Inside Update

May 13, 2010
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

News

Performance reviews: The most important thing we (don't) love about our jobs
It's that time of year to think about completing performance reviews, if you haven't already. Associate VP for human resource services Carla Espinoza says they're a basic courtesy to employees, and responds to questions about them.

Ombuds help is available all summer
When there's a problem at work, a sympathetic ear is nice, but a solution is even better. ISU ombuds officer Elaine Newell offers both.

Lots, streets closed May 20-21 for Special Olympics
Next week's Iowa Special Olympics summer games (May 20-22) will close the Iowa State Center commuter lots Thursday and Friday. Other lots and streets also will be impacted.

Hotline reminder
Iowa State contracts with a third-party hotline vendor, EthicsPoint, to allow anonymous reporting of activities that may involve criminal, unethical, noncompliant or unsafe behavior impacting ISU. You may submit a report online or by calling (toll-free) 866-384-4277.

Council learns more about salary increases, position cuts
Salary guidelines and staff reductions were among the topics discussed at the May 6 P&S Council meeting.

More news: Inside Iowa State

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Delta Dental requests your participation in an online survey of your dental care and service
-- Internal search opens for part-time associate dean post in Graduate College, effective July 1
-- Victor Lin memorial is May 14; gifts have been designated to education fund for his children
-- MBA program informational lunch is May 26; RSVP requested
-- Gift from credit union will fund new College of Business lecture series
-- 13th Street pavement project will require 50 work days

See: Announcements

Appointments

-- Raj Aggarwal, Rockwell Collins, to managing director of advanced research and technology, College of Engineering, effective May 6
-- Suzanne Hendrich, ISU food science and human nutrition, to Charlotte E. Roderuck Faculty Fellow in Food Science and Human Nutrition, for 2010-12
-- Linda Hagedorn, ISU educational leadership and policy studies, to interim department chair, effective July 1

Around campus

Engineering reorganizes administrative units, eliminates positions
The College of Engineering will eliminate 22 administrative staff positions to reduce its budget by more than $1 million. Three programs previously were eliminated and several administrative units will be reorganized.

A new breed of utility pole
An ISU research team has designed a new kind of utility pole that resists cascading -- which leads to power failures -- but also is cheaper and easier to install and repair.

Departmental newsletters

Office of Biotechnology
More than $16 million in federal ARRA research grants, and research to breed more vitamin A into corn for human consumption are featured stories in the May issue of Biotechnology Update.

Your Library
In this issue: Online learning resources; new electronic journals; farm newspapers; online book acquisitions; and "Ding" Darling's cooperative wildlife research records.

Open houses/receptions

This week
-- Retirement: Tom Ingebritsen, ISU genetics, development and cell biology, May 13 (2-4 p.m., 1102 Molecular Biology)
-- Farewell: Kate Schwennsen, ISU architecture, May 13 (2-4 p.m., Design atrium, brief program at 2:30 p.m.)

Upcoming
-- Retirement: Robert Jolly, ISU economics, June 2 (2:30-4 p.m., 368A Heady, program at 3 p.m.)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

Arts and events

Reiman Gardens expands its gnome decorating project
Reiman Gardens staff has decided to expand the "decorate a gnome" project that is part of its current gnome exhibition. About 75 more of the smaller gnomes could be added to the 23 already in place. Volunteer groups or individuals are sought to paint or decorate a 3-foot gnome by June 15.

Welcome back, alumni
From May 13 to 15 on campus, Alumni Days 2010 will recognize Iowa State's 50-year reunion class of 1960. There also will be special recognition of Gold Medal Club members (alumni who graduated more than 50 years ago) from the classes of 1955, 1950, 1945, 1940, 1935 and 1930. Planned events include campus walking and bus tours, evening dinners and optional afternoon events on campus. Alumni Days HQ is the ISU Alumni Center.

Sneak peek at Stephens performances
The Iowa State Center will host a lunch-hour preview of its 2010-11 performing arts series May 18 (noon-1 p.m., MU Cardinal Room). Attendees will see and hear segments of all 17 series shows in about 30 minutes. Bring your lunch if you like.

For you: Wellness resource fair
In conjunction with National Employee Health and Fitness Day, Iowa State will have a wellness resource fair, "Got Wellness?" May 19 (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., MU Great Hall). Learn about vendors and groups available to you on campus and in the Ames community.

A meeting of art and sport
The May 19 Wednesday Walk (noon-1 p.m.) sponsored by University Museums will focus on public works of art around Jack Trice Stadium, including a new installation by Ed Dwight that celebrates the legacy of Jack Trice. Meet museums staff member Amanda Hall at the stadium's east entrance (gate 2) at noon.

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.