from sections of the creek throughout Ames. Their work has provided an estimated value of $32,300 to the university and Ames communities -- and everyone who lives downstream of College Creek.
Register for violence prevention info morning for faculty, staff
Student Health and Wellness is hosting a Green Zone Action Day for faculty and staff on Wednesday, July 10 (9-11:30 a.m., MU Great Hall). This once-a-summer event is an opportunity to learn more about campus resources and partners and ways to get involved with violence prevention efforts, including bystander intervention strategies. Come early for a free breakfast from ISU Dining (8:30-9 a.m.). Registration site.
July 4 is university holiday
University offices will be closed and classes will not meet on Thursday, July 4, in observance of the national Independence Day holiday. Friday, July 5, is the final day of summer session I and not a university holiday.
Arts and events
The room scheduling team has saved thousands of reams of paper over more than a decade by turning several processes into electronic requests and gaining efficiency in the process.
