Announcements

July 2021

Update underway for guest Wi-Fi network

An update to the university's Wi-Fi network for guests will help campus visitors easily connect to the internet. To access IASTATE-Guest, users are required to agree to the university’s acceptable use policy. Once connected, access is available for 24 hours. At the end of 24 hours, the guest can request access again by agreeing to the terms and conditions for another 24 hours. Installation is underway and should be complete by Aug. 14.

Faculty, staff and students have access to Wi-Fi via the secure and encrypted Eduroam network, which requires Net-ID credentials. A second network, IASTATE, is used for devices, including gaming consoles, TVs and smart speakers. Devices on the IASTATE network must be registered. 

WorkLife can assist your transition to fall on campus

ISU WorkLife will host two more Pathways to Fall gatherings: Tuesday, Aug. 3, and Monday, Aug. 9 (11 a.m.-1 p.m., central campus tent near Beardshear Hall). Enjoy:
  • Complimentary chair massages
  • Free ISU tote bags for the first 100 people
  • Four drawings for a $25 ISU Book Store gift card
  • Snacks and bottled water 
ISU WellBeing staff and WellBeing champions will be available to speak with you about fall programming. Childcare and family services staff can answer questions and provide information on your family needs and upcoming programming. 

U.S. postal rates go up Aug. 29

On Sunday, Aug. 29, the U.S. Postal Service will raise rates for first-class mail, marketing mail, periodicals (four or more issues/year) and some special services such as certified mail and return receipt mail. For example, the price of a first-class stamp will go from 55 cents to 58 cents, and a first-class metered piece from 51 cents to 53 cents. Certified mail is increasing 15 cents to $3.75, and return receipt will increase 20 cents to $3.05.

Campus units with the flexibility might try to expedite planned mailings to beat the increase. Questions may be directed to Bob Tott, manager of postal and parcel services, 294-4243.

Register by Sept. 1 for 4-H quiz bowl, skillathon

The registration deadline is Sept. 1 for ISU Extension and Outreach's State 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl and Skillathon. Both will be held Saturday, Sept. 18 (10:30 a.m., Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center). There are two age divisions, and the contests will be occurring at the same time, but accommodations will be made so teams can compete in both. Questions may be directed to Amy Powell, extension education specialist and contest coordinator, 294-3441.

MU's art lending open house is Aug. 4-5

The Memorial Union is hosting its annual Art for Rent open house Wednesday, Aug. 4 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) and Thursday, Aug. 5 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) in the Art Gallery on the ground floor. The art rental collection features about 275 framed posters, prints and paintings. They may be viewed during the open house and are available for rent for a full or half year, for office or home. Rentals typically range from $10 to $25 per year, and patrons may take selected pieces with them. Individuals don't have to be affiliated with Iowa State to participate. Proceeds directly support art programs at the Memorial Union. Interested in renting but can't attend the open house? Email mugallery@iastate.edu to request a viewing appointment.

City-university rummage sale returns July 31-Aug. 7

The city of Ames and ISU's office of sustainability are sponsoring a fifth community rummage sale this summer at lease turnover time in the intermodal parking facility, 129 Hayward Ave. The intent is to help residents reuse and recycle household items and furniture, and reduce the volume going to a landfill. Sale and donation drop-off dates are July 31-Aug. 6 (Aug 7 is half-price day). July 30 is for drop-offs only. Volunteer registration closes July 25. See the project website for accepted items, sale hours and more.

Pandemic process/forms eliminated for employee international travel

ISU-sponsored international travel by employees no longer is subject to university pandemic travel requirements. However, many destinations continue to be high-risk due to the pandemic, and itineraries for all high-risk travel must be reviewed by the office of risk management's (ORM) international risk manager. Additional information, including a link to current risk levels by country, is on ORM's international travel web page. Student-related travel and study abroad programming will continue to operate under the international travel guidance outlined in a March 18 communication from senior vice president and provost Jonathan Wickert.

Pandemic slowdown delays Haber-University intersection project

An upgrade proejct at University Avenue and Haber Road, including traffic light replacement and additional sidewalks, has been delayed due to production and supply chain delays resulting from the pandemic. Traffic poles and lights ordered last fall currently are scheduled to arrive in mid-August, pushing back the project's completion to after the start of fall semester.

Reminder: Data storage survey needs your input before Aug. 2

A storage advisory committee and IT units are conducting a survey regarding electronic data storage needs. It's open through Aug. 2. All members of the Iowa State community -- faculty, staff, students and researchers -- are invited to participate. The survey information will be used to shape a strategy for long-term electronic data storage at the university. More information about the storage project, including a link to the survey, is online. 

Museums exhibitions are ending this month

The next few weeks are the last chance to see current university museums exhibitions at the Farm House Museum, Brunnier Art Museum and Christian Petersen Art Museum before they close so staff can prepare new exhibitions for fall. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $8. Farm House Museum and the Brunnier will be closed from July 24 through Aug. 22. CPAM, in Morrill Hall, will be closed from July 31 through Aug. 22.

Transition to fall with a little help from ISU WorkLife

ISU WorkLife is hosting Pathways to Fall gatherings during July and August to celebrate a safe transition to fall, share ISU WorkLife resources and connect with the campus community. Once a week (11 a.m.-1 p.m., look for their flag), ISU WellBeing and family services staffs will be in the central campus tent across from Beardshear Hall. Learn about fall programming, enjoy a chair massage from a licensed message therapist, register for gift cards, grab a snack or bottled water, refill a personal hand sanitizer bottle and share your experiences to help them better serve campus needs this fall. Dates are:

  • Friday, July 16, featuring live music by Ames' Indigo Monks jazz ensemble
  • Thursday, July 22
  • Wednesday, July 28
  • Tuesday, Aug. 3
  • Monday, Aug. 9

New grad students with lab assignments: Register for safety training

Environmental health and safety will host a laboratory safety orientation session for new (fall 2021) graduate students working in a lab Aug. 12, 16, 18 or 19 at the EH&S Services Building. Register for one 4-hour session that provides the tools and hands-on skills you need to work safely in your laboratory. The orientation fulfills the three required safety trainings for general laboratory workers: Fire safety and fire extinguisher training, laboratory safety: core concepts, and emergency response training. Register online at Learn@ISU.