The Professional and Scientific Council is asking President Wendy Wintersteen to hold off on approving a proposed reorganization that would create new specialist jobs in human resources and financial services, saying P&S staff didn't have enough input into a plan that offers too little detail.

Top administrators in finance and human resources responded to questions about the proposed service delivery models at an Oct. 25 town hall.

Tenured ISU faculty may apply; the target start date is Jan. 1, 2019.

The Ivy College of Business has selected the design-build team for a 45,000-square-foot addition to the east side of the Gerdin Building. Construction on the $28 million project begins in the spring.

Iowa State is ranked 212th among 1,250 colleges and universities around the world in the fifth annual U.S. News "Best Global Universities" ranking. ISU made the ranking in 13 of 22 academic subjects.

'Bury-and-forget' soil sensors could help reduce fertilizer usage
A team lead by assistant professor of mechanical engineering Jonathan Claussen is developing a system of low-cost, "bury-and-forget" soil sensors that could help farmers use less fertilizer, which can run off fields and cause environmental problems.

• Cyndi Wiley, associate professor of art and design, Grand View University, Des Moines, to digital accessibility coordinator in information technology services, effective Nov. 12

• Reception: "Mid-Century Modern" exhibit, Nov. 2 (5-7 p.m., Christian Petersen and Textiles and Clothing museums, Morrill)

• Retirement: Liz Kurt, ISU Extension and Outreach conference planning and management, Nov. 5 (3:30-5:30 p.m., Cy's Lounge, Alumni Center)
• Retirement: Sandy Gahn, institutional research, Nov. 9 (no public reception, well wishes may be sent to her at 2420 Lincoln Way, Suite 203)

• Faculty-staff-student mixer, building awareness of first-generation student needs, Nov. 12 (5:30-6:30 p.m., Hixson-Lied Student Success Center), to participate complete online survey
• Retirement: Joyce Russell, Iowa Public Radio, Nov. 13 (4-6 p.m., program at 5 p.m., IPR, 2111 Grand Ave., Suite 100, Des Moines), email well wishes to membership@iowapublicradio.org

• Workshop, Intensive Tasting Proficiency, Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute, Nov. 10 (9 a.m.-5 p.m., Food Sciences Building), $60 registration fee through Nov. 2

Campus climate: Faculty experience work group (second of two)

• Nov. 1 (11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., MU Pioneer Room)

Student Innovation Center: Faculty director finalists (second of two)

• James Oliver, mechanical engineering: Nov. 2 (2-3 p.m., College of Design auditorium)

ISU Theatre and the opera studio partner to present the comic operetta "Orpheus in the Underworld" Nov. 1-4 at Fisher Theater.

The Cyclone women's and men's basketball and wrestling squads compete this week for the first time this season. The women's team has exhibition games Thursday evening (6:30 p.m., vs. Southwest Baptist) and Sunday afternoon (2 p.m., vs. Winona State). The men's squad plays Tuesday, Nov. 6 (7 p.m. vs. Alabama State). The wrestlers host their own Harold Nichols Cyclone Open Saturday (9 a.m.). All events are at Hilton Coliseum; tickets may be purchased online or at the Hilton ticket office prior to events. The athletics department's clear bag policy is in place for all Hilton events.