Announcements
July 2017
Financial aid partners conference is Sept. 13
The Office of Student Financial Aid will host its 20th annual Campus Partners Conference on Wednesday, Sept. 13 (8-11 a.m., Memorial Union). The purpose of the conference is to update Iowa State professionals about the financial aid process and other pertinent financial aid-related issues affecting students. The event is free and intended to assist faculty and staff within their professional roles. More information, including a schedule and registration, is online.
Tuition task force cancels two sessions
The state Board of Regents' tuition task force canceled its first two stakeholder listening sessions, scheduled for July 27 in Des Moines. The four-member task force was to meet with two broad stakeholder groups: legislative/state government representatives; and business, workforce development, and economic development representatives Thursday morning and afternoon, respectively. Task force chair Larry McKibben said an anticipated low turnout forced him to cancel the sessions. He said all those invited to a July 27 session have been encouraged to attend one of the three remaining sessions on the regent university campuses (Aug. 7, 9 and 14) or to submit their written comments to the task force.
Born to be a Cyclone
The ISU Alumni Association relaunched its LegaCY Club for members' children and grandchildren. Club members receive birthday cards, gifts and access to special events from birth through graduation from Iowa State. Parents or grandparents must be current alumni association members and maintain their memberships for children to be eligible. There is a one-time $35 enrollment fee for club membership. For more information, contact Sarah Craw (scrim@iastate.edu, 294-5092).
Workshop prepares children for Aug. 21 solar eclipse
Physics and astronomy graduate student Travis Yeager will lead a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) workshop on the science of a solar eclipse and viewing one safely on Aug. 5 (9-10 a.m., repeated 10:30-11:30 a.m., Reiman Gardens). It is suitable for school childen 6 years and older. The northern part of the United States will be able to view a full eclipse of the sun on Aug. 21. The registration fee is $12.50 ($10 for members, $8 for ISU students); registration and prepayment are due Aug. 1.
Aug. 11 is Iowa 4-H Day at the Iowa State Fair
The Iowa 4-H Foundation, in partnership with the Iowa 4-H Program, will host Iowa 4-H Day at the Fair on Aug. 11 during the Iowa State Fair. All are encouraged to stop by the exhibit on Grand Avenue to learn more about the 4-H Program. 4-H alumni and friends are encouraged to register online to receive special benefits at the fair that day. For more information, contact Emily Saveraid, esaver@iastate.edu.
Grant writing specialists can help faculty develop proposals
Iowa State has contracts through 2020 with six grant-writing consultants, including three new ones: BioScience Writers, Grant Development & Management and Impacta. The consultants help faculty develop and write their proposals and ensure that proposals follow the sponsors' guidelines. Principal investigators interested in hiring a consultant should review information about each consultant to see which one best fits their needs.
Rent art from the Memorial Union
The Memorial Union is hosting its annual art lending open house Aug. 1 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) and Aug. 2 (10 a.m.-noon) in the browsing library on the first floor. The collection includes about 275 framed posters, prints and paintings, including a number of new pieces for 2017. They may be rented for a half or full year. Rentals typically range from $10 to $25 per year. Patrons may view the collection and take selected pieces with them during the open house. Proceeds from rentals support art programs at the Memorial Union.
Hazard inventory should be completed online
Personnel who work with animals or chemical, biological or physical hazards must complete a hazard inventory. A new online system simplifies the form, streamlines the hazard assessment process and improves record retention. If you have questions on program participation or the online hazard inventory form, visit the participation web page, read the Occupational Medicine Guidelines, or contact Environmental Health and Safety, 294-5359.
Admissions discontinues summer trial enrollment program
A summer trial enrollment program for new freshmen who don't meet the Regent Admissions Index minimum requirement has been discontinued. The admissions program, which served about 50 students annually, will be replaced by programming and intervention strategies for first-year students who are at risk. Laura Doering, associate VP for enrollment management and student success, said resources will shift toward closing the achievement gap for targeted populations.
Did you know Reiman Gardens runs plant trials?
Each year, Reiman Gardens runs plant trials to help the horticulture industry and garden visitors determine the best-performing and most beautiful plants for Iowa. The gardens are running trials on 171 plants this year, mostly annuals, including begonias, cannas, New Guinea impatiens, marigolds, zinnias, petunias, vincas, hybrid phlox and many more. Mid- to late summer is the ideal time to view these plants at their peak. A complete list (PDF) of the trial plants is online. Summer hours at the gardens are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (butterfly wing closes at 4:30 p.m.)
Search for business services leader is canceled
Senior vice president for university services Kate Gregory announced that the search for an assistant vice president for busines services was canceled. Although the search attracted qualified candidates, Gregory said she will reevaluate the position to recruit a diverse and robust pool of candidates. Three finalists were identified in the search that began in May and two interviewed on campus last month. Norm Hill, director of logistics and support services, will continue to serve as interim assistant vice president until the position is filled.
Ticket packages available for Stephens season
Tickets for the 2017-18 performing arts series at Stephens Auditorium still may be purchased through one of three subscription packages: Broadway, World View or a 'create your own' option. Subscribers save up to 20 percent on the best seats in the house, get replacements for lost tickets and may use a ticket exchange. Single-show tickets will go on sale to the public in August.
Correction for ISU wall calendar
The alumni association's 2017-18 Iowa State wall calendar incorrectly identifies the date for this year's WelcomeFest. The correct date is Thursday, Aug. 24. Faculty and staff can order calendars ($12 or $8 each for 10 or more) by phone (4-2648), email (pplath@iastate.edu) or at the Alumni Center. Calendars also are available at the ISU Book Store.
Entomology doctoral student to participate in National Geographic streamed event
R. Isaí Madriz, a doctoral candidate in entomology, will be one of five new storytellers introduced during a National Geographic Society streamed event on Thursday, July 13 (2:30 p.m. local time). Madriz will present his forthcoming project, "Insects and the Northern Patagonia Ice Field." Most of the program will feature the 2017 class of Fulbright-National Geographic Storytellers, a four-year-old digital storytelling fellowship launched by the two organizations. There is no cost to watch the streamed event, but registration is required.
Supervisor comments due July 14 in P&S job data collection
University human resources reminds supervisors of P&S employees that the comments section on their employees' Job Profile Tool (JPT) should be completed and submitted to UHR by Friday, July 14. The next steps in this review of the university's P&S classification and compensation system are:
- Load the content of the JPTs into a database for review
- Determine standard jobs that exist across the university
- Conduct preliminary review of titles and a structure
- Build a preliminary structure
- Collect and evaluate market benchmark data
Seven volunteers sought for state fair help
The office of university marketing still has seven volunteer shifts to fill for the university's main exhibit at the Iowa State Fair next month. Evening shifts (2:45-9 p.m.) are open on these dates: Aug. 12, 14, 16-20. Volunteers receive a T-shirt, full-day admission ticket to the fair and parking! To learn more, call 294-3969 or email Disa Erickson in university marketing.
Stange Road section to close July 17-28 in support of two projects
Stange Road will be closed July 17-28 just south of the railroad overpass to allow a new underground electrical ductbank to be installed under the road and adjacent sidewalks. This is to supply additional power for new chilled water equipment at the north chiller plant. Sidewalks along Stange Road also will be impacted. The eastside walk will be closed July 17-20; pedestrians and bicyclists are asked to use the sidewalk on the west side of the road. Once the work on the east sidewalk is complete, the west sidewalk will close for the duration of the road closure. The horse barns and parking lot 35 (north of the ATRB construction site) will be reachable from the south.
This utility work/road closure is being synchronized with the Stange-Pammel intersection traffic signal project. The existing signals will be removed July 17, with the goal of having the new signals installed and operating when Stange Road reopens. While the new signals are being installed, traffic at the intersection will be controlled by four-way stop signs.
Learn to thrive at work during July 11 workshop
The campus community is invited to a wellbeing workshop, "Thriving Well at Work: Mindfulness techniques to empower individuals to navigate stressful work situations," on July 11 (2-3:30 p.m., MU Pioneer Room). Led by Nora Hudson, assistant fitness director in recreation services, participants will learn mind and body techniques (for example, yoga poses and breathing and mindfulness exercises) for use in daily life. Comfortable clothes that allow movement in various directions are recommended. The activity level is mild and participation is optional. The workshop is part of the Professional and Scientific Council's monthly seminar series.
Adult cats sought for blood pressure study
The Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center is recruiting healthy cats (1 year and older) for a study yet this summer on the effects of waiting rooms on cats' blood pressure. Pet owners must be able to bring their cats to the small animal hospital for four visits of about 30 minutes each. Each time they visit, owner and cat wait for 10 minutes in different waiting environments and the cat's blood pressure is then measured (at no charge to the pet owner). To be eligible, cats must:
- Not have a major systemic disease and not be on medication other than routine preventive care
- Not have significant aggression issues that would prevent safe handling
To schedule your cat, contact program assistant Katelyn Schreiber. Drs. Joyce Carnevale and Laura Van Vertloo are overseeing the study.
Memorial gathering for Burt Drexler is July 16
Professor emeritus of speech communication M. Burton (Burt) Drexler, 91, died June 13 at Bickford Senior Living, Ames. A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, July 16 (3-4:30 p.m., Ames Jewish Congregation, 3721 Calhoun Ave.). Drexler joined the ISU faculty in 1952 and retired in 1991. Obituary.
Memorial service for John Schafer is July 8
John Schafer, 79, retired professor of agronomy, died April 9 in Osprey, Florida, and his cremated remains were buried there. A local memorial mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 8 (10 a.m.) at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 2210 Lincoln Way, where Schafer previously was a parishioner for 47 years. Schafer joined the agronomy faculty in 1968 and retired from Iowa State in 2001.
Athletics season tickets on sale now
The athletics ticket office currently is selling season tickets for football, volleyball, wrestling and women's basketball, as well as Junior Cyclone Club memberships for fans in 12th grade or younger.
LGBT student services office modifies its name
Effective July 1, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Student Services is now The Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success. The new name aligns with national trends towards enhanced inclusion of the vast identities students hold regarding sexuality and gender. The name also is intended to better reflect the mission, programs, services and resources offered in the office.
Tower crane dismantling begins next week
The tower crane at the Advanced Teaching and Research Building construction site (northwest corner of Stange Road and Pammel Drive) will be taken down beginning the week of July 10. There will be a high volume of semi-truck traffic around the intersection as sections of the crane tower are moved off site.
Arts and events
More than 50 first-generation students graduating this month picked out academic caps and gowns for their big day.
