A collaborative project between student affairs and academic affairs will improve and centralize the processes for welcoming and acclimating students new to Iowa State.

President Wendy Wintersteen touched on several topics at the Sept. 11 Faculty Senate meeting, including enrollment, funding, campus climate, and diversity and inclusion.

The process begins with the nomination of candidates, followed by a review of applications and interviews with semifinalist and finalist candidates in early 2019. Design dean Luis Rico-Gutierrez and professor of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering Gary Mirka will lead the search committee.

The annual flu shot clinic for university employees will introduce a one-stop, paperless registration process. Employees will check in on an electronic tablet with the nurse who administers the vaccination.

The ever-growing cost of deferred maintenance in campus buildings reached $436 million in FY18, a backlog that's difficult to address, associate vice president for facilities Paul Fuligni told the Professional and Scientific Council last week. It's a common problem for universities, he said.

Twenty-eight faculty and staff will participate in the Emerging Leaders Academy this year. The initiative helps prepare employees serving -- or aspiring to serve -- in leadership roles for the next challenge.

Iowa State's part in the National Science Foundation project focuses on working with community colleges to recruit and prepare a diverse group of graduate students for teaching careers at community colleges.

Iowa State is tied for 56th among 132 public national universities in U.S. News and World Report's "Best Colleges" undergraduate rankings released Sept. 10.

Iowa State's football team will host the University of Incarnate Word, San Antonio, for a Dec. 1 game, replacing the Cyclones' Sept. 1 season opener against South Dakota State, which was canceled during inclement weather.

• John Crespi, professor of economics, to interim director of the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, effective Aug. 16 for one year

• Welcome: Sarah Merrill, director of new student programs, Sept. 14 (12:30-2 p.m., 2630 Memorial Union)

• Reception: ACCESS director Tess Cody and campus advocate Tricia Ingram Williams, Sept. 20 (4-6 p.m., MU Cardinal Room)
• Closing reception: "Under (Printed) Construction" exhibit, Sept. 21 (7:30-9 a.m., Design on Main Gallery, 203 Main St.)
• Open house: student-managed Ag 450 Farm 75th anniversary, Sept. 22 (7-11 a.m., 52097 260th St.)

• Retirement: Mary Jo Beckman, human development and family studies, Sept. 28 (10-11:30 a.m., remarks at 10:30 a.m., east entrance atrium, Palmer Building)

• Seed Science and Technology short course, Nov. 5-9 (Seed Science Building), registration

Open forums will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Memorial Union. Candidates will be announced one business day prior to arriving on campus.

• Candidate 2: Monday, Sept. 17, Cardinal Room
• Candidate 3: Thursday, Sept. 27, Pioneer Room

Learn about a collaborative effort to streamline procedures for onboarding new students. A Q&A will follow an overview of the committee's recommendations.

• Thursday, Sept. 20 (9-10 a.m., MU Gold Room)
• Wednesday, Sept. 26 (3-4 p.m., MU Gold Room)

Nearly 60 Iowa State faculty and staff will be honored at the annual university awards ceremony Friday, Sept. 14 (3 p.m., MU Great Hall). A reception in the South Ballroom follows the ceremony.

A group of Tibetan monks will construct -- and eventually disperse -- a sand painting in the Memorial Union main lounge Sept. 24-28. Activities are planned daily in conjunction with their work.