Announcements
October 2019
Daylight saving time ends Sunday
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 3. Remember to turn clocks back one hour Saturday night.
Remember snow removal policy on campus
With the first measurable snow falling on campus this week, remember that facilities planning and management has priorities when it comes to clearing it away. After heavy accumulation, roads and parking lots are first priority followed by primary sidewalks and building entrances before secondary sidewalks and entrances are cleared. To report spots of concern because of ice or snow, use the problem report form. If parking lots have not been cleared when you arrive, park in one of the designated preferred lots where all valid parking permits will be honored. During bad weather, the campus community is asked to consider using CyRide.
Winter clothing drive runs through Nov. 8
ISU's Asian American and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Association (AAPI) is holding a clothing drive of new and gently used winter items for an estimated 200 Pacific Islanders who are working in Sioux City. Drop-off bins will be located in the Parks Library lobby and 1720 Lagomarcino through Friday, Nov. 8. Items needed are winter coats, socks, thermal underwear, work pants, hats, gloves and scarves (women's L and XL, men's L, XL and XXL). The ISU group will transport the items to Monsoon Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity, Des Moines, which is coordinating the drive. Questions may be directed to AAPI member Rachel Seale in the library.
First-generation student observance is Nov. 4-8
The campus community is invited to help observe First Gen Week (Nov. 4-8), with these events celebrating first-generation students:
- Monday, Donuts served, 7:45-10 a.m., granite hallway, Gerdin Business Building
- Wednesday, Luncheon and art installation, 11:20 a.m.-1 p.m., College of Design atrium
- Wednesday, Networking and pizza event for first-generation students (all majors), 5:10-6 p.m., 204 Carver
- Thursday, Workshop, resume-writing tips for first-gen students, with Writing and Media Center staff, 1-2 p.m., 0020 Hixson-Lied
- Thursday, First-gen panel discussion (reception follows), 4-5 p.m., 1148 Gerdin Business Building
- Friday, Campus reception, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., MU Oak Room, registration requested
Second CyThx campaign begins Nov. 1
The recognition initiative CyThx, now in its second year, will take place Nov. 1-30 as a way to anwer "Who makes you feel like a valued member of the ISU community?" Faculty, graduate teaching assistants, mentors, advisers, colleagues and others are eligible to be recognized. The online submission form is now active, and all who are recognized will receive an email and acknowledgement on the #CyThx website between Dec. 26 and Jan. 10.
CyThx is a joint effort of the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, learning communities, Graduate and Professional Student Senate, office of multicultural student affairs and Student Government.
Take the library's two-question survey by Oct. 30
Next spring, the University Library will host a library services workshop, and library staff want to include your thoughts in the planning process. All faculty and P&S staff are invited to respond to a two-question survey; responses will be used to plan this workshop and future library events. Survey submissions are due by Wednesday, Oct. 30.
Community supper with student veterans is Nov. 13
The Veterans Center invites members of the campus community to a free dinner and ceremony to support military students and honor those who serve on Wednesday, Nov. 13 (5-7:30 p.m., MU Great Hall). The event brings together students, faculty, staff, administrators and community members to recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families. Online RSVPs are requested by Nov. 6; questions may be directed to Laura Olson.
Dwight Yoakam concert tickets go on sale Oct. 25
Country music legend, actor and Grammy Award-winner Dwight Yoakam will perform in Stephens Auditorium on Saturday, Jan. 18 (8 p.m.). Tickets, $39-$89 plus fees, go on sale at noon Friday, Oct. 25, via Ticketmaster, including the Stephens ticket office (weekdays noon-6 p.m.).
Madrigal Dinner tickets go on sale Nov. 1
Tickets for the music and theatre department's 55th annual Madrigal Dinners (Jan. 17-18, 2020) go on sale at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1, via Midwestix, at the Memorial Union ticket office in the Maintenance Shop (weekdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.), by phone 515-294-8349, or by mailing in a ticket form. Mail orders will be processed in the order they are received prior to Nov. 1. Tickets are $55 ($49 for seniors and ISU students), which includes fees.
Wohlsdorf Arendt named to online learning post
Susan Wohlsdorf Arendt, professor and associate chair for undergraduate academic affairs in the department of apparel, events and hospitality management, has been appointed to a new faculty fellow post in the office of the senior vice president and provost, effective Jan. 1, 2020. She will work with associate provost Ann Marie VanDerZanden and the academic colleges to strengthen and expand Iowa State's online learning portfolio, including developing a shared vision for online learning across the university. Arendt holds bachelor's and doctoral degrees from Iowa State, and joined the university in 2003.
Regents will retreat Oct. 22-23
The state Board of Regents will hold a retreat Oct. 22-23 at the Lakeside Laboratory Regents Resource Center in Milford. The agenda features three informational presentations on: enrollment demographic data, the board's governance/fiduciary responsibility and its strategic plan process. Because the board isn't taking any formal actions, the retreat won't be livestreamed.
First-generation student celebration is Nov. 8
Faculty and staff are invited to engage and network with first-generation students at a Nov. 8 reception to celebrate National First Generation Student Week (11 a.m.-2 p.m., MU Oak Room). Registration is requested. For more information, contact Christy Oxendine (oxendine@iastate.edu, 294-2545).
Where to get technical support for online course evals, Class Climate
For help with online course evaluations, visit ISU's Student Evaluation of Teaching Canvas site and review the effective practices for online course evaluations guide. Instructors, students and departmental course evaluation administrators will find answers to frequently asked questions, along with guides and tips. For help with:
- Specific course evaluation technical support (database, grouping courses, departmental admins, etc.), contact the IT Solution Center, email solution@iastate.edu or phone 515-294-4000.
- Class Climate software and training resources, contact Scantron, email support@scantron.com or phone 1-800-445-3141.
- Department specific course evaluation questions, contact your primary administrator or department chair.
You're invited: Homecoming 2019
ISU's Homecoming celebration, "Cy's the Limit," runs Oct. 20-26. The alumni association invites faculty and staff to these events especially (free unless noted):
- Parade, Oct. 20 (2 p.m., downtown Ames)
- Honors and Awards program, Oct. 25 (1:15 p.m., Benton Auditorium, Scheman)
- Happy hour (4-6 pm.), celebration (6-9 p.m.) and pep rally (7 p.m., includes Yell Like Hell finals), Oct. 25, Alumni Center, cash bar, kids activities, supper ($5 or free with Homecoming button) by Pizza Ranch and Cookies etc.
- ExCYtement in the Streets, Oct. 25 (8-10 p.m., Greek neighborhood south of campus), walking tour with live skits by student groups
- Pancake feed, Oct. 25 (10 p.m.-midnight, central campus), $3
- Mass campaniling and fireworks, Oct. 25 (midnight, central campus)
Pay attention to deadlines on job postings
Job applicants -- both internal and external -- are advised to pay close attention to deadlines on open position postings. Position openings now list a "submit application before" date (rather than "apply by"). For example, applications due "before Nov. 1" will not be accepted as of 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 1. Openings must be posted for a minimum of seven full days for faculty and professional and scientific staff positions, and 10 full days for merit jobs. ISU employees can set up and save job alerts for positions they may be interested in.
Open enrollment for benefits begins Nov. 1
Employees will be able to make changes to their benefit selections for 2020 during the open enrollment period beginning Nov. 1. Open enrollment will run Nov. 1-22. There will be no rate increases or plan changes to ISU Plan benefits for 2020. This is the only time of the year employees can make changes to their benefits without a documented life event. One major change for this year's open enrollment period is that health care flexible spending accounts and the dependent care assistance program will be active enrollment. That means employees must elect to participate each year. Current enrollment elections won't carry over to the next year. Watch Inside Iowa State later this month for a story with more details about open enrollment.
March 2020 ISCORE proposals due Dec. 2
Organizers of the 2020 Thomas L. Hill Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) invite proposals for presentations on race and ethnicity. The conference will be held Friday, March 6 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.); a half-day preconference for faculty and staff will be held Wednesday, March 4 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.). Proposals (title, 200-word abstract and learning outcomes) should be submitted online by Dec. 2. Notifications will be sent by Dec. 18. Questions about the conference or submittal process may be directed to iscore@iastate.edu.
Faculty and staff invited to assist at transfer student event
ISU transfer students are invited to network with one another during a kickoff event Monday, Oct. 21 (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., MU Campanile Room) as part of National Transfer Student Week (Oct. 21-25). They also will be able to visit with representatives of numerous campus resources, including the academic success center, dean of students office, National Student Exchange, student activities center, student health and wellness, student loan education office, study abroad center and the women in science and engineering program. Enjoy free Rice Krispy treats while supplies last. Faculty and staff who were transfer students are invited to participate; email associate registrar Kelly Friesleben to RSVP or with questions about the event.
Transfer students: You're invited
ISU transfer students are invited to network with one another during a kickoff event Monday, Oct. 21 (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., MU Campanile Room) as part of National Transfer Student Week (Oct. 21-25). They also will be able to visit with representatives of numerous campus resources, including the academic success center, dean of students office, National Student Exchange, student activities center, student health and wellness, student loan education office, study abroad center and the women in science and engineering program. Enjoy free Rice Krispy treats while supplies last.
Campus sustainability celebration is Oct. 18
ISU's annual National Campus Sustainability Day celebration will be held Friday, Oct. 18 (10 a.m.-2 p.m., south library lawn). Visit with sustainability-minded student clubs and campus and community organizations, get a free bike tune-up provided by outdoor recreation services, earn green-connected giveaways and enjoy free refreshments.
Third pedestrian-safety Donut Day is Oct. 18
ISU's public safety department, several city of Ames departments, Ames City Council and the Campustown Action Association will cohost their third "Donut Day" in two years Friday, Oct. 18, at several Lincoln Way intersections between Ash and Hayward avenues. From 9 to 11 a.m., employees and council members will hand out donuts to promote safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, particularly to encourage pedestrians to push the traffic button and wait for the "walk" light before crossing the street.
Comedian Jay Pharoah to have December show at the MU
Tickets are on sale for a standup comedy show by actor and comedian Jay Pharoah Friday, Dec 6 (8 p.m., MU Great Hall, doors open at 7 p.m.). The six-season "Saturday Night Live" alum is known for his impressions of President Barack Obama, Jay Z, Denzel Washington, Kanye West and others. His film appearances include "Get a Job," "Top Five" and "Ride Along." Tickets are $25 ($12 with ISU student ID) plus fees and available online via www.midwestix.com, from the MU's Maintenance Shop box office (weekdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m.) or by phone 294-8349.
Drone pilot training to be offered on campus
Unmanned aircraft system classroom-based training will be offered on campus Dec. 6-8 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily), provided by Kansas State Polytechnic, Salina. It is the first step to becoming a certified drone pilot. Register online by Nov. 22; payment is due later. The cost is $100 and doesn't include the FAA exam, which runs an additional $150 and can be scheduled at the end of the training. ISU's Predictive Plant Phenomics (P3) program will cover the training cost for 15 participants. If you would like to apply for a grant, fill out the P3 grant section of the registration form. Questions may be directed to P3 program coordinator Nicole Scott.
Homecoming buttons go on sale Oct. 14
2019 Homecoming, "Cy's the Limit," will be celebrated Oct. 20-26. Homecoming buttons, good for a free lunch on central campus each day, cost $5 and will be available in the ISU Book Store starting Monday, Oct. 14. On-campus employees who would like to schedule an office delivery for a bulk order of buttons may contact Mary Kate Misak.
Open Access Week events begin Oct. 21
Join the University Library for the international Open Access Week Oct. 21-27, a week of open access (OA) events and workshops. Local attendees will network with open access campus leaders, learn about available channels to publish work openly and discover free services that can help guide them on the path to open scholarship. Event details are online.
WorkCyte Digest collects newest tools and tips
Faculty and staff received the first issue of WorkCyte Digest, a nimble biweekly successor to Monthly Matters, in their inboxes Oct. 9.
From October 2018 to October 2019, Monthly Matters provided news relevant to Workday pre- and post-go live activities. WorkCyte Digest will collect important communications on a variety of topics and share them more frequently to get tips and tools into employees' hands as they use Workday.
You're invited: Disability Awareness Week is Oct. 13-18
The Alliance for Disability Awareness and Student Accessibility Services invite all students, faculty and staff to participate in Disability Awareness Week Oct. 13-18. This week features events intended to: educate the Iowa State community about the wide variety of disabilities, bring awareness to the barriers faced by many of these individuals, and advocate for a more accessible campus experience.
Greek students will host family Halloween event Oct. 27
Iowa State's Greek community will host its annual free Sorority and Fraternity Trick or Treat for children in grades pre-K-8 and their families on Sunday, Oct. 27 (4-7 p.m., pavillion, Kildee Hall). Enjoy carnival games, face painting, trick or treating and more. Children and their parents are welcome to to dress in family-friendly costumes; a children's costume contest will be held at 5 p.m., with prizes awarded for the funniest, scariest, cutest and most creative costumes.
Nominations due Dec. 1 for alumni association awards
Nominations are due Dec. 1 for three awards presented annually by the ISU Alumni Association. Questions about any of the awards may be directed to Katie Lickteig. The awards are:
- Faculty/Staff Inspiration Award (nominators must have been ISU students), recognizes an employee who had a significant impact on a student's professional or personal life while at Iowa State.
- Iowa STATEment Maker, recognizes alumni 34 years and younger who reflect the spirit of ISU with accomplishments in any of these categories: scholastic, career achievement, personal achievement, entrepreneurial spirit or service.
- Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award, recognizes outstanding senior students (90+ credits) who display high character, achievements in academics and university/community activities, and promise for continuing these exemplary qualities as alumni. Seniors graduating this December are eligible.
Advance tickets on sale now for Oct. 19-20 Spirits in the Gardens
Advance tickets ($1 discount) are available online through Oct. 17 for Reiman Gardens' Spirits in the Gardens Oct. 19-20. Wear your favorite costume, trick-or-treat, dance to "Thriller" and enjoy other activities such as a professional magician and meet-a-scientist. Stay into the evening to view 1,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns lit against the night sky. Advance tickets are $5 for the general public ($3 for members and ISU students). Kids under 2 years are free. The daily schedule is:
- 3-4 p.m., Gardens closed for preparation
- 4-7 p.m., Trick-or-treat and other activities
- 7-10 p.m. (until 9 p.m. Sunday), Jack-o'-lantern walk
- 10:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m. Sunday), Jack-o'-lantern lights off
Elston approved to fill P&S Council vacancy
Tom Elston, director of office operations for the ISU Alumni Association, was unanimously approved to serve on the Professional and Scientific Council during its Oct. 3 meeting until June 2020. Elston is filling a vacancy created in the president's representation area. He will serve on the council's awards committee.
P&S seminar series focuses on implicit bias
Katy Swalwell, associate professor at the School of Education, will discuss implicit bias and help recognizing it during the Professional and Scientific Council seminar event "Implicit Bias and What You Can Do." It is set for Oct. 8 (2-3 p.m., MU Room 3512). Seminars are livestreamed during the event.
Volleyball ticket flash sale announced for Oct. 9 match
Cyclone fans can purchase general admission tickets in quanitities of 5 for $5 for Iowa State's Oct. 9 match against No. 1 Baylor at Hilton Coliseum. Be part of a match broadcast live on ESPNU (8 p.m.). This presale offer is online only.
Tickets on sale for Oct. 11 Iowa Songwriters Showcase
The next Iowa Songwriter Showcase in the Goldfinch Room, Stephens Auditorium, is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 11. Iowa songwriters and artists Mississippi Jack and Buz Owen will perform at 7 p.m. Reserved tables cost $40 (4 people) and $25 (2 people). Purchase tickets online.
Library announces fall workshop topics
Learn more about Artstor, LaTeX, Overleaf, EndNote, open access publishing and more during a library instruction workshop led by a librarian with expertise on the subject. The fall series opens Oct. 10. Library workshops are face-to-face; registration is online in Learn@ISU.
Retirement checkup for mid-career employees is Oct. 10
TIAA financial consultant Jay Albrecht will lead an employee seminar, "Halfway There: A Retirement Checkup," on Oct. 10 (noon-1 p.m., MU Gallery Room). It's intended for mid-career employees to help them evaluate current savings, form a plan to reach saving goals and manage other savings demands that compete with retirement, such as college costs or short-term savings. Register online.
Open forum on The Conversation is Oct. 16
A science editor from The Conversation will talk about the benefits of publishing articles in the online publication during a campus open forum on Wednesday, Oct. 16 (2:30-3:30 p.m., 206 Durham Center). The Conversation is a nonprofit media outlet that uses content written for a general audience by academics and researchers with proven expertise in the subjects they write about. Register online for the open forum.
Design studios are part of citywide art tour
Lower-level studios in the College of Design will be part of an Ames-area studio tour Oct. 12 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) and Oct. 13 (noon-4 p.m.) hosted by the Ames Community Arts Council. In college studios for ceramics, printmaking, textiles, woods, metals, photography, digital media and painting, students will be available to talk to the public about what they're learning. Visitors on this free tour are invited to ask questions and purchase artwork.
Reiman Gardens seeks lots of volunteers for October tasks
Reiman Gardens has put out a call for volunteers for two large needs this month:
- Plant thousands of flower bulbs for spring blooming, weekdays Oct. 14-25
- Stencil and carve 1,000 pumpkins Oct. 14-18 for Spirits in the Gardens to be held Oct. 19-20 (carvers must be at least 13 years old and will work outdoors with hundreds of template options)
For more information about available times or to volunteer, contact the gardens' volunteer coordinator, 294-8225.
