Announcements

Nov. 30

New website focuses on research opportunities for undergrads

Faculty can post summer research opportunities for ISU undergraduate students on the "Summer Research Bulletin Board," one of several features on a new website aimed at increasing undergraduate students' participation in research. Positions will be posted as they are received. Developed jointly by the University Honors Program and Program for Women in Science and Engineering, the site offers information and support to both students and faculty.

In addition to supporting the website, the two programs will coordinate a June picnic, professional development seminars and a closing poster session for students participating in summer research. Information for registering undergrads in these opportunities will be available spring semester. For more information, contact Dana Schumacher, University Honors Program; or Lora Leigh Christal, PWSE.

Nov. 30

Tai Chi demonstrations are Dec. 6 and 10

ISU Recreation Services is sponsoring two information/demonstrations on Tai Chi Dec. 6 (11 a.m.-1 p.m., 101 Beyer) and Dec. 10 (4-5:30 p.m., 103 Beyer). Visitors may drop in anytime during the session. If there's enough interest, Rec Services hopes to offer a 10-week class of Tai Chi and Chi Kung as a preventive wellness philosophy beginning in late January. Cost and other logistics will be covered at the sessions, which will be led by ISU psychology student Doug Blanchard, a first level Master of Arts and second level Black Belt. Questions may be directed to program coordinator Nora Hudson, 4-6905.

Nov. 30

Volunteers sought for winter science bowl competitions

About 150 volunteers, both scientific and nonscientific, are sought for the 2011 Ames Laboratory/Iowa State University science bowls. High School Science Bowl is Saturday, Jan. 29, and Middle School Science Bowl is Saturday, Feb. 26, in Howe, Hoover and Black Engineering halls. Volunteers serve as moderators, judges, timekeepers and scorekeepers. To learn more or to volunteer, contact Breehan Gerleman Lucchesi, Ames Lab public affairs, 4-9750.

Nov. 29

YWCA scholarship opportunity

The YWCA Ames-ISU is offering a $1,000 scholarship for the 2011-12 academic year to a female student who has demonstrated a commitment to eliminating racism and/or empowering women through her academic or volunteer work. The application deadline is Jan. 28, 2011. More information.

Nov. 29

Artwork to be shrouded

University Museums and Students 2 Students, a peer health education program through the Thielen Student Health Center, is participating in Day Without Art Dec. 1 to observe World AIDS Day. Several public works of art on campus will be shrouded beginning at 4 p.m. Nov. 30. The artwork will be uncovered at 4 p.m. Dec. 2. Call 4-3342 for more information.

Nov. 29

Horticulture club poinsettia sale is this week

ISU Horticulture Club members will sell poinsettias in 5", 6.6" and 8" pots Dec 1-4. Prices range from $7 to $20; color varieties include red, pink, white, peach, Jingle Bells (red with pink speckles) and Crazy Christmas (red and pink mottled on white). Due to the reconstruction of the department's greenhouses, the club wasn't able to grow its own plants this year; they were grown at Central Iowa Floral, Sheldahl.

Proceeds benefit educational trips and speakers, attending conferences and competitions and practical hands-on learning. The sale times and locations are as follows:

• Wednesday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m.-5.p.m., ground floor rotunda, Curtiss Hall
• Thursday Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., ground floor near south staircase, Beardshear Hall
• Friday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., near front of University Book Store, MU
• Saturday, Dec. 4, 9 a.m.-noon, Reiman Gardens conservatory building

Nov. 29

Annual art and crafts sale is Dec. 2-4

The Workspace will host Art Mart, the annual arts and crafts sale featuring local artists, in the MU Maintenance Shop Dec. 2 (noon-5 p.m.), Dec. 3 (noon-7 p.m.) and Dec. 4 (10 a.m.-noon). Items for sale include blown glass, pottery, beaded and sterling jewelry, and handmade cards; most are priced between $8 and $20.

Nov. 24

Vet services discount extended to ISU retirees

The Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center (LVMC) is extending its 10 percent discount for animal care to ISU retirees. Faculty and staff also qualify for the discount, which applies to retiree- and employee-owned animals only. Covered care includes examinations, incolutions, 24-hour emergency services, diagnostics, surgery, prescriptions and supplies; food is excluded. For more information or to make an appointment for your pet, contact the LVMC at 4-4900. Additional ISU retirement benefits.

Nov. 19

Neighborhood session on new sports complex, ag pavilion planned

ISU officials working on plans for a new outdoor sports complex and an agriculture pavilion near Wallace-Wilson residence halls (the Towers) are inviting neighbors in the area to a Dec. 8 meeting on the projects. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Knapp Storms Dining Complex.

Nov. 18

Reminder: ISU Plan open enrollment ends Nov. 19

The benefits open enrollment period for ISU Plan participants ends at 5 p.m. Nov. 19. If you wish to change your benefits selections for 2011, you must do so by the deadline. Otherwise, your current benefits will continue next year. Non-supervisory merit employees have until 5 p.m. Nov. 29 to change their benefits. 2011 benefits confirmation statements for all employees will be available on AccessPlus beginning Dec. 3.

Nov. 17

Thanksgiving break is next week

Classes will not meet Nov. 22-26, and university offices will be closed Nov. 25-26 in observance of the national Thanksgiving holiday. Inside Iowa State will not publish on Nov. 25; the next publication date is Dec. 2.

Nov. 17

Iowa State Center lots in high demand Saturday; plan ahead

The Cyclones' final football game of the season Nov. 20 (6 p.m., Jack Trice Stadium) and the annual high school All-State Music Festival (7:30 p.m., Hilton) will create a demand for parking at the Iowa State Center. Guests to both events are encouraged to arrive early and carpool if possible. In addition, other campus lots have been designated for visitors attending the music festival. Traffic officers will be on site and parking attendants will direct visitors to nearby lots, from which they can ride a free CyRide shuttle to Hilton.

Nov. 17

Nominations for P&S CYtation Award due Dec. 1

Dec. 1 is the next nomination deadline for the P&S CYtation Award, which recognizes individuals who:

• Performed above and beyond the call of duty
• Did something extraordinarily well
• Acted in such a way as to make a real difference at Iowa State

Winners receive a one-year family membership to Reiman Gardens. More information about the award and nomination procedure is online.

Nov. 16

"I Love Campus Art" photo winner announced

Kate Moore, a sophomore in art and design, has won University Museums' 2010 "I Love Campus Art" photography contest for her photo, Sun Kissed. This is Moore's second first-place finish. The image will be printed as a poster and sold ($10 unframed) at the Brunnier Art Museum Store in the Scheman Building beginning Dec. 1. See the photo.

Nov. 16

Next STEM collaborative coffee is Nov. 30

"What does it mean to 'do' STEM?" is the discussion topic at a Nov. 30 collaboration coffee (9-10 a.m., N047 Lagomarcino) hosted by the Center for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education. All faculty, staff and students are welcome.

Nov. 15

Scholarship fund honors Detroy Green

A memorial service for Detroy Green, former professor of agronomy and associate dean in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (1995 retirement), was held Monday, Nov. 15, at Collegiate United Methodist Church. Green died Nov. 8 in Ames.

The Detroy E. Green Memorial Scholarship fund has been established to support ISU undergraduate students who plan to teach agronomy; donations may be sent to the ISU Foundation, 2505 University Ave., Ames, 50010.

Nov. 15

New website links ride sharers, commuters

A new website facilitates ride sharing and carpooling among members of the ISU community. The ride share section of the site lists those offering or seeking rides. There's also a carpool section for those regularly commuting to and from campus. The site, sponsored by the Government of the Student Body, can only be accessed by ISU students and employees, who sign in with their Net-IDs and passwords.

Nov. 11

Helping those in need

The Giving Tree, hosted by Faculty Senate and the Ames-ISU YMCA, has three "giving" trees with tags that list the wishes of more than 100 local children. The trees are located in 103 Lab of Mechanics, 2101 Agronomy Hall and at the College of Veterinary Medicine (large animal glass hallway). The College of Business, 1200 Gerdin, also is collecting food for the Giving Tree. Tags will remain on the trees through Nov. 30.

After selecting a tag, bring unwrapped items to the same locations as the trees (items at Vet Med should be left at the small animals desk) by Nov. 30. Cash donations also are accepted. Make checks payable to the Ames-ISU YMCA with "CONNECT" written in the memo line. Send checks to Sherri in the Faculty Senate office, 107 Lab of Mechanics. Contact Michael Carlson or Sherri Angstrom with questions.

Nov. 11

Hold the dates: Campus sustainability symposium is Feb. 21-22

Details are coming together for Iowa State's third annual symposium on sustainability, Feb. 21-22, 2011, in the Memorial Union. It also will be presented as a live webcast. Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend at no cost.

Nov. 10

Volunteer judges needed for science fair

The State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa, April 1-2, 2011, is seeking up to 400 volunteer judges to evaluate middle and high school students' projects. You may sign up online. Contact Vicki Speake, 4-5738, with questions.

Nov. 10

Website, MU exhibit, honor exemplary academic advisers

The University Academic Advising Committee has announced recipients of the university's 2010-11 advisers of the year awards. A website honors college advisers of the year and three advisers selected by the office of the executive vice president and provost for all-university awards (advising impact and early achievement). A display on the ground floor of the MU Nov. 15-26 also will honor the group.

Nov. 10

Reserve materials now for spring semester

Instructors who wish to place required materials on reserve for spring semester should submit requests now. Forms are available on the library's homepage. Select "Course Reserves," then "Instructor forms and information," and then the desired form.

Nov. 10

New opportunity: Industry sponsors of research could own the intellectual property

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development has developed a new option for faculty and staff to engage industry in sponsored research that is expected to lead to stronger research relationships with companies. The guidelines have been in effect since late spring.

The change provides guidelines for assigning patentable inventions and copyrightable matter (the intellectual property) to the industry sponsor under a sponsored research agreement. In the traditional method of engaging industry in sponsored research, Iowa State maintains ownership of intellectual property that it develops, regardless of the funding source. Companies have expressed an interest in owning intellectual property resulting from the research they fund.

Nov. 10

Meat science club is selling hams for the holidays

ISU's meat science club members cured and hardwood-smoked hams (whole and half sizes), and are taking orders through Nov. 12 for the holidays. The cost is $3.50/pound. Ham pick-up dates are Nov. 18-19 and Dec. 16-17 (4-6 p.m. daily) at the sales counter, 214 Meats Laboratory. To place an order, call 4-8294, e-mail Nicolas Lavieri, or pick up an order form at the Meats Lab sales counter or in 2371 Kildee.

Nov. 10

Reminder: Benefits open change period is in progress

Remember to review your benefits before the open change period ends. ISU Plan participants may make changes through Nov. 19 at 5 p.m., and non-supervisory merit employees have until 5 p.m. Nov. 29 to change their selections. Even if you do not wish to change your benefits, human resource services encourages all employees to review their current benefits statements, available in AccessPlus.

Nov. 10

Phi Kappa Phi initiation ceremony is Nov. 14

The ISU chapter of Phi Kappa Phi honor society will hold an initiation ceremony for fall semester inductees Nov. 14 (2 p.m., MU Pioneer Room). ISU alumna Sylvia Louise (Lou) Blanchfield will give a short talk on the relationship between fathers and their gifted daughters that supports giftedness. A reception will follow the ceremony; the public is welcome.

Nov. 10

Learn to dodge diabetes

November is American Diabetes Awareness Month, and the Nutrition Clinic for Employee Wellness is offering special programs for employees.

• "How Can You Dodge Diabetes?" seminar, Nov. 15 (noon-1 p.m., 13 Curtiss). Contact Sally Barclay to reserve a seat.
• Dodge Diabetes Walk, Nov. 17 (11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., east entrance of Howe). No registration required. The first 10 employees to arrive will receive a free pedometer.
• Blood pressure and body composition screenings, Nov. 17 (11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., east entrance of Howe or 192 Parks Library). No registration required.

Nov. 10

ISU to participate in World Usability Day with design contest

ISU's Human Computer Interaction (HCI) program is sponsoring a usability design contest in celebration of World Usability Day (Nov. 11). The contest submission deadline is 5 p.m. Nov. 17; winners will be announced Nov. 19. Submissions take the form of a YouTube video (three minutes or less) that the contestant creates and uploads. HCI associate director Stephen Gilbert will unveil the design challenge during a lecture Nov. 12 (12:10-1 p.m., 1242 Howe and 1344 Howe).

The 6th annual World Usability Day, sponsored by the Usability Professionals Association, is about making everyday technology easier to access and more user friendly.

Nov. 6

ISU Police: Be wary of scam

ISU Police are warning the community of a likely scam. Some individuals have received unexpected cashier's checks via UPS. Further investigation has revealed that these cashier's checks, which are being mailed to random addresses, are fraudulent. Do NOT cash these checks if you receive one. There is nothing at this time to indicate identity theft. However, it may be a good idea to check your credit history to ensure your identity has not been compromised. The cashier's checks that have been reported are from Fifth Third Bank, but may also originate from other financial institutions. If you question the validity of a check you receive, contact the bank named on the check. If the bank determines the check is fraudulent, contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center to file a complaint.

Nov. 8

Employee benefits webcasts are archived online

If you missed participating in either event live on Nov. 4, webcasts led by ISU benefits specialists -- one for ISU Plan participants and one for non-supervisory merit employees -- have been archived online and are available from the HR Services website under "news and updates."

Nov. 3

Lunch with Coach Fennelly is Nov. 8

Cyclone head women's basketball coach Bill Fennelly will hold his first "Coach Talk" of the 2010-11 season on Nov. 8 (noon-1 p.m., MU Pioneer Room). Bring your lunch and your questions; door prizes will be awarded.

Nov. 4

Opportunities to learn about 2011 benefits

Human resource services is hosting two interactive benefits webcasts Nov. 4. The non-supervisory merit webcast runs from 9 to 10 a.m., and the ISU Plan webcast is 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. To get access, log on to http://connect.extension.iastate.edu/benefits. At the login page, enter your name under the "Enter as a Guest" heading, then click "Enter Room."

Mike Otis, associate director of HRS, also is holding a benefits open forum for ISU Plan participants on Nov. 4 (noon-1 p.m., Gallery, MU). An open forum for non-supervisory merit employees is planned for Nov. 10 (noon-1 p.m., Cardinal Room, MU), and will be led by human resource specialist Jane Walter.

Nov. 3

ISU raises its green grade

Iowa State raised its grade from a B- to a B in the recently released national Sustainability Report Card. Among green successes cited in the report: ISU's wind energy contract, trayless dining in the residence halls, composting efforts, a revolving loan fund for sustainable projects and LEED-certified buildings.

Nov. 2

Forum: Sustainability initiatives for the ISU campus

Three members of the ISU community, faculty member Ulrike Passe and students Chandra Peterson and Casey Fangmann, will share what they learned at the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's annual conference last month during a campus forum Nov. 15 (6:15 p.m., MU Cardinal Room, reception with local foods begins at 6 p.m.). ISU's Council on Sustainability sponsored their conference attendance. Passe, Peterson and Fangmann also will make a case for which sustainability initiatives ISU should implement. All are welcome; bring your questions.

Nov. 2

Snowblower service days Nov. 12-13

The Ag Systems Technology Club will service snowblowers this year on Nov. 12 (1-6 p.m.) and Nov. 13 (8 a.m.-3p.m.) in the parking lot north of Industrial Education II (Stange and Pammel). The $25 fee includes oil and sparkplug change, grease and gas. To schedule a $15 pickup and delivery (Ames only), send e-mail to astservicedays@gmail.com or call (515) 708-5476 by 2 p.m. Nov. 11.

Nov. 2

Forum: A smooth compliance review for research involving animals

The Office for Responsible Research will hold an informational session, "How the Attending Veterinarian Can Help with Your Research," Nov. 10 (3:10 p.m., 1106 Pearson). Dr. Mary Sauer, Iowa State's attending veterinarian since January, will discuss her responsibilities and offer tips to help investigators whose research involves animals achieve a smoother compliance review process. Those attending are asked to register by sending an e-mail to Connie Regenold.

Nov. 2

Brunnier Art Museum reopens in Scheman today

The Brunnier Art Museum, art museum store and university museums offices, all located in the Scheman Building, resumed their regular hours on Tuesday, Nov. 2 (museum: Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-4 p.m., weekends 1-4 p.m., closed Mondays). The facilities had been closed since the Aug. 11 floods.

Nov. 1

Diversity, women's enrichment grant recipients announced

Fifteen grants of up to $5,000 each for diversity (7) and women's (8) initiatives during this academic year were announced Nov. 1 by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. Grants are awarded through a competitive process. More information (PDF) about this year's recipients is online.

To request funding for the 2011-12 academic year, submit a proposal by Feb 1, 2011. Guidelines and application forms became available online Nov 1:

• Diversity grant information
• Women's enrichment fund mini-grant information

Nov. 1

Alumni association seeks nominations for two awards

The ISU Alumni Association seeks nominations, by 5 p.m. Dec. 1, for two awards:

• Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award. Nominees must display high character, achievements in academics and university/community activities, and promise for continuing these traits as an alumnus. Nominees must have senior classification (90+ credits) at the end of fall semester. Questions may be directed to Julie Larson.
• STATEment Makers. This program honors early personal and professional accomplishments of ISU young alumni (under 32 years old), especially efforts that reflect the scholarly, entrepreneurial or service-oriented spirit of an Iowa State education. Questions may be directed to Cory Hanson.

Nov. 1

ISCORE presentation proposals due Dec. 3

Proposals are being accepted from faculty, staff and students for the 2011 Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE), a comprehensive forum on issues of race and ethnicity at the university and beyond. It will be held Friday, March 4, 2011. The local conference is designed to model the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education (NCORE). The deadline to submit proposals is Dec. 3. More information, including the call for proposals, is online.

Nov. 1

Reminder: Turn your clocks back Saturday night

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, Nov. 7, at 2 a.m. Remember to turn your clocks back one hour before retiring Saturday evening.

Oct. 25

Immigration filing fee changes takes effect Nov. 23

The U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that application fees for various immigration benefits will change, effective Nov. 23. Applications postmarked on or after Nov. 23 will be subject to the new fees. A list of updated fees for commonly filed immigration applications, including H-1B temporary worker and permanent residence in the United States, are on ISU's International Students and Scholars website.

Oct. 13

Work-study split changes for 2010-11 academic year

Due to additional one-time federal funds, the work-study split for the 2010-11 academic year will change from 60/40 to 75/25 (the employer will be responsible for 25 percent of the student's wages). The change is effective for hours worked beginning Oct. 1. Contact the student employment center, 4-5627, with questions.