Announcements
Art Mart holiday sale is Dec. 3-6
Pottery, blown glass, jewelry, decor, paintings and accessories created by campus artists will be sold at the annual Art Mart Tuesday-Friday, Dec. 3-6 in the Art Gallery, first floor of the Memorial Union. Hours are:
- Dec. 3, 4-7 p.m.
- Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Dec. 5, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Dec. 6 (Winterfest), 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Maker mart at Innovate 1858 is Dec. 4
Innovate 1858, a student-run store in the Student Innovation Center that carries only products created by ISU students and alumni, is hosting a Maker Market on Wednesday, Dec. 4 (4-6 p.m.). It will feature a range of products from both alumni and current students. Meet a few of the makers and enjoy activities such as pictures with Elsa and Anna, raffle prizes, winter-themed crafts and more.
Inside takes Thanksgiving hiatus
Inside Iowa State won't publish on Thursday, Nov. 28, due to the national Thanksgiving holiday. The newsletter will resume the following week, on Dec. 5.
Guidelines during the holidays: Spending university funds
As the holiday season and graduation approach, faculty and staff are reminded to revisit the guidelines for using university funds, particularly as they relate to gifts and seasonal events. The controller's office has published an Allowability and Appropriateness manual for university purchases as a helpful reference. Following these guidelines ensures university funds are used appropriately and responsibly. Here's a quick summary:
Allowable spending: Unit events aimed at boosting employee morale and team building are allowed at the department's discretion. In all situations, single-item vouchers from the ISU Creamery or ISU Dining are recommended over the use of gift cards. Gift cards have limited appropriate uses and are taxable to the employee recipient because they are considered a form of cash. A property receipt form should be completed and submitted to the tax team whenever a gift card is given.
Unallowable spending: University funds should not be used for personal events such as graduation celebrations, birthdays, weddings or anniversaries.
Registration is open for 'business of art' March conference
Registration is open for the 7th annual Business of Art conference March 7-8, 2025, at Reiman Gardens, hosted by the Ames Community Arts Council and the Octagon Center for the Arts. Designed to strengthen business skills and provide resources for both formally trained and self-taught creatives, the conference is open to professionals and students in all types of creative work, part time or full time, in all stages of their career. Through Jan. 1, registration is $90 for professional artists and $45 for student artists (after Jan. 1, it increases to $100 for professionals, $50 for students). The fee includes lunch and snacks on both days; single day registration is not offered.
Nominate student employee, student employee supervisor for ISU award
The office of student financial aid seeks nominations through Jan. 31, 2025, for two 2024-25 awards. Follow each link for more information about the award criteria and nomination form.
- Student Employee of the Year. Recognize the outstanding efforts of hourly undergraduate student employees who are making a difference as leaders and innovators in their roles.
- Student Employee Supervisor of the Year (in partnership with university human resources). Recognize the exceptional supervisors of hourly student employees for their mentorship and professionalism.
Workday Student appreciation reception is Dec. 5
Academic advisors, faculty and student support staff involved in the Workday Student transition during the last year are invited to an appreciation event on Thursday, Dec. 5 (11 a.m.-noon, first floor, Beardshear Hall) hosted by the Workday implementation leadership team. Light refreshments will be served.
Gaffers' glass ornament sale is Dec. 3
Save the date: Winterfest celebration is Dec. 6
Cookie decorating, campanile tours, the president's winter open house and multiple options to gift shop while supporting campus artists and entrepreneurs are on the schedule for the 2024 Winterfest celebration Friday, Dec. 6 (mid-afternoon through the evening). The Dec. 5 edition of Inside will include an event preview.
Forestry club will sell holiday trees, wreaths in December
The forestry club will sell Christmas trees ($65-$110 depending on height and variety) and wreaths ($25-$35) in the Reiman Gardens parking lot on weekends in early December. Cash, check and card are accepted payment. Tree varieties are Korean fir, balsam fir, Canaan fir and white pine. Questions may be directed to club member Delaney Graef. Sale hours are:
- Friday, Dec. 6 and 13, 3-6 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 1, Saturday, Dec. 7 and 14, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 8 and 15, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Nominate your university job supervisor for award
Student employees of the university are invited to nominate their supervisor for the Student Employee Supervisor of the Year award, given jointly by the office of student financial aid and university human resources. The award recognizes mentorship and professionalism in employees who supervise hourly student employees. Nominations are due Jan. 31, 2025. More information, including the award criteria and nomination form, is online.
Digital accessibility team will host monthly training
The information technology services digital accessibility team will host the first in a monthly Siteimprove webinar series on Nov. 14 (10 a.m., register online). This month's topic is getting started with Siteimprove, the web accessibility checker software.
The schedule is (all webinars begin at 10 a.m.):
- Nov. 14: Getting started with Siteimprove.
- Dec. 12: Connecting your CMS, using Page Inspector and identifying issues.
- Jan. 16, 2025: Quick Fixes: Understanding digital certainty.
- Feb. 13: Best practices: Building accessible sites and preventing issues.
- March 13: Diving into reports: Customizing and presenting.
- April 17: PDF accessibility and Siteimprove's PDF tools.
- May 15: Deep dive into accessibility: Reading order, containers, ARIA labels and more.
Each session will conclude with a 15-minute Q&A. A captioned recording and transcript will be provided after each session. To request disability accommodations, or for additional questions or support, email digitalaccess@iastate.edu.
Purchase tickets to December light show in advance
Tickets are on sale for Reiman Gardens' Winter Wonderscape and must be purchased online in advance. The holiday light show happens Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings (5-9 p.m.) Dec. 5-28, plus Monday, Dec. 23. Tickets, $16 ($14 for member adults and ISU students; $7 for youth 2-12 years) are sold in half-hour time increments from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Once guests enter during their ticketed time slot, they're welcome to stay as long as they wish (the gardens close at 9 p.m. during this event).
Postcard prints exhibition and silent auction return to College of Design
The University Print Society's 24th Postcard Print Exchange Exhibition will be on view Nov. 18-Dec. 6 in Gallery 181 on the first floor of the College of Design. The show features 170 postcards touching on this year's theme of "Insects and Their Environment." It showcases postcards from Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, New York, Ohio and Texas, as well as international postcards from Belgium, Canada, England, South Korea and the Netherlands. Postcards on display are for sale through a bidding process described in the gallery. Bidding ends at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6; proceeds help fund the student club's activities for the coming year. A public reception with light refreshments will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19 (5-6:30 p.m., Gallery 181).
Academic advising fall summit is Dec. 13
The University Academic Advising Committee will host its annual fall summit on Friday, Dec. 13 (8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Memorial Union). All those who serve in an undergraduate academic advising capacity (faculty and P&S staff) are welcome. Registration is free and requested by Dec. 6 (register by Nov. 18 to receive a special T-shirt gift).
Research project management group meets Dec. 10
The Research Project Management Council, supported by the office of the vice president for research, will hold its next meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10 (2 p.m. via Zoom, register to receive the link). The council is open to all P&S staff who manage sponsored research projects or programs. Even if you can't attend this event, project/program managers are asked to register so council leaders have your information for future opportunities.
The council is a collaborative forum to recognize and enhance the role of research project management at the university. It brings together project management professionals to share best practices, address common challenges and foster a supportive network that advances the success of research initiatives. The group's direction is guided by the needs and priorities of its members, ensuring that the council remains responsive to emerging challenges and opportunities. Contact Nicole Scott or Stacy Renfro with questions.
Council hosts November drive for student food pantry
To support Iowa State students during the university winter break, the Professional and Scientific Council is holding a donation drive for the SHOP food pantry through Friday, Nov. 29. The final pick-up will be Monday, Dec. 2. SHOP's list of needed food items is online, as is the council's list of drop-off locations for this drive.
Recognize a P&S colleague with a CYtation award
Nominations for Professional and Scientific Council CYtation Awards are being accepted through Dec. 2. Four different awards recognize an employee or employees for a job well done: CYtation Award, Woodin CYtation Award, CYtation Team Award and Outstanding P&S Councilor CYtation Award. A detailed explanation of each, including who is eligible and nomination instructions, is available on the P&S Council website.
CyThx campaign begins Nov. 1
In its seventh year, CyThx gives Iowa Staters a chance to thank the faculty, staff, graduate teaching assistants or anyone else who makes them feel like a valued member of the ISU community. Your gratitude will remain anonymous if you chose, but your CyThx honoree will be acknowledged through email and on the CyThx webpage. Submissions can be made through the end of the month. The initiative is a partnership of the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, ISU learning communities, multicultural student affairs, student government, Graduate and Professional Student Senate, student engagement and student union board.
