Iowa law adds improvement plan requirement to large courses

Implementation of an Iowa law requiring continuous improvement plans for courses with high enrollment begins this fall. More than 560 courses at Iowa State will be impacted as the program is phased in over the next three years.

A first look at the new budget

The new fiscal year starts Monday. Iowa State leaders propose to invest approximately $32 million of new revenue in salary and benefits increases, student financial aid and deferred maintenance. More than a third of the new income will be directed to top divisional priorities proposed by the senior VPs. The state Board of Regents is expected to approve the FY14 budget in August.

On the phone: Nice web portal tricks

Set voice mail to show up in your email. See if your often-called colleagues are on the phone before dialing. These are some of the things you can do with your new phone.

State appropriations will help expand research park

A bill passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Terry Branstad provides $12 million to finance construction of a new building and site to house several services and agencies in the Iowa State University Research Park.

The following announcements were added this week:

• Iowa Energy Center lecture series opens July 11

• Team PrISUm is ready to race Thursday-Saturday in Texas

• Tickets on sale for "Meet the Coaches Night" Aug. 15 in Des Moines

• University is closed on Thursday, July 4; Inside Iowa State won't publish

• Register now for July 19 EH&S Safety Summit

• Ankeny employee vanpool starts July 15; Marshalltown could be in the works

• Register for professional development classes

• Chemistry Stores is closed July 4-5

• Street improvements on Lincoln Way will last six weeks

Iowa State will have a presence at the Des Moines Arts Festival this weekend

Nine College of Design students or recent graduates are among 20 "Emerging Iowa Artists" who will exhibit their work at the Des Moines Arts Festival June 28-30 in the downtown Western Gateway Park. Two other alumni are among the professional artists selected for this year's festival.

Volunteers will clean College Creek, empty sandbags Saturday

Volunteers still are needed to help clean up College Creek and "deflate" thousands of sandbags posted around campus during the wet spring. Both events are Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., but you can come and go as your schedule allows. You'll receive a free lunch, refreshments and a chance at door prizes contributed by local businesses. Cleanup supplies, sunscreen and insect repellent will be provided. Creek cleaners should wear closed-toe shoes. Sandbag crews, particularly, are urged to bring their own gloves. Online registration isn't required, but it helps with planning. Check-in begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Forker Building parking lot. Contact: Merry Rankin, 4-5052.

Reiman Gardens is open late July 5 for fireworks watching

Reiman Gardens will remain open through the conclusion -- approximately 10 p.m. -- of Ames' Independence Day fireworks display on Friday, July 5. The fireworks will be launched, beginning at dusk, from a field east of Jack Trice Stadium. Garden visitors may bring folding chairs and coolers with food and drinks, but must keep all fireworks and sparklers outside the fence. Regular admission rates apply ($8 adults, $7 seniors, $4 youth, free for members and ISU students). The rain date for the fireworks is July 6.

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