Faculty, staff and students are asked to provide feedback in a confidential survey of the learning, living and working environment at Iowa State. The campus climate survey is available through October.

Open forums for the final four candidates in Iowa State's presidential search are scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday next week in the Memorial Union. You're invited.

Premiums for the university's ISU Plan benefits program have remained level for the past five years, a feat almost unheard of today. Several factors play a role in keeping costs down, including healthy, happy employees.

The ISU Plan open enrollment period runs Nov. 1-17. Meetings are scheduled throughout those weeks to assist merit employees, who will enroll in the plan for the first time.

In the two-year project, 29 percent of the original Marston Hall was removed to create 21st-century spaces inside a classic 20th-century shell. The result was another LEED Gold honor for the university.

Tomas Gonzalez-Torres, alumnus and senior lecturer in aerospace engineering, taught astronauts for more than a decade in several NASA space flight positions. Who better to positively impact students? Read more in this latest installment to a series about faculty and scientists whose work is changing the world for the better.

Five years in, University Library's digital repository recently welcomed its 700th faculty participant and 70,000th posted item.

Though its benefits are alluring, high-intensity interval training is unpleasant, research by kinesiology professor Paddy Ekkekakis shows. It's not a sustainable exercise plan for most people, he said. 

• Alexis Campbell, associate scientist in the biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology department, as the first full-time director of Science Bound, effective Oct. 2
• Amanda Fales-Williams, associate professor of veterinary pathology, as the inaugural holder of the Tyrone D. Artz, MD, Chair for Teaching Excellence in Veterinary Medicine
• Jonathan Hassid, assistant professor of political science, to the Lucken Faculty Fellowship
• Steffen Schmidt, University Professor of political science, to the Lucken Professorship in Political Science

• Reception: "Everything to Everybody" exhibit, Oct. 7 (2-4 p.m., Design on Main gallery, 203 Main St.)

• Reception: "Faces of Iowa State" exhibit, with artist Rose Frantzen, Oct. 10 (7-8:30 p.m., Brunnier Art Museum, 295 Scheman)
• Reception, Faculty, staff and student veterans meet-and-greet, Oct. 11 (4-6 p.m., MU Col. Pride Veterans Lounge), RSVPs appreciated
• Reception: "Headspace" exhibit, with artist Meghan Flynn, Oct. 13 (6-7:30 p.m., MU Pioneer Room)

The candidates' open forums will be held 4-5 p.m. in the Memorial Union. Candidates will be identified the morning before their visits.

• Oct. 9, Sun Room
• Oct. 10, Great Hall
• Oct. 11, Sun Room
• Oct. 12, Great Hall

The university's fifth annual Bacon Expo, a family-friendly event hosted by students, will take place Saturday, Oct. 7 (11 a.m.-2 p.m., Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center). The "Bacon Hero" themed activities include recipe sampling, live entertainment and educational displays. Tickets, $10 in advance or $12 at the door, are available online. Proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Iowa State's fall lecture series is underway with a variety of informative and enlightening programs. All events are free and open to the public.

Support Iowa State student-musicians at one of three concerts scheduled this week. All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. in Music Hall's Tye Recital Hall.

• ISU Symphony Orchestra, Oct. 6, ($5, $3 for students)
• Jazz I and II ensembles, Oct. 11 ($5)
• Jazz Combos, Oct. 12 (free)