Announcements
August 2019
Dedication of inclusive crosswalk is Sept. 3
The Ames City Council, in collaboration with ISU's office of diversity and inclusion, pursued a custom-designed crosswalk as part of the city's efforts to make all people feel welcome in Ames. A ribbon-cutting for the crosswalk, downtown at Fifth Street and Douglas Avenue, will begin at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, weather permitting (city crews will paint the color blocks earlier in the day). The crosswalks on Douglas Avenue will feature a minority-inclusive pride rainbow. The crosswalk on Fifth Street to the east will feature gender non-binary pride colors, and the crosswalk on Fifth Street to the west will feature pride transgender colors.
If Tuesday's weather isn't favorable, the crosswalk painting and celebration will take place on the next day weather allows.
STEM conference for girls has new name
Iowa State's Taking the Road Less Traveled conference for middle and high school girls began in 1987, the first event hosted by the Program for Women in Science and Engineering. Since then, more than 65,000 students, educators and parents have participated in it. Organizers decided to refresh its name with one that more accurately reflects the message WiSE conveys to young students. "We want STEM to be the route girls take, not an unusual path," said program coordinator Sarah DuBois. Beginning this fall, the conference will be named Go Further. What won't change, DuBois said, are the hands-on and interactive sessions with STEM role models, including undergraduate students and campus and industry professionals. Campus organizations that would like to participate in the fall conferences (Oct. 31 for 8th grade, Nov. 7 for grades 9-10) may submit a proposal online.
Central receiving is relocating during September
The university's central receiving operation is relocating during September from 925 Airport Rd. to 2105 East Lincoln Way, following purchase of a new property. Central receiving will remain open during this transition and doesn't anticipate any delays in deliveries to campus customers. The relocation is scheduled to be complete by Oct. 1. Questions may be directed to manager Todd Wilson, 294-1804.
Surplus sales are suspended during September
ISU Surplus will not hold any department or public sales in September during expansion and enhancement of its Airport Road facility. Sales will resume Oct. 1 (department) and Oct. 2 (public). Questions may be directed to manager Mark Ludwig, 294-7300.
CyRide names two transit director finalists
Two finalists will interview for CyRide's transit director position, vacated with former director Sheri Kyras' retirement last spring. Each finalist's interview will include a public presentation in the auditorium of the Ames Public Library:
- Barb Neal, interim director of CyRide (assistant transit director since 2016), Sept. 3 (4 p.m.)
- Roy Rickert, executive director of Bis-Man Transit, Bismark, North Dakota, Sept. 11 (3 p.m.)
Honors program seeks spring seminar proposals
The University Honors Program seeks proposals for spring 2020 Honors seminars. These one- or two-credit courses explore various topics of current or special interest. Seminars are pass/not pass, with enrollment usually limited to 17 students.  A grant of $500 per seminar supports the professional development of the instructor(s). More information, about seminars as well as guidelines for teaching one, is online. Proposals are due Friday, Sept. 20; the proposal submission form also is online. Questions may be directed to Honors director Laurie Law.
Center announces 2019-20 youth matinee lineup
The Iowa State Center has announced 19 morning or early afternoon shows for its 2019-20 Martha Ellen Tye youth series in Stephens Auditorium. The performances, 60 to 90 minutes long, are open to school groups, home schoolers, families and the general public. Each performance has a recommended audience age (pre-K to high school). All seats are $4 in advance or $5 at the door, with children enrolled in the federal lunch program admitted at no charge. Questions may be directed to Sara Compton, 294-7389.
Biotechnology Council has two new members
Bradley Blitvich, professor in the department of veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine, and Yanhai Yin, professor and chair of the department of genetics, development and cell biology, have been selected to serve three-year terms on the university's Biotechnology Council. The council makes recommendations to the office of biotechnology on program activities supporting biotechnology research, education and outreach.
Financial aid update for faculty, staff is Sept. 12
The office of student financial aid will hold its 22nd annual Financial Aid Campus Partners Conference Thursday, Sept. 12 (8-11:30 a.m., MU Sun Room and South Ballroom). To assist them in their professional roles, faculty and staff are invited to learn more about how financial aid works and some of the current issues impacting financial aid and our students. This is a free event; registration is requested.
Training will help faculty build their new websites
Several workshops are available to help faculty create their own websites on the new ISU Sites service page. As reported in March, Iowa State's first public website service, www.public.iastate.edu, will sunset on Dec. 31. The workshops will be held in 206 Durham; participants should bring a laptop.
- Sept. 3, 12:30 p.m.
- Sept. 4, 11 a.m.
- Sept. 10, 12:30 p.m.
World Food Prize Foundation seeks fall intern
The World Food Prize Foundation, downtown Des Moines, is seeking applications for its George Washington Carver Internship for the fall semester in the area of youth programming and education. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, have strong oral and written communication skills, a background in STEM education and pay attention to detail. The internship is for 12-15 hours/week Sept. 3-Dec. 22, including World Food Prize events Oct. 13-19. More information, including application instructions, is online.
'Game Time' is open in gardens' conservatory
"Game Time," the fall exhibit in the Hughes conservatory at Reiman Gardens, features a giant game clock sweeping over a field of cardinal and gold flowers, surrounded by seasonal edibles. The exhibit continues through Nov. 16 as part of the gardens' 2019 toys and games theme. Extended summer hours (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) continue through Sept. 30; the butterfly wing closes at 4:30 p.m.
First Cyclone Central tailgate is Saturday morning
Join Cyclone alumni and friends THIS Saturday (8-10:30 a.m., ISU Alumni Center) for Cyclone Central to kick off the first football game of the season. Mingle with friends and family and enjoy a cash bar, modern restrooms and indoor climate control. Admission is free; a catered meal (preregistration required) and food trucks are available.
Reiman Gardens' next 'after hours' event is Sept. 13
Reiman Gardens' next "After Hours" event is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 13 (5-8 p.m.). Enjoy live music by the Bill Martin Group and a catered barbecue dinner for $34 ($25 for members and ISU students). Attendees must be at least 21 years old and are invited to bring their own wine, beer or nonalcoholic beverage. Registration and payment are due by Sept. 6; after which the price rises to $37.
Proposals sought for conference for gifted middle school students
The early outreach program in the admissions office is looking for faculty, graduate students, staff and student organizations to provide interesting and dynamic 45-minute workshops at its annual Investigation Series, a conference for gifted middle school students to explore new interest areas through hands-on sessions. Sessions are needed on Nov. 12, 14, 19 and 21. More information is available in the online form for submitting a proposal. Proposals are due by Sept. 14. Contact the program's office at 294-1772 or opptag@iastate.edu with any additional questions.
Employee wellness walk is Aug. 30
ISU WellBeing and Cyday Friday are teaming up for their annual employee walk on Friday, Aug. 30. Faculty and staff are encouraged to wear cardinal and gold apparel for the one-mile route that begins and ends in front of Beardshear Hall. Check-in is open 11:45 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Preregistration is available, but not required, for this free event. The first 100 employees to check in will receive a free Cyday Friday beverage tumbler. The names of preregistered participants will be entered in a drawing for four $50 gift cards from the ISU Book Store. All employees who check in are eligible for raffle prizes and earn 150 points in the Adventure2 program. In the event of inclement weather, the status of the walk will be posted on the CyStyle Facebook page by 11 a.m. Friday.
Structured for Success Committee to present during live webinar Aug. 20
The Structured for Success Committee will present a draft proposal and models for the partnership between Iowa State and county extension councils during a live webinar at 3 p.m. on Aug. 20. The committee is seeking feedback from the presentation and will provide links to information about its findings as well as answers to frequently asked questions at the conclusion of the event. The webinar will be archived for later viewing.
The overarching goal of the committee formed in September 2018 has been to determine how ISU Extension and Outreach can effectively serve Iowans and what organizational structure best accomplishes it.
Cyclone Cinema announces fall films
The Student Union Board has announced feature film titles for Cyclone Cinema's fall lineup. The 14-title series opens Aug. 29 and runs through Dec. 8, with a break during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Titles have eight showings -- 7 and 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday nights -- in 101 Carver; admission is free. The Sunday showings always include captions, and other showings can if the request is made before the movie begins. Admission is free; concessions (popcorn, candy, soda, water) may be purchased for $1-$2.
Nominations due Sept. 27 for 2020 'impactful women' calendar
The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics is accepting nominations through Sept. 27 for its 2020 Women Impacting ISU poster calendar. Since 2007, the calendar has highlighted the accomplishments and achievements of 12 Iowa State women -- students, faculty and staff. Any individual who identifies as a woman and currently is employed by or enrolled at Iowa State -- including a senior scheduled to graduate in May 2020 -- is eligible to be nominated. Self-nominations won't be accepted. More information, including the nomination form, is online.
Nutcracker ballet auditions will be held Sept. 7
Auditions for the Dec. 14-15 performances of "The Nutcracker Ballet" at Stephens Auditorium will be held Saturday, Sept. 7 (noon-7:30 p.m., Stephens, enter at southeast doors). More than 200 local dancers of all ages participate in the annual production. Registration opens at 11:15 a.m.; arrive early to fill out forms. Audition details, including an audition card, are online.The audition schedule is:
- Noon-3 p.m., children ages 6 years and older (must be enrolled in a dance studio)
- 3-3:30 p.m., adults
- 3:30-7:30 p.m., ballet dancers for both pointe and non-pointe roles (must be enrolled in a dance studio and pointe dancers must be studying pointe)
Second Cardinal Women cohort announced
The second year of Cardinal Women, a personal and professional leadership development program, kicked off earlier this month. This fall, 72 women and eight small group leaders will meet five times for large and small group discussions. In between, the conversations will continue via Canvas. Tera Lawson, School of Education, and Denise Williams-Klotz, Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, developed and are leading the program, with support from the offices of the senior vice president and provost, senior vice president for student affairs and vice president for research. 2019 Cardinal Women roster.
We The Kings to perform in MU Great Hall
Tickets are on sale for pop punk/rock group We The Kings, who will perform Thursday, Aug. 29 ( 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m., MU Great Hall). Supporting the show is pop singer/songwriter Anna Clendening, who competed in season 9 of NBC TV's "America's Got Talent." Tickets are $20 plus fees ($14 with an ISU student ID) and available online via midwestix.com and, starting Aug. 26, in the MU Maintenance Shop box office and by phone (515-294-8349) weekdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
North commuters: Shared use path through Somerset closing for two blocks
A city of Ames project to reconstruct the shared-use path adjacent to the west side of Stange Road, from 24th Street north two blocks to Northridge Parkway, will begin Friday, Aug. 16. Depending on weather, this is a one- to two-week project. The path will be closed during construction.
CyRide switches its real-time predictive service
CyRide will begin its transition to a different real-time predictive bus service the week of Aug. 19. MyRide will assist bus riders seeking information on the status of CyRide buses throughout the system. During the changeover, the former service, NextBus, no longer will be accessible.
The technology will be upgraded on CyRide's website, as well as Iowa State's MyState app. On a touchtone phone, mobile device or web-enabled computer, MyRide users will be able to see exactly where a bus is and when it's predicted to arrive at the closest bus stop. Current bus stop ID numbers and QR codes on bus stop signs will function in the new system.
Financial reporting help available for administrative leaders
Specialized training for Workday financial reporting will be offered to department and unit leaders. The financial accounting reporting and management (FARM) training program, led by Pam Cain, interim senior vice president for operations and finance, and Dave Cantor, professor of supply chain management, is for deans, associate deans, vice presidents, program directors, department chairs, fiscal officers and their financial advisers. Workday offers standard and custom financial reports with live, up-to-date information that can be formatted and filtered by users. Small-group FARM training sessions will be scheduled at the unit level. For more information, contact Cantor (294-8462, dcantor@iastate.edu).
Fit learning Canvas into your busy schedule
Whether you are new to Canvas (Iowa State's online course management system) or a seasoned veteran, various online training offerings will meet your learning style (demonstration, interactive and discussion sessions). Begin your training when you are available by visiting the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching's Online Training with Canvas webpage. Get started by viewing the Course Basics video.
The MyCanvas Teacher at ISU website is designed to familiarize instructors on the tools and features of Canvas to prepare them for course design and delivery.
Canvas also offers 24/7 support options. Use the ?Help icon on the global navigation menu (far left of your screen):
- Canvas Support Line (515-294-4000 then press 2, press 1)
- Live chat with Canvas Support
- Web-based 'Report a Problem' form
Salesforce selected to manage alumni, donor information
The ISU Foundation, which maintains a constituent database on behalf of the university, has selected a new system to manage the information of alumni, donors and other university stakeholders. Salesforce will be the new constituent relationship management system, replacing Agilon's One. Implementation of the new system will take place in phases, with a goal of completing the transition out of One by the end of fiscal year 2021.
Salesforce's infrastructure will allow the foundation, along with campus partners, to be forward thinking and more collaborative, effective and nimble in the work to advance Iowa State. There will be many opportunities in the upcoming months to learn more about the new system, collaborate on its implementation and stay updated on the project. For more information or to submit a question, email salesforce@foundation.iastate.edu.
ISU Admissions also uses Salesforce to manage its undergraduate student recruitment campaign.
EH&S will send training expiration emails
Not sure when your safety training expires? Beginning this month, faculty, students and staff will receive automated emails from environmental health and safety (EH&S) reminding them of expiring safety training. Reminders will be sent 30 days and 15 days prior to a course's expiration date, on the day the training expires and seven days after the training has expired. A pilot program will start with a few key online training courses offered by EH&S and eventually expand to the entire EH&S course catalog. For more information, email EH&S.
Reminder: Summer office hours end Aug. 16
Offices that operated on a special summer schedule since May are reminded they should resume regular office hours on Monday, Aug. 19, one week prior to the start of fall semester classes, as recommended in university policy.
Watch for move-in traffic congestion
Students living in the residence halls this year will be moving in Tuesday-Friday, Aug. 20-23. The department of residence suggests that faculty and staff avoid areas where move-in congestion may occur, including Union Drive and Beach Road.
Tuition reimbursement deadline is Aug. 23
The fall 2019 deadline for employee tuition reimbursement applications is Friday, Aug. 23. The application is available on AccessPlus ("Employee" tab, then "Tuition Reimburse"). The employee tuition reimbursement program offers financial assistance with up to four college credits at ISU or another accredited post-secondary institution. Merit and professional and scientific staff with at least one year of continuous (non-temporary) employment are eligible. Details are outlined on the university human resources website.
Football sets season ticket sales record
The athletics department announced football season ticket sales have broken the record of 43,165 set in 2013. More than 43,500 season tickets have been sold for the 2019 season with about a week to go until single-game ticket sales to the general public begin Aug. 15. The season opens Aug. 31 when the Cyclones host UNI at 11 a.m.
Newest job aid explains Workday's compensation icon
A job aid just added to the "Human Capital Management" section of the Workcyte resources website is "View Compensation Information." Find it under the "compensation" subhead. Distinct from the payroll icon in Workday, compensation covers things like summer salary or a named position for faculty, interim assignments or allowances such as the communication technology allowance.
Submit requests now for library fall course reserves
Instructors who wish to place required materials on reserve for fall semester should submit requests now. The appropriate forms are on the library's website.
Single event tickets for Stephens season go on sale Aug. 13
Single-event tickets for all shows in the 2019-20 performing arts series at Stephens Auditorium go on sale at noon Tuesday, Aug.13, via Ticketmaster, including the Stephens ticket office. Subscription packages (four or more events) available now offer savings of up to 20% on tickets and additional benefits such as flexible ticket exchanges and exclusive presale access to new performances.
Ask questions about Ames' proposed Healthy Life Center
To help Ames residents who work at Iowa State learn more about the proposed Healthy Life Center, Nancy Carroll will lead five informational sessions in the Memorial Union. Carroll is the executive director of Heartland Senior Services and a member of the Healthy Life Center steering team. She'll provide a 30-minute overview, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A. Iowa State is one of six collaborating partners involved in researching and planning the center. The bond referendum for the project is Sept. 10. ISU WellBeing is sponsoring the following five sessions and providing refreshments. No registration is required.
- Aug. 6, 11-11:45 a.m., Cardinal Room
- Aug. 6, Noon-12:45 p.m. Cardinal Room
- Aug. 22, 11-11:45 a.m. Room 3228
- Aug. 22, Noon-12:45 p.m., Room 3228
- Sept. 5, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Cardinal Room
