Inside Update

Dec. 8, 2011
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

News

Schmittmann named to LAS dean post
Beate Schmittmann, physics professor and department chair at Virginia Tech University, will become the next dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in April.

Student Counseling trains mental health first-aid providers
Student Counseling Service's new mental health first-aid training program teaches faculty and staff how to identify and help distressed students until appropriate treatment and support can be provided.

Trainor tapped as next HRS leader
David Trainor, executive assistant to the chancellor and associate vice chancellor for human resources and labor relations for the Connecticut State University system, has been named Iowa State's associate vice president for human resource services. Trainor begins his duties Jan. 17.

Senators push through policy changes
Faculty Handbook changes, including one that links tenure to new professor appointments, were among the items endorsed at the Dec. 6 Faculty Senate meeting. A new minor in U.S. Latino/a studies also was approved.

2012-13 tuition rates, School of Education proposal on regents' docket
When it meets Thursday afternoon in Ames, the state Board of Regents will be asked to approve tuition and fee rates for next year and a proposed School of Education in the College of Human Sciences. Live audio streaming of the meeting begins at 1 p.m.

Year-end news from human resource services
Before you ring in the New Year, the human resource services staff suggests you take a moment to do some benefits housekeeping: submit 2011 flexible spending account claims and decide whether you want (or need) long-term care insurance before it goes away.

More news: Inside Iowa State

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Flu vaccine still available for employees
-- Position changes in the controller's department take effect Jan. 1
-- Rec Services to offer free trial period at State Gym
-- Cyclone hockey hosts faculty/staff appreciation night on Dec. 10
-- Next Osborn Club public lecture is Dec. 12
-- Benefits confirmation statements went online Dec. 2; report changes by Dec. 9

See: Announcements

Teaching

CELT program
Register via AccessPlus (click on Employee > HRS Training > Courses).
-- Blackboard User Group, Dec. 9 (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 1230 Communications)

See: Descriptions and times

Around campus

Research misconduct policy clears P&S Council
Professional and Scientific Council members endorsed a draft research misconduct policy and a resolution acknowledging president Gregory Geoffroy's service at their Dec. 1 council meeting.

River trash gets second life . . . as art
Biology and design learning community freshmen collaborated on this fall's Skunk River trash collection effort -- and on a subsequent project to turn some of that trash into treasures (in the form of art). Their work is on display in Bessey Hall.

Football squad will compete in Pinstripe Bowl Dec. 30
Coach Paul Rhoads and his Cyclone football team will face Rutgers University's Scarlet Knights in the Pinstripe Bowl Dec. 30 in Yankee Stadium, New York City. The ISU alumni association is organizing a bowl travel package.

Student art sale continues through Friday
The College of Design Art Club is holding its annual fall sale of work by students in the integrated studio arts program. Proceeds go to both the artists and to the club to help fund workshops and guest speakers. Sale hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 8-9 in the foyer outside the dean's office suite.

Lab offers multiple ways to experience virtual reality
The METaL virtual reality facility is designed to be a versatile, everyday research tool. It will be used to study and develop 3-D visual display technology, audio effects and force feedback. It also will make virtual reality more accessible on campus.

Open houses/receptions

This week
-- Reception: Gregory and Kathy Geoffroy, 'thank you' for 10-plus years of service, Dec. 8 (3-6 p.m., MU ballrooms, enter via the Sun Room, program 4:30-5 p.m., reception line before and after program)

Next week
-- Farewell: Gail Ferlazzo, ISU Memorial Union, Dec. 14 (3:30-5 p.m., MU Campanile Room)
-- Farewell: Autumn Cartagena, ISU sociology and anthropology, Dec. 14 (3:30-5 p.m., 311 East Hall)
-- Reception: Post-commencement, Dec. 17 (following ceremony, Alumni Center)

Upcoming
-- Retirement: Beverly Fowles, ISU veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, retiring Dec. 28 (reception held previously)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

Arts and events

The Nutcracker Ballet returns to Stephens Dec. 10-11
The Iowa State Center will present its 31st production of The Nutcracker Ballet at Stephens Auditorium this weekend in three performances (Dec. 10, 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 11, 1:30 p.m.). Tickets, $18 and $20 (discounts for youth, ISU students and seniors), are available at the Stephens ticket office or through Ticketmaster.

Beat the Hawkeyes . . . and all other comers
These Cyclone athletic squads will compete at home in the coming week:
-- Swimming, vs. Iowa, Dec. 9 (6 p.m., Beyer pool), free
-- Men's basketball, vs. Iowa, Dec. 9 (7 p.m., Hilton), tickets $30
-- Hockey, vs. Maple Grove (Minn.) Energy, Dec. 9 and 10 (7:30 p.m., Ames/ISU ice arena) tickets $10 (youth $5)
-- Women's basketball, vs. Mississippi Valley State, Dec. 11 (2 p.m., Hilton), tickets $10-12 (youth $5-6)

Upcoming free events at the Christian Petersen Art Museum
-- Object Lessons: Exhibition Design and Installation, Dec. 8 (7 p.m.). Get a behind-the-scenes look at the museum's current exhibitions to discover lighting and layout strategies.
-- Film: Downside Up, Dec. 11 (2 p.m.), chronicles how the blue-collar town of North Adams, Mass., transformed from an economic failure into a national center for contemporary art.

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.

Update Archives