A service delivery structure has evolved in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, moving human resources and finance duties to specialist roles while keeping administrative support local. The move may help LAS more readily adapt to improved service delivery models proposed campuswide.

A software platform recently expanded for use across campus makes it easier for advisers and other staff to have connect-the-dots conversations, meeting with more students for more reasons with more information at their fingertips.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees will remain the contract bargaining representative for the university's approximately 1,300 merit employees, according to preliminary results from a retention election held last month.

Faculty, staff and students are invited to fill out an online survey and/or attend a public forum Nov. 13 to learn about eight possible additions to existing CyRide bus routes.

An ISU research team found that as small Iowa towns lose population, a strong social infrastructure provides greater quality of life than economic or physical factors.

The cardinal and gold fall colors are featured in the latest installment of the "Postcard from Campus" one-minute video series.

A chemical engineering graduate student studying new materials for solar panels won the Graduate College's annual 3-Minute Thesis competition this week and will advance to a regional competition next spring.

• 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), register by completing an 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

• Reception, for all term faculty, Nov. 29 (5-7 p.m., Garden Room, Reiman Gardens), register by Nov. 21 via Learn@ISU

Sessions will be held in the Howe Hall auditorium and live-streamed.

• Tuesday, Nov. 27, noon-1 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 3, 4-5 p.m.

The Cyclone wrestling squad opens its home dual meet season Sunday, Nov. 11, vs. Southern Illinois, Edwardsville, on the stage at Stephens Auditorium. The match starts at noon, with head coach Kevin Dresser providing a chalk talk at 11:15 a.m. in the Celebrity Cafe off the north Stephens lobby. ISU faculty and staff may claim free tickets online through 10 a.m. Sunday. Tickets for the public are $15 (youth $10).

Three former students and WWII servicemen will be honored at the annual event in conjunction with Veterans Day. It starts at 3:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, in the MU Great Hall, and will include an observance of the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I. All are invited.