Announcements
February 2024
Apply for 2024-25 undergrad research assistants by March 29
The office of student financial aid is accepting applications for the 2024-25 undergraduate research assistantship (URA) program. The program encourages outstanding juniors and seniors to pursue graduate study by offering hands-on experience in a formal research environment to help them make career decisions and learn more about graduate education and fellowships. Work study funding subsidizes the student's payroll. Submitting an application does not guarantee an assistantship. Questions may be directed to Julie Arnold, 515-294-0103. Faculty/staff applicants must:
- Complete the online URA application (soft deadline of March 29 for spring interviews)
- Interview student(s) and make offers of employment
- Complete Letter of Intent
- Once approved, hire student in Workday for the appropriate term in the work-study job profile
Reminder: Applications due March 1 for undergrad research symposium
Researchers are asked to encourage their undergraduate research mentees to present their research project(s) at Iowa State's 18th annual Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression on Thursday, April 18, at the Student Innovation Center. Undergraduates from all academic disciplines are eligible to share their research with the university community and guests through conference-style oral and poster presentations. Abstract application forms may be submitted by individuals or small groups and are due March 1. Registration is free. Questions may be directed to Svitlana Zbarska, undergraduate research program coordinator, 515-294-2064.
Nominate a student for Start Something LAS Academy fall cohort
Faculty and staff are encouraged to help connect College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students (any major) with the two-year, credit-based Start Something LAS Academy. Submit the names of students you believe would enjoy and benefit from the academy, starting this fall, via this nomination form. Students don't need to have a concrete, world-changing idea when they enter the academy; they just need to be curious, creative problem solvers. Information sessions for students will be held April 1 (4 p.m.) and April 9 (12:30 p.m.), both in 1118 Student Innovation Center.
Reminder: Nominations due Friday for leaders academy
Nominations for the 2024-25 Emerging Leaders Academy are due Friday, March 1. More information, including the form, is online. The program enhances the leadership development of faculty and P&S staff currently serving in leadership roles or those who aspire to such positions. During the academic year, the ELA cohort participates in monthly leadership activities led by content experts and facilitators. Members also work in teams to complete a leadership activity on campus. The 2024-25 cohort will be selected by April 15.
'Golden Girls' stage show stops at Stephens May 1
Tickets go on sale Friday, March 1, for a May 1 performance at Stephens Auditorium of the 2024 tour show, Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue, based on the four female characters in the television sitcom that ran from 1985 to 1992. Tickets, $44 to $79, are available through Ticketmaster. You must be 18 years old to attend this performance.
Registration open for gardening symposium
Extension and Outreach's inaugural Dig Into Gardening Symposium is Saturday, March 16, on the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny. The symposium, designed for an audience from home gardeners to seasoned professionals, will provide participants research-based gardening and horticulture techniques and best practices. The symposium will feature two keynote addresses, six breakout sessions and an exhibitor event. Registration is $85, open to the public and includes a light breakfast and lunch.
Reminder: Nominations due Feb. 28 for faculty mentor award
The office of the senior vice president and provost invites nominations for the university's Exemplary Faculty Mentor award to honor mentors who exceed the expectations of a faculty mentor. All faculty (any rank) who serve or have served as a mentor to other faculty members, formally or informally, are eligible. Nominators complete a cover form and attach a nomination statement of two pages or less, and email it to exemplary@iastate.edu by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28. More information about the nomination process, including guidelines, is online. Questions may be directed to Tera Jordan, assistant provost for faculty success.
Registration open for arts and humanities AI symposium
An Iowa State symposium on artificial intelligence (AI) and the arts and humanities March 21-22 at the Memorial Union is hosted by the English, world languages and cultures, and histroy departments. This event begins in partnership with the Spring Faculty Conference on Thursday, March 21 (2:45-4 p.m., South Ballroom) with a roundtable discussion on "Humanities Pedagogy After AI." On Friday, March 22, (9 a.m.-5 p.m., Campanile Room) multiple roundtables will bring together experts from Iowa State and other universities for discussions, followed by an open forum. The symposium is supported with FY 2024 funding awarded under the 2022-2031 strategic plan. Registration is free, open through March 6 and includes Friday lunch.
Registration is open for summer afternoon youth fitness program on campus
Registration is open for the ISU Summer Youth Fitness program, an outreach program of the kinesiology department. Children in grades K-6 (including those completing sixth grade this spring and those entering kindergarten this fall) participate in a range of activities such as team sports, gymnastics, dance, physical fitness and wellness activities. Beginning this summer, the program will not include swimming lessons because the Forker Pool is closing in May. Instructors are physical education and elementary education majors and graduate students in the kinesiology department. The session runs June 3-Aug. 2 (1-4:30 p.m. weekdays, Forker Building and surrounding outdoor areas), with no programming on June 17-19 and July 4-5. The cost is $75/week. A deposit of $150 (per child) is required at registration; further information will be provided to families that complete the registration. Questions may be directed to program director Jenny Smith-Wittrock, 515-294-1762.
ISCORE registration is open through Feb. 26
Registration for the Feb. 29 Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) will close at the end of Monday, Feb. 26. All faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in this free event at the Memorial Union; note this event moved to Thursday this year. The half-day preconference for faculty, staff and graduate students on Wednesday, Feb. 28, is full and registration is closed.
You're invited: Black History Month celebration
The Black Faculty and Staff Association is hosting a Black History Month event on Friday, Feb. 23 (3-6 p.m., Garden Room, Reiman Gardens), "Celebrating Black Excellence at Iowa State, in Iowa and Beyond." All ISU faculty, staff and students are welcome. Meet the incoming chair of the Black Faculty and Staff Association; connect with colleagues; and enjoy light snacks, music, raffles and more. An RSVP is requested.
Abstract deadline extended for undergraduate research event at Capitol
Research in the Capitol, an annual event featuring undergraduate research at Iowa's three regent universities, will be held Monday, March 25, in Des Moines. Students display posters and describe their research to legislators, reporters and university administrators. Iowa State researchers who are mentoring undergraduate researchers are asked to encourage individuals or small groups to complete the online abstract submission form by Tuesday, Feb. 27. Twenty research projects are selected to represent the depth and variety of research at Iowa State, and applications are evaluated by topic, relevance to legislative interests and geographic representation. Students or their mentors may contact undergraduate research program coordinator Svitlana Zbarska for more information.
Scholarship for juniors recognizes potential, hard work, obstacles
Twenty Roy J. Carver Scholarships are available to Iowa State students or transfer students who will start their junior year fall semester, and who demonstrate great potential and promise, work hard to make ends meet, or are faced with debilitating circumstances in their lives. Awards average $6,000 and will be considered for renewal for the senior year. The online application deadline is April 1; the application includes an essay and two references. Questions may be directed to ISU's scholarship office, 515-294-5625. Eligible students must:
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Be a graduate of an accredited Iowa high school or have been an Iowa resident for at least five consecutive years at time of application
- Junior classification in fall semester of the award
- Be enrolled full time (12 credits or more)
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.80
- Demonstrate financial need on basis of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) filed by Feb. 29
- Provide evidence of significant social or economic obstacles
Juniors, seniors: Apply by March 29 for undergraduate research assistantship
The office of student financial aid is accepting applications for the 2024-25 undergraduate research assistantship (URA) program. The program encourages outstanding juniors and seniors to pursue graduate study by offering hands-on experience in a formal research environment to help them make career decisions and learn more about graduate education and fellowships. Questions may be directed to Julie Arnold, 515-294-0103. Student applicants must:
- Be classified as juniors or seniors by the beginning of the research term
- File the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be eligible for work-study funding
- Maintain an ISU cumulative GPA of at least 3.25
- Complete the online URA application (soft deadline of March 29 for spring interviews)
Business Analytics Symposium is April 2
The annual Business Analytics Symposium, hosted by the Ivy College of Business, will take place on April 2 (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., downtown Des Moines). Learn from industry leaders, connect with the analytics community and earn up to 6.2 credits of continuing professional education. This year's event will focus on business analytics in the era of AI, with three keynotes and three breakout sessions. Registration is open through March 25.
Registration opens for spring faculty conference
Registration is open for the Spring Faculty Conference on Thursday, March 21 (9:30 a.m-4:15 p.m., Memorial Union). The free event's theme is artificial intelligence in teaching and research. The day features three keynote speakers and several breakout sessions led by faculty. When registering, faculty are asked to select their sessions.
City snow ordinance takes effect Thursday evening
The city of Ames' snow ordinance will go into effect at 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, and remain in effect until it has stopped snowing and the streets are plowed curb to curb. The snow ordinance likely will remain in effect until noon on Friday, Feb. 16. Vehicles on city snow routes (identified by red and white signs) should be moved to off-street parking or to streets not designated as snow routes. To assist with the plowing effort, owners are asked to not park vehicles on any residential street, particularly on circles and cul de sacs; however, only vehicles parked on snow routes risk being towed.
Four Goldfinch Room shows scheduled for spring
The Goldfinch Room at Stephens Auditorium, a small listening room venue that features songwriters, has announced a slate of four Sunday concerts, once a month from February to May. All performances begin at 5 p.m. Two types of tickets are available: Patrons can reserve a table (seats up to four) for $40 or a (limited number) general admission ticket for $15. Concessions will be available, too. Click on the names for more information about the artists:
- Drew Peterson, Feb. 25
- Heath Church, March 24
- Brad and Kate Myers, April 28
- Royce Johns and Caleb Elliott, May 12
Reminder: Register by Feb. 20 for P&S conference
Registration closes Tuesday, Feb. 20, for the Professional and Scientific Council-hosted annual professional development conference on Wednesday, Feb. 28 (8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Gateway Center). Registration is $150; all P&S employees are invited to participate. Sessions are organized around four tracks: leadership, professional resources, health and wellness, and human interactions.
Registration for March research roundtable extended to Feb. 23
Online registration has been extended to Feb. 23 for the Research and Innovation Roundtable on Friday, March 8 (9 a.m.-4 p.m., Memorial Union, lunch provided). Hosted by the office of the vice president for research, these events invite faculty across campus to explore big ideas that could grow into large interdisciplinary research initiatives. The March topic is community vitality. More information about the theme and expectations for participants is online.
Learn more about economic development at lunch series
ISU's Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations (EDIR), housed at the research park, is launching a monthly lunch series for campus partners. The first is Friday, Feb. 23 (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., executive boardroom, Economic Development Core Facility), and features Alison Doyle, associate director of the ISU Research Park. She'll share information and answer questions about the park and EDIR. Lunch is provided. Space is limited and an RSVP to sdreyer@iastate.edu is required.
Reminder: Avoid large projects, reports in Workday through Feb. 18
The process of transferring student information from the university's legacy systems into Workday continues through February. The 24/7 process may cause slower results for faculty and staff working in Workday. The bulk of the transfer takes place Feb. 10-18, and during this time all employees are asked to not request long, complex reports or run other large data activities that put additional demand on the system.
Ribbon cutting for bike repair station is Feb. 12
Student Government's Sustainability Committee worked with facilities planning and management to install two new bike repair stations on campus, purchased with a grant from the Green Initiatives Fund. A ribbon cutting will be held Monday, Feb. 12 (4-4:30 p.m.) at the first station, outside the west entrance to the Memorial Union. All are invited.
Questions about Workday access
An email about Workday access for students mistakenly was sent on Sunday, Feb. 11. If you received a message from Workday and the subject line included "Your Workday Account," please delete it. Current students will be able to access Workday beginning Monday, March 4. At that time, the Workday app automatically will appear on your sign-on dashboard. Current students will receive more information about logging into Workday for the first time in the next two to three weeks. Questions may be sent to: workcyte_feedback@iastate.edu.
Co-host an event during Sexual Assault Awareness Month
As part of the national Sexual Assault Awareness Month campus observance in April, Iowa State's SAAM planning committee invites proposals from groups -- departments, student organizations, chapters, classes, offices -- across campus to co-host an event or program during the month that provides education, highlights resources or otherwise mobilizes members of the university community. More information, including the proposal form, is online. Proposals are due Feb. 23. Organizers recommend completing the answers in a separate document and pasting them into the form. Questions about the form or the invitation to co-host may be directed to Sam Shelton in the office of student health and wellness.
Dating violence awareness simulation is Feb. 19
The Child Welfare Research and Training Project in the College of Human Sciences is hosting a dating violence awareness program on Monday, Feb. 19, and faculty are asked to encourage their students to participate. From 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the MU Great Hall, ISU students are invited to participate in the simulation, a walk through one of eight true short stories and debriefing exercise to educate and empower participants. The simulation is part of the project's Advocating for My Relationships (ADMYRE) dating violence awareness program. Space is limited; students should use this sign-up site.
The simulation precedes a university lecture at 7:30 p.m. in the MU Sun Room. Hannah Beth Gilbert will share the story of her friend, Eden Montang, who was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend on June 2, 2022, in the parking lot of an Ames church. Her talk is open to the public.
You're invited: Dating violence awareness simulation is Feb. 19
The Child Welfare Research and Training Project in the College of Human Sciences is hosting a dating violence awareness program Monday, Feb. 19, preceding the university lecture on the same topic. From 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the MU Great Hall, ISU students are invited to participate in the simulation, a walk through one of eight true short stories and debriefing exercise to educate and empower participants. The simulation is part of the project's Advocating for My Relationships (ADMYRE) dating violence awareness program. Students should use this sign-up site.
Following the simulation, at 7:30 p.m. in the Sun Room, Hannah Beth Gilbert will share the story of her friend, Eden Montang, who was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend on June 2, 2022, in the parking lot of an Ames church. Her talk is open to the public. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.
Hort club's Valentine bouquet sale runs Feb. 13-14
Perk up your workspace or brighten someone's day with a floral bouquet from the Horticulture Club's Valentine's Day sale Feb. 13-14 (9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily while supplies last, Union Drive Community Center lobby). Select from roses, carnations and spider mums ($3-$4.50/stem) and various fillers and greens ($5). Cash, checks and credit cards are accepted payment.
Nominate your supplier for procurement awards
Procurement Services has opened nominations for its 2024 Supplier Awards, and asks the university community's help to recognize outstanding suppliers. The six awards are open to all suppliers that provided goods or services to Iowa State in 2023 and meet an award's eligibility criteria. Nominations, due Feb. 29, must describe why the supplier should be recognized in the award category and provide examples to demonstrate how the supplier meets the specific criteria. The Supplier Awards are:
Funding support available for summer faculty success program
The provost's office will partially sponsor faculty from all faculty tracks who want to participate in the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity's online Faculty Success Program this summer (May 20-July 28). The provost's office will contribute $2,500 toward the early registration cost of $4,150. Participants will be expected to cover the remaining program fees through other sources such as matching funds from their department or college, professional development funds or grant funds. Faculty sponsored by the provost's office are expected to participate in and complete all components of the Faculty Success Program. More information, including the funding request form, is online. Funding support requests are due March 7. Questions may be directed to Katharine Hensley.
Free speech surveys due March 1; check your inboxes
All ISU employees received a Jan. 31 email message from the state Board of Regents with a request to fill out a five-minute suvey on free speech. All responses to the survey, which closes March 1, are anonymous. For a small number of employees, the message wound up in their email Junk folders. This week, Information Technology Services transferred those emails -- approximately 280 -- into the employees' in-boxes, with the original subject line, "Regents Free Speech Survey," and send date, Jan. 31. Check your in-box in case you did not see the original distribution.
Procurement to host travel/events showcase on Feb. 15
Procurement services will host its 2024 Travel and Event Services Showcase on Thursday, Feb. 15 (noon-3:30 p.m., MU Sun Room). Take the opportunity to talk with representatives of external vendors and internal resources (the list is online) who can help you with your plans, including travel expense reimbursement and allowability or upcoming events ( rentals, materials, signage, space). Bring your ISUCard to check in and get entered into the drawing for door prizes.
Story time with Pete the Cat is Feb. 10
The ISU Book Store is hosting a free Pete the Cat Valentine-themed story time on Saturday, Feb. 10 (10:30-11:15 a.m., bookstore, Memorial Union). Enjoy stories, coloring pages, valentine craft, a photo opportunity with Pete after the event and deals on select kids items and clothing.
Applications due Feb. 29 for summer internship at World Food Prize
The World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines seeks applicants for the George Washington Carver summer internship. Applications are due Feb. 29. Interns are paired with a staff mentor and given responsibility in developing, planning and executing projects integral to the World Food Prize Foundation, including archival studies, awards and lectures management, communications and public relations, graphic design, international dialogue programming, and youth programming and education. A minimum commitment of 16 hours per week is required between May 20 and Aug. 16. The stipend is $1,500. More information, including application instructions, is online.
Health insurance coverage form is in Workday; opt out of mailed printed version
For the first time, employees' 1095-C form (Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage) are available electronically in Workday. This form confirms medical coverage for plan participants over a calendar year, and in previous years, the university mailed printed forms to employees.
Every employee receives it electronically, and employees are asked to update their 1095-C printing election in the "Benefits" app in Workday to avoid also receiving a print copy in the mail. (The default setting is to receive the 1095-C in both formats.) In the benefits' "change" menu, select "1095-C form printing election" and "receive electronic copy of 1095-C." Employees who don't change their election will also receive a print copy.
Opting for electronic delivery only gives employees convenient access to their 1095-C form and helps the university save money and achieve operational efficiencies. Questions may be emailed to fbac@iastate.edu.
P&S seminar to focus on class/comp structure
The next Professional and Scientific (P&S) Council Seminar is Feb. 13 (2-3 p.m., Room 3580, MU). Compensation and talent acquisition director Emma Mallarino Houghton will provide a broad overview of the P&S classification and compensation structure used at ISU. The session will cover how the structures are organized, managed and updated. This will include discussion of our classification titles, job levels and how jobs are organized into the compensation structure. It will also cover the market-based philosophy and how that is used to build our compensation structure. Preregistration is encouraged.
Share your empty egg cartons, grocery bags with SHOP
The SHOP campus food pantry in Beyer Hall is in need of empty egg cartons, cut in half, if possible, and plastic grocery bags. Drop them off during open hours (enter the southwest doors and follow the signs). Questions can be sent to shop_exec@iastate.edu.
