Announcements
February 2016
Harmon named senior VP for student affairs
Martino Harmon has been tapped to become ISU's next senior vice president for student affairs, subject to approval by the state Board of Regents. He will transition from his current post -- associate vice president for student affairs -- to senior VP over the next month.
Sustainability symposium takes two-evening format
A public lecture as well as a green fair and documentary screening will anchor the two evening schedules.
Best of the Big 12 at Lied
Iowa State is hosting the Big 12 Conference indoor track and field championships Feb. 26-27 at the Lied Center.
'Dangerous Liaisons' on stage at Fisher Theater
ISU Theatre opens its spring semester lineup on Friday, Feb. 26, with a two-weekend run of Les Liaisons Dangereuses in Fisher Theater. The two-act drama, set in late 1700s France, is for a mature audience.
New round of seed funding to advance data-driven science
The Presidential Initiative for Interdisciplinary Research in Data Driven Science is launching a new round of internal funding to develop cross-college research teams to aggressively pursue external research grants in Big Data. Initial white-paper proposals are due March 21. This second round of awards will support development of new multidisciplinary collaborations to explore how data-driven approaches can address some of society’s most complex challenges, said President Steven Leath.
TIAA-CREF simplifies name, website
TIAA-CREF has changed its name to TIAA and streamlined its website, TIAA.org, in an effort to simplify customers' experiences. The new website is compatible with mobile devices.TIAA's mutual funds, annuities and other financial products remain the same. More details about TIAA's changes are available online.
City seeks your ideas to enhance Lincoln Way
With an eye to enhancing Ames' landmark east-west thoroughfare, city officials have commissioned a study of Lincoln Way. Through the project, officials hope to find ways to address needs of pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders and revitalize properties along the corridor. Anyone interested in Lincoln Way is encouraged to provide ideas by attending public meetings on March 2 or 3. Individuals also can offer comments and read more about the study on the Lincoln Way Corridor website.
Registration is open for Kids' Co'Motion summer dance
Kids' Co'Motion, intended to help children ages 8-18 years exercise their minds, bodies and imaginations, will be held July 11-29. The class meets five days a week (10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.), in the Forker Building for two weeks and at the Ames City Auditorium the final week. Participants learn dance technique and work together to build a dance performance that is presented July 29-30. The cost is $210 and registration is online; register before June 1 and receive a $10 discount. Co'Motion Dance Theater is in residence at the ISU dance program.
Designers to discuss the fashionable side of STEM
Guest panelists will discuss how multidisciplinary aspects of textile and apparel design/production incorporate science, technology, engineering and mathematics on Thursday, March 3 (5:30-6:30 p.m., 2019 Morrill). The discussion is in connection with the current exhibition in the Textiles and Clothing Museum (1015 Morrill), "The Fashionable Side of STEM." The exhibition will be open for 30 minutes prior to and directly after the discussion. Panelists are ISU faculty members and graduate students who are contributors to the exhibition; the moderator is exhibit co-curator Sara Marcketti, apparel, events and hospitality management department.
New theatre scholarships available for incoming freshmen
The department of theatre is seeking applicants for freshman scholarships worth $14,000, including two $2,000 scholarships. The new scholarships are made possible through an ISU alum. Eligible students must have:
- Earned at least a 3.0 high school grade point average
- Been admitted and accepted at Iowa State
- Declared a major in performing arts with an emphasis in either acting/directing or theatrical design and technology
Applicants must complete an application form and participate in an audition and interview on March 19 at Fisher Theater. Details about the application process and audition are available online. Contact Brad Dell, 294-0184, with questions.
Funds available for 100 undergrad research positions
The Office of Student Financial Aid is accepting applications through March 31 for the 2016-17 undergraduate research assistantship program. The program matches outstanding juniors and seniors with faculty members and encourages the students to pursue graduate study by offering them hands-on research experience. Funding next year will be limited to 100 student positions. Students' wages will be covered by this ratio: work-study funds 60 percent; faculty sponsor 40 percent. Interested faculty and students should complete an application; guidelines, procedures and the forms are online. Student applicants also need to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Questions may be directed to Julie Arnold, 294-0103.
DNA facility has long-read DNA sequencer
The DNA facility, 1184 Molecular Biology, has acquired a Pacific Biosciences RS II long-read DNA sequencer that averages 15,000 base pairs per run, with some reads up to 60,000. It’s ready for service, and the facility is accepting samples. For more information, contact assistant scientist Michael Baker, facility manager Gary Polking or read more online.
Solution Center expands weekend hours
The Solution Center is expanding its weekend hours to 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. beginning this weekend (Feb. 20-21). Previously, the center closed at 5 p.m. on weekends. The expanded hours will help meet heavy customer demand on weekend evenings, particularly on Sundays. “We want to be responsive to the needs of students, faculty and staff on campus,” said Dell Higgins, customer success manager. "This expansion in service will allow us to help more people at the times when they need it." The center helps information technology services customers solve problems involving software, networking and other IT issues. Contact the Solution Center by calling (515) 294-4000 or visiting 195 Durham Center.
Freshman Research Initiative seeks proposals for 2017
ISU's Freshman Research Initiative (FRI) is accepting proposals from faculty and staff for research streams that will start in Spring 2017. To reach a large number of freshman students, FRI streams have 10-20 freshmen working collaboratively on a research project. Five streams are operating now. The goals are to: engage more freshmen in doing science, increase their enthusiasm for science and help them develop the skills to ask scientific questions that can be systematically investigated. Grant funding will provide up to $6,000 in the first year to help a FRI stream get started. The application deadline is April 1; more information is in a request for proposals.
'Green' applications, nominations due Feb. 22
Applications to submit a poster for the poster reception (Feb. 29 and March 1 in this year's Symposium on Sustainability), as well as nominations for the Live Green Excellence Awards (presented March 1), are due at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22. Forms for both are online.
Cherry pies on sale Feb. 15
The apparel, events and hospitality management program will be selling more than 1,600 cherry pies as part of a fundraiser to benefit student scholarships and organizations. The pies will be sold in 23 MacKay Hall from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., or while supplies last. T-shirts sporting a "reestablished 2015" message also will be available for $15.
RUSH tickets on sale for Celtic Nights on Feb. 11
Beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Iowa State Center ticket office, ISU students may purchase RUSH tickets for $10 to the Celtic Nights performance on Thursday, Feb. 11 (7:30 p.m., Stephens Auditorium). Student RUSH ticket purchases require a current student ID; the limit is two tickets per student.
Workshop looks at building an interdisciplinary research team
Steve Fiore, director of the Cognitive Sciences Laboratory at the University of Central Florida, will present a colloquium on team science on Monday, Feb. 29 (7-8:30 p.m., 2019 Morrill). Fiore will address how to build teams, how to sustain them and how to understand the factors that drive process and performance. He will discuss frameworks for building syntheses from individual expertise into a collaborative network. Register online.
Nominate candidates for Dwight Ink Public Service Award
Nominations are due March 15 for the 2016 Dwight Ink Public Service Award. ISU Extension and Outreach is partnering with the department of political science to provide this award recognizing public service professionals who demonstrate commitment to public service in Iowa.
Volunteer judges still needed for science/technology fairs
Volunteer judges -- individuals with a major, degree or background in science, engineering or technology -- are needed for the State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa, March 31-April 1 in Hilton Coliseum. The two-day event includes a combined senior high fair and FFA Agriscience Fair on Thursday, March 31, and a middle school fair on Friday, April 1. The senior high event needs about 100 judges; the middle school event about 350 judges, who will evaluate research projects and work with students to help them become better researchers. Volunteers are asked to register online.
Today's ice cream flavors are ...
Members of the Dairy Science Club will sell ice cream Wednesday (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) near the north doors to Lush Auditorium in Kildee Hall. Flavors today are: vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, triple chocolate, Heath caramel, Butterfinger, Oreo, chocolate Oreo, mint Oreo, Reese's (chopped peanut butter cups) and chocolate Reese's. The price is $1 per cup.
Six-part series targets caregivers for adults
ISU Extension and Outreach is sponsoring Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a six-part series to help adult caregivers learn how to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate their feelings, balance their lives, make tough decisions and locate helpful resources. Sessions (2.5 hours each) will be held Tuesdays, March 22-April 26 (6-8:30 p.m., 0119 MacKay). The $20 fee includes a boxed dinner, served at 5:30 p.m. To register, call the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Story County, (515) 382-6551.
1095-C forms available by Feb. 29
The Internal Revenue Service has extended the deadline for employers to provide employees with the 1095-C form, which contains information about your 2015 health care coverage. The deadline has been extended to March 31, but Iowa State is working to make the 1095-C form available to employees by Feb. 29. The form is not required to file your taxes. Download Affordable Care Act Questions for more information.
Bessey Hall addition project begins this month
A phased, 18-month project to build a four-story addition to the east side of Bessey Hall will get underway later this month. Here are a few tips for maneuvering around that area of campus during construction.
Barjché celebrates 70th anniversary
This year marks the 70th time members of Iowa State's Orchesis I Dance Company will perform in Barjché, a modern dance concert. This year's theme, "Modern Dance Through the Ages," reflects the modern dance movement from the 1940s to the present. Performances are on Feb. 5 and 6 (7:30 p.m.) and Feb. 7 (2 p.m.) in Fisher Theater. Tickets are $12 ($10 for students) and are available through Ticketmaster.
'Varieties' talent competition opens this weekend
Varieties, Iowa State's annual student talent competition, turns 85 this year. The semifinals (two performances nightly) are scheduled for Friday-Saturday, Feb. 5-6. The finals show will be presented twice two weeks later, on Feb. 19-20. All performances are in the Memorial Union Great Hall.
Art sale is Feb. 8-12 at the MU
The Memorial Union's Workspace is hosting a Pop Up Art Sale Feb. 8-12 (hours and MU locations vary by day). Pottery, jewelry and other hand-made items created by Workspace instructors and students will be for sale. Most items sell for $5-20 (and make grand Valentine gifts).
- Monday and Wednesday (11 a.m.-2 p.m.), outside University Book Store
- Tuesday (1-3 p.m.), outside University Book Store
- Thursday (1-3 pm.), by the first floor north stairwell
- Friday (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), by the first floor north stairwell
MLK Jr. keynote rescheduled for Feb. 11
Acclaimed author, combat veteran and Rhodes Scholar Wes Moore will present the 2016 Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Series keynote address on Thursday, Feb. 11 (8 p.m., MU Sun Room). Moore's talk had been scheduled for Jan. 21.
Feb. 19 hearing precedes regents' Ames meeting
If you'd like to comment on any items scheduled for discussion at the state Board of Regents Feb. 24-25 meeting in Ames, you have several options:
- Attend one of six public hearings held at the regents institutions and board office Feb. 18-19. Iowa State's hearing is Friday, Feb. 19 (noon-1 p.m.), Gold Room, Memorial Union. All public hearings will be video recorded and posted to the regents' hearings website. Transparency officer Shirley Knipfel will preside at the meeting.
- Provide written comments to regents transparency officer Josh Lehman, jlehman@iastate.edu.
Meeting materials and an agenda for the February meeting will be posted to the regents homepage by Feb. 16.
Volunteers sought for nutritional counseling
The food science and human nutrition department and ISU's WellBeing employee health initiative are seeking healthy faculty and staff volunteers interested in nutrition counseling and/or coaching. Beginning in mid-February, volunteers will be paired with a senior level dietetics student and meet three times during the semester (at times convenient to your schedule). The student will evaluate your eating and help you set specific and reasonable goals toward improving your eating habits. Volunteers cannot have any specific health conditions such as diabetes, as students are not yet trained for those conditions. If you are willing to help in this learning experience, contact Emily at embing@iastate.edu by Feb.12. Please include your name, department and ISU email address in the message.
A great day for ice cream
Members of the Dairy Science Club will sell ice cream Wednesday (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) near the north doors to Lush Auditorium in Kildee Hall. Flavors today are: vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, triple chocolate, Heath caramel, Butterfinger, Oreo, chocolate Oreo, mint Oreo and Reeses. The price is $1 per cup.
Horticulture Club is selling Valentine roses
Members of the Horticulture Club have two options for purchasing Valentine roses this year: pre-order or walk-up sales on Friday-Saturday, Feb. 12-13 (9 a.m.-4 p.m., MU south atrium). The pre-order form (PDF) is online and should be dropped off, with cash or check payment, to 107 Horticulture by Feb. 8. The pickup location for pre-orders is 45 Horticulture (NOT the MU) Friday-Sunday, Feb. 12-14 (11 a.m.-4 p.m.). Rose colors available this year are red and variety (mixture of colors). Prices range from $5 for a single rose to $55 for a one-dozen arrangement.
ISCORE registration is open
The 16th annual Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) will be held Friday, March 4 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., Memorial Union). All faculty, staff and students are invited to attend; registration is free but required. HIghlights include:
- Morning address (9 a.m.) by College of Design dean Luis Rico-Gutierrez
- Luncheon address by Barbara Love, professor emerti at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst
There also is a half-day professional development pre-conference open to all university employees on Thursday, March 3 (noon-5 p.m., MU Sun Room). Registration is free but required for this event as well.
UCC programs closed Tuesday
The Cheerful Cheetahs preschool and the school-age program at University Community Childcare are closed Tuesday, Feb. 2.
Ag career day postponed
The forecast of a winter storm for most of Iowa has forced the postponement of the ISU Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Day until Thursday, Feb. 4. The career fair was originally scheduled for Wednesday, with 110 organizations planning to recruit students.
Appreciation breakfast for academic advisers is Feb. 17
The University Academic Advising Committee will host an appreciation breakfast for all faculty and P&S academic advisers on Wednesday, Feb. 17 (7:30-8:45 a.m., MU Campanile Room). A brief program will begin at 8:05 a.m. Academic advisers may come and go as their schedules allow; a light breakfast will be served. RSVPs are requested.
