Inside Update

Nov. 17, 2011
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

News

Blackboard Learn is much better, thank you
Happy days are here again for the Blackboard Learn course management system, which got off to a rocky start earlier in the semester. ISU support staff and Blackboard staff have cleared up several issues that slowed the system.

State Gym construction hits the home stretch
Five semi truckloads of fitness equipment will be installed this week in a renovated State Gym and its west addition. Pending final approval of utility and environmental systems and staff training, the facility is on schedule to open early in the spring semester.

Campus wind energy use hits new high
Iowa State purchased 1.87 million kilowatt hours of electricity last month from a wind farm in northeast Story County, the highest production month since the university started purchasing wind energy in January 2010.

Be weather-wise this winter
With one round of snow behind us, it's time for a reminder about Iowa State's severe weather policies and procedures.

Nov. 18 night game will impact afternoon campus parking
A Friday night home football game for the Cyclones means that stadium-area parking lots will open to fans at 1 p.m. Students and employees who normally park in stadium and Iowa State Center lots will need to move their cars, making campus parking spots scarce on Friday afternoon. General staff lots will open to the public at 11 a.m.; reserve lots and stalls for drivers with disabilities will not.

Kuali software rollout stretches across campus
Whether you've heard of it or not, there's a good chance Kuali will impact your work at Iowa State in the near future. Find out how the Kuali organization builds and sustains open-source software for universities in this Q&A with Maury Hope, associate chief information officer.

No Update next week
Inside Iowa State will not publish next week, due to the national Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 24. Classes are recessed Nov. 21-25. The Inside Update news email likewise won't be sent. Look for more faculty/staff news on Dec. 1, or check the announcements section for updates.

More news: Inside Iowa State

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Attorneys will summarize new patent laws at Nov. 29 lunch
-- Haber Road closed at overpass for part of Monday
-- Volunteers sought for Science Bowl competitions
-- Forestry Club's tree sales will run for three weekends
-- Wellness presentations observe diabetes month
-- Library to close for part of winter break
-- ISU ranked among 'fittest colleges'
-- Reminder: Benefits open change period ends this week
-- Reading improvement clinic accepting applications for spring semester
-- "Give Some Warmth" drive seeks hats, mittens, scarves

See: Announcements

Around campus

Three will interview for Leopold director post
Three finalists have been announced for the director's position in the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and will interview on campus from Nov. 28 to Dec. 5. Their interviews will include a presentation on their vision for the center's future and how their experiences contribute to that vision. The presentations are open to the public.

First event of the Harkin Institute is Nov. 29
The Harkin Institute of Public Policy will hold its inaugural lecture Nov. 29 (noon, MU Sun Room). NBC News political analyst Charlie Cook will discuss the Iowa caucuses and the 2012 election. The lecture will be preceded by a dedication ceremony for the Harkin Institute at 11:30 a.m. in the Campanile Room.

ISU research aimed at better flood predictions
ISU hydrologist Kristie Franz's surface water research -- aided by funding from NASA and the National Weather Service -- could help improve predictions for "streamflow events," such as flooding.

Twelve leaders selected for Catt Center's sixth calendar
Twelve women -- six students and six employees -- whose leadership has made a difference at Iowa State will be honored on the 2012 calendar published by the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics. The poster calendar will be unveiled during a reception Jan. 12 (3:30-5 p.m., MU Campanile Room), and distributed for free after the event. More than 40 women were nominated for a spot on the calendar.

Open houses/receptions

Next week
-- Retirement reception: Sandi Bishop, U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory, Nov. 22 (2-4 p.m., 205 TASF)

Upcoming
-- Retirement reception: Al Vogl, ISU agronomy, Nov. 30 (3-5 p.m., Agronomy commons)
-- Reception: "Reclaimed: Reflections of a River" (featuring artwork and writings inspired by the Skunk River Navy experience), Dec. 1 (7-8 p.m., Hach Hall lobby)
-- Retirement open house: Jan Stoehr and Richard Poist, ISU supply chain and information systems, Dec. 2 (2:30-4:30 p.m., Bergstrom Commons, Gerdin, program at 2:45 p.m.)
-- Reception: Gregory and Kathy Geoffroy, 'thank you' for 10-plus years of service, Dec. 8 (3-6 p.m., MU ballrooms, program at 4:30 p.m.)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

Arts and events

ISU Theatre ushers in holiday season with A Christmas Carol
ISU Theatre presents multiple performances of A Christmas Carol Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 9-11. The traditional story line and special effects are sure to please the whole family.

Lorie Line returns to Stephens with holiday show
Lorie Line and her Fab Five will bring their "Christmas Bells are Ringing!" show to Stephens for a 3 p.m. performance Sunday, Nov. 20. Tickets, available at the Iowa State Center ticket office and through Ticketmaster, are $48 ($25 youth; $20 ISU students).

MercyMe brings Christmas tour to Ames
Award-winning Christian band MercyMe will perform its Christmas show at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at Stephens Auditorium. Tickets range from $43 to $47 ($25 youth; $20 ISU students), and are available at the Iowa State Center ticket office or through Ticketmaster.

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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