Inside Update

Jan. 21, 2010
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

News

Senate preparing for cuts
Executive vice president and provost Elizabeth Hoffman fielded questions about budget concerns, and senators eyed proposed policy revisions on the termination of faculty positions during the Jan. 19 Faculty Senate meeting.

Details announced for merit employees' mandatory unpaid days
The state and labor union have approved an implementation plan for mandatory unpaid days for regent university employees covered by the state's contract with AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees).

Round 2 of RIO applications
Eighteen employees have requested participation in the Retirement Incentive Option 2 program thus far. Human resource services staff expect that number to go up in February.

Tax credit may surprise taxpayers
A tax credit implemented by Congress last spring put more money in ISU employees' pockets in 2009, but you could face a year-end tax liability. Find out why.

How engaged are our students?
Iowa State's relative strength is in students' learning community, internship, research and community service participation, according to a 2009 national survey of student engagement.

More news: Inside Iowa State

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Proposals sought for University Honors Program fall seminars
-- Search open for next professor in charge of ISU Carver Academy
-- Funeral mass for former Ag dean Lee Kolmer is Jan. 22
-- Donate new or used clothing to Haiti earthquake victims through Jan. 22
-- $500 reward for information about vandalism to campus art sculpture
-- Register now for Women in Motion dance workshop
-- ISU egg experts featured on the History Channel's "Modern Marvels" Jan. 21
-- Learn how to feed your brain nutritiously Jan. 28; register now
-- "Swim and Gym" for elementary children begins Feb. 2

See: Announcements

Teaching

CELT programs
Register via AccessPlus (click on Employee > HRS Training > Courses). Workshops are in 1230 Communications unless noted.
-- TurningPoint ("clickers"), Jan. 25, 26, 29 (10-11 a.m.), Jan. 28 (9-10 a.m.)
-- PowerPoint Beyond Bullets, Jan. 27 (9 a.m.-noon)
-- For graduate students: "Going on the Academic Job Market," Jan. 27 (3-5 p.m., 135 MacKay)
   Workshop descriptions and times.

Appointment

-- Bob Tott, production coordinator, ISU postal and parcel services, to manager of the unit, effective Jan. 4, replacing Jim Ziebold who retired from the university

Around campus

Finding animal feed uses for ethanol co-product
ISU researchers hope to safely increase the use of an ethanol byproduct as feed for cattle, poultry.

Research teams are part of national effort to develop better biofuels
Two ISU research teams will receive a total of $8 million over three years to research and develop advanced biofuels. Their efforts are part of a $78 million program in the U.S. Department of Energy.

Iowa Staters part of team that sequences soybean genome
Two collaborating faculty members in agronomy are part of the national team that has sequenced the soybean genome. Soybeans are the top oil seed crop in the world.

Open houses/receptions

This week
-- Retirement (rescheduled): Marcia Clendenen, ISU public safety, Jan. 21 (3-5 p.m., Campanile Room, MU)
-- Retirement: Myrt Hanson, ISU Extension, Jan. 22 (3:30-5 p.m., 2150 Beardshear)

Next week
-- Retirement: Alice Fellingham and Pat Helms, continuing education and professional development, Jan. 25 (3-5 p.m., 154 Scheman)
-- Retirement: Betty Davis, Institute for Social and Behavioral Research, Jan. 27 (1-2:30 p.m., 2625 N. Loop Dr., Suite 2500, ISU Research Park)
-- Retirement: Carol Lindgren, U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory, Jan. 27 (1-2:30 p.m, 205 TASF)
-- Retirement: Gary Russell, ISU controller's department/asset recovery, Jan. 28 (1:30-3 p.m., 1155 ASB)
-- Retirement: John Kingland, ISU information technology services, Jan. 28 (2-4 p.m., program at 3 p.m., first floor atrium, Beardshear)
-- Retirement: Sue Griffin, Gayle Huey and Carolyn Klaus, ISU teacher education, Jan. 28 (2:30-4:30 p.m., 1009 LeBaron)
-- Retirement: Mary Ingersoll, ISU printing and copy services, retiring Jan. 29 (no public reception planned)
-- Retirement: Bill Britton, Dick Egger, Karen Lind and Beverly Nutt, ISU chemistry, Jan. 29 (10 a.m.-noon, 205 TASF)
-- Retirement: Carolyn Mabee, ISU student financial aid, Jan. 29 (2-4 p.m., 3150 Beardshear)
-- Retirement: Chloris Williams, ISU apparel, educational studies and hospitality management, Jan. 29 (2-4 p.m., program at 3 p.m., 23 MacKay)
-- Retirement: Jeff Berger, ISU animal science, Jan. 29 (2-3:30 p.m., program at 2:30 p.m., Kildee Hall atrium)
-- Retirement: Dave Volkers, ISU plant pathology, NREM, Jan. 29 (2-4 p.m., 240 Bessey)
-- Retirement: Larry Dau, ISU registrar's office, Jan. 29 (3:15-5 p.m., Gallery Room, MU)
-- Reception: Final Friday exhibition, "Polyphonic Abstraction: Paintings and Maquettes by Bill Barrett," Jan. 29 (5:30-7:30 p.m., 1017 Morrill)
-- Reception: Exhibition, "Shift, Transition, Reflection and Moment," Jan. 29 (6 p.m., Pioneer Room, MU)

Upcoming
-- Retirement: Daryl Strohbehn, ISU animal science, Feb. 5 (3:30-5 p.m., program at 4 p.m., Kildee Hall atrium)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

Arts and events

MLK campus celebration is Thursday afternoon
Presentation of the university's "Advancing One Community" awards, speakers and musical performances highlight a celebration of the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 21 (4 p.m., MU Great Hall). All are invited.

Spectators welcome at Dance Marathon
Iowa State students and other dancers will attempt to raise $200,000 in 15 hours Jan. 23 during the annual Dance Marathon (9 a.m.-midnight, MU Great Hall). Faculty and staff are welcome to stop by and get in on the fun.

Lunch with Coach McDermott
Cyclone men's head basketball coach Greg McDermott will hold a "Coach Talk" Jan. 25 (noon-1 p.m., MU Great Hall). Bring your lunch and your questions.

Check out the SAC poster sale
Student Activities Council is hosting a poster sale Jan 26-Feb. 1 (9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, MU Cardinal Room). There are thousands to choose from, including art prints, movies, music and pop culture. Proceeds support art programs at the MU.

World affairs lecture features former U.S. ambassador
Wendy Chamberlin, former U.S. ambassador to Pakistan (2001-02), will give a public lecture, "Can We Save the World?" Jan. 27 (8 p.m., MU Great Hall).

More campus events
Talks, performances, athletic contests and other campus events are listed on the university calendar. Also, see the Arts and Entertainment page.

Submitting your news
Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by the Office of University Relations. Send Update news to inside@iastate.edu. For questions, call 4-7958.