Announcements
December 2022
SHOP seeks volunteers to operate through winter break
The SHOP food pantry, 1306 Beyer, needs faculty and staff volunteers over winter break (Dec. 19-Jan. 13) to keep the pantry open to students. There are many open volunteers slots in January. Use this link to sign up. SHOP has new service hours, effective Dec. 19:
- Monday, 1-6 p.m.
- Tuesday, 5-8 p.m.
- Wednesday, 2-7 p.m.
- Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Suicide prevention training for employees is Jan. 12
Student Counseling Services (SCS) staff will lead a free day of suicide prevention and intervention training for Iowa State faculty and staff on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 (8 a.m.-4 p.m., Hach Hall). Breakfast by Panera and lunch from The Cafe will be provided. Attendees also will receive a certificate of attendance. Register online; questions may be directed to Michelle Roling, SCS assistant director.
Senior leaders announce partial closing for Thursday
Due to the severe weather forecast for the end of the week, senior leaders announced today the university will partially close on Thursday, Dec. 22. Winter session classes will meet virtually as scheduled. Friday, Dec. 23, is a university holiday.
Many units are operating on winter break schedules, and supervisors are asked to provide maximum flexibility for employees to work remotely or take leave on Dec. 22. If remote work is not an option, supervisors should consider potential training opportunities their employees can complete remotely. Supervisors in police, public safety, security, power plant, food service, animal care and critical maintenance should confirm team members can report safely to campus. Employees who can't make it to campus should contact their supervisors.
Winter storm alert begins Thursday
The National Weather Service, Des Moines office, has issued a Winter Storm Watch, including strong winds leading to possible blizzard conditions, for all of central Iowa from Thursday through Friday night. There's a high likelihood of dangerous wind chills (-20 degrees to -40 degrees) and blowing snow. Travel could be difficult, even dangerous at times. The system arrives with light to moderate snow by late Wednesday. Strong winds into Saturday could continue to impact travel.
Employees planning to travel are urged to consult university guidelines, shared earlier this fall, before they head out. Employees also are reminded to close and lock windows when they leave their offices for the day, especially this time of year, when frigid temperatures can cause building damage if water pipes freeze.
Inside takes a break until Jan. 5
Dec. 15 is the final edition of Inside Iowa State for fall; editions aren't planned for Dec. 22 or 29. Inside will resume publishing on Thursday, Jan. 5, with a submission deadline of noon Wednesday, Jan. 4. The writing team extends winter holiday greetings to our readers.
Ukrainian orchestra will perform at Stephens March 3
The Ames International Orchestra Festival Association announces that the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine will play Stephens Auditorium on Friday, March 3, 2023. Oksana Rapita, one of Ukraine's most prominent pianists, will perform with the orchestra. Concert tickets go on sale to the general public at noon Tuesday, Dec. 20. As part of this tour, the orchestra also will play New York City's Carnegie Hall and Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Iowa State wine available for purchase this weekend
Limited quantities of the inaugural vintage (2021) wine produced and bottled by the Iowa State University Winery may be preordered through noon Thursday, Dec. 15. La Crescent, Marquette and Rosé varieties are available. Preordered wine can be picked up and paid for ($24.99/bottle) from noon Dec. 15 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Cyclone Liquors, 626 Lincoln Way. The wine is sold through Cyclone Liquors and will not be shipped to purchasers. Individuals must be at least 21 years old to preorder and purchase the wine. Erin Norton, Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute, advises purchasers to drink the wine now, rather than let it age.
January WorkCyte readiness workshop looks at student records
Learn more about WorkCyte Phase II: Student Information and Receivables at the readiness workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 11 (2:10-3 p.m., via Webex). Members of the student records project team will provide a first look at the new features and functionality for student records management. More information, including a registration link, is on the WorkCyte website.
Recycle greeting card fronts
Through Jan. 15, recycling services and the office of sustainability will collect greeting cards for reuse in the St. Jude's Ranch for Children's recycled card program. Greeting cards for any occasion can be donated; only the card fronts are needed (recycle the backs). Cards can be donated two ways -- drop them in collection boxes in the General Services Building (first floor, by the key/information desk) or send them in campus mail to Steve Kohtz (152 General Services Building) or Merry Rankin (108 General Services). Due to copyright restrictions, this program is not able to use cards from American Greetings, Disney or Hallmark.
Holiday show in the Goldfinch Room is Dec. 18
The Goldfinch Room Iowa artists concert series at Stephens Auditorium will hold its first holiday show on Sunday, Dec. 18 (5 p.m., Goldfinch listening room). Central Standard Time, a singer/songwriter duo of Matt Hibbard and Charlie Rod from Iowa City, will be joined by cellist Patrick McAlpine for an evening of Christmas hymns and carols. Guests can reserve a table for up to four for $40. A limited number of general admission seats will be available for $15. Concessions will be sold as well. In a partnership with
Explore the legacy of Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day is celebrated internationally in December, commemorating the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Learn more about the UDHR and Human Rights Day on the office of diversity, equity and inclusion website.
Vaccine clinic for employees is Dec.16 at State Gym
Iowa State is partnering with Hy-Vee to offer a vaccine clinic for employees on Friday, Dec. 16 (noon-4 p.m., State Gym). Hy-Vee will offer the Pfizer bivalent COVID-19 booster as well as the flu vaccine.
Use the links below to schedule an appointment online. Appointments must be scheduled by noon Thursday, Dec. 15. While there is no cost for the booster vaccine, you will need to upload your insurance information when you schedule your appointment to cover administrative fees. If you're receiving the COVID-19 booster, bring your COVID-19 vaccination card to the clinic. A copay may be required for the flu shot. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and details.
Graduate and undergraduate students can receive the COVID booster, flu and mpox vaccine by calling Thielen Student Health Center at 515-294-5801 or scheduling online at cyclonehealth.org/appt.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting a COVID-19 booster shot. Clinical trials have shown boosters increase immunity.
Central Stores' new system goes live Dec. 28
Central Stores will launch a new e-commerce catalog and inventory management system on Wednesday, Dec 28. The new system will give customers a more streamlined shopping experience and provide Central Stores with more data analytics and operational efficiencies than the current system. In addition to its refreshed website design, the new system will allow customers to place quick (bulk) orders, view their previous purchase history and reorder previously ordered items. The new catalog's URL will remain the same. It will require customers to sign in using single sign-on (OKTA) to order products and to input an address. Users who order for multiple locations can add multiple delivery addresses. For more information or questions, contact manager Bill Spratt, 294-0402, or email centralstores@iastate.edu.
ISU police fundraiser to benefit SHOP
The ISU police department is selling 1:64 scale die-cast models of an ISU Police 2021 Ford interceptor vehicle for $10. All proceeds will be donated to SHOP, the student food pantry on campus. Make your purchase at the public safety department's parking division counter, 27 Armory Building.
Submit requests now for winter and spring course reserves at library
Instructors who need to place required materials on reserve for winter session and spring semester courses should submit requests now via Canvas. More information and instructions are on the library's website.
Postal and parcel service update for holiday break
Postal and parcel services will be closed Dec. 23-27 and Jan. 2 to observe university holidays, and there will be no delivery, collections or dispatch on these dates. Postal and parcel services will be open Dec. 28-30 (8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily) with normal delivery, collections and dispatch for all buildings that are open. For buildings that are closed during the Christmas to New Year break (Dec. 23-Jan. 2), postal and parcel services will hold all mail for delivery after the break. Questions may be sent to rtott@iastate.edu. Inquiries sent to the department email address (pps@iastate.edu) on days the office is closed will receive a response when the office reopens.
Therkildsen building construction is focus of virtual meeting
Facilities planning and management (FPM) will hold a virtual meeting Wednesday, Dec. 14 (9-10 a.m. via Webex) to share information about the Therkildsen Industrial Engineering Building with those who work in or visit buildings near the site on the west side of campus. The presentation will focus on construction activities and their impact on campus circulation, including nearby buildings. The meeting will include time for Q&A. Email FPM project manager Liz Clarke to receive the meeting link.
Creamery offers curbside pickup on Dec. 21
To assist with special orders for the winter holidays, ISU Creamery staff will offer curbside pickup for preorders of ice cream and cheddar cheese blocks Wednesday, Dec. 21 (4:30-5:30 p.m., semi-circle drive, east side of Food Sciences Building off Wallace Road). Email orders to creamery@iastate.edu.
Art sale continues through Dec. 9
The College of Design Art Club's fall sale continues Thursday-Friday, Dec. 8-9 (10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily) in the Design building's central foyer. Most items for sale are ceramics but may include prints, photos, wood, jewelry and textiles created by undergraduate and graduate students in the college. A majority of proceeds go to the artists and the rest help fund club activities.
Reminder: Complete regents' free speech training
The state Board of Regents expects all students and employees to complete virtual training about free speech and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by the end of spring semester. In about 20 minutes, the training emphasizes the importance of how to both use speech and expression in classroom and out-of-class activities and respect the protected speech and activity of others. Beginning last year, Iowa's three regent universities are required to provide free speech training annually.
Learn more about student loan policy changes
With many recent updates to student loan policy, including the resumption of loan payments in 2023, employees with student loans to repay are invited to a free educational webinar on Dec. 14 (1-2 p.m. CST). Register online. It's hosted by Savi, a student loan benefit offered by TIAA at Iowa State since 2021. Savi sorts through more than 150 state and federal assistance options to propose personalized repayment and forgiveness plans based on income, family size, debt amount and employment history. ISU employees can sign up for Savi online anytime and don't need to be a TIAA client.
Rec services opens gender-neutral restroom at Lied center
Recreation services has completed a remodeling project to open a gender-neutral restroom on the first floor of the Lied Recreation Athletic Center for building users who are nonbinary or feel more comfortable in a gender-neutral space. With the new restroom, rec services provides gender-neutral restrooms in its three indoor facilities. The others are a restroom on Beyer Hall first floor between the men's and women's locker rooms and two changing rooms with showers near the pool at State Gym. Rec services' policy allows patrons to use any facility or space, including locker rooms and restrooms, consistent with their gender identity.
Gardeners, stay busy this winter
ISU Extension and Outreach's Master Gardener program will host a home gardening webinar series via Zoom from January through March. The sessions are free and open to the public (up to 500 participants); registration is required. The series is an educational opportunity for existing master gardeners, those interested in becoming master gardeners and those who just want to learn more about gardening topics. Participants will hear from experts at Iowa State, Reiman Gardens, University of Illinois, North Dakota State University and Polk County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Honors program's fall poster presentations, convocation are Dec. 7
The University Honors program invites the campus community to its fall poster presentation, featuring Honors capstone projects, on Wednesday, Dec. 7 (3-5 p.m., MU Great Hall). Fall 2022 Honors graduates and other Honors students will answer questions and speak with individuals interested in their projects. The Honors fall convocation will follow at 5:45 p.m. in the MU Sun Room, preceded by a reception (5-5:45 p.m.).
