Announcements
March 2018
Course material orders due for summer, fall courses
Course material orders for summer and fall semesters are due now to designated coordinators at ISU Book Store. If your department does not have a coordinator, email Katelyn Engh at kengh@iastate.edu. Book buyback at the ISU Book Store starts April 28; students save more money when course materials are submitted early.
Register for April 7 Stash the Trash event
Volunteers are being sought for the annual Stash the Trash community event on Saturday, April 7 (8 a.m.-2 p.m.). Participants can register online and choose from a variety of Ames neighborhoods and parks where help is needed in clean up and yard work. Volunteers should check in at Reiman Gardens to pick up trash bags and gloves. A free lunch (noon-1 p.m.) and free admission to Reiman Gardens is provided. Contact the Volunteer Center of Story County with questions.
'Gatsby' matinee is open to the public
An April 26 morning matinee of "The Great Gatsby" at Stephens Auditorium, scheduled for high school classes, also is open to the public. The National Players' 90-minute performance of the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic begins at 10 a.m. All seats are $4 in advance ($5 on April 26) and available only through the Iowa State Center, including the Stephens ticket office.
Faculty mentor award nominations due April 15
The office of the senior vice president and provost sponsors the Exemplary Faculty Mentor awards to acknowledge the critical role faculty mentoring plays at Iowa State. The award recognizes senior colleagues who have "gone above and beyond the usual expectations" of a mentor. Faculty who want to nominate their mentor should complete the nomination form (PDF) and submit it by April 15 to exemplary@iastate.edu. The awards will be presented during a recognition reception on Wednesday, May 2 (4-5 p.m., MU Cardinal Room).
Reminder: Complete procurement survey by April 4
Iowa State's procurement services department is conducting a customer satisfaction survey through April 4. The intent is to measure current service levels and identify areas for improvement. It takes about 10 minutes to complete the online survey.
Training for youth program leaders is April 4
The offices of Risk Management, Extension and Outreach, and Conference Planning and Management will offer training on April 4 (9-11 a.m., 1020 4-H Extension Building) that provides youth program leaders, administrators and student organization officers information regarding youth-related policies, procedures and forms for successfully conducting youth programs at ISU. The training is for anyone responsible for planning and supervising youth programs or providing administrative support for one. Preregistration is required; send an email to orm@iastate.edu by April 1.
Public invited to April 7 Animal Learning Day
The Block and Bridle Club is hosting its 5th annual Animal Learning Day on Saturday, April 7, in the Hansen Ag Student Learning Center. The free, family-friendly event is open to the public and includes hands-on activities, education, live animal displays, Taste of Iowa food samples and lunch.
Lawn mower service days are April 6-7
Members of the Agriculture Systems Technology Club will hold their annual lawnmower service days on Friday, April 6 (1-6 p.m.) and Saturday, April 7 (8 a.m.-3 p.m.), on the west side of Sukup Hall near parking lot 6. This is a routine maintenance service and cleaning; club members won't do repairs. Cost is $35 (riding mower $50, weed eater $15). Pick up and delivery for Ames-only addresses is an additional $15 ($20 for riding mowers). Call 515-708-8672 or email astservicedays@gmail.com with questions or to request pick up.
Training for butterfly survey volunteers is April 21
Reiman Gardens entomology staff will lead training for new volunteers in the Iowa Butterfly Survey Network on April 21 (9-11:30 a.m., Reiman Gardens). Citizen scientists learn how to monitor butterfly populations in Iowa and provide data to help identify potential threats and show the effectiveness of habitat restorations. An annual refresher training for participants already in the network will be held the same day (noon-1:30 p.m.). Both sessions are free, but preregistration is required.
Wellness is focus of grad student week
A series of events for graduate and professional students have been planned in celebration of the national graduate student appreciation week, April 9-13. Most events focus on wellbeing, ranging from yoga to financial planning. Students can register for events by scanning the QR code on the event flyer (PDF). The week's events are sponsored by the Graduate and Professional Student Senate, Graduate College, Student Wellness and Student Affairs.
Storm-spotting training is April 17; register online
Environmental Health and Safety will host a training session on spotting severe storms Tuesday, April 17 (2-4 p.m., MU Cardinal Room). It's open to all university employees and students, and especially encouraged for those who work outdoors. Highlights include severe weather climatology, different weather threats and how to identify them, types of severe thunderstorms, severe weather communications, how to report severe weather and spotter safety. Register via Learn@ISU.
Procurement services survey is for all employees
Iowa State's procurement services department is conducting a customer satisfaction survey through April 4. The intent is to measure current service levels and identify areas for improvement. It takes about 10 minutes to complete the online survey. An invitation to participate was emailed to all university employees on March 21.
Open forums begin March 22 for registrar finalists
Three finalists will visit campus to interview for the registrar position. Public forums for each candidate will be held from 11 a.m. to noon in 136 Union Drive Community Center. Details, including résumés and evaluation forms, are available on the student affairs search website. Forum dates are:
- March 22, Shawna Saad, Iowa State
- March 30, Mark Simpson, University of Utah
- April 2, Heather Chermak, University of Idaho
ISU Innovation Prize set for March 30-31
The ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative are co-hosting the second annual ISU Innovation Prize March 30-31 at the Economic Development Core Facility in the ISU Research Park. Participants will form teams to brainstorm innovation to solve problems in one of three areas: ag tech, educational tech and global impact. The winning team in each category will be awarded $1,500. Fully formed teams can enter, as can individuals who will be placed on a team. The event is free and open to students, faculty, staff and community members, but registration is required. Register by March 29 to guarantee entry.
AAU leader to present campus talk on national science policy
Tobin (Toby) Smith, vice president for policy at the Association of American Universities, will present a science policy talk, "The Lion in the Path: U.S. Science Policy in an Era of Political Polarization and Alternative Facts," on Tuesday, April 3 (4:10 p.m., MU Cardinal Room). Faculty and students are welcome; refreshments will be provided.
Campus visits scheduled for School of Ed director finalists
Four finalists in the search for the next director of the School of Education will interview on campus March 22-April 4, with open forums planned for each visit. Candidate names and résumés are available on the College of Human Sciences' search page. Finalist names and forums are:
- March 22, Jian Wang, Texas Tech University (2:30-3:30 p.m., W0262 Lagomarcino)
- March 28, Cecil Smith, West Virginia University (4-5 p.m., W0262 Lagomarcino)
- March 29, Corey Drake, Michigan State University (4-5 p.m., 0152 Science)
- April 3, Susan Faircloth, University of North Carolina, Wilmington (2:30-3:30 p.m., W0262 Lagomarcino)
Vet Med dean search to continue this fall
The search for the next dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine will continue into the fall. Senior vice president and provost Jonathan Wickert decided to continue the search after consulting with the search committee and considering the feedback offered on three finalists who interviewed for the post in February. Additional updates, including a new timeline, will be available in the coming weeks. Pat Halbur will continue to serve as the interim dean during the search process.
LGBTQIA+ community dinner is April 3
Celebrate Pride Week during a free dinner for Iowa State's lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and ally community on Tuesday, April 3 (5-7 p.m., Tearoom, 23 MacKay). There will be opportunities to mingle, meet someone new and enjoy our community together. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome. Spots are limited, sign up online. Questions about this event may be emailed to center@iastate.edu.
Second annual Iowa State Research Day is next week
A keynote address by Brandeis University's Gregory Petsko, storytelling session, lightning talks, resource fair and poster/exhibits session all are part of Iowa State's second annual Research Day on Tuesday, March 27 (10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Memorial Union). Registration is requested online.
Spring egg hunt is March 31 at Reiman Gardens
Reiman Gardens and the Ames Jaycees will co-host a spring egg hunt for children (6th grade and younger) on Saturday, March 31 (9-11 a.m. continuously, Reiman Gardens). Children may search for up to five colorful eggs to trade in for a goody bag. There also will be activities such as lawn games, storytelling and a chance to meet the Spring Bunny. Admission is free during the event. In case of inclement weather, activities will move indoors. The butterfly wing will be closed from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday.
Registration is open through May 1 for TAG youth summer camps
Registration for the Office of Admissions Early Outreach's (OPPTAG) week-long summer camps is open through May 1 (but operates on a first come, first served basis). OPPTAG serves the needs of talented and gifted youth in grades 3-11 by offering academically challenging experiences and extracurricular activities to provide social enrichment. There are many new courses this year focusing on fields that include STEM, arts, design, social sciences and engineering. More information, including eligibility requirements, course list of and application form, is online. Questions may be directed to program coordinator Tricia Stouder, 294-5689.
Reminder: 2017 flexible spending claims due April 30
Employees have until April 30 to submit claims to their flexible spending accounts for qualified health and child care expenses incurred during the 2017 calendar year. Up to $500 of unclaimed 2017 health care funds will be carried over and added to an employee's 2018 contributions and used towards claims incurred during 2018. However, 2017 dependent child care funds not claimed by April 30 will be forfeited; there is no carry-over of these funds. More information is online; questions may be directed to university human resources, 294-4800.
Comment period for authorship policy draft closes April 30
A draft of the university's authorship policy, which applies to all ISU individuals who publish about their research and creative work, is available in the online policy library. Accompanying it is a draft of applications and guidance (PDF). Members of the university community are invited to read the drafts and submit any comments or questions to policy@iastate.edu by April 30. The target effective date for the policy is June 1. The Faculty Senate's governance council has found no conflicts between the draft policy and the "Faculty Handbook."
Free digital access to Wall Street Journal available
Faculty, staff and students can sign up for a free digital subscription to the Wall Street Journal, adding another free national newspaper to the already available New York Times. After student government leaders decided against renewing the one-year Times subscription, the library decided to support the campuswide subscription to the Times and the Journal, which cost $35,000 each per year. To instruction on how to sign up to either newspaper, go online to the library's newspaper guide.
Chess challenge will benefit SHOP student pantry
David Jiles, Distinguished Professor of electrical and computer engineering, challenges all to a game of chess (as many as 12 contests simultaneously) on Saturday, March 24 (noon-4 p.m., Parks Library lobby). The event is a fundraiser for Students Helping Our Peers (SHOP), 2616 Food Sciences; the suggested donation is $5 per game to challenge Jiles. Participants also are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items (no damaged packaging or expired use dates) for the student-run pantry.
Nominations for Honors award for teaching, advising, mentoring are due April 2
The University Honors Program gives two annual awards of $500 for excellence in:
- Teaching Honors courses, contracted courses or seminars
- Advising or mentoring Honors students academically, in first-year research or in final projects
Anyone who has taught or mentored in Honors at least once may be nominated. Nominations, including self-nominations, and supporting materials are due to the Honors program office, 2130 Jischke, by 5 p.m. Monday, April 2. The University Honors Committee will evaluate the nominations; recipients will be recognized at the Honors convocation April 25.
City sewer work planned March 14-15 at Lincoln Way and Beach
The city of Ames has contracted with Hydro-Kleen to clean the sanitary sewer in the vicinity of Lincoln Way and Beach Avenue overnight Wednesday, March 14, during spring break. Work should be completed by Thursday morning. Traffic impacts beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday are:
- Beach Road will be closed at Lincoln Way. Northbound traffic on Beach Avenue must turn right.
- Eastbound Lincoln Way will be narrowed to one lane, with no left turns onto Beach Road. Right turns onto Beach Avenue will be allowed.
- Westbound Lincoln Way will be narrowed to one lane, with no turns onto Beach Avenue or Road.
Computer science hosts K-12 competition April 14
The computer science department will host its annual computational thinking competition for students in grades kindergarten-12 Saturday, April 14 (11 a.m.-5 p.m. Durham Center). Students will compete in four age categories with prizes awarded to the top three in each category (grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12). Projects can come from any school subject, but must present a problem or task that can be solved using computational thinking (complete with abstraction, an algorithm and computational model). Registration is free; the deadline is April 7. Individuals and teams are welcome. Questions may be emailed to allscience@iastate.edu.
Library is adding electric outlets
In response to student requests, areas on the second and third floors of Parks Library are getting additional outlets during and immediately following spring break. Last year, the library began installing Thread, a system that allows power outlets where they are needed. Once complete, 1,305 seats in Parks Library will have direct access to an outlet, and the total number of outlets in the library will increase 20 percent.
Kinesiology department chair interviews start March 5
Campus interviews have been scheduled for three finalists in the search for the next department of kinesiology chair. Candidates will meet with faculty, staff and students during their two-day campus visits. Finalist names will be made public just prior to each campus visit. Candidate forums are open to the public and will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. in 279 Forker Building. Interview dates are:
- March 5, Warren Franke, ISU kinesiology
- March 19
- March 21
Modified hours at Parks Library during spring break
Parks Library will be open modified hours March 9-17 for spring break. The library will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, March 9, and Monday through Friday, March 12-16. It will closed the weekend days of March 10, 11 and 17. Normal library hours resume on Sunday, March 18. Information about other library facilities is online.
Memorial service for Colleen Jolly is March 10
A memorial service for Colleen Jolly, former Extension program specialist in the department of human development and family studies, will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at First United Methodist Church, 516 Kellogg Ave. A visitation will be held Friday, March 9 (5-7 p.m.), also at the church. Jolly died Sunday, Jan. 21, at a Des Moines hospital. She worked in ISU Extension and Outreach for nearly 20 years, retiring in 2007. Obituary.
Online tool helps determine 2018 tax withholdings under new federal law
In response to the federal Tax Cut and Jobs Act, the Internal Revenue Service released a withholding calculator Feb. 28 to help employees determine how much tax to have withheld from their paychecks in 2018. Employees who determine they need to adjust the amount of tax withheld from their Iowa State paychecks should submit a new W-4 form to the university. The electronic W-4 is available via AccessPlus (under the employee tab, find W-4), or employees may stop by the payroll office, 1560 Administrative Services Building, to fill out a paper form.
Veterans Center moves to new MU location
Iowa State's Veterans Center is now located in rooms 3538-3540 in the northeast wing of the Memorial Union.
