Announcements

Nov. 30

You're invited: Release party for leadership calendar is Dec. 9

The Catt Center staff invites the university community to the release party for its 2010 "Women Impacting ISU" calendar Dec. 9 (3:30-5 p.m., MU Great Hall). The event is free, but RSVPs to cattcntr@iastate.edu are requested for purposes of ordering refreshments.

Nov. 30

"Science with Practice" poster presentation is Dec. 9

Students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' undergraduate "Science with Practice" program will summarize their fall research projects during a poster presentation Dec. 9 (3:30-5 p.m., Kildee atrium). All are welcome.

Nov. 30

Geoffroy: ISU must deploy limited resources to areas that contribute most to future success

If Iowa State is to continue to fulfill its land-grant mission, it must find ways to deploy its severely reduced resources to programs and activities that will contribute most to the university's future success, Geoffroy said in a Nov. 30 letter to faculty and staff.

Nov. 25

Forestry Club tree and wreath sale opens Nov. 28

Iowa State's Forestry Club members will sell Christmas trees (balsam fir, Scotch pine and white pine) and balsam fir wreaths for three weekends or until their inventory runs out. Depending on size, wreaths cost $20-$25; trees cost $25-$50. Sale location is the Reiman Gardens parking area. Sale dates and times are:

• Friday, Dec. 4 and 11: 3-6 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 28, Dec. 5 and 12: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13: Noon-6 p.m.

Nov. 25

Ames in top 15 for those who hate long commutes

Ames made U.S. News & World Report's recent list of "15 cities for people who hate driving and long commutes." The section on Ames notes that CyRide gave rides to more than 5 million people by the end of its last fiscal year.

Nov. 20

Symposium focuses on 20th-century ethnicity, nationalism

An interdisciplinary team of ISU faculty will participate in a symposium about transcultural perspectives on nationalism and the flow of culture, religion, art and ideals across borders Feb. 26-27, 2010, in Heidelberg, Germany. There is no registration fee. For more information, contact Brian Behnken, ISU history, 4-3594.

Nov. 19

Annual Iowa Organic Conference is Dec. 5

Registration is open for the 9th annual Iowa Organic Conference Dec. 5, hosted by ISU's organic ag program. The day includes three breakout sessions; exhibits showcasing organic seeds, fertilizers and equipment; and a keynote address by Jerry DeWitt, director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Registration is $125.

Nov. 18

Gobble up the sustainable eating challenge

Students from the Health Studies 380 class are challenging faculty and staff to engage in sustainable eating, defined as choosing and eating foods that benefit the health and well-being of the individual, the community, the food producer and the environment. The students have created a list of sustainable eating tips. Every time you incorporate one of the tips into your lifestyle, contact Sally Barclay to get a chance to win a $25 Wheatsfield Food Co-op gift certificate. The challenge ends Dec. 15; there is no limit to the number of entries.

Nov. 18

Used magazine sale benefits MU browsing library

Support the Memorial Union's browsing library by purchasing back issues of various magazines Nov. 30 through Dec. 4 (8 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, MU browsing library). Available titles include Entertainment Weekly, Sports Illustrated, Time, Rolling Stone, Wired and more. All items are 25 cents.

Nov. 18

Fight hunger locally, globally on Dec. 2

The Student Union Board will host a soup dinner, the Empty Bowl Project, Dec. 2 (5-7 p.m., MU Campanile Room). Purchase a handcrafted ceramic bowl and fill it with chili or vegetable soup. Cost is $10 (ISU students $8, children 10 years and younger $6); bring a non-perishable food item and receive a $1 discount. Food donations will go to the Mid-Iowa Community Action pantry. Funds from the bowl sales will go to Oxfam America, an international relief and development organization. For more information, contact Valerie Brophy or Denise Dolan.

Nov. 18

You're invited: Fall Honors poster presentation is Dec. 3

The University Honors Committee and the Honors Student Board will host the fall 2009 poster presentation and reception Dec. 3 (3:30-5:30 p.m., Great Hall, MU). Honors students will answer questions and speak with individuals interested in their projects. All are welcome.

Nov. 18

Second drug drop-off is Nov. 18

Local law enforcement, including ISU police, and healthcare agencies will hold a prescription drug drop-off to provide a convenient, safe and confidential way for community members to dispose of old, unused or unwanted medications Nov. 18 (10 a.m.-2 p.m., driveway west of Stephens Auditorium).

Nov. 17

United Way campus campaign nearly at goal

Iowa State employees have pledged $294,552 to the 2009 United Way of Story County campaign -- or 99.68 percent of the goal of $295,000. Contributions still are being accepted.

Nov. 16

University Museums announces holiday hours

University Museums will adjust museum hours during the upcoming Thanksgiving and Winter breaks. The schedule is online.

Nov. 16

Nominations sought for Live Green awards

Nominations are being sought to recognize ISU faculty, staff and students who are impacting campus sustainability efforts by generating awareness and interest through initiatives that focus on teaching, research, outreach and/or operations. Awards will be presented in four categories: faculty, staff, student and group/team. Nomination dealine is Dec. 15. Awards will be presented at the Iowa State University Symposium on Sustainability, Feb. 24, 2010. More information and a nomination form are online.

Nov. 13

Volunteers sought for science bowls

Volunteers, both scientific and nonscientific, are sought to serve as moderators, judges, timekeepers and scorekeepers for the 2010 U.S. Department of Engergy Ames Laboratory/ISU science bowl competitions. The high school event is Jan. 30, the middle school event is Feb. 27 (both Saturdays) in Howe, Hoover and Black Engineering halls. For more info or to volunteer, contact Breehan Gerleman Lucchesi, 4-9750.

Nov. 13

Benefits open change period ends soon

The annual benefits open change periods wrap up Nov. 20 for faculty, professional and scientific, and supervisory merit employees, and Nov. 23 for non-supervisory merit staff. All benefit changes must be completed by 5 p.m. on these dates.

If you have yet to make changes and still need some guidance, check out the human resource services web site for more information.

Employees who qualify for the new Retirement Incentive Option (RIO2) and are considering retiring may want to review the RIO2 Q&A to make sure the benefits you choose during this open change period would fit your future needs.

Nov. 12

Reminder: Business Café shuts down Nov. 19

At the close of business Nov. 19, the Business Café in the Gerdin Building will close for renovations. The café will reopen Jan. 11.

Nov. 11

Give some warmth starting Nov. 16

The winter wear drive, Give Some Warmth, is Nov. 16 through Dec. 4. Donate gently used mittens, scarves, hats and coats at drop boxes located in most academic buildings, residence halls and Greek houses. On Dec. 2, clothing items will be for sale (second floor near old hotel desk, MU), which can be donated to the event. Contact Emily Lawler or Joseph Tisinger with questions.

Nov. 11

Upcoming wellness event

Employee Wellness will sponsor "Healthy Foods for the Holidays and How to Grocery Shop Healthier with the Nuval System" on Nov. 20 (noon, 13 Curtiss). Amy Clark, Ames HyVee dietitian, is the guest speaker. Refreshments will be provided. Registration is required; contact Sally Barclay, 4-9625.

Nov. 11

Basketball "Coach Talks" start Nov. 17

ISU's basketball head coaches will meet with with fans and answer questions during the lunchtime "Coach Talks" in the Memorial Union (noon-1 p.m.) this season. Women's coach Bill Fennelly will speak Nov. 17 (Sun Room), Dec. 8 (Pioneer Room), Jan. 19 (Sun Room) and Feb. 9 (Great Hall). Men's coach Greg McDermott will meet with fans Dec. 7 (Great Hall), Jan. 25 (Great Hall) and Feb. 22 (Gallery). Bring your lunch and your questions. Door prizes will be awarded.

Nov. 11

Discuss entrepreneurship with a CEO

Bring your lunch and join Christian Renaud, president and CEO of Palisade Systems since October 2008, for an informal discussion of entrepreneurship Nov. 18 (noon-1 p.m., MU Gallery). It's part of Global Entrepreneurship Week events at the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. Details.

Nov. 11

Phi Kappa Phi ceremony is Nov. 15

The fall initiation ceremony for the ISU chapter of Phi Kappa Phi is Sunday, Nov. 15 (2 p.m., Benton Auditorium, Scheman). The public is welcome to attend the ceremony, followed by a reception. Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest all-discipline honor society that inducts students, faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Nov. 11

Carpool to center events Friday evening

Patrons attending an evening event at the Iowa State Center Nov. 13 (Skillet concert at Stephens, Ron Paul event at Scheman, Cyclone men's basketball at Hilton) are advised to carpool and arrive early for their event. Stephens and Scheman attendees also are advised to enter the parking lots from Beach Avenue on the west side.

Nov. 9

Giving Tree season is Nov. 16-Dec. 3

The Faculty Senate and Ames-ISU YMCA will host a "Giving Tree" program Nov. 16-Dec. 3 to benefit more than 90 local children. Three trees, in 103 Lab of Mechanics, 2101 Agronomy and Vet Med's large animal glass hallway, will have tags containing the children's special wishes. To participate, select a tag and return the item(s), unwrapped, by Dec. 3, to the first two locations or the Vet Med small animals desk. Cash donations and checks (payable to Ames-ISU YMCA with "Connect" on the memo line) are welcome and should be delivered to Sherri Angstrom, 103 Lab of Mechanics. For more info, contact Michael Carlson, 4-2263; or Angstrom, 4-9717.

Nov. 9

Reserve required materials now for spring semester

Instructors who wish to place required materials on reserve at Parks Library for spring semester should submit requests now. Forms are available on the library web site. Click on "Instructor forms and information" and select the desired form.

Nov. 9

Finalists named for HS associate dean post

Nov. 12 marks the first of four open forums with finalists for associate dean for College of Human Sciences extension and outreach to families and 4-H youth development and director for ISU Extension to families. Live web broadcasts of the open forums also will be available. Candidates are Jane Schuchardt, USDA; Nancy Franz, Virginia Tech; Carolyn Nobles, Texas A&M; and Roberta Riportella, University of Wisconsin. Details are online.

Nov. 9

Auditions for The Vagina Monologues are Nov. 17-19

The Margaret Sloss Women's Center will hold auditions for its 2010 production of The Vagina Monologues Nov. 17 (4-6 p.m.), Nov. 18 (5-7 p.m.) and Nov. 19 (6-8 p.m.), all in 3534 Memorial Union. Performance dates are Feb. 11-12, 2010, in the MU Maintenance Shop. Proceeds will benefit Ames' women's shelter for victims of domestic abuse (ACCESS). For more information, contact Angela Hall or Som Mongtin at the women's center, 4-4154.

Nov. 9

Cloud computing seminar is Nov. 12

Mark Baker, University of Reading, England, will give an IT seminar on cloud computing (providing hosted services via the Internet) Nov. 12 (4:10 p.m., 207 Marston). His talk is titled, "A View of Cloud Computing and Its Service." Baker currently is involved in research on the Grid, message-oriented middleware, the semantic Web, web portals and performance evaluation and modeling. All are welcome.

Nov. 9

Veterans' Day ceremony

Seven names will be added to the Gold Star Hall's list of former Iowa State students who died on active combat duty in a Nov. 11 Veterans Day ceremony (2:30 p.m., Great Hall, Memorial Union). The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Nov. 4

Apply now for diversity grants, women's enrichment mini-grants

Applications are now available online for diversity grants and women's enrichment fund mini-grants awarded by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. Applications are due by Feb. 1, 2010. Individual grants of up to $5,000 are awarded in March, and available from April 2010 through June 2011.

Nov. 4

Male research participants sought

Researchers in the food science and human nutrition department are looking for male volunteers, age 18 to 50 years, to participate in a research study to determine the effects of food viscosity on appetite. Details are online.

Nov. 4

Let ISU Dining prepare your Thanksgiving meal

ISU Dining is taking orders for complete turkey or ham Thanksgiving meals for 10-12 people. Order deadline is Nov. 16. Meals may be picked up Nov. 20 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) and Nov. 23-25 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.). Cost is $96.75 for turkey and $110.99 for ham. A full menu and more information is online. Call 4-2103 to place your order.

Nov. 4

Planet Sub will donate part of sales to Dance Marathon Nov. 11

Planet Sub, 2320 Lincoln Way, is hosting a fund-raiser for Dance Marathon Nov. 11 (5-9 p.m.). During this time, 15 percent of all sales will benefit Dance Marathon's philanthropic work for Children's Miracle Network.

Nov. 4

Two opportunities to learn about 2010 benefits plans

Employees have two opportunities in the next week to ask questions about the 2010 employee benefits plans:

• Connect webcast, Nov. 6 (9-10 a.m. for non-supervisory merit; 10:15-11:15 a.m. for faculty, P&S and supervisory merit). Enter your name under "Enter as a Guest" and click on "Enter Room."
• Campus forum with associa Services Mike Otis, Nov. 11 (noon-1 p.m., MU Gallery). Bring your lunch if you like.

Nov. 3

University Museums announces winner in campus photography contest

Freshman Katherine Kelly Moore's photograph of Bruce White's sculpture, Carom, near Black Engineering, is the winner of University Museums' second annual "I Love Campus Art" contest. Moore's photo, "Sky's the Limit, will be turned into a limited edition poster that will be sold ($10, unframed) at the museum store in Scheman.

Nov. 3

An update on campus green practices

What do an economics professor, director of custodial services, two librarians and the GSB sustainability director have in common? Come hear what green practices are happening across campus during a "Talk Green" presentation Nov. 11 (5:30-7:30 p.m., 192 Parks Library). Sponsored by the ISU Council on Sustainability and Live Green!

Nov. 3

Nominations due Dec. 1 for P&S CYtation Award

Dec. 1 is the next nomination deadline for the P&S CYtation Award, which recognizes individuals who have performed above and beyond the call of duty, done something extraordinarily well, or acted in such a way as to make a very real difference at Iowa State. Winners receive a one-year family membership to Reiman Gardens. More information about the award and nomination procedure are online.

Nov. 3

Campus reception will honor solar decathlete team

The campus community is invited to a reception in honor of ISU's solar decathlon team Nov. 13 (5 p.m., atrium, College of Design). Team members recently returned from Washington, D.C., where they placed 12th in the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon with their solar-powered Interlock House. More than 75 students, 17 faculty and several staff members worked nearly 18 months to design and build the house. In 10 judged contests, the house ranked 3rd in market viability, 4th in communications, 5th in engineering and 6th in net metering.

Nov. 2

Save the date: Lunch forum on resources, policies that support faculty flexibility

Mary Harris, ISU natural resource ecology and management and 2008-09 ADVANCE faculty fellow, will report on her work on faculty flexibility during a discussion Nov. 17 (noon-1 p.m., MU Gallery). She will present resources available to faculty, including guidelines and policies for increased flexibility to balance work-life demands.

Nov. 2

Computer and network forensics is topic of Nov. 9 Osborn Club talk

Doug Jacobson, professor of electrical and computer engineering and director of the ISU Information Assurance Center, will present the Nov. 9 Osborn Club lecture, "Computer and Network Forensics: CSI Ames" (7 p.m., 1420 Molecular Biology). The lecture portion of the research club's monthly gathering is free and open to the public.

Oct. 10

Flu FAQ for employees, supervisors

Human resource services officials address a variety of questions about H1N1 and the workplace in a new FAQ for Iowa State employees and supervisors. A second FAQ on the ISU H1N1 web site provides general information on protecting yourself and on university preparations for the flu.