Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
Jan. 16, 2020
Inside news
Making federal income tax withholding elections changed Jan. 1 with an overhaul of the longstanding W-4 form. 

All academic departments will participate in annual training focused on inclusive teaching in class. CELT uses its inclusive classroom workshop as the basis for training, which began last week.

Shawn Boyne began in the provost's office on Jan. 8, taking over the role of director of academic quality and undergraduate education.

Iowa State is launching a one-year pilot of Grammarly this month. All students and faculty can create an account. 

The Professional and Scientific Council approved its annual compensation recommendation, calling for raises ranging up to 2% above inflation.

The U.S. census is a snapshot of the population taken every 10 years. The statistical data is used for decisions on federal funding, political representation and business expansion in communities.

University is closed Monday
In observance of the national Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 20, university offices are closed and classes will not meet. A university/city celebration will be held that evening at Ames Middle School.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • Small number of Madrigal Dinner tickets remain for Friday, Saturday
  • Library has resource guides for innovation
  • Proposals sought for STEM career conference for girls this spring
  • Know Your Rights (Harassment 101) workshop offered Jan. 23
  • Study Abroad Fair is Jan. 23
  • Honors program seeks fall seminar proposals
Around campus
A science comedian, expanded networking opportunities and the debut of a new research poster design are among the unique elements of this year's Research Day activities . The March 24 public keynote by comedian Brian Malow precedes a daylong agenda March 25 in the Memorial Union. Registration for poster and lightning talk presenters closes Jan. 24. Event and presenter registration is open through March 20.

An ISU professor writes for The Conversation about fear of war and a draft following the killing of an Iranian general. Unlike previous times in history, there is a new way the unease spreads -- social media.

The research group of Martin Thuo, materials science and engineering, has found a way to use heat to predictably and precisely change the surface structure of a particle of liquid metal, a technology they're calling "chameleon metals."

Charlie Wickham is working on turning his love of roller coasters into a job designing them, a career-planning twist for a senior in mechanical engineering who once figured building rides was a pipe dream. His 3D-printed roller coaster business card is helping him get noticed.
Appointments
Open houses and receptions
This week
  • Reception, "AiR by Catherine Reinhart" exhibition, Jan. 17 (5-7 p.m., Design on Main gallery, 203 Main St.)

Next week
  • Retirement, Karen Kerper, student health and wellness, Jan. 22 (1-3 p.m., program at 1:30 p.m., 2207 Thielen Student Health Center)

Upcoming
  • Open house, strategic facilities plan, drop-in feedback session, Jan. 28 (3-6 p.m., 0198 Parks Library)
  • Retirement, Kenny Bollenbaugh, plant services, facilities planning and management, Feb. 4 (1-3 p.m., program at 2 p.m., maintenance shop break room, General Services Building)
  • Retirement, Dale Meyer, Ames Laboratory, Feb. 4 (1:30-3 p.m., 205 TASF)
Arts and events
Director of orchestras Jonathan Govias led his first Symphony of Diversity three springs ago in Charlotte, North Carolina. With the ISU Symphony, guest artists and music from underrepresented composers, he'll bring the fourth iteration to the Stephens Auditorium stage March 5-6. Find out how you can be involved.

A four-woman team from the Philadelphia area visited Ames this week to create an oversized sogetsu ikebana arrangement as part of university museums' new "Contemplate Japan" exhibition. More than a dozen educational events will highlight various specialities within the exhibition; the first one is Sunday afternoon.

Cyclone Cinema resumes tonight
The spring edition of Cyclone Cinema , 14 feature films released in theaters in the previous three to six months, opens Jan. 16 with the whodunit murder mystery, "Knives Out" (7 and 10 p.m., 101 Carver). Two showings per night continue through Sunday; admission is free.
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Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions may be directed to 515-294-7065.