Inside Iowa State

Nov. 18, 2005

Announcements

Intro to foster/adoptive parenting

Children and Families of Iowa, Des Moines, will hold a meeting for ISU employees who'd like information about becoming foster or adoptive parents at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, in the LeBaron lounge. All family members are welcome. For more information, contact Stephanie, 515-681-4600.

Bugeja to discuss "virtual void"

Michael Bugeja, director of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Mass Communication, will be the guest at a Dec. 1 noon forum hosted by the P&S Council in the MU Campanile Room. Bugeja will talk about the void that develops when people spend too much time in virtual, rather than real, communities. That's also the topic of his award-winning 2005 book, Interpersonal Divide: The Search for Community in a Technological Age.

Madrigal dinner tickets on sale Dec. 1

Tickets to the 2006 Madrigal Dinner (Jan. 13-14) go on sale Dec. 1 at the Memorial Union Ticket Office (hotel main desk or phone 4-8349). Tickets are $30, with a $2 discount for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. For more information, contact the choral music program, 4-2810.

Etiquette dinner benefits shelter

The HRIM Club and the Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom will sponsor an etiquette dinner at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in the tearoom, lower level of MacKay Hall. Diners will be coached on proper etiquette through a three-course meal. All profits will be given to the Emergency Residence Project of Ames, a provider of temporary housing for those in need. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by e-mailing HRIMClubtix@iastate.edu.

Lunch with Coach Morgan

Cyclone head men's basketball coach Wayne Morgan will hold his first luncheon of the season with faculty and staff from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Bring your lunch or buy one in the food court. For more information, contact Julie Flory, 4-8232.

Financial literacy as a retention tool

The Office of Student Financial Aid will host a Web conference, "Using Financial Literacy Programs as a Student Retention Tool," from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, in 1230 Communications. Those interested in attending should e-mail, Carolyn Mabee. Seating is limited to 40 participants.

Forestry Club tree sale

The ISU Forestry Club will sell a variety of Christmas trees and balsam fir wreaths at the Reiman Gardens maintenance building on the following dates: Friday, Dec. 2 and 9, 3-6 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 26, Dec. 3 and 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 27, Dec. 4 and 11, noon-6 p.m. Tree prices range from $20 to $45.

MU ramp closed Nov. 18-27

Due to construction, the Memorial Union parking ramp will be closed from 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, until 7 a.m. Monday, Nov. 28 (absent any unforeseen circumstances). All vehicles must be removed from the ramp by 7 p.m. on the 18th or be subject to towing.

Spring classes in intensive English

The Intensive English and Orientation Program will offer a special course, in two sessions, during spring semester for international visiting scholars, faculty, staff and graduate students. Session 1 (Jan. 12-March 2) will focus on professional academic skills (for example, oral presentation techniques, discussion strategies, individual pronunciation work), and Session 2 (March 7-May 2) will focus on conversational skills, including idiomatic expressions and slang, cross-cultural comparisons and current events. More information.

Seminar for cat owners Dec. 6

Litter box-related difficulties for cats is the topic of a free seminar offered by Dr. Kim Langholz, a community practice veterinarian in the College of Veterinary Medicine's teaching hospital, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, in 2532 Vet Med. She will explain various reasons cats choose not to use the litter box, including medical, hormonal, stress and others. She'll also talk about minimizing holiday hazards for cats. Those attending are asked to enter the building from the administration entrance by the flag pole. For more information, contact Tracy Raef, 4-4692.

Nominations for the ISU Alumni Association's 2006 Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award are due at 5 p.m. Dec. 1. The award recognizes seniors who display high character and outstanding achievements in academics and university or community activities. Two to five awards are granted annually. Direct questions to Breck Breitsprecher, 4-1955.