Inside Iowa State

July 3, 2008

Announcements

New contract authority policy on July 1

Iowa State's new Contracting Authority policy, which took effect July 1, clarifies that only those employees to whom authority has been delegated may enter into contracts or agreements on behalf of the university. The new policy applies to all contracts other than employment agreements. It isn't intended to change the existing practices for signing contracts, but to properly document them. The policy identifies employees who have been delegated such authority by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. It allows contracting authority to be delegated to others through a memorandum of delegation or by adopting a university policy. The policy also confirms that managers of approved fee-for-service units have authority to enter into contracts with outside entities for the approved services.

The new policy replaces an interim policy added to the policy library in April 2007.

The Contracting Authority policy is online. Information about contract assistance is on the University Counsel Web site.

Name change reflects full service, teaching hospital

The veterinary teaching hospital at the College of Veterinary Medicine is now the Dr. W. Eugene and Linda Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center. The new name reflects the teaching, research and service mission of the hospital and the clinic, and the role of the hospital as a referral center for practicing veterinarians in Iowa and the region.

The Lloyds are the lead donors to the new building project. Dr. Lloyd is an Iowa State alumnus and the founder, chairman and CEO of Lloyd Inc., which develops and manufactures pharmaceutical and nutritional products for animals and humans.

July Fourth

Classes will not be held and university offices will be closed Friday, July 4, to observe the national Independence Day holiday.

Student travel system changes

A new Web-based system is in place for ISU student organizations planning upcoming travel and/or vehicle rentals. For more information, call 4-8612, e-mail susie@iastate.edu, or go online.

Smoke-free campus, starting July 1

On Tuesday, July 1, Iowa's new state law banning smoking in public areas went into effect. The law eliminates smoking everywhere on campus, except some designated private residences in university apartment housing. See a Q&A on the law's effects on campus: www.inside.iastate.edu/2008/0703/smokingB.shtml.

New admissions requirements

This month, ISU will begin offering admission to fall 2009 freshmen, using new requirements approved by the state Board of Regents 18 months ago. Prospective students qualify for automatic admission to a regent university by meeting course requirements and achieving a minimum score of 245 on the new Regent Admission Index. The index looks at four predictors of college success: ACT composite score, high school rank, GPA and number of high school core courses completed. Details of the new admissions requirements are online.

Draft policy: Hiring process

The campus community is invited to view a draft of a proposed new policy covering employment verification and background checks as part of the hiring process at Iowa State. The policy includes steps to verify employment and academic histories of candidates and conduct criminal background checks on external candidates for identified positions. It would apply to most full-time and part-time positions and temporary positions lasting more than a month. The draft policy and accompanying procedures are online at the Policy Library. Send comments to universitycounsel@mail.adp.iastate.edu by Sept. 30.

Summer Iowa Games

The Summer Iowa Games come to Ames July 17-20 and again July 25-27, with venues throughout the campus and city. The sports festival stages the major portion of events the first weekend. Opening ceremonies are Friday, July 18 (8 p.m., Jack Trice Stadium). A free "Finals Fest," featuring entertainment and inflatable games, precedes the ceremony (5-7:30 p.m., Iowa State Center parking lot B-6).

Watch fireworks at the gardens

Reiman Gardens will stay open July 4 through Ames' annual fireworks show, slated to start at 10 p.m. Visitors may bring coolers, lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the show. Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for youth (3 years and younger are free). The gardens' west gate (to Beach Avenue) will be open that evening.