Inside Update

Jan. 26, 2012
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

Benefits survey results: ISU employees are healthy, benefit-savvy
Most Iowa State employees are healthy nonsmokers who are willing to take some financial risk and have a solid understanding of the value university benefits add to their total compensation. This information and more, compiled from a benefits survey conducted last spring, will help determine the future of ISU's benefits.

Budget model review team hones in on specific issues
Following a fall of listening, the committee reviewing the effectiveness of the budget model has developed a short list of issues for closer study and recommendations. The committee's draft report should be completed in early March.

Sustainapalooza celebration is Feb. 28
The Iowa State community will celebrate its greenness -- past and future -- the evening of Feb. 28. Sustainapalooza will feature interactive stations, a poster reception and rewards for participants who are green good-deed doers.

Nearly flat operating funds for Iowa State in Branstad budget
Gov. Terry Branstad's FY13 state budget holds ISU funding at this year's level, save for a portion of $20 million in new, undefined funding for the three regent universities. Branstad's budget also includes $20.8 million for Year One construction of the biorenewables complex's second phase, a new home for the ag and biosystems engineering department.

More news: Inside Iowa State

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Participants sought for one-hour investment simulation
-- Tearoom adds Tuesday, Thursday evening meal
-- News Service offers media spokesperson training sessions in February
-- Reminder: Iowa State has an ethics hotline
-- Civic Center discounts available to university community
-- University's key audit under way
-- Panel discussion will look at impact of women's studies on women's lives

See: Announcements

CELT programs
Register via AccessPlus (click on Employee > HRS Training > Courses).
-- Designing Rubrics for Your Course, Feb. 1 (12:10-1 p.m., 2030 Morrill)
-- Graduate Student Focus: Going on the Academic Job Market, Feb. 2 (3:10-5 p.m., 2104 Gilman)
-- Academic Writing for Graduate Students and New Faculty: Constructing the Literature Review, Feb. 2 (3:10-4 p.m., 305 Carver)
-- Blackboard (Bb) Learn Grade Center I: Fundamentals, Feb. 3 (9-10:30 a.m., 1230 Communications)
-- Bb Learn Grade Center II: Advanced, Feb. 3 (3:10-4:30 p.m., 1230 Communications)
-- Teaching and Learning Circle: Team-based Learning, Tuesdays Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28 (12:10-1 p.m., 2030 Morrill)

See: Descriptions and times

See: Descriptions and times

Live Green! in Review
Electric cars and hybrid buses, green loans that paid off handsomely, LEED-certified buildings, awards from two governors, solar-powered trash compactors, the ISU-built solar house on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., 30-plus green teams, student-organized recycling projects, thousands of tons' worth of composting. A new report details three years of Live Green efforts (PDF).

Next week
-- Retirement: Vicki Gray, ISU curriculum and instruction, Jan. 30 (2:30-4 p.m., program at 3 p.m., N047 Lagomarcino)
-- Grand opening/dedication, renovated State Gym and expansion, Feb. 3 (2:30-3:30 p.m., first floor multipurpose room on south side of State Gym addition)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

Hawkeye gymnasts are in town Friday night
The Cyclone and No. 23 University of Iowa Hawkeye gymnastics squads compete in a dual meet Jan. 27 (6:30 p.m., Hilton). A Cyclone victory would clinch the Cy-Hawk Series for Iowa State this year. Tickets are $5 ($4 youth).

A kiss to break the spell
The Sleeping Beauty, a classic ballet featuring music by Tchaikovsky, will be performed by the Moscow Festival Ballet Jan. 29 at Stephens Auditorium.

Bringing back the magic
The Iowa State men's basketball team returns to Hilton Coliseum Jan. 28 (1 p.m.) and Jan. 31 (8 p.m.) to face nationally ranked and long-time conference rivals No. 5 Kansas and No. 22 Kansas State, respectively. Lucky fans with tickets to Saturday's sold-out game are encouraged to wear gold apparel for the "Gold Rules" promotion. A two-for-one ($25) ticket promotion for the Kansas State game is available through Jan. 30.

An evening of laughs
Comedian Nick Offerman, best known for his role as Ron Swanson on NBC's Parks and Recreation, will bring his deadpan comedy style to Stephens Feb. 2 for an 8 p.m. performance. Tickets are $15 ($10 for students, only at the Stephens ticket office) and available at the Stephens ticket office or through Ticketmaster.

This week at the Maintenance Shop
The following acts will perform at the Maintenance Shop this week. Tickets are $16 ($10 for students) for both shows. Ticket prices increase $2 the day of the show. Get tickets at the M-Shop ticket office (4-8349).
-- Pop-rock bands The Cab and The Summer Set team up with He Is We, Days Difference and Paradise Fears, Jan. 27 (8 p.m.).
-- Andy Grammer, whose single "Keep Your Head Up" reached 53 on Billboard's Hot 100, will perform with guests Ryan Star and Rachel Platten, Jan. 31 (8 p.m.).