Announcements

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. 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

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

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. 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

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

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. 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

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.

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.