Inside Update

March 24, 2011
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

News

Regents set 2011-12 tuition rates
Expressing frustration with declining state support for public higher education, the state Board of Regents approved tuition increases for next year on March 23: 5 percent for in-state students and 3.5 percent for out-of-state students.

Search begins for next LAS dean
The search committee for the next dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will begin its work next week.

Kress named VP for extension and outreach
Cathann Kress, senior policy analyst and program lead for Military Community and Family Policy at the U.S. Department of Defense, Washington, D.C., will become Iowa State's next vice president for extension and outreach on July 1.

Regents request one more look at sports complex plans
The athletics department may begin detailed design planning on an outdoor sports complex adjacent to the Towers residence halls, but the state Board of Regents withheld final approval for the project March 23, pending those plans. Neighbors have expressed concern about storm water drainage on the site, among others.

Help test Iowa State's next homepage
Preview samples of Iowa State's next homepage and some redesigned secondary pages are available for your review and comments.

Diversity gets a new home
Dawn Bratsch-Prince, chief diversity officer and associate provost for academic personnel, is charged with leading and directing Iowa State's diversity initiatives. Human resource services now is focused on equal opportunity and compliance.

Wise one chooses ISU
A barred owl, to the delight of humans and dismay of crows, is a frequent visitor to a tree near Curtiss Hall.

Work begins on Campustown transportation hub
Construction is under way on a new Ames intermodal transportation facility designed to accommodate commuter, bus, taxi and bike traffic. The hub, located on university property west of the Chamberlain Street intersection at Hayward Avenue, is expected to open in June 2012.

More news: Inside Iowa State

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Ames City Council seeks input from residents
-- Sign up now for storm spotter training March 29
-- Highway 30 reconstruction in southwest Ames begins March 28
-- Feed the Need food drive starts March 28
-- University Book Store closed March 27 for inventory
-- P&S CYtation Award nominations due March 31
-- Register now for April 29 ISU ADVANCE 5-year highlights workshop
-- New Zealand earthquake presentation is March 24
-- Mass spectrometry, stable isotope measurement services available on campus
-- Des Moines-ISU employee carpool has an opening

See: Announcements

Teaching

CELT programs
Register via AccessPlus (click on Employee > HRS Training > Courses).
-- Faculty Forum: The Power of Our Convictions: Freedom Riders film and Facing History, March 29 (12:10-4 p.m., MU Pioneer Room)
-- What You Need to Know to Convert Your WebCT Course to Blackboard Learn, March 30 (10-11:30 a.m., 1230 Communications)

See: Descriptions and times

Seminars and conferences

The following conferences were added this week:
-- NSF Transforming Undergraduate Education in STEM Project Evaluation, April 6
-- NSF Transforming Undergraduate Education in STEM Mock Panel Review, April 13

See: Announcements

Appointments

-- James Phillips, Duke University, to manager of the Macromolecular X-Ray Crystallography Facility, Molecular Biology Building, effective March 14
-- Jill Pruetz, ISU anthropology, to Walvoord Professorship, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Around campus

ISU alumnus, adviser to U.S. secretary of state is Reiman Entrepreneurial Speaker
Over the last 20 years, ISU computer science graduate Rebecca Taylor has invented and patented mobile device technologies, and started and advised several startup companies. She now serves as a senior adviser for innovation and entrepreneurship in the federal Office of Science and Technology, where she advises Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Taylor will speak on campus March 29 (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., MU Sun Room).

New student group pushes for more diversity in education
A new campus group, ISU Leaders in Diversity and Education (ILEAD), was formed in January. It focuses on four initiatives: professional development, networking, community service and collaboration, and seeks to address diversity and multicultural issues in education.

Open houses/receptions

Next week
-- Retirement: Donna Flanagan, ISU enrollment services, April 1 (2-4 p.m., 314 Enrollment Services Center)

Upcoming
-- Retirement: David Block, ISU architecture, April 8 (4:30-6:30 p.m., 3215 Greenwood Cir., Ames)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

Arts and events

Free comedy show at the M-Shop
Up-and-coming comedian Rob O'Reilly will appear at the Memorial Union's Maintenance Shop March 24 for a free 9 p.m. performance. His credits include Comedy Central's Live at the Gotham, NBC's Last Comic Standing, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The show is open to the public.

Global Gala: world tour without leaving Ames
"From Ames to . . . Everywhere!" is the theme for this year's Global Gala, March 25 (8:15 p.m., social time; 9 p.m., performances, MU Great Hall). It's free and open to the public. Guests can sample drinks and food from various countries and enjoy performances from many student groups, including the Puerto Rican Student Association, Guang Hwa Lion Dance Troupe and Celtic Dance Society. Traditional or semiformal attire is encouraged.

Star light, star bright
Planetarium shows are scheduled for March 25 (7 p.m. and 7:45 p.m., ISU Planetarium, Physics). Free tickets will be available at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m. A star-gazing session will follow each show (weather permitting). All ages are welcome.

The Brunnier is in full bloom this weekend
Fans of art and flowers won't want to miss this weekend's annual Brunnier in Bloom exhibition -- flower arrangements inspired by art pieces in the museum. Exhibition hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 25, and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 26, and Sunday, March 27, at the Brunnier Art Museum, Scheman Building. There is no admission, but a $3 donation is appreciated.

Softball: Cyclones vs. Cowgirls
The 14-8 Cyclone softball team plays two home games against Big 12 Conference foe Oklahoma State this weekend: 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26, and noon Sunday, March 27, at the Southwest Athletic Complex. Admission is free.

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.

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