Inside Update

March 25, 2010
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

News

Application deadline for RIO2 extended to June 1
Meeting by phone March 24, the state Board of Regents approved a new June 1 application deadline for ISU's second retirement incentive option, reviewed proposed parking permit and student room and board rates for next year, gave final approval to replacement plans for the horticulture department's greenhouses, directed the regent schools to review specific services for possible consolidation and cost savings, and asked university presidents to develop plans to phase out state funding for their athletics programs.

Stand up and be counted
Census counts help determine what businesses come to town and the amount of federal funds going to an area. Officials of a city-university census committee talk about the count under way in this 2010 Census Q&A.

Blooms at Brunnier
Spring has sprung at Brunnier Art Museum. The second annual "Brunnier in Bloom" exhibition, showcasing flower arrangements inspired by the museum's works of art, runs March 26-28.

More news: Inside Iowa State

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Phi Kappa Phi initiation ceremony is March 28
-- Feed the Need food drive begins March 29
-- New look, more functionality for U-Bill
-- Alum Steve King featured during April 6 Reiman entrepreneur series
-- April 1 P&S open forum will focus on ISU FY11 budget planning
-- RSVPs requested for May 6 Lavender Graduation
-- Reserve a spot at ISU Dining's spring brunch April 4
-- Spring Library lecture looks at the mobile campus; registration is open
-- University Book Store closed for inventory March 27
-- Reminder: Spring Lab Safety Summit is March 26
-- Nominations for P&S CYtation Award are due March 31
-- Chemistry Stores ordering will be online only, starting April 12

See: Announcements

Teaching

CELT programs
Register via AccessPlus (click on Employee > HRS Training > Courses).
-- eLearning Interest Group, March 29 (12:10-1:30 p.m., 1230 Communications)
   Descriptions and times.

Around campus

Winter damage kills 50 trees at Reiman Gardens
Over the long winter, rabbits damaged 50 Reiman Gardens trees that will have to be cut down and replaced. A $15,000 fund has been established to begin this task and gifts of all sizes are welcome. The replacement cost for one tree is $300.

Young researchers share their insights this weekend at Hilton
More than 550 sixth through 12th graders from across Iowa will show their research during the 53rd State Science + Technology Fair of Iowa at Hilton Coliseum and the Scheman Building March 26-27. Public hours are noon to 5 p.m., March 26; and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 27. Admission is free.

Leopold Center study explores impact of perennials on climate change
Iowa State researchers are looking at how perennial plants might be used within annual corn and soybean cropping systems to cope with weather extremes such as more frequent droughts or flooding.

How are hybrid buses performing?
A study of hybrid school buses in two Iowa school districts found improved mileage over diesel buses, but problems with charging their batteries consistently.

The risk factors that create a criminal
A new book by an ISU criminal justice expert looks into what influences the development of career criminals.

Open houses/receptions

This week
-- Reception: To honor YWCA Ames-ISU Women of Achievement award and scholarship recipients, March 25 (5:30-7 p.m., ISU Alumni Center)
-- Retirement: JoAnn McKinney, LAS student academic services, March 30 (2-4 p.m., 302 Catt)
-- Retirement: Martha Olson, IT services, March 31 (2-4 p.m., program at 3 p.m., 1020 4-H Building)

Next week
-- Retirement: Neil Nakadate, ISU English, April 1 (3:30-5 p.m., MU Campanile Room)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

Arts and events

ISU Theatre opens Gamma Rays March 25
A dysfunctional family and a science fair project provide the drama in ISU Theatre's staging of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, March 25-28 in the M-Shop.

Star-struck
Individuals of all ages are invited to a planetarium show March 26 (7 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., ISU Planetarium, Physics). Free tickets for all shows are available at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Gospel music concert is March 26
A half dozen choirs and individuals will perform at the annual Gospel Extravaganza March 26 (7 p.m., Stephens). A free will offering will benefit the Beyond Welfare program in Ames. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Global Gala explores cultural song, dance and food
Global Gala, ISU's annual celebration of cultural diversity, will be held March 26 (9 p.m., MU Great Hall). ISU groups scheduled to perform include the Indian Students' Association, ISU Bhangra, The Celtic Dance Society, Raqs Jahanara, Descarga and the African Students Association. This event is free. Traditional or semi-formal attire is encouraged.

Veishea Service Day is Saturday
It's not too late to volunteer for Veishea Service Day, March 27, a merging of Stash the Trash cleanup in Ames, service projects in central Iowa, and campus beautification projects. Register online and pick your project.

Reiman Gardens hosts Spring Fling March 27
Grab the kids and head to Reiman Gardens March 27 for its annual Spring Fling (1-3 p.m.). Activities include an egg hunt (for kids up to 10), face painting, cookie decorating and crafts. Cost is $7 for adults ($6 for seniors; free for children, members and ISU students). Preregistration for the egg hunt is requested by calling 4-2710.

Romney to speak on campus March 29
Former Massachusetts governor and 2008 presidential candidate Mitt Romney will discuss his new book, "No Apology: The Case for American Greatness," March 29 (7 p.m., MU Great Hall).

ArtWalk features Sticks display
The next ArtWalk on March 31 (noon, west entrance of Maple Hall) features a new addition to the campus art collection, "A Celebration of the Iowa Prairie" by Sticks, in the new Maple-Willow-Larch Dining Center. Participants also will view other art in Maple 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.