Inside Update

Dec. 6, 2012
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

Gift ideas, straight from campus
Clothing, chocolate and coffee exclusive to Iowa State are among the holiday gift items featured in this year's campus gift guide.

State Gym project captures green certification
The State Gym renovation and addition has achieved the highest level -- platinum -- in the LEED building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. It is Iowa State's second platinum certification.

Regents set tuition rates for next year
Meeting Dec. 5 in Ames, the state Board of Regents approved tuition and student fee rates for 2013-14, a new Ph.D. program in wind energy, plans to replace coal boilers with natural gas models in the power plant, and faculty development assignments for next year.

David Oliver named to interim VP post
Liberal Arts and Sciences associate dean David Oliver will serve as interim vice president for research and economic development, beginning Jan. 1.

More news: Inside Iowa State

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Nominations sought for MU awards
-- Webinar teaches you and your family about EAP services
-- Microsoft techs calling -- NOT
-- Attention merit employees: Job line is going away
-- New master's program coming next fall to Vet Med
-- CAC funds available for innovative info technology projects
-- Book drive for local children runs through Dec. 7
-- 2013 benefits confirmation statements are now available

See: Announcements

Blackboard Learn open lab will run Dec. 10-14
Staff from the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching will host a Blackboard Learn open lab for faculty, staff and teaching assistants Dec. 10-14 (8 a.m.-5 p.m., 1151 Communications). The lab is an opportunity to get individual answers to specific questions; there will be no overview of Blackboard at these sessions. Please bring your own laptop.

-- Leslie Hogben, ISU mathematics, to Dio Lewis Holl Chair in applied mathematics
-- Martin Spalding, ISU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, to associate dean of research and graduate studies, effective Jan. 1
-- Corey Williamson, University of Nevada, Reno, to associate director of the Memorial Union, effective Nov. 12

This week
-- With the Business dean search committee, Dec. 6 (4-5 p.m., 2200 Gerdin)

Details about this event are on the university calendar.

This week
-- Retirement: Tom Zimmerman, Environmental Health and Safety, Dec. 7 (2-4 p.m., EH&S Building, program at 3 p.m.)

Next week
-- Open house: Holiday shopping with Cy, Dec. 11 (11 a.m.-8 p.m., Alumni Center)
-- Commencement reception, Dec. 15 (immediately following 1:30 p.m. ceremony, Alumni Center)

Upcoming
-- Retirement: Elyse Levine, IT Services, Dec. 18 (1:30-2:30 p.m., 1155 ASB)
-- Retirement: Dennis Shannon, ISU research and demonstration farms, Dec. 18 (3-4:30 p.m., MU Campanile Room, program at 3:45 p.m.)
-- Retirement: Gene Schaefer, IT Services, Dec. 20 (2-4 p.m., 206 Durham Center, program at 3 p.m.)
-- Retirement: Karen Huiatt, U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory, Jan. 4 (2-4 p.m., 205 TASF)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

CODAC student art sale runs through Dec. 7
Get unique holiday gifts at the CODAC (College of Design Art Club) art sale Dec. 6-7 (10 a.m.-3 p.m., foyer outside dean's office, College of Design). The artwork was created by students in the integrated studio arts program. Items include ceramics, prints, photos, jewelry and textiles. Prices range from $5 to $150. Proceeds go to the artists and also help fund club activities.

The Nutcracker Ballet: It's just a dream ... or is it?
Iowa State Center will present its 32nd annual production of The Nutcracker Ballet Dec. 8 (1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) and Dec. 9 (1:30 p.m.) at Stephens Auditorium. Tickets, $18 and $20 (discounts available for youth, ISU students and seniors), are available at the Iowa State Center ticket office or through Ticketmaster.

Ring in the holidays, bluegrass-style
Dailey & Vincent, an award-winning bluegrass act, will perform A Bluegrass Christmas in Ames on Dec. 11 (7:30 p.m., Stephens). Tickets, $34 and $38 ($28 for youth, $25 for students), are available at the Iowa State Center ticket office or through Ticketmaster. All tickets holders are invited to a 7 p.m. pre-show event in the Celebrity Café with Marty Miller, a member of the Barn Owl Band, who will offer insight into the concert. Following Dailey & Vincent's performance, ticket holders may stay for a post-show chat, also in the Celebrity Café.