Announcements
February 2025
Spring break week volunteers sought for SHOP pantry
The SHOP food pantry in Beyer Hall is in need of faculty and staff volunteers Monday-Wednesday afternoons, March 17-19 (during spring break week). Use the SignUp Genius site to select your volunteer shift(s). You can always email shop_exec@iastate.edu to get the link as well.
ISU three-peats on working parents designation
For the third consecutive year, Iowa State has earned the Best Place for Working Parents® designation from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. The designation recognizes the university's commitment to supporting working parents through family-friendly policies and practices. Assessed criteria include flexible work arrangements, paid time off, onsite child care and parenting resources. The recognition especially reflects the work done by two teams in university human resources, child care and family services and ISU Wellbeing, to ensure ISU parent employees have adequate resources and support.
Dairy Science Club adds birthday cake to its ice cream flavors
Members of the Dairy Science Club are selling ice cream today (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) outside the north doors to Lush Auditorium in Kildee Hall. Get a cup for $2 (cash only); flavors this week are birthday cake, blueberry, brownie-Heath, caramel latte and Oreo. 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.
Applications due March 28 for 2025-26 undergrad research match
The office of student financial aid is accepting applications for the 2025-26 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 28 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
March 29 workshop targets would-be business owners
The Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, with the Ames Regional Economic Alliance and Iowa Small Business Development Center, will host a free Smart Start Workshop on Saturday, March 29 (9 a.m.-4 p.m., ISU Research Park Core Facility). The day is a "crash course" for anyone considering starting a business. Local business professionals will cover topics such as banking basics, insurance, business organization, intellectual property, registration, marketing and operations. Registration is required; half-day registration is available.
Reminder: Nominations due March 1 for 2025-26 leadership academy
Nominations for the 2025-26 cohort of the Emerging Leaders Academy are due to the office of the senior vice president and provost by March 1. ELA fosters the leadership development of faculty and professional and scientific staff currently serving in leadership roles or those who aspire to such positions. From August to May, the cohort participates in monthly leadership activities led by content experts and facilitators. Cohort members also work in teams to complete a leadership development project. More information regarding eligibility and the nomination process is online. ELA participants are selected based on the quality of their nominator's one-page letter and the nominee's one-page essay. Next fall's cohort will be announced by April 15. Questions may be directed to Katharine Hensley in the provost's office.
Annual water conference seeks presentation proposals
The Iowa Water Center seeks presenters and poster presenters for its 19th annual water conference Sept. 9-10 in Ankeny (preconference activities on Sept. 8). More information about submitting a proposal is online. Presentation proposal abstracts are due April 30; the poster submission deadline is Aug. 22. Both should connect to one of the conference's six focus areas:
- Water and agriculture
- Water and health
- Water and recreation
- Stormwater/Urban water
- Water quantity
- Water science communication
Signal work starts Feb. 24 at intersection south of football stadium
Ahead of a two-summer project to widen South 16th Street near the Veterinary Medicine campus, the city of Ames will replace the traffic signals at the road's intersection with University Boulevard, south of Jack Trice Stadium. On Monday, Feb. 24, crews are scheduled to start work at the site on underground preparation and installation of the traffic pole foundations. Depending on weather, the work will take 1-2 weeks. During this time, University Boulevard will remain open; however, there may be temporary lane closures and periods where the intersection functions like a four-way stop with flashing red signals. Drivers and pedestrians are asked to stay alert to these temporary adjustments.
VPR site provides updates on federal funding changes
The office of the vice president for research (VPR) will provide guidance, updates and links to relevant resources to help Iowa State's research community navigate the evolving landscape for federal funding. The VPR team created a federal funding page on the VPR website, which it will update and date-stamp as agencies share more direction and guidance with their research partners. Researchers are encouraged to check this page frequently in the weeks ahead. Changes potentially could impact both awarded projects and those awaiting funding from federal agencies or sponsors.
Conflict management training scheduled for June
Iowa State ombuds Laura Smythe will offer training for faculty and staff leaders on conflict management over three half-days, June 9-11 (8:30 a.m.-noon daily). The training is interactive and designed to address scenarios that participants find occur repeatedly yet they approach with uncertainty or discomfort. Participation is limited to 25 individuals and registration is first come, first served; contact Kay Mwanza, 515-294-0165, to register. Each day builds on the prior day, so registrants are asked to commit to attending all three days.
Registration is open for digital scholarship symposium
Registration has opened for the second annual Digital Scholarship Symposium on Wednesday, March 26 (9:45 a.m.-4 p.m., 199 Parks). The symposium will feature two panel discussions: "Public Digital Arts and Humanities: Community Impact Through Digital Projects" and "Digital Pedagogy: Expanding Digital Literacy and Creativity in the Classroom." Panelists will discuss examples of using digital methods to open research to a wider audience and developing digital literacy skills in the classroom. Registration is free and includes lunch.
Landscape Club offering design sessions on March 1
Landscape Club members will offer one-hour landscaping design sessions for homeowners on Saturday, March 1 (9 a.m-2 p.m., four time slots, Horticulture Hall) on a first-come, first-served basis for $150. Sign up. Club members will provide a basic site overview, plant recommendations and a physical design for homeowners to take home that day. Proceeds support club members at the 2025 National Collegiate Landscape Competition.
Tuesday morning classes will meet virtually
Due to the forecast for extremely cold weather on Tuesday, Feb. 18, Iowa State's morning classes (those starting prior to 11:30 a.m.) will meet virtually. Afternoon and evening classes will meet in person as scheduled. Students should check email and Canvas for additional information from their instructors. Updates will be posted at www.isualert.iastate.edu/.
The Iowa State campus remains open, and the Thielen Student Health Center will be open for regular operations. Employees who can't make it to campus should contact their supervisors. FAQ for disruption in university operations.
Encourage research students to present at April women's and gender studies conference
Faculty and staff working with students conducting research within the fields of gender, sexuality and women's studies are asked to encourage them to present at Iowa State's Women's and Gender Studies student conference on Saturday, April 12 (9 a.m.-4 p.m., Student Innovation Center). Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to attend and/or present at this free conference. Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. March 28. Students may submit their proposal or register to attend on the conference website.
Help identify fall 2025 juniors for the Roy J. Carver scholarship
The student financial aid team asks for faculty and staff help in identifying students who might qualify for the Carver Scholarship from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust. Twenty awards of $6,000 each (renewable for one additional year) will be awarded for the 2025-26 academic year. Online applications are due to the Carver Trust on April 1. The scholarship eligibility criteria are:
- U.S. citizen
- Graduate of accredited Iowa high school or Iowa resident for five years
- At least junior classification by fall semester 2025
- Enrolled full-time (12 or more credits)
- Cumulative GPA of at least 2.80
- Demonstrated financial need on basis of the 2025-26 FAFSA
- Evidence of unusual barriers to attending college full-time
Questions may be directed to Julie Arnold, 515-294-0103.
City snow ordinance takes effect at 10 p.m. Feb. 14
The city of Ames' snow ordinance will go into effect at 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, and remain in effect until 8 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 16 -- but may vary depending on plowing conditions. Crews most likely will be making multiple passes on streets Saturday until the snow stops falling. 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.
Documentary, Q&A shine a light on eating disorders
As part of national Eating Disorders Week, Student Counseling Services will host a Q&A panel and screening of the 34-minute documentary, "Behind the Before and After: Intuitive Eating and Body Image" on Tuesday, Feb. 25 (6:30 p.m., MU Great Hall).
Workshop presenters sought for June 4-H state conference
Faculty and staff are invited to to lead educational workshops for youth delegates (approximately 400 8th-12th graders from across Iowa) at ISU Extension and Outreach's annual Iowa 4-H Youth Conference, June 24-26 on campus. Presenters explore academic and career paths in hands-on, interactive sessions while showcasing their department's expertise and building connections with future students. The conference aligns with 4-H's national Beyond Ready campaign. Workshops are 90 minutes long for 15-20 participants. Proposals are due March 15. Questions may be directed to Madeline Bretey-Smith, Iowa 4-H.
Wednesday evening classes will meet virtually
Due to the deteriorating weather conditions, evening classes at Iowa State will meet virtually, beginning at 4:50 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12. Students should check email and Canvas for additional information from their instructors. The expectation is that classes will resume for in-person instruction on Thursday, Feb 13. Students who feel they can't make it to campus safely are reminded to contact their instructor to arrange to make up work. Updates will be posted at www.isualert.iastate.edu/.
The Iowa State campus remains open. Supervisors should provide maximum flexibility for employees to work remotely or take leave. If remote work is not an option, consider potential training opportunities that employees can complete remotely.
Supervisors in police, public safety, security, power plant, food service, health care, animal care and critical maintenance should make arrangements for team members to report safely to campus. Employees who cannot make it to campus should contact their supervisors.
Open education proposals for Miller mini-grants due April 14
The Miller Open Education Mini-Grant Program seeks proposals for projects to be developed during the 2025-26 academic year. Funds are provided for instructors to adopt, edit or create open educational resources (OER). Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 14. Applicants will be notified of their proposal's status by June 1.
No kidding; ice cream sale resumes today
For the first time this semester, members of the Dairy Science Club are selling ice cream today (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) outside the north doors to Lush Auditorium in Kildee Hall. Get a cup for $2 (cash only); flavors this week are chocolate, Oreo, Butterfinger, KitKat and thin mint. 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.
Shared-use kitchen workshop is March 31-April 1
Registration ($80) is open for a workshop on Shared-use Kitchens March 31-April 1 at the ISU Alumni Center, offered by ISU Extension and Outreach. Many small food-processing businesses start in their operators' home kitchens. For business owners who'd like to expand beyond their home, one option could be access to a shared-use kitchen facility, which provides commercial space and equipment for multiple individuals or businesses to prepare or handle food for wholesale, resale or distribution. Currently, Iowa has only about six shared-use kitchens, which contrasts with 30-35 such facilities each in neighboring states.
Town/Gown annual Musicale is Feb. 22
The Ames Town & Gown Chamber Music Association will hold its 36th annual Musicale on Saturday, Feb. 22 (7 p.m., St. John's by the Campus Episcopal Church, 2338 Lincoln Way). The evening includes culinary delights and performances by musicians from the university and Ames community. Tickets (order online) are $50 (students $15); tickets ordered after Feb. 12 will be held at the door.
Wedding open house is Feb. 23 at alumni center
The ISU Alumni Association will host its Wedding Open House on Sunday, Feb. 23 (11 a.m.-3 p.m.). See what a wedding looks like in the building, meet vendors and approved caterers, and enter a drawing for a discounted wedding package. RSVPs are encouraged but not required.
Funding help available for summer faculty success program
The provost's office again will partially sponsor faculty from all tracks who want to participate in the NCFDD's Faculty Success Program during summer 2025 (May 19-July 27). Provost office funds will cover $2,500 of the $4,495 early registration fee. Participants will be expected to cover the remaining program fee through other sources such as department or college matching funds, professional development funds, grant funds or other sources. Faculty sponsored by the provost's office also are expected to complete all components of the program. To apply for this funding, complete the short application form by Feb. 26. Iowa State has an institutional membership with the NCFDD.
Innovation lunch club meets virtually on Feb. 14
The February edition of the Innovation Impact Lunch Club will feature ISU Research Park associate director Alison Doyle. It will meet virtually on Friday, Feb. 14 (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; RSVP to receive the link in an email). Learn more about how the research park connects people and drives innovation in central Iowa. The free series is hosted by ISU's office of economic development and industry relations especially for its faculty and staff partners, but open to all.
Reminder: Register for P&S employee conference
Registration closes Wednesday, Feb. 19, for the Professional and Scientific Council's annual professional development conference, "Charting the Future," on Feb. 27 (7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Gateway Hotel and Conference Center) for P&S employees. The day includes a keynote address, three breakout sessions and lunch. Registration is $150.
Memorial service is Feb. 15 for former faculty member Roger Berger
A Celebration of Life for professor emeritus of industrial engineering Roger Berger will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15 (10 a.m., Reiman Ballroom, ISU Alumni Center, social with light refreshments follows). Berger died Jan. 4 from injuries caused by an accidental fall. Rev. Kelli Clement of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames will lead the service, and members of the community will be invited to say a few words about Berger. A family burial will take place at the ISU Cemetery. Berger was a member of the industrial and manufacturing systems engineering faculty for 29 years (1972 to his retirement in 2001). Obituary.
Individual tickets on sale for August football game in Ireland
Individual tickets (with no travel package) for the Iowa State versus Kansas State College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland (Aug. 23, Avia Stadium) went on sale via Ticketmaster on Feb. 5. Tickets will be sold through Feb. 28 or while supplies last. (Secondary ticket markets are prohibited for events in Ireland, so don't rely on this option this summer.)
Nominations due Feb. 28 for faculty mentor award
The office of the senior vice president and provost seeks nominations for the 2025 Exemplary Faculty Mentor Award, which recognizes faculty members who have exceeded the expectations of a mentor and acknowledges the critical role that faculty mentoring plays at Iowa State. More information about the award is online, including eligibility criteria and nomination process. Nominations are due Friday, Feb. 28. Award recipients will be recognized at a reception on Friday, April 25 (3:30-4:30 p.m., MU Campanile Room).
Reiman Gardens announces year-round hours
Reiman Gardens has announced new year-round hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, with the butterfly wing closing 30 minutes earlier each day. From April 1 through Sept. 30, the gardens will be open Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 8 p.m.
Nominate your supplier for procurement awards
Procurement services has opened nominations for its six 2025 Supplier Awards and asks for the university community's help to recognize outstanding suppliers that provided goods or services to Iowa State in 2024 and meet an award's eligibility criteria (follow the links below). Nominations are due Feb. 28 and should describe why the supplier should be recognized in the award category, including examples that demonstrate how the supplier meets the specific criteria. Don't assume that procurement services knows what the supplier does for you. The award categories are:
Chemistry Stores offers pipette calibration service Feb. 24-March 5
Chemistry Stores is hosting its annual pipette calibration service Feb. 24-March 5. Kiwi Calibration will be on campus to calibrate and repair pipettes. Prices for the service are: single channel $44, 8-channel $110, 12-channel $115; a valid Worktag is required at drop-off. Customers may drop off their pipettes to the Chemistry Stores office, 1359 Gilman, starting Wednesday, Feb. 19. The service is first come, first served.
Proposals due March 26 for spring youth programs symposium
Risk management is accepting proposals for 40-minute presentations for its 2025 Youth Programs Symposium, to be held virtually on Tuesday, April 15 (8:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.). Proposals are due March 26. The symposium is for youth program leaders and other interested faculty, staff and stakeholders who support youth programming at Iowa State. More information and the proposal submission form are online.
Registration due Feb. 21 for March research roundtable
Registration is due Feb. 21 for the office of the vice president's next Research and Innovation Roundtable on Wednesday, March 5 (9 a.m.-4 p.m., Memorial Union, lunch provided). The theme is "From Risk to Resilience: Combatting Endemic and Zoonotic Microbial Threats." Researchers working in applied sciences, humanities, engineering, design and the social sciences are invited to this unique opportunity to collaborate with campus colleagues as well as researchers from the USDA National Animal Disease Center and Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation. The roundtable includes time to:
- Learn more during facilitated breakout discussions
- Pitch project ideas
- Identify and self-assemble project teams
- Receive instructions about requests for proposals and funding
Spring water research seminars announced
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center has posted topics and graduate student presenters for its spring water research seminars. The hybrid presentations take place the second Wednesday of each month, Feb. 12, March 12, April 9 and May 14 (3:10-4 p.m., 1306 Elings and via Zoom; register to receive the links); each session features two presentations. Sessions are open to the public.
