Inside Update

March 29, 2012
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

Students will talk to their peers about education debt
CyGold, a new student organization, will take on the challenge of student debt and financial literacy among students. It's backed by GSB and the office of student financial aid.

Claim 2011 flexible spending expenses by April 30
If you haven't done so yet, it's time to gather receipts for your 2011 medical and dependent care expenses. The deadline for submitting 2011 flexible spending account claims is April 30.

Middle schoolers eye academic, career options
Approximately 260 talented middle schoolers visited campus Wednesday to view new technologies in various colleges and explore academic and career options. The students were participating in an annual event sponsored by Precollegiate Programs for Talented and Gifted (OPPTAG).

More news: Inside Iowa State

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Get your heart pumping with April 4 employee wellness event
-- Upcoming P&S Council events
-- University Book Store closed for inventory April 1
-- Donate household goods for service learning project
-- Regents university students at state capitol March 29
-- Osborn Club lecture is April 9
-- Annual ISU Student Profile document is online
-- PRSSA clothing drive and March 28 fashion show give back to community

See: Announcements

CELT programs
Register via AccessPlus (click on Employee > HRS Training > Courses).
-- Student Evaluation of Teaching: Customizing Text Templates in Class Climate, April 3 (9-10:30 a.m., 1230 Communications)

See: Descriptions and times

The following conferences were added this week:
-- Best Practices Workshop: Student Enrollment and Engagement through Connections, April 10 (1:30-3:30 p.m., MU Cardinal Room)
-- Iowa Local Food Summit, April 3 (9 a.m.-5 p.m., Scheman Building), $20 before March 30

Four thousand ... and counting
The ISU Research Foundation has recorded the 4,000th invention by university researchers since the current numbering system began in 1964. The invention is software that compresses 3-D animations so they need less storage space on a computer. ISU researchers disclose about 100 inventions a year, approximately 50 of which are patented and about a dozen of which are licensed for commercial use.

Prep students will showcase their research March 30-31
A record 620 middle schoolers will showcase their research projects on campus during the State Science + Technology Fair of Iowa March 30-31 at the Iowa State Center. Public hours are noon-5 p.m. Friday (Hilton Coliseum) and 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday (Scheman Building). The public award ceremonies are 8:30-9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. March 31 at Hilton.

Residence department: Candidates for facilities position
The department of residence will host open forums (9:15-10:30 a.m.) for three finalists for its associate director for facilities position. A fourth finalist interviewed earlier this week.
-- Leroy Brown, ISU facilities planning and management, March 30, 1132 Eaton
-- Todd Sirotiak, Diversified Construction Services, Ames, April 3, 136 UDCC
-- Roger Graden, ISU facilities planning and management, April 5, 136 UDCC

School of Education: Candidates for inaugural director
Three finalists will interview on campus for the director's post in the College of Human Sciences' new School of Education; members of the university community are welcome to attend an open forum (3:30-4:30 p.m.) and reception for each.
-- Carl Smith, ISU curriculum and instruction, March 29 (MU Cardinal Room)
-- Gaetane Jean-Marie, University of Oklahoma, Tulsa, April 5 (MU South Ballroom)
-- Ralph Reynolds, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, April 9 (MU South Ballroom)

Next week
-- Reception: With Norie Sato, artist and contributor to the Art on Campus collection, April 4 (5:30-7 p.m., lobby, Hach Hall)
-- Reception: P&S staff appreciation Ice cream social, April 5 (4-6 p.m., Garden Room, Reiman Gardens), includes door prizes and free admission to the gardens
-- Reception: Room dedication for former health center director Dr. Robert Patterson, April 6 (3-5 p.m., second floor atrium, Thielen Student Health Center)

Upcoming
-- Welcome reception: Beate Schmittmann, LAS dean, April 9 (4:30-6:30 p.m., MU Sun Room), program at 5 p.m.

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

Sleuthing: Finding Christian Petersen's panthers
It took nearly 20 years, but University Museums succeeded in locating and purchasing a pair of bronze panthers sculpted in the early 1920s by former Iowa State artist in residence Christian Petersen. They'll arrive on campus in time for Veishea. Hear the story of the ups and downs of that long search during a museum talk with guest curator Lea DeLong April 1 (2-3 p.m., Christian Petersen Art Museum, Morrill Hall). It's free and open to the public.

Spring arrives at Reiman Gardens this weekend
-- Bunny Breakfast, March 31 (seatings at 9 and 10:30 a.m.). Reservations are required by noon March 30. Menu is donuts, rolls, fruit and juice. Activities include a visit from the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt and storytelling. Cost is $10 for adults ($5 for children 12 and under) and includes admission to the gardens.
-- Spring Fling, March 31 (1-3 p.m.). Includes egg hunt for children (through age 4, 1:30 p.m.; ages 5-10, 2 p.m.). Other activities include crafts, rabbit petting and cookie decorating. Regular admission rates apply for adults (free for children, members and ISU students). Register online.