Inside Update

April 5, 2012
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

Iowa State on display at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival this summer
Iowa State will be among exhibitors at this summer's Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The festival focus is land-grant universities and the USDA. Iowa State's high-tech, interactive exhibit will showcase College of Design and Extension and Outreach efforts to help communities meet challenges.

Provost search committee is reviewing applications
The search committee currently is reviewing applications for the senior vice president and provost position. Thus far, 130 nominations have been received for the position, and 35 people have submitted applications.

Syllabus language gets senate approval
Lengthy discussion at the April 4 Faculty Senate meeting fine-tuned recommended language for inclusion in class syllabi. Students requested the additional information to help communicate classroom policies and guidelines.

How to adjust your W-4
If completing your 2011 income taxes revealed a refund or a shortfall that's larger than you'd like, consider making changes to your W-4 form to head off the problem in the future. Here's how to get it done.

More news: Inside Iowa State

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Gary Wells is on April 4 Rock Center with Brian Williams
-- Spring food drive continues through April 12
-- Register now for April 19 Ignite Ames event
-- Branstad, others will discuss beef issue at April 10 campus event
-- Recycle personal electronics April 19 at Lincoln Way DOT office
-- Celebration of life for former VP Wayne Moore is April 7 at Gateway Hotel
-- Former journalism prof Lorraine Wechsler dies
-- Veishea is recruiting for record attempt at Knockout on April 17
-- Elementary science teaching is focus of April 12 brown bag lunch

See: Announcements

Transition from WebCT to Blackboard Learn will wrap up in July
July 15 is the target deadline for Iowa State instructors using WebCT to transition content to Blackboard Learn. Student access to WebCT will end on May 8. The change in the learning management system is necessary because WebCT no longer will be supported by Blackboard Inc., which purchased WebCT in 2005. CELT is offering these options to assist instructors with the transition process:
-- Website: Preparing Your WebCT Course for Migration to Blackboard Learn
-- Workshop: Converting Your Course from WebCT to Blackboard Learn, April 11 (12:10 p.m.), April 19 (11 a.m.) or May 8 (10 a.m.)
-- Email: bbhelp@iastate.edu
-- Phone: 515-294-5357

CELT programs
Register via AccessPlus (click on Employee > HRS Training > Courses).
-- Beyond Bullets: Being Creative in the Classroom with PowerPoint, April 10 (9-11:50 a.m., 1230 Communications)
-- Teaching poster symposium, April 10 (3:30-5 p.m., MU Pioneer Room)
-- Converting Your Course from WebCT to Blackboard Learn, April 11 (12:10-2 p.m., 1230 Communications)
-- Blackboard User Group meeting, April 13 (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 1230 Communications)

See: Descriptions and times

The following conference was added this week:
-- 2012 Women and Philanthropy Workshop, April 18 (8 a.m.-2 p.m., Gateway Hotel and Conference Center)

You're invited to Veishea opening ceremony and awards
Veishea's leaders invite faculty and staff to attend the Veishea Opening Ceremony and Awards program April 17 (4-6 p.m., MU Sun Room). Men's basketball coach Fred Hoiberg will kick off the awards program at 5:15 p.m.

Iowa State recognized for greenhouse gas reduction
Iowa State received a certificate from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Combined Heat and Power Partnership that recognizes the university for efficient energy production. In 2011, the university's cogeneration power process resulted in 24,000 metric tons of avoided carbon equivalent emissions as compared to conventional energy suppliers.

Carver plaza to be dedicated April 6
To commemorate the 120th anniversary of his enrolling at Iowa State, the George Washington Carver plaza, located between Carver and Beardshear halls, will be dedicated April 6 (10:30 am.). The university community is invited; there will be a short program and refreshments. The event also coincides with the university's week-long George Washington Carver Scholars celebration.

April is sexual assault awareness month
The women's center will host film discussions, lawn exhibits, a lecture and the "Take Back the Night" rally as part of sexual assault awareness efforts during April. Events are free and open to the public.

Residence department: Candidate for facilities position
The department of residence will host an open forum for a fourth finalist for its associate director for facilities position. Three finalists interviewed previously.
-- Roger Graden, ISU facilities planning and management, April 5 (9:15-10:30 a.m., 136 UDCC)

School of Education: Candidates for inaugural director
Two 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 and reception for each. A third finalist interviewed last week.
-- Gaetane Jean-Marie, University of Oklahoma, Tulsa, April 5 (3:30-4:30 p.m., MU South Ballroom)
-- Ralph Reynolds, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, April 9 (3:30-4:30 p.m., MU South Ballroom)

This week
-- 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: Focus juried student art exhibit (6 p.m., MU Gallery)
-- Reception: Room dedication for former health center director Dr. Robert Patterson, April 6 (3-5 p.m., second floor atrium, Thielen Student Health Center)

Next week
-- Welcome reception: Beate Schmittmann, LAS dean, April 9 (4:30-6:30 p.m., MU Sun Room, program at 5 p.m.)
-- Open house: National Student Employment Week, April 12 (8:30-10:30 a.m., first floor, Beardshear)

Upcoming
-- Retirement: Helen Olson, ISU agricultural education and studies, April 25 (2-4 p.m., 224 Curtiss, program at 2:45 p.m.)
-- Retirement: Mahlon Darlington, ISU music, April 25 (4-5:15 p.m., lobby, Music Hall, program at 4 p.m.)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

30th annual student fashion show is April 14
While the judging officially has occurred, winners in this year's student fashion show won't be announced until the conclusion of the runway show on April 14 (7 p.m., Stephens). Tickets ($22 for adults, $16 for ISU students with I.D. and children ages 12 and under) are available at the Stephens ticket office.