Inside Update

March 8, 2012
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

Crum to serve as interim Business dean; search on hold
ISU leaders announced Tuesday that the search for the next dean of the College of Business will be temporarily halted until the university's next provost is on the job. Associate dean Michael Crum will become interim dean of the college on July 1.

No. 1 spot adds to CyRide pride
CyRide is first in ridership among small transit systems nationally. Transit director Sheri Kyras attributes longterm success of the community bus system to a university and city that work well together.

Council sets issue priorities
Professional and Scientific Council president Dan Burden outlined the top issues identified during a "visioning" process in a recent message to P&S staff. The list of 14 issues -- including five "major" items -- were developed and prioritized by council committees and representatives, then shared with ISU's top administrators.

Warm weather shrinks utility bills
More warm weather in February should translate to smaller utility bills for units around campus again this month. It's a trend we've enjoyed all winter, says director of utilities Jeff Witt.

Leath, Hill address Faculty Senate
Faculty senators heard from president Steven Leath at their March 6 meeting. Leath outlined his priorities and management style, then fielded questions from faculty members.

Council committee to change name, purpose
At the March 1 Professional and Scientific Council meeting, the retention and recruitment committee introduced its plan to focus its efforts on professional development.

More news: Inside Iowa State

The following announcements were added this week:
-- New website details information about provost search
-- ISU Spring Blood Drive is March 19-22
-- Antibiotic resistance, superbugs topic of March 19 Osborn Club lecture
-- March 26 presentation looks at footwear trend analysis
-- Entrepreneur events scheduled for March 20
-- Leath's Iowa Press conversation is online

See: Announcements

CELT programs
Register via AccessPlus (click on Employee > HRS Training > Courses).
-- Beyond Bullets: Being Creative in the Classroom with PowerPoint, March 19 (1:10-4 p.m., 1230 Communications)
-- Student Evaluation of Teaching: Introduction to Class Climate, March 20 (1:10-2:40 p.m., 1230 Communications)
-- Reviewers: How to Give and Take Article Critique (part of an academic writing series for graduate students and new faculty), March 20 (3:10-4 p.m., 268 Carver)
-- Using RWT Software to Evaluate Your Writing and Developing Revision Strategies (part of an academic writing series for graduate students and new faculty), March 22 (3:10-4 p.m., 268 Carver)

See: Descriptions and times

Spring break is March 12-16
ISU classes will not meet next week, March 12-16, in observance of spring break. Parks Library will close at 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday (5 p.m. Sunday, Friday and Saturday), and recreation facilities also will be on adjusted schedules. Inside Update will not be distributed; the next Update is scheduled for March 22.

VP Biden visits campus
The vice president's stop included a tour of the "Make to Innovate" labs in Howe Hall and a public talk during which he heralded innovation on American university campuses.

ISU professor discovers spider silk is excellent heat conductor
Xinwei Wang, associate professor of mechanical engineering, is leading a study that found spider silk is very good at transferring heat. In fact, it conducts heat as well or better than most metals.

This week
-- Reception: YWCA Ames-ISU Women of Achievement Awards, March 8 (5:30-7:30 p.m., Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Ave.). Tickets, $25 (students $5), are available through the YWCA, 210 Lab of Mechanics, 4-1663.

Upcoming
-- Reception: Sloss Gender Equity Awards and Scholarships recognition, March 20 (3:30-5 p.m., MU Campanile Room)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

Celebrate St. Paddy's Day at Reiman Gardens
Reiman Gardens is hosting "Celtic Music in the Gardens" March 16 (7-9:30 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.). Entertainment includes Ames' Robert Thomas Dancenter dancers and Kelly's Clan, an Irish band. A cash bar and snacks will be available for purchase. Advance tickets are $14 ($12 for members) and available by calling 4-2710. All tickets are $18 at the door.

ArtWalk planned at Horticulture Hall
Nancy Girard, educator with University Museums, will lead an ArtWalk on March 21 (noon-1 p.m., Horticulture Hall, meet at west entrance). The tour will include a look at the recently installed STICKS murals. The tour is free and open to the public.

NCAA women's basketball returns to Hilton next week
Hilton Coliseum is the site for round 1 and 2 games (March 17 and 19) in the women's NCAA post-season tournament. The Cyclone squad finds out if it made the field March 12 (selection show 6 p.m., ESPN). All-session tickets are $30 (youth $25), single-session tickets are $18 (youth $13).