Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
Nov. 7, 2019
Inside news
Faculty and staff can use assistive technology to learn how students with disabilities experience their coursework.

Help arriving soon will boost how quickly Iowa State can whittle down a backlog of open positions, a university human resources leader told the Professional and Scientific Council this week.

The interim policy takes effect Nov. 11; university administrators plan to work with student government to explore a permanent chalking policy.

When the state Board of Regents meets Nov. 13-14 in Cedar Falls, other items on the agenda are faculty development requests for next year, a tweak to the leave donation policy for a catastrophic illness and a proposal to recognize computer science coursework in the Regents Admissions Index.

As farmers and ranchers deal with tough times, ISU Extension and Outreach is helping its staff be better prepared to assist those struggling with their mental health through an eight-hour workshop. The training continues -- and will be expanded -- in 2020.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • Professional development funds available for term faculty
  • Feedback sought on library's scholarship services
  • Nominations open for Ivy Women in Business Awards
  • Reminder: Snowblower service days are Nov. 8-9
  • Reception for term faculty is Dec. 5
  • Alumni will present exhibit talk Nov. 10
  • Online auction for United Way concludes at noon Nov. 8
Around campus
In an essay for The Conversation, professor Amy Erica Smith looks at the role of evangelicals and the fight against fires burning in the Amazon rainforest.

Three ISU researchers found most farmers still support President Donald Trump despite the continuing trade war with China. Farmers see it as short-term pain for future gain, according to the essay in The Conversation.

ISU researchers are working to make heat-protection gloves more functional for firefighters and first responders. A $1.5 million grant allows them to look for ways to improve hand dexterity, which is cut in half by the current gloves. 

A team of Iowa State mathematicians is working to change perceptions by giving people a positive experience with math. The goal is to help people see math as a way of thinking, organizing thoughts and making plans that applies to every-day things.
Appointments
  • Richard Gates, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, to director of the Egg Industry Center and holder of the Iowa Egg Council Endowed Professorship, effective Jan. 1, 2020
  • Jacob Parr, New Cooperative Inc., to Ag 450 Farm operator
Open houses and receptions
This week
  • Reception, honoring first-generation college students, Nov. 8 (11 a.m.-2 p.m., MU Oak Room), registration encouraged

Upcoming
  • Holiday open house, Reiman Gardens gift shop, Nov. 23-25 (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily)
  • Retirement, Les Lawson, campus services, facilities planning and management, Dec. 4 (no public event)
Open forums
Strategic facilities plan : Come-and-go event (third of three)
  • Nov. 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., MU Pine Room

University registrar finalists (final two of four)
Open forums will be held 11 a.m.-noon in the Memorial Union.
  • Nov. 13, Soults Family Visitor Center
  • Nov. 15, Oak Room
Arts and events
Wrestlers open the season this weekend
The No. 12 Cyclone wrestling program will host its own Harold Nichols Cyclone Open on Sunday, Nov. 10, in Hilton Coliseum. Wrestling begins at 9 a.m.; tickets are $10 (youth $5).

Four former students will be recognized for their military service during World War II and the Vietnam War, and their ultimate sacrifice, at the annual Gold Star Hall ceremony Monday, Nov. 11 (3:15 p.m., MU Great Hall). It's open to the public.
Professional development
Provost office programming
Register via Learn@ISU .

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming
Register via Learn@ISU . 

Center for Communication Excellence programming
Register online for grant-writing seminar series.
Previous Inside coverage
About us
Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions may be directed to 515-294-7065.