Announcements

May 26

University closed on May 31

University offices will be closed and summer session classes will not be held on Monday, May 31, in observance of the national Memorial Day holiday. Iowa State's annual Memorial Day ceremony begins at 9 a.m. at the Alumni Center.

May 28

STEM collaboration event is June 4

Faculty, staff and students are invited to a STEM Collaboration Coffee event on Friday, June 4 (9-10 a.m., N121 Lagomarcino). The purpose is to create connections across campus, help researchers and educators expand their understanding of STEM projects at ISU and open the doors for future collaborative opportunities.

May 26

Summer hours at University Museums sites

University Museums has set summer hours for its three indoor locations, as follows:

• Brunnier Art Museum, May 26-July 2: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; July 6-Aug. 8: Open by appointment only (call 4-3342 at least 24 hours in advance); Aug. 9-22: closed.
• Christian Petersen Art Museum (due to Morrill Road construction, enter at west door), May 26-July 2: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday; July 6-Aug. 6: Open by appointment only (call 4-3342 at least 24 hours in advance); Aug. 9-20: closed.
• Farm House Museum, May 26-Aug. 6: noon-4 p.m. Monday through Friday; Aug. 9-20: closed.

The museums will be closed May 31 and July 5 for university holidays: Brunnier Art Museum also is closed May 28-29. Admission is free, however there is a suggested donation of $3 per visitor.

May 26

Wanted: Ideas to encourage personal savings

TIAA-CREF is hosting a competition called "Raise the Rate" on its Facebook page to solicit ideas that would help Americans save more. The goal is to encourage discussions about saving and increase the U.S. personal savings rate from the current 4 percent to 10 percent over the next two years.

The submission deadline is July 20; winners will be announced in October. The competition is open to Facebook members who are U.S. citizens, 18 years or older and not TIAA employees. A grand prize winner receives $50,000 plus an all expense-paid trip to the 2011 South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. The college or university with the most submissions by professors, staff, students and alumni receives an endowment of $25,000 from TIAA-CREF.

May 24

Chemistry Stores closed June 7-9 for inventory

Chemistry Stores staff will do their annual inventory June 7-9. There will be no regular pickups and deliveries on these days. Customers are encouraged to plan ahead for their needs. The storeroom will be open for dry ice and liquid nitrogen service only at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. each day for walk-in customers. Normal storeroom hours and stock-order deliveries will resume June 10. Call 4-0203 with questions.

May 21

Carlson to University of California

Susan Carlson, ISU associate provost for faculty advancement and diversity, has accepted a position at the University of California. Carlson will join UC as vice provost of academic personnel in July.

May 19

Campus computing projects receive funding

The Computation Advisory Committee recently awarded $378,214.65 of student technology fee funds to eleven campus computing projects for FY11.

May 18

Sirens Wednesday are only a test

Ames city officials are testing outdoor warning sirens throughout the day Wednesday, May 19. Sirens on the Iowa State campus will sound as part of the tests. Weather permitting, the tests will begin at 10 a.m. In the event of inclement weather, tests will be rescheduled to May 26. Press release.

May 17

Welcome to summer session

Iowa State's summer session I begins today and runs through Friday, July 9. Summer session II begins Monday, June 14, and concludes Friday, Aug. 6. This is the first summer the university will not hold a summer commencement ceremony. Students completing degrees during the summer term were invited to participate in either the May or December graduation events.

May 17

It's national "Bike to Work" week

This week (May 17-21) is being observed in Iowa and nationally as "Bike to Work" week. Reducing your carbon footprint and burning 500 calories an hour are two good reasons to participate. The ISU Wellness Works team is offering free water bottles to those who bike to work (and report it), and the chance to win a gift certificate to a local bike shop. Additional prizes are a possibility at the Bike Iowa website.

May 17

Welcome to summer session

Iowa State's summer session I runs through Friday, July 9. Summer session II begins Monday, June 14, and concludes Friday, Aug. 6. This is the first summer the university will not hold a summer commencement ceremony. Students completing degrees during the summer term were invited to participate in either the May or December graduation events.

May 13

Modern dance workshop for children runs July 12-31

Registration is open for Kids Co'Motion, a three-week modern dance workshop for children ages 8-18 years. Practices are in the Forker Building dance studio; two performances (July 30-31) will be held in the Ames City Auditiorium. Cost is $190 by June 1; $200 after. The workshop sponsor, Co'Motion Dance Theater, is in residency at Iowa State.

May 12

Share your opinions on your dental care

Iowa State University offers dental benefits to employees through Delta Dental of Iowa. Delta Dental wants to ensure that subscribers receive the best possible dental care and customer service. To accomplish this goal, the company asks you to take a few minutes to complete an online satisfaction survey. The Delta Dental of Iowa team appreciates your assistance.

May 12

Search is under way for associate dean of the Graduate College

The Graduate College is conducting an internal search to fill an associate dean position, effective July 1. A tenured faculty member is sought to serve as part-time associate dean with responsibility for administration and management of the Graduate College and the Graduate College office. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, implementation and management of the college's academic and operational policies, and budget and fiscal management. For more information or to apply, visit the Iowa State jobs web site.

May 12

Education fund established for chemistry professor Victor Lin's sons

Victor Lin, professor of chemistry and program director for chemical and biological sciences at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Lab, died May 4. All memorial gifts may be directed to an education fund established for his sons at the Greater Iowa Credit Union, 801 Lincoln Way, Ames, 50010. Identify your contribution for the Derek and Ryan Lin Memorial Account on the envelope and in the memo area of your check.

May 10

MBA program informational lunch is May 26

Learn more about the MBA program in the College of Business at a free informational lunch May 26 (noon-1 p.m., 1360 Gerdin). Lunch is provided. RSVP to Jenny Reitano, 4-7819.

May 10

College of Business announces new lecture series

The College of Business, through a $100,000 gift from the Greater Iowa Credit Union, will host an annual business lecture series through the University Lectures program. The first lecture tenatively is scheduled for this fall. Business dean Labh Hira said the topics will be of use to both the ISU and Ames communities.

May 7

13th Street pavement replacement will require 50 work days

A city of Ames summer roads project will remove and replace the 13th Street pavement between Stange Road and the Union Pacific railroad bridge, on the north side of campus. This project will begin Monday, May 10, and wrap up before fall semester begins on Aug. 23. The project calls for 50 work days.

In the first phase, westbound traffic will be routed into the eastbound lanes of 13th Street in a head-to-head (two-way traffic) setup. Once this work is completed, traffic will be switched to the westbound lanes. Due to the traffic lane configuration, the stoplights at the 13th-Stange and 13th-Hyland intersections will be flashing red in all directions for the duration of the project. This is expected to add to the traffic congestion in this area.

May 5

Memorial service to honor Victor Lin is May 14

Victor Lin, professor of chemistry and program director for chemical and biological sciences at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Lab, died May 4 in Iowa City following a brief illness. A public memorial service will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, May 14, in 1148 Gerdin.

May 5

Learn more about the RIO3, phased retirement option at a May 12 session

Associate director of HR services Mike Otis will present a brief overview of the latest retirement incentive option (RIO3) and a new phased retirement option during two sessions May 12 (noon and 4:30 p.m., MU Cardinal Room). Both retirement programs were approved last week by the state Board of Regents. The session will include time for Q&A. Anyone 55 years or older with 10 or more years of service at Iowa State is eligible to apply for the new programs and is encouraged to attend one of the sessions.

May 5

Women participants sought for meeting management skill series next year

ISU women, faculty or staff, whose duties include chairing meetings or who would like to acquire or polish their meeting management skills are invited to participate in a series during the 2010-11 academic year. Denise Vrchota, ISU communication studies program, has received a Women's Enrichment mini-grant to organize the project, which will include a focus group session to determine participants' needs and skills workshops during fall semester, and individual consultation during spring semester. Interested women should e-mail Vrchota, who will provide details about the program.

May 4

Leigh named professor in charge of Carver Academy

Patricia Randolph Leigh, associate professor of curriculum & instruction and affiliated with the Center for Technology in Learning and Teaching, will begin a three-year appointment on July 1 as professor in charge of the Carver Academy, whose members are recipients of the George Washington Carver Scholarship Award. Leigh teaches courses in the areas of educational foundations, multicultural education and instructional technology, in which she embeds her scholarship in equity and social justice.

May 4

Optional summer hours begin May 10

Many university offices adopt flexible summer hours for the 14 weeks from Monday, May 10, through Friday, Aug. 13. Fall classes begin Aug. 23. Flexible hours generally are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a shortened lunch break. Each unit may develop its own schedule with approval from the appropriate dean, director or vice president. More information about the university's flexible hours program (pdf) is online at the human resource services website (click "For Current Employees," then "Leave: Paid or Unpaid," then "Flexible Hours Program").

May 4

Student recruitment, retention is topic of May 6 P&S forum

Director of enrollment services Marc Harding will talk about challenges and obstacles to recruiting students to Iowa State, as well as what employees can do to help ISU to continue to attract students during a P&S Council forum May 6 (noon-1 p.m., MU Pioneer Room). All are welcome.

May 4

RSVP now for noon wellness session for women

The Nutrition Clinic for Employee Wellness will offer "Wellness for Women: Simple Steps to Improve Your Health" May 13 (noon-1 p.m., 8 Curtiss). Reserve a spot by contacting Sally Barclay, 4-9625.

April 8

New pay grades available for P&S employees

Professional and scientific employees may view their position's updated pay grade in the new P&S compensation structure. Log on to AccessPlus, click the "Employee" tab and select the "P&S Compensation" link. Employees will see their current pay grade and salary, new pay grade, and minimum and maximum salaries of the new pay grade. ISU's new P&S compensation structure will be implemented July 1, pending approval from the state Board of Regents.