Announcements
December 2021
Degree audits hit million mark for third consecutive year
For the third straight calendar year, the registrar's office has run more than 1 million degree audits -- the snapshot-in-time tool that's helpful for everything from reports to what-if academic planning. The first time the office surpassed 1 million degree audits was in 2019. This fall, a student using the TRANSIT system ran the 1 millionth degree audit on Nov. 9. Last year, employees and students ran a total of 1,294,818 degree audits, and registrar's staff anticipated a similar statistic by Dec. 31.
History of run date for 1 millionth degree audit:
- 2021: Nov. 9
- 2020: Oct. 27
- 2019: Nov. 4
Volunteers sought for LEGO robotics state championship for youth
The College of Engineering's community outreach team seeks volunteers to assist at the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) state championship, to be held on campus Saturday, Jan. 22. FLL is an international robotics team competition for youth aged 9-14, intended to help them develop skills in problem-solving, teamwork, programming, design, research and creative thinking. This year's theme, "Cargo Connect," looks at the challenges of supply chain and transportation of goods and services. Volunteers should email fllvolunteer@iastate.edu to sign up.
COVID-19: By the numbers
For the week that ended Dec. 12, the positive rate for COVID-19 tests completed at the Thielen Student Health Center was 8.82% (27 of 306 tests completed), down from 8.95% a week earlier. Testing reflects both symptomatic students and student-athletes following NCAA testing protocols. The Story County positivity rate for the week ending Dec. 15 was 8.46%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The vaccination rate among Story County residents at least 5 years of age fell to 62.6% as of Dec. 15. The CDC changed the definition for "eligible population fully vaccinated" to include those 5 years and older; previously it counted residents 18 years and older. Iowa State is providing weekly updates on these and other public health benchmarks on its COVID-19: By the numbers website.
Next 'Inside' is Jan. 6
The Dec. 16 Inside Iowa State is the final edition of fall semester. Inside will resume publication on Jan. 6, 2022.
Design's annual postcard print exhibition, silent auction opens Dec. 20
The 21st annual International Postcard Print exchange, exhibition and silent auction will be held Dec. 20-Jan. 14, 2022, at the College of Design's Gallery 181. The show features 85 prints by artists from 15 states and six other countries. Printmakers sent 13 original, identical, 4-by-6-inch prints in response to the theme, "A Recipe For…" interpreted as they wished. Artists received 12 other artists' prints (hence the "exchange"). The University Print Society kept one print from each artist for its own collection and these are available for bid in the silent auction. Bidding ends at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 14; proceeds support student club activities.
Wednesday afternoon, evening exams moved to Friday
Due to the severe weather forecasted for Wednesday afternoon and evening, final exams scheduled from noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday have been moved to Friday, Dec. 17. Students should work with their instructors about potential accommodations if they have significant conflicts, such as air travel scheduled for Friday. The revised exam schedule is:
|
Dec. 15 exam time |
Dec. 17 exam time |
|
Noon-2 p.m. |
Noon-2 p.m. |
|
2:15-4:15 p.m. |
2:15-4:15 p.m. |
|
4:30-6:30 p.m. |
7:30-9:30 a.m. |
|
7-9 p.m. |
9:45-11:45 a.m. |
Smile and Write sessions continue during winter session
Smile and Write, an online program for faculty and staff that leverages peer accountability to make progress on projects, manuscripts, curriculum, etc., has set eight meeting dates during winter session. Participants should register in advance to receive the Zoom link for each two-hour session. Sessions will meet:
- Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Dec. 14, 21 and 28, Jan. 11
- Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1-3 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 20, noon-2 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 30, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 13, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Recycle your greeting cards
The office of sustainability and ISU recycling services are collecting holiday (and other) greeting cards for upcycling through Jan. 28. Cards will be sent to St. Jude's Ranch for Children to be made into new holiday cards, with proceeds supporting the facility's work with children. To take part: Send card fronts (backs can't be upcycled) to Merry Rankin, 108 General Services, or Ayodeji Oluwalana, 154 General Services, or drop them in the collection box inside the west door (near the key desk) of General Services Building. St. Jude's isn't permitted to use Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards in this program. These brands and any recyclable paper products can be dropped at the Ames Golden Kiwanis' paper recycling collection trailer, located at the CENEX station, 919 East Lincoln Way.
Flu shots available at Dec. 15 vaccination clinic
If you missed the university's flu shot clinic for employees in early October, flu vaccines will be available at the Hy-Vee vaccination clinic on campus Wednesday, Dec. 15 (9 a.m.-5 p.m., State Gym). A copay may be required for the flu shot. Appointments must be scheduled online by noon Dec. 14. All Dec. 15 appointments for COVID-19 doses or booster were reserved by Dec. 13. The university is working with Hy-Vee to offer another clinic after the start of the spring semester.
COVID-19: By the numbers
For the week that ended Dec. 5, the positive rate for COVID-19 tests completed at the Thielen Student Health Center was 8.95% (23 of 257 tests completed), up from 5% a week earlier. Testing reflects both symptomatic students and student-athletes following NCAA testing protocols. The Story County positivity rate for the week ending Dec. 8 was 12.73%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccination rate among Story County residents at least 12 years of age rose to 65.2% as of Dec. 8. Iowa State is providing weekly updates on these and other public health benchmarks on its COVID-19: By the numbers website.
'Tracing Race' proposal deadline moved to Dec. 17
Due to the additional holidays extended to campus by Gov. Kim Reynolds, the submission deadline for Tracing Race at Iowa State University proposals was extended to Dec. 17. The project seeks proposals for digital projects that reveal the under-documented history of accomplishment and experience of people of color and engage with the history of race; inequality; racism; and student, faculty and staff activism at Iowa State. The extension also applies to the Student Scholar Award opportunity; undergraduate applicants are asked to identify a faculty or staff advisor for their project.
Submit winter, spring course reserves at library now
Instructors who wish to place required materials on reserve in the library for winter and spring courses should submit requests now through Canvas. Information and instructions are on the library's website.
More inclusive classroom trainings added
The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching will conduct additional inclusive classroom trainings in December and the first half of spring semester. Faculty unable to attend a 2021-22 training this fall with their department, hired after training was completed or who would like to extend their learning by discussing different scenarios can register for an online synchronous offering:
- Dec. 14: Most students didn't do well on an exam, 12:40-1:40 p.m.
- Jan. 19: A student shares personal struggles impacting their academics, 3:20-4:20 p.m.
In addition, training for graduate teaching assistants, faculty and staff will be offered from January through March. Visit the inclusive classroom training website to register for the desired student-centered scenario topic. Face-to-face and online synchronous options are available for each scenario.
Register now for implicit bias session on Jan. 26
Registration is open for a virtual presentation and discussion on implicit bias with psychology faculty member Sylvia Perry, Northwestern University, who's affiliated with Project Implicit. The ADVANCE Midwest Partnership is hosting the session for its member schools on Wednesday, Jan. 26 (11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.). The objectives of the session are to raise awareness of our biases, explore how researchers measure and understand identity-based biases and share actionable steps to prevent and mitigate the impact of biases. A free copy of the book, "Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People" by Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald, will be sent via campus mail to the first 20 ISU staff, students or faculty registering for the Jan. 26 event. Questions may be directed to Cinzia Cervato, Morrill Professor of geological and atmospheric sciences who leads the ADVANCE Midwest team.
It's the final week to give to fall United Way campaign
The close of the 2021 United Way campaign is nearly here, but it's not too late to participate and help Iowa State reach its goal of $425,000 in gifts and pledges. Hundreds in the campus community already have pledged more than $380,000 to support United Way's local work in the areas of health, education and financial stability. One-time gifts are welcome or, if you'd like to support the United Way mission via payroll deduction, this can be set up in Workday (check the announcements section to get started). To learn about volunteer options, visit www.uwstory.org. Special thanks to the many campus volunteers who gave their time to make the ISU campaign a success again this year.
COVID-19: By the numbers
For the week that ended Nov. 28, the positive rate for COVID-19 tests completed at the Thielen Student Health Center was 5% (2 of 40 tests completed), down from 6.4% two weeks earlier. Testing reflects both symptomatic students and student-athletes following NCAA testing protocols. The Story County positivity rate for the week ending Dec. 1 was 12.33%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vaccination rate among Story County residents at least 12 years of age rose to 65% as of Dec. 1. Iowa State is providing weekly updates on these and other public health benchmarks on its COVID-19: By the numbers website.
Honors program fall poster event is Dec. 8
The University Honors program will hold its fall poster presentation event Wednesday, Dec. 8 (3-5 p.m., Memorial Union Great Hall). Fall 2021 Honors graduates as well as other Honors students will be present to answer questions and speak with individuals interested in their projects. A convocation will follow at 5:30 p.m. in the Sun Room.
Volunteers sought to assist at gardens' holiday light show
Reiman Gardens is recruiting volunteers with holiday cheer to staff this year's Winter Wonderscape holiday light show Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from Dec. 2 through Jan. 1 (except for Christmas Day). Volunteer slots are 4:30-7 p.m. and 6:30-9:15 p.m. It's a great activity for individuals, families and service groups. Volunteers get a behind-the-scenes look at this holiday event and receive two complimentary tickets to the light show each time they volunteer. Sign up online.
Register for Jan. 11-12 Project LEA/RN workshop
Project LEA/RN will host an in-person workshop Jan. 11-12, 2022 (9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, 1022 Agronomy, following Cyclones Care guidelines) aimed at training 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, (712) 221-1203.
Arts and events
'Die Fledermaus' is a farce of mistaken identity, flirtation and a practical joke with unanticipated consequences. It opens Nov. 7 in Fisher Theater.
