Announcements
November 2023
Catt Center shares honorees for its 2024 'Impact' calendar
Congratulations to the 12 women leaders selected for the Catt Center's 2024 "Women Impacting ISU" calendar. The group includes two students, five professional staff and five faculty. They'll be honored and the calendar will be shared during a ceremony and reception on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024 (3:30- 5 p.m., MU Sun Room). The women were selected from among 42 nominees for their impacts in service, teaching, research, administration, scholarship and involvement in campus activities, depending on each honoree's role on campus.
Cyclones host Hawkeyes three times next week
The Iowa State women (Dec. 6, 6 p.m.) and men (Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m.) host the Iowa basketball teams at Hilton Coliseum. Both games sold out in advance, but the women’s game will be televised on ESPN2 and the men's on ESPNU. The swimming and diving team closes out the week hosting the Hawkeyes (Dec. 8, 6 p.m.) at the Beyer pool. Admission is free.
Hand-blown glass ornaments offered at Dec. 1 sale
Members of the Gaffer's Guild will sell hand-blown glass ornaments created by Iowa State students and faculty and community members on Friday, Dec. 1 (10 a.m.-2 p.m., atrium near the stepatorium, Student Innovation Center). Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted. A variety of other glass items made by Gaffer's Guild members will be sold at Art Mart in the Memorial Union art gallery (11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday and Friday).
Maker Market is Dec. 7 at Innovate 1858 store
The Innovate 1858 student-operated store in the Student Innovation Center will host a Maker Market on Thursday, Dec. 7 (4:30-6:30 p.m., first floor). Shop for Cyclone-made products by students and alumni. Enjoy kids' activities, face painting, crafts and giveaways while you shop.
Newest WorkCyte awareness survey is open through Dec. 11
Ten classrooms reserved for evening study during prep week
Room scheduling will offer 10 general university classrooms for students to use as evening study rooms during prep week, Dec. 4-8 (5:30-11 p.m. daily):
- Carver 0132, 0196
- Gilman 1811, 1813
- Pearson 2158, 3131
- Physics 0058
- Ross 0028, 0127
- Town Engineering 0290
Register for Project LEA/RN workshop in January
Project LEA/RN will host an in-person workshop Jan. 9-10, 2024 (9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, 1022 Agronomy) that trains educators to help their students learn the kind of thinking required to solve complex problems. Faculty, staff and graduate students are welcome. Participants will share insights about the brain based on current research, engage in strategies that promote interaction and deep thinking, and apply them to situations in which they facilitate learning -- classes, orientation sessions, extension meetings or other learning situations. This workshop will not directly address the technology involved with remote and online learning. Enrollment is limited to 20. To register or for more information, contact Project LEA/RN director Jan Wiersema, agronomy, (712) 221-1203.
Registration is open for health, well-being symposium
Iowa State's second annual Health and Well-being Symposium will be held Friday, Feb. 2, 2024 (9 a.m.-3 p.m., Memorial Union). It's free for faculty, staff and students, and includes lunch and snacks. Three breakout sessions and keynote speaker Shawnté Elbert will focus on well-being at college campuses. Registration is open; more information about the schedule is online.
Contemporary Issues in Accounting conference is Dec. 15
Registration closes Dec. 8 for the department of accounting's annual Contemporary Issues in Accounting Conference on Friday, Dec. 15 (8 a.m.-4 p.m., Gerdin Business Building). A new format this year features four keynotes from industry leaders and breakout sessions led by accounting faculty or staff. In one of the keynote talks, Peter Orazem, University Professor emeritus of economics, will present "The New Stagflation: Will Labor Shortages Derail the Pandemic Recovery?" Participants can earn up to eight credits of continuing professional education.
Nutcracker Ballet tickets on sale
Tickets for Stephens Auditorium's Nutcracker Ballet are on sale at the Stephens ticket office or online at Ticketmaster. Performances begin at 1 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10, and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Youth and adult dancers from across central Iowa appear in this holiday tradition, and two dance roles are filled annually by professional dancers. Tanya Trombly, a freelance dancer based in New York City, returns as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Chilean Mauricio Vera, also now working from New York, will play her Cavalier.
Forestry Club's Christmas tree sale begins Nov. 25
The Forestry Club is holding its annual Christmas tree fundraiser in the Reiman Gardens parking lot. Trees will be for sale Nov. 25-26, Dec. 1-3, 8-10. Hours are Fridays 3-6 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The club will sell Korean fir, balsam fir, Canaan fir and white pine trees. Wreaths also will be for sale. Proceeds go toward club activities and student development.
Winter Wonderscape tickets on sale
Tickets are available for Winter Wonderscape, the holiday light show at Reiman Gardens. Time-reserved tickets may be purchased for shows every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in December, beginning Dec. 1. Tickets ($15 general admission, $13 for members and ISU students, $7 for those 2-12 years) can only be purchased online. Entry times start at 5 p.m. and the show closes at 9 p.m.
Agronomy Club popcorn orders due Nov. 30
The Agronomy Club is holding its annual holiday popcorn sale. Orders are due to Tyler Atkinson or Wyatt Bailey by Nov. 30. Boxes sell for $10.
Final ice cream sale of the semester is today
For the final time this semester, members of the Dairy Science club are selling ice cream today (noon-2 p.m.) outside the north doors to Lush Auditorium in Kildee Hall. Get a cup for $2 (cash only); flavors are Twix, Kit Kat, strawberry, chocolate peanut butter and s'mores. After fall break, club members will sell hot chocolate, coffee and donuts for $2 on Wednesdays (8:30-10:30 a.m., same location).
Gymnastics season tickets on sale
Cyclone gymnastics general admission season tickets are on sale for $15. Single-meet tickets ($5) will go on sale Dec. 13. The team hosts four meets this season, including the season opener Jan. 5 (6:30 p.m.).
CyCash will sunset at end of spring semester
With other campus payment options available to students for laundry, dining and bookstore charges, Iowa State will discontinue the use of CyCash on May 10, 2024. Existing balances may be used prior to this date at any ISU Dining location on campus. To see if you have a CyCash balance, log in to AccessPlus. Under the "employee" tab, click on "CyCash." Visit ISU Dining's staff/faculty plan website for information on other meal payment options. To learn how you can use your Iowa State ID card as a U.S. Bank ATM/debit card, visit the U.S. Bank website or any U.S. Bank branch in Ames. Contact the ISU Card office, 515-294-2727, with any questions.
Plan ahead: CyCash option stops at end of spring semester
Iowa State will discontinue the use of CyCash on May 10, 2024. Existing balances may be used prior to this date at any ISU Dining location. The university is ending the CyCash program because alternative payment methods for laundry, dining and bookstore charges eliminate the need for CyCash on campus. Students should visit the department of residence (laundry) and ISU Dining websites for information on payment options. To learn how to use your university ID card as a U.S. Bank ATM/debit card, visit the U.S. Bank website or any U.S. Bank branch in Ames. Questions may be directed to the ISU Card office at idcard@iastate.edu or 515-294-2727. To check your CyCash balance:
- Log in to AccessPlus
- Click on the Student Tab
- Select CyCash
- Select Get Balance
Reminder: Benefits enrollment closes Friday afternoon
The 2024 open enrollment window for employees to sign up for health, dental and other benefits closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17. All elections are made in Workday and will be effective Jan. 1, 2024 (unless approval is pending for a new life insurance policy). A job aid with step-by-step instructions on how to complete the process is available in Workday. The Oct. 12 edition of Inside Iowa State contains several useful articles about changes to cost-sharing for health insurance in 2024 and selecting and paying for your benefits.
Suicide prevention training for faculty, staff is Nov. 17
Student Counseling Services is offering a one-hour suicide prevention training, Question, Persuade, Refer, for faculty and staff on Friday, Nov. 17 (11 a.m.-noon, in person). The training teaches lay and professional "gatekeepers" the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to respond. Registration is free; this is the last time this semester this training will be offered.
P&S council fills three vacancies
Meeting Nov. 8, the Professional and Scientific Council approved appointments for three new council members, who will fill vacated seats until the council's next election in the spring. Two council vacancies remain. Seated were: Kate Garretson, university library; Molly Heidenreich, ISU Dining; and Leah Weeks, residence department.
In other business, the council approved a resolution that supports including regent university employees in a state employee salary increase bill. The resolution will be shared with ISU senior leaders, state Board of Regents leaders and leaders of the professional staff councils at the universities of Iowa and Northern Iowa.
Alumni association seeks presenters for July LegaCY camp
The ISU Alumni Association will host its third annual LegaCY Camp July 11-12, 2024, for children ages 7-14 years and their grandparents/families to visit campus and explore the diverse majors and student services of Iowa State. Activities include major sessions, field trips and tours. Last year's camp sold out, tripling attendance from year one. Department and college representatives are encouraged to contact Emily Beck, director of member services, to learn how you can showcase your innovative majors and student services to future Iowa Staters. Photos from last year's camp may help brainstorm ideas for your session.
cyBUY Supplier Show is Nov. 14
Procurement services will host its annual cyBUY Supplier Show on Nov. 14 (10 a.m.-2 p.m., MU Great Hall). See what is available through cyBUY Marketplace and meet the staff from ISU's internal stores (central stores, chemistry stores, ISU Book Store and printing services) and cyBUY market suppliers. Bring your ISUCard; you'll need it to check in and get entered in the drawing for door prizes.
Faculty-staff ticket discount for ISU-Iowa women's hoops contest
Iowa State faculty and staff can purchase up to six general admission tickets for the Iowa State-Iowa women's basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 6 (6 p.m., Hilton Coliseum) at a discounted price of $25. This offer runs through Nov. 26. Faculty and staff also can receive half off general admission tickets for seven other women's basketball games this season, including five Big 12 Conference contests.
Poinsettia online orders due Nov. 20
The Horticulture Club is holding its annual poinsettia sale. Plants may be ordered online by Nov. 20, or purchased at these campus locations on a first-come, first-served basis:
- Nov. 29 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), Curtiss Hall
- Nov. 30 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), Beardshear Hall
- Dec. 1 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), Union Drive Community Center lobby
- Dec. 2 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), Reiman Gardens
Pot sizes are 4.5, 6 and 10 inches and prices vary from $10 to $40. Two-inch pots will be available for $8 during the walk-up sales. The poinsettias are grown by club members in the Horticulture Hall greenhouses.
Snow blower service days are Nov. 10-11
The Agricultural Systems Technology Club's annual snow blower service days are Friday, Nov. 10 (1-6 p.m.), and Saturday, Nov. 11 (8 a.m.-1 p.m.), at Sukup Hall. The $25 cost includes an oil and spark plug change and a power wash. Pickup and delivery (Ames zip codes only) is available for an additional $25; send an email request to astservicedays@gmail.com. Proceeds support club trips and meeting expenses.
State employees receive two additional paid holidays in 2023
For the fourth consecutive year, Gov. Kim Reynolds announced two additional paid holidays for state employees in appreciation for their service during 2023.
University leaders decided to implement the paid holidays for ISU employees on Wednesday, Nov. 22, and Wednesday, Dec. 27. Those dates, combined with standing university holidays, give ISU employees an up to five-day weekend for both the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Normal holiday procedures will be followed on these days. Priorities for fourth winter session.
In a Nov. 2 email to faculty and staff, President Wendy Wintersteen and vice president for university human resources Kristi Darr expressed their gratitude to all employees and asked supervisors to review necessary operations and make decisions about work schedules for the additional paid holidays. Units also should communicate any operational changes to their customers and constituents.
Women of Achievement award nominations due Nov. 30
Order your ISU holiday ham by Nov. 14
Pre-orders are due Tuesday, Nov. 14, for holiday hams from Meat Laboratory Sales in Kildee Hall. Three ham options are available:
- Whole ham (13-16 pounds), $4.59/lb.
- Half ham (7-9 pounds), $4.99/lb.
- Ham hocks, $2.99/lb.
Place orders online, and pay via check, cash or any major credit card. Holiday ham pickup will at the sales room in the Kildee atrium during the regular weekly sales time (11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday) on Nov. 17 and Dec. 1, 8 and 15. Special Thursday evening hours (4-6 p.m.) will be offered Nov. 16 and Dec. 14.
You're invited: GIS event on Nov. 15
Iowa State's GIS Support and Research Facility and university library will host GIS Day on Wednesday, Nov. 15 (10 a.m.-3 p.m., The Catalyst, 199 Parks Library). This come-and-go event is for everyone, from the geographic information systems-curious to the GIS user. Throughout the event, speakers from around campus will share their research. Learn about GIS opportunities and programs on campus and enjoy free food and GIS swag. The Mapping Masterminds competition is open to everyone, including non-ISU individuals, and has three categories with prizes for the winning entries.
Purchase a piece of Hilton Magic history
The athletics department, via ISU Surplus, is selling pieces of the basketball floor used in Hilton Coliseum from 2020 through last winter. The online sale begins at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 6. The 12-by-12-inch floor pieces cost $50-$100 each (depending on location), payable by credit card. Shipping and local pickup (ISU Surplus on Airport Road) options are available. More information.
P&S Council is collecting food for SHOP during November
The Professional and Scientific Council is sponsoring its second annual donation drive for the SHOP food pantry Nov. 1-Dec. 1, with two goals: 4,000 pounds of nonperishable foods and a monetary donation of $1,000 ( via payroll deductions or checks). The council is maintaining a list of drop-off locations at council members' workspaces.
Reminder: Daylight saving time ends this weekend
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 5. The time retreats one hour -- that's an extra hour of sleep -- and we are reminded how smart our phones really are. Remember to reset any manual clocks in the office.
Single-match wrestling tickets go on sale Nov. 2
Tickets to single wrestling matches, including the Iowa match on Sunday, Nov. 26, go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 2. Ticket prices are $10 (reserved or general admission), youth $5 (reserved or general admission). For the Iowa match, only balcony general admission tickets ($25, youth $15) remain. The Cyclones wrestle at Hilton seven times during the 2023-24 season.
Lunch and learn: ISU Startup Factory, I-Corps opportunities
The Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship is hosting a free lunch-and-learn Wednesday, Nov. 15 (noon-1 p.m., Launch Pad, fourth floor, Student Innovation Center) on the university's Startup Factory program and the National Science Foundation-funded I-Corps program. Lunch is provided and registration is required.
Winter, spring instructors: Submit course materials to department coordinator
Faculty who will teach a winter session or spring semester course are asked to submit all materials needed for class -- textbooks, courseware, eBooks, coursepackets, subscriptions, Immediate Access digital course materials and supplies (Design, lab, PPE, technology, etc.) as soon as their teaching assignment is confirmed. Include courses for which there are no textbook requirements or where open educational resources (OER) will be used. Submit these lists to your department academic coordinator, who shares them with the textbook team at the ISU Book Store. No department coordinator? Contact Emma Hartman, 294-0362. The bookstore team provides custom book lists to students after course registration. Published textbook and course material requirements can be found online.
As shared in past CELT Teaching Tip and Course Material Affordability communications, effective this semester, all course materials with an appropriate digital match will be converted to Immediate Access and delivered digitally through Canvas. Faculty may request print format in lieu of digital at the time of their submissions. For more information, contact John Wierson, 294-3501.
Goldfinch Room series announces two November concert dates
The Goldfinch Room concert series at Stephens Auditorium announces two November shows featuring Nashville duos with ties to Iowa. Goldpine, an Americana duo of married couple, Benjamin and Kassie Wilson, will perform on Sunday, Nov. 12 (5 p.m.). The acoustic duo of Danika Holmes and Jeb Hart will perform on Tuesday, Nov. 28 (7 p.m.). Tickets (table for four: $40, general admission seats: $15) are available online.
Bookstore hosts appreciation event on Nov. 9
ISU Book Store's semi-annual Cyclone Appreciation Event is Thursday, Nov. 9 (3-6 p.m., Memorial Union). Enjoy free popcorn, special in-store promotions and Apple® fall savings. Several ISU groups and local businesses, including ISU Creamery, Chocolaterie Stam, Mayhem Comics and Harvest General Store, are partnering with the bookstore and will offer free product samples and unique purchases.
CyThx can be made throughout November
In its sixth 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.
Regent universities adopt federally-set reimbursements for in-state travel
On Oct. 1, Iowa State, with the universities of Iowa and Northern Iowa, implemented standardized meal and lodging rates set by the federal General Services Administration for travel within Iowa. These rates are in line with the rates set for the lower 48 states. Previously, in-state travel was reimbursed at a lower rate. Use the GSA's Per Diem Rates searchable website to verify the reimbursement rates for your destination and assist with travel and budget planning. This update is part of the university's ongoing commitment to the well-being of faculty, staff and students traveling within the state.
