Announcements
May 2023
Work begins June 5 to improve network infrastructure
On Monday, June 5, information technology services will break ground on central campus for a project to improve the network infrastructure and boost future outdoor wireless coverage. The two-month effort involves installing 3,000 feet of underground conduit for network fiber, and sidewalks in the area will close periodically due to the installation. When completed, the added IT infrastructure will enhance the university's capacity for network connectivity and communication worldwide. Future plans are to add 13 more outdoor wireless locations to central campus, increasing Wi-Fi connectivity.
May 29 is a university holiday
University offices are closed and classes will not meet Monday, May 29, in observance of the national Memorial Day holiday.
Volunteers sought for College Creek cleanup on June 24
Iowa State and Ames community members are invited to participate in National Rivers Month in June by volunteering at the 14th annual College Creek Cleanup on Saturday, June 24 (10 a.m.-2 p.m., check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. in Forker Building parking lot 50A). Small groups of volunteers will walk through designated sections of the creek and pick up trash along the banks. No time commitment is required of volunteers; online pre-registration is requested to ensure adequate supplies (bug repellent, sunscreen, gloves, bags and trash grabbers are provided). Volunteers should dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes. Refreshments are provided for all volunteers. The office of sustainability's Live Green! initiative is hosting this event.
Reiman extends 'Rovers' evenings
Following an April pilot program, Reiman Gardens will offer its "Rovers at Reiman" every other Tuesday evening (4:30-7:30 p.m.) this summer, beginning next week. Well mannered, leashed dogs are welcome in the gardens on these dates:
- May 30
- June 13, 27
- July 11, 25 (RAGBRAI extended hours to 9 p.m.)
- Aug. 8, 22
Reminder: Clear files out of Google Photos ahead of June 1 shutoff
As announced this winter, due to file storage limits set by Google, university account users no longer will have access to the Google Photos app beginning June 1. Employees should move photos and videos off the Google Photos platform to another storage solution or delete them because files left in accounts will stay forever -- and continue to count against the individual 3 GB and institutional 100 TB data quotas in Google storage.
Employees with a business reason to continue using Google Photos should submit the Use of Google Photos form.
You're invited: CSAFE reception, poster session on June 5
The university community is invited to the Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence's (CSAFE) reception and research poster session on Monday, June 5 (5-6 p.m., Garden Room, Reiman Gardens). Learn more about the team's accomplishments during the past year, meet research team members from its partner institutions and check out the research posters by CSAFE's undergraduate and graduate students.
Inside summer schedule: every other Thursday
Inside Iowa State's weekly publication cycle paused with the May 11 edition and switched to an every-other-Thursday cycle for summer term: May 25, June 8, June 22, July 6, July 20 and Aug. 3. Weekly editions resume Aug. 17. The submission deadline remains noon Wednesday prior to publication Thursdays.
Memorial Day ceremony honors employees, retirees and partners
The ISU Retirees Association will host a Memorial Day ceremony Monday, May 29 (9 a.m. CST, Reiman Ballroom, ISU Alumni Center and via Zoom). The event will honor university retirees, their spouses or partners, and current faculty or staff whose passing it has received notification of since May 1, 2022. The Zoom link will be available on the association's events page on May 29.
Rec services offers sand volleyball league for faculty and staff
A new offering in recreation services is a summer sand volleyball league for faculty and staff. Games will be played Mondays in June and July at 4:30 p.m. or 5:15 p.m. at the Southeast Recreation Complex (east of Jack Trice Stadium). The league is free, and you don't need a rec services membership to play on a team. Compete with officemates or friends from other ISU departments for the chance to earn a coveted INTRAMURAL CHAMPION T-shirt. Sign up your team online by 11:59 p.m. May 29; games begin June 5. Questions about the league can be directed to Kourtney Graham.
United Way food drive sets records
The United Way of Story County reports its 2023 food drive (April 24-May 4) shattered all previous records, with more than 21,000 pounds of food and more than $19,000 in cash donations received to be distributed among Ames-area food pantries. United Way gave a tip of the hat to two leading units on campus: the athletics department for collecting 404 pounds of food and the Ivy College of Business for collecting $3,032 in donations. Additionally, the ISU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, which raises funds every year through its CyCans program, contributed $4,126 to the drive.
Two weeks remain: Dependent eligibility verification update
Employees with dependents on their medical, dental or vision plans must provide documentation verifying their eligibility by June 2. More than 2,970 employees have completed the process and more than 74% of dependents have been verified as eligible so far. For more information, read Inside's coverage of the project.
| Verification process | |
| Completed | 75.1% |
| In process | 6.5% |
| Not started | 18.4% |
| Status | |
| Verified eligible | 74.8% |
| Ineligible | 0.5% |
| Verification in process | 3.5% |
| No activity yet | 21.2% |
It's time to return or renew extended loan library items
Library materials (books, journals, DVDs, etc.) that were borrowed on extended loan (due May 12) should be returned or renewed now, either online, in person or via phone (have your ISU Net ID ready). Questions about the renewal process can be directed to 515-294-3961 or the circulation desk. Renewals are limited to three years.
Last ice cream sale of the semester is today
For the last time this spring, members of the Dairy Science club are selling ice cream today (noon-2 p.m.) outside the north doors to Lush Auditorium in Kildee Hall. Get a cup for $2; flavors are cinnamon crunch, blueberry, rocky road, smores and Reeses. The ice cream is mixed by club members at the ISU creamery, and the sale serves as a fundraiser for club activities throughout the year. Interested in having the club's ice cream for your event? Send an email.
New benefits and pay hub coming to Workday
Employees will soon have a single location to review their benefits, compensation and pay information when the Benefits and Pay Hub launches in Workday on the target date of June 1 for faculty, professional and scientific, merit and postdoc employees. Additional information will be released at launch. Check out the sneak peak video to learn more.
May 22 deadline approaches for innovation grant proposals
The office of economic development and industry relations is accepting applications through May 22 for FY 2024 grants from the Innovation Acceleration Fund (formerly Regents Innovation Fund). The grants support development of ISU innovations with commercial potential and help more Iowa State technology reach the marketplace via new Iowa companies or by growing existing Iowa companies. All proposals should have a clear commercial benefit/potential for the state and show participation by Iowa industry(s). Selected applicants will participate in a June 7 review panel (5 minute presentation, 10 minute Q&A). The RFP and proposal application are online. Applicants are encouraged to first contact Peter Hong, ISU Startup Factory, 296-6429, to discuss their idea and potential fit for this funding.
Guidance for summer office hours
Summer hours offer flexibility for university units during a time of lower activity on campus. University units may implement flexible office hours/working hours of 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., with a shortened lunch break, from Monday, May 15, through Friday, Aug. 11. Units that want to participate in summer hours should develop their schedules with approval from the appropriate dean, vice president, senior vice president or president. Units must continue to provide services to their clients, including students and prospective students. They also need to provide regular operations services.
Employment verification becomes self-service request
The payroll office has implemented a new, self-service option for current employees and would-be employers who need to verify employment at Iowa State. The new service, through Experian Verify, took effect May 1, and replaces a process that required a payroll employee to initiate.
- Employees can access Experian Verify in the Okta sign-on options (type "Experian in the search bar). First-time requesters will need to register in the "I am an employee" section. A Knowledge Base Article provides step-by-step instructions.
- Employers requesting employment verification can start the process with the "Request employee verification for an Iowa State employee" link on the payroll website. This takes them to Experian Verify to begin their request.
Iowa State verifies whether an employee is currently active and also confirms job history (positions with dates) and income (if requested).
Anyone still may email payroll to initiate an employment verification request. An autoreply will take them to the website to start the process, but a team member will follow up if assistance is necessary. Questions about the new self-service may be directed to Amy Oxley.
You're invited: Procurement's supplier awards event
Procurement services staff invite the university community to join them at their Supplier Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 11 (2-3:30 p.m., MU Campanile Room). The awards recognize suppliers (and their ISU nominators) for going above and beyond, making an impact, assisting with issues as they arise or promoting sustainable practices.
Listening sessions: LAS dean candidate qualities
The LAS Dean Search Committee will hold two listening sessions before the semester ends to solicit feedback from the community on the qualities and qualifications desired in the next dean. Those unable to attend may send their ideas to any member of the search committee. The listening sessions will be held:
- Thursday, May 4 (3-4 p.m., 127 Curtiss)
- Monday, May 8 (2-3 p.m. via Webex)
Submit requests now for summer and fall library course reserves
Instructors wanting to place required materials on reserve through the library for summer and fall courses should submit requests now via Canvas. Information and instructions are on the library's website.
Graduation caps and gowns to be saved and shared
Graduation caps and gowns will be collected following the undergraduate commencement ceremonies May 13 to help graduates in need dress for the occasion in the future. STORIES, an ISU program that supports students who've experienced homelessness or foster care, will have collection boxes on the outer concourse at Hilton Coliseum Saturday, May 13, and at five other locations during the following week, where graduates may donate their academic regalia. Items will be used again at future graduation ceremonies by students in the STORIES program and Pell grant-eligible students. Donations from faculty and staff of past graduation regalia also are welcome. Questions may be directed to program coordinator Laura Kilbride. Other donation locations are:
Location updates
- Main desk, Memorial Union, May 14-21
- Student services office, College of Human Sciences, 131 MacKay, May 13-21
- Student Services Building, May 12-21
- Community clubhouses at The Grove (1407 S. Grand Ave.) and BlockOne (2320 Lincoln Way), May 13-19
Donate your cap and gown following graduation day
Graduation caps and gowns will be collected following the undergraduate commencement ceremonies May 13 to help graduates in need dress for the occasion in the future. STORIES, an ISU program that supports students who've experienced homelessness or aged out of foster care, will have collection boxes on the outer concourse at Hilton Coliseum Saturday, May 13, and at five other locations during the following week where graduates may donate their academic regalia. Items will be used again at future graduation ceremonies by students in the STORIES program and Pell grant-eligible students. Questions may be directed to program coordinator Laura Kilbride. Other donation locations are:
Location updates
- Main desk, Memorial Union, May 14-21
- Student services office, College of Human Sciences, 131 MacKay, May 13-21
- Student Services Building, May 12-21
- Community clubhouses at The Grove (1407 S. Grand Ave.) and BlockOne (2320 Lincoln Way), May 13-19
P&S seminar series is May 9
Registration is open for August Project LEA/RN workshop
Project LEA/RN will host a workshop Aug. 9-10 (9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, 1022 Agronomy) aimed at training educators to help their students learn the kind of thinking required by professionals 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. Enrollment is limited to 20. To register or for more information, contact Project LEA/RN director Jan Wiersema, (712) 221-1203.
Cyclone May 'tailgate tour' dates announced
The athletics department and Cyclone Club have shared their two 2023 Tailgate Tour itineraries. The west tour (May 15-17) includes daily noon and evening stops in Paton, Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Okoboji, Webster City and Clear Lake. The east tour (May 22-24) includes two stops each day in Marshalltown, Waterloo, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Bettendorf and Des Moines. At these free events, fans can interact with Cy, Cyclone head coaches Matt Campbell, T.J. Otzelberger, Bill Fennelly, Christy Johnson-Lynch and Kevin Dresser; athletics director Jamie Pollard and voice of the Cyclones John Walters.
Reiman Gardens' plant sale is May 13-14
Reiman Gardens' annual plant sale opens to the public on Saturday-Sunday, May 13 (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) and May 14 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) in the gardens' parking lot, rain or shine. Plants for sale include perennials for sun and shade; herbs and vegetables; Iowa natives; woody plants including trees, shrubs and Buck roses; specialty evergreens; container annuals; hanging baskets; All-American Selection vegetables and herbs; and prefinished mixed containers. Credit card, check and cash are accepted as payment. No gardens admission is required to shop at the sale. Garden members can enjoy shopping hours on Friday, May 12 (4-7 p.m.).
All purchases support the participating units: ecology, evolution and organismal biology graduate student organization, graduate student horticulture society, ISU horticulture club, Reiman Gardens and the Story County Master Gardener Association.
