Getting a jump start on spring (break)

February 29

 

Chad Garland will lead the Memorial Union team

By Meredith Ponder Hanisch, campus life
February 29

Chad Garland, senior director of University Center, student life and event services at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs campus, has been named director of the Memorial Union (MU), effective April 15. The MU, built in 1928, is part of campus life, which is within the division of student affairs.

With more than 316,000 square feet, the MU is home to many beloved ISU traditions as well as student service offices, several ISU Dining venues and the university bookstore. Garland will provide strategic oversight and oversee operations and student engagement, which supports more than 900 student organizations, the M-Shop, Workspace and more. 

"We are excited for Chad to bring his skills and experiences to Iowa State to support our Memorial Union as we build on efforts to enhance the student experience and foster a vibrant campus community," said Michael Harwood, associate vice president for campus life and director of residence.

Garland brings to Iowa State more than 25 years of higher education experience, including significant time working in various areas of campus life. Prior to Colorado, he served as associate director of the student center at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio (2013-15) and as University Center manager and assistant director of conference services at Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant (2011-13). Other roles at Central Michigan included residence hall director and assistant director of the office of student life.

Garland earned a bachelor's degree in zoology from Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, and a master's degree in college student affairs leadership from Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan. Additionally, he has completed coursework towards a Ph.D. in higher, adult and lifelong education from Michigan State University.

MU associate directors Kristine Heflin and Brad Hill, who have served as co-interim directors since the death of former director Steve Winfrey last April, will continue in that role until mid-April.

"I am extremely grateful to Brad and Kristine for their leadership during this interim period," Harwood said. "They have navigated through a challenging time for the Memorial Union with excellence and an outstanding dedication to service."

Third rollout of student functions in Workday arrives Monday

By Anne Krapfl
February 29

The third rollout of student functions in Workday happens Monday, March 4. If you're a faculty or staff member whose job includes student processes and information, you'll see additional apps in your Workday menu that morning. Below are a few suggestions for making the most of familiar tasks in a new system. And, if your job doesn't involve student processes and data, you might watch this two-minute video for a quick overview of the Workday implementation -- and keep reading anyway to learn more.

"For some at Iowa State, March 4 will be business as usual. For our students and for all those who work with student data and processes, the change to Workday Student is impactful," said Geoff Janes, overall functional lead and senior manager of IT systems in the office of admissions who serves on a half dozen implementation teams and the steering committee. "We're the first Research I large university to use all the modules in Workday. We're learning, and Workday is learning with us."

Six small things to get off to a good start

Locate any additional apps in your Workday menu. Faculty and staff may find new apps for student functions at the bottom of their app menu in Workday. Remember, you'll see only the functions you need to use to do your job; access clearance is nuanced in Workday to assure this. Workday lets you view up to 20 apps at a time; if you're already at 20, click the "Add apps" button or "Edit apps" to move them into, out of, or higher on your list of 20.

 

Update your Workday search setting so you'll be able to access student records in your search results. Type anything in the search bar, then click "configure search" in the lower left corner, find "student" in the "more categories" list and drag it into your saved categories. Without this step, students won't display in your search results.

 

Visit the WorkCyte training pages . . . often since materials are added and updated regularly. More than 200 trainings are categorized both by topic and by 12 roles on the WorkCyte website to help you more easily locate what's relevant for you. Training also is available in multiple formats for different kinds of learners: articles to read, short demonstration videos to watch or even five- to 12-minute courses in Workday Learning (once in Learning, type "Workday Student" in the search bar to filter courses).

 

Watch the six-minute Overview of Registration video for some familiarity with how students will register for fall classes in Workday, either one course at a time or using a schedule they pre-built. Also see how a student drops, adds or swaps a course or course section. All employees play a role in helping students be successful; course registration is the first big task returning students will need to complete in Workday, starting in late March.

 

Learn where to get help if you need it. A good start is to bookmark the WorkCyte Get Help page in your browser or Sign On dashboard. This is the top page of the training and learning pyramid, with links to a Workday glossary, FAQ, articles library, training videos and contact information for the admissions, financial aid and registrar offices for help with specific questions. Other help options:

• Email workcyte_feedback@iastate.edu.
• Contact the IT Solution Center.
• The six undergraduate colleges are planning college-staffed help rooms for academic advisors and students during the registration window for fall courses. Locations will open by mid-March and remain available through the registration period.

 

Finally, on March 4, read the Do This First article created for your role, found on the training page for your role. It includes suggestions for setting up favorites for certain reports or filters in Workday to save time. Also on that page you'll find a list of the "must have" trainings -- the short list for employees in your role.

One finalist named in EO director and Title IX coordinator search

By Megan Landolt, office of the president
February 29

One finalist for Iowa State's director of equal opportunity and Title IX coordinator position will interview on campus next week. The candidate's schedule includes a campus forum on Wednesday, March 6 (10 a.m., 3512 Memorial Union).

The finalist's name and curriculum vitae will be shared on the administrative searches website the day preceding the visit.

Everyone who participates in the campus forum is asked to complete an online feedback form for the candidate.

Associate general counsel Heather Smith is leading the six-member search committee, assisted by the Spelman Johnson search firm. Mary Sirna, administrative advisor and attorney on staff for ISU police, has been serving as interim director of equal opportunity and Title IX coordinator since July, following the departure of Carl Wells.

 

Related story:

• Search commences for equal opportunity director, Aug. 31, 2023

Regents elect Sherry Bates to lead the board

By Anne Krapfl
February 29

The state Board of Regents unanimously elected president pro tem Sherry Bates, Scranton, to serve as board president through April 30. Bates, who had served as interim board president for the last six weeks, will complete the two-year leadership term of Michael Richards, who stepped down as president on Jan. 16.

In a second 9-0 vote, regent Greta Rouse, Emmetsburg, was elected to serve for two months as president pro tem. Both regents are Iowa State alumna.

Residence, dining rate increases

Iowa State residence system occupancy numbers have returned to pre-pandemic levels, residence director Michael Harwood told the regents during his annual update. Wilson Hall rooms are being used as doubles this year to support student interest in campus housing.

He said the residence department expects its total occupancy (residence halls and apartments) to increase from 10,030 students this year and stabilize at 10,300 students beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. With occupancy already at 96% this year, to help meet the demand, 100 beds in University Village will be available and some Wallace Hall rooms could be converted from single to double occupancy as needed.

However, rate increases averaging 1.6% since 2020-21 have not kept pace with inflation in nearly every expense category -- wages, fringe benefits, utilities, insurance and food -- or provided sufficient funding for building improvement projects. Harwood noted that 17 of Iowa State's 21 residence buildings are 53 to 110 years old, creating a lengthy deferred maintenance list. Market competition is another compelling reason to upgrade facilities, particularly for popular features like air conditioning and modern bathroom layouts.

Therefore, Iowa State is asking the regents to approve room rate increases of about 6.5% and meal plan and flex meal package increases of 5% next year. For example, the proposed rate for a standard double room (no air conditioning) and the unlimited meal plan next year is $10,286, an increase of 5.76% or $560. Student leaders in the Residence Hall Association supported the proposed rates and actually requested an increase to the initial 5% proposal for room rates, too.

"We feel really fortunate to have a great relationship with our student leaders and look forward to working with them as we plan for future years," Harwood said.

The residence department offers multiple rates based on style of accommodation offered (standard room, suite or apartment), number of roommates and amenities such as private bathroom, kitchen, air conditioned, pet friendly or furnished.

As proposed, the door rate for meals at the dining centers also would go up about 5%, to $12.25 for breakfast (up 60 cents) and $15.75 (up 75 cents) for lunch and dinner.

Final approval of the proposed increases is scheduled for the board's April meeting.

New online master's program

Iowa State's new Master of Applied Statistics in the statistics department received final approval from the board. The 30-credit program will be offered through Iowa State Online beginning in spring 2025, emphasizing practical applications and experiences with current methodologies, including two credits for experiential/work learning. Full-time students could complete the program in 15 months, another distinction with the M.S. degree in statistics.

Increases to parking permits

The board received an ISU proposal to raise prices on employee parking permits 3% ($2-$32) on July 1. The additional revenue would be used to upgrade or maintain existing lots and upgrade equipment to provide better services. No changes are proposed to fines for parking violations.

Permits for the ramp at the Memorial Union, which is managed by the MU, not the parking office, also would go up about 3%, as proposed. No increases are proposed to the ramp's hourly rates or special fees (for example, the $10 late payment or $20 permit replacement fees).

The board will vote on the proposed increases at its April meeting.

 

Permit	Proposed FY2025	Current
24-hour reserved	$1,108	$1,076
Reserved	$642	$623
General staff*	$205	$199
Departmental	$240	$233
Vendor	$358	$348
Motorcycle	$68	$66
Memorial Union ramp
Employee/annual	$680	$660
Fall/spring	$295	$286
Winter (Nov-Feb)	$270	$262
Summer	$244	$237

*also residence, Ames Lab permits

 

DEI directives update

The board approved revisions to the Board of Regents Policy Manual as part of the process of implementing several of the 10 board directives that resulted from its eight-month review of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and offices at the three universities. Directives 4a, 4b, 5, 7 and 10 add language to the manual's chapters on admission requirements (prohibiting the use of race and other federal- or state-protected class characteristics) and freedom of expression:

• Prohibiting any requirement for students, employees, job applicants or visitors to submit a DEI statement.
• Prohibiting any requirement for students, employees, job applicants or visitors to disclose their pronoun.
• Annually requiring the universities to issue guidance on separating personal political advocacy from university business or activity.

The board has asked for the universities' official responses to the 10 directives in time for its April meeting.

Decisions on Iowa State building projects

Iowa State received permission to begin planning on two construction projects using the construction manager at risk (CMR) project method, which shifts risk for staying on budget and on time to the CMR:

• A series of additions, totaling about 17,000 square feet in three phases, to the large animal wing of the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center to expand reproductive services, primarily for horses, and equine sports medicine services, in response to the growing equine industry in Iowa. The estimated $12 million project budget will be covered by private gifts and university funds. Phase 1 will include additional equine ICU stalls, reproductive services, feed and bedding storage and shared storage. The second phase will include an embryo transfer lab, and phase three includes plans for an equine rehabilitation area.
  Regent Robert Cramer expressed concern about the CMR method for this project, saying he'd like to see the project opened to every interested bidder. The committee approved the proposal as submitted but reserved the right to reconsider CMR at the time it reviews a proposed budget and schematic design.
• Two research facilities for aerospace engineering professor Partha Sarkar's team to study the impact of tornadoes, derechos and other severe downbursts of wind. As proposed, the first facility would be a prototype, approximately 1/20 the size of the second and built inside the west end of Howe Hall. The second will be a full-scale building, location not yet determined, up to 500 feet long and large enough to test wind impacts on structures larger than home. National Science Foundation grants would cover the estimated $83 million-$94 million costs of the two phases; Iowa State has received $14 million, $2 million of which will cover design and construction of the prototype facility.

The board approved the athletics department's $16 million proposal to replace the sound systems and all video displays at Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum. Work will occur in phases from fall 2024 to fall 2025 and also replaces the video board at the Lied Recreation Center, site of indoor track and field competitions, and video boards and sound system at the Cyclone Sports Complex, home to Cyclone soccer, softball and outdoor track and field. The project will be financed through the regents' master lease program (First American Bank) and repaid with athletics department revenue and gifts over 10 years.

The board approved an issuance of $12.28 million in ISU Facilities Corp. revenue bonds to cover the costs to renovate the east end of the ground and first floors in the Scheman Building at the Iowa State Center. The project creates a flexible event space, renovates restrooms and adds new food and beverage service areas, branded for the athletics department. In September the board approved the project, which also upgrades the mechanical and electrical systems. Construction could begin this spring and continue through summer 2025.

Incorporated in 2015, the facilities corporation is a not-for-profit organization of the ISU Foundation to help maintain, develop and extend university facilities and services.

Final season of CYTown parking lot work starts March 11

By Anne Krapfl
February 29

Editor's note: This story was updated on March 6.

 

Infrastructure and pavement work will resume during spring break on the future CYTown parking lots and development corridor at the Iowa State Center. With the ground warming early this spring, on Monday, March 11, crews from Des Moines-based Elder Corp. will begin demolishing the last three north lots (A3, B3, C3) and continue work begun last summer and fall in the southwest quadrant (lots A4, A5, B4 and B5 and the south section of Alumni Lane).

To maintain parking for employees and visitors at the Alumni Center, the south half of A3 won't be demolished until lot A4 is complete, weather-dependent and estimated for early August. Employees and visitors to the Alumni Center will access lot A3 from the north via Center Drive. When lot A4 is ready, they'll park there, accessing the lot via Alumni Lane from the south.

The southwest portion of phase 1 will be completed by mid-August. With favorable weather, a majority of the Phase 2 lot work also could be completed prior to the fall semester.

Development corridor, CyRide stop

The $37.7 million project, the first of a multi-phased plan to develop a multi-use entertainment district, CYTown, provides underground utility infrastructure (stormwater and sanitary sewers, water, electrical and telecommunication lines), new parking surfaces and, with fill dirt, raises areas of the site so buildings and other facilities will be five feet above Ioway Creek's 100-year flood plain. The work this year puts in place a central north-south, building-ready corridor for future development. Last fall, the athletics department announced McFarland Clinic will be CYTown's first tenant.

Plans also add a CyRide hub in lot D3 in the northeast corner of the lots to replace the former hub on the west side of the lots. Design is nearly complete on that facility, which will include two single-user restrooms, vending and indoor seating. Construction is expected to begin this summer and continue into early winter, with an opening targeted for early in 2025.

 

 

Transportation services simplifies driver request process

February 29

In response to customer suggestions, transportation services (TS) has created a simpler, one-step process for booking a staff driver in support of any official university business, including rides to the Des Moines Airport.

It's no longer necessary to:

• Set up a profile in the Agile reservation system to request a driver
• Make a separate vehicle or trailer reservation in Agile

Instead, find the "Driver Request Form" button on TS' Shuttle Drivers and Airport Travel website. The form is intuitive and won't submit until all fields are completed. When you receive notification that the shuttle services team has signed the form, your reservation is confirmed. The driver assignment will be made and forwarded to you two weeks in advance of your trip.

Due to high demand for TS' driver and student airport shuttle services, requests should be made at least two weeks in advance of your trip/event. If you're requesting a driver inside of two weeks, call shuttle services instead at 515-294-1824 to see if they can accommodate your request (there is a limited number of drivers).

Questions may be directed to shuttle services' phone or email, shuttleservices@iastate.edu.

 

Related story:

• Transporation services adds Des Moines airport shuttle for students, Dec. 7, 2023

Iowa State selects developer for CYTown

By Nick Joos, athletics communications
February 29

Iowa State has selected Omaha-based Goldenrod Companies to lead the design, development, financing and construction of CYTown, the innovative 40-acre multi-use district being built between the Iowa State Center and Jack Trice Stadium, school officials announced Feb. 26. Following an extensive RFI (request for information) process led by Cushman & Wakefield, athletics leaders selected Goldenrod Companies.

"The number of responses to our RFI was truly amazing. It confirmed for us the viability of this project," said director of athletics Jamie Pollard. "In the end, Goldenrod's expertise and demonstrated success in the development of mixed-use districts, coupled with their financial capacity and higher education experience, made them the ideal partner to turn CYTown's vision into a reality."

"Our goal is to create a vibrant, innovative, and financially feasible multi-use district that, in turn, will generate the necessary resources to reinvest in the Iowa State Center," he added. "CYTown's unique location will help attract more visitors to Iowa State University and the Ames community, spur economic growth for central Iowa and offer new amenities to students, staff, visitors and residents to enjoy year-round."

Iowa State will enter into an initial agreement that provides Goldenrod an exclusive period to perform the necessary research, complete studies and develop a financial model. When that process is completed, it is expected Iowa State and Goldenrod would enter into a long-term, land-use development agreement, pending final approval from the Iowa Board of Regents.

"We are grateful to the regents for supporting our recommendation to partner with Goldenrod," said President Wendy Wintersteen. "We look forward to working with Goldenrod to develop an innovative and vibrant mixed-use district that will enhance Ames' reputation as an outstanding community to live and work in.

"This has been a thoughtful and deliberate process, and I look forward to the momentum continuing to grow as we enter this exciting phase with Goldenrod coming alongside Iowa State as our partner in this project," she added.

Who is Goldenrod?

Headquartered in Omaha, Goldenrod has acquired or successfully developed more than $4.4 billion of commercial real estate throughout the United States since its founding in 2005. It has $2.7 billion in assets under management and manages more than 8.5 million square feet of commercial property. It has completed several complex projects throughout the Midwest while developing a niche in the public-private partnership (P3) sector. Over the last decade, Goldenrod has completed $1.6 billion in P3 projects with 18 entities.

Goldenrod has served as the master developer for the University of Nebraska's 2.2 million-square-foot Innovation Campus, Colorado State University's South and Foothills campuses and developed many projects within Omaha's Aksarben Village neighborhood. Goldenrod's current mixed-use projects include The Henry development adjacent to The Battery in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as the One University and Van Zandt developments in Fort Worth, Texas.

"Goldenrod is honored to be chosen as the coordinating developer for the CYTown Master Development," said Zach Wiegert, Goldenrod's managing principal. "We are excited to work with ISU and its stakeholders to make CYTown a truly transformational project for the university and its athletics department. We want to make CYTown a year-round destination for students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff and visitors while providing an amazing event space before and after ISU athletic events at Iowa State Center and Jack Tice Stadium."

CYTown

The university unveiled its vision for CYTown in September 2022. The first phase, nearly $40 million in parking and infrastructure improvements, will wrap up this fall. Last fall, the university announced McFarland Clinic would be the development's first tenant with a facility expected to be completed by fall 2026. CYTown will provide an opportunity for a variety of uses, including retail, food and beverage, entertainment, medical, hospitality, office and residential. One day it will encompass more than 400,000 square feet of building area to serve event guests and university commuters who use the parking lots.

"Our team is thrilled that Iowa State had the leadership and foresight to bring the research park into this transformational project," said Rick Sanders, president of Iowa State University Research Park. "This development partnership will positively impact the growth trajectory of the Research Park and provide our university tenant partners a vibrant live, work, play environment that is vital to our growth.

"We are also grateful to our partners at the City of Ames for their cooperation and partnership as we continue to move forward with our partners at Goldenrod," he added.

Full story

Theatre performances add unique logistics

By Stacey Maifeld, LAS College communications
February 29

Prepare to travel back in time -- way back in time -- when ISU Theatre's "Always Plenty of Light at the Starlight All Night Diner" opens Thursday, Feb. 29, in Fisher Theater.

Written by playwright Darcy Parker Bruce, the show is a quirky, queer time-travel adventure with dinosaurs. Described as a cross between "Jurassic Park," "Back to the Future," and "Fried Green Tomatoes," audiences will find that the stakes are more than life and death in this love story. They're life or extinction.

Along with the play's unique premise, ISU Theatre has given this production a few other innovative features. It is staged in the round, and all audience members will be seated on the stage.

Performances are Feb. 29 and March 1-2 at 7:30 p.m. and March 3 at 3 p.m. The show is an hour long with no intermission and contains adult language, haze and strobe lights. Tickets are general admission ($20 adults, Iowa State students are free). Due to the unique audience seating arrangements, there are limited tickets available for each show. Advance purchase, including the free student tickets, is strongly recommended. For ticket information, visit theatre.iastate.edu.

It's also the first time a main stage ISU Theatre production will be entirely student-designed. Students interviewed for the positions of scenic, lighting, sound, props and costume designer last spring. Some of their challenging tasks include bringing to life a soundscape including dinosaurs, creating authentic props for audience members watching from a few feet away and designing a set visible from four angles.

"This is my first fully realized main stage scenic design," scenic designer Bobbie Buie said. "This is also my first time designing for a show in the round, which doesn't exactly throw the old rules out the window, but it certainly turns them on their head. Having to consider four varying audience perspectives and how to give them a unique but equally potent experience was an exciting challenge and a wonderful learning opportunity to complete."

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean's Artist-in-Residence Heather Currie directs the production. Currie is an ensemble member with Lifeline Theatre in Chicago, where she works as a director, writer and actor.