Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
Feb. 6, 2020
Inside news
In conjunction with the April opening of the one-of-a-kind Student Innovation Center, the university is launching a branding campaign that packages and promotes the opportunities across academic programs and around campus.

Using an affordable setup of consumer-level headsets and cell phones, students in a Spanish course are creating and guiding virtual reality tours to help make class material more engaging and sharpen their conversation skills. 

New learning technologies in Canvas have made access to information easier -- and in some cases less expensive -- for students. Communicating how to use them and their effectiveness is key for instructors and students.

Also on the state Board of Regents Feb. 5 agenda: parking permit increases, a pedestrian bridge east of the stadium, and updates on student financial aid and the investigation into the Sept. 14 alleged mistreatment of Hawkeye band members.

The faculty, staff and student members of the new University Sustainability Committee will develop actionable recommendations to increase energy efficiency, energy conservation and use of renewable energy. The goal: Move Iowa State toward carbon neutrality.

Nominations for faculty and P&S members in the 2020-21 Emerging Leaders Academy are due March 2, and the class will be announced by April 10. Sessions begin in September.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • College-by-College Pitch Off kicks off Feb. 6
  • Okaidja Afroso to perform at Stephens
  • ISU Theatre honored at festival
Around campus
A $1.5 million National Science Foundation grant awarded to an ISU faculty member will support data science research and establish the Dependable Data-Driven Discovery Institute.

In a new paper revealing the rare double-nucleus structure of a well-known, nearby galaxy, the first author is a 77-year-old who went back to school to study astronomy after a career as an electrical engineer. He received his master's degree in astronomy from Iowa State in 2018.
Open houses and receptions
This week
  • Retirement, John Flickinger, ISU Extension and Outreach administration, Feb. 6 (2-4 p.m., program at 3:15 p.m., MU Campanile Room)
  • Reception, "Creating Global Understanding: World Languages and Cultures and University Museums" exhibit opening and faculty discussion, Feb. 6 (4-5 p.m., Christian Petersen Art Museum, Morrill)

Next week
  • Reception, "Collegiate Fashion and Activism: Black Women’s Styles on the College Campus" exhibit opening and curator talk, Feb. 10 (5-6:30 p.m., Mary Alice Gallery, 1015 Morrill)
  • Farewell, Vernon Hurte, dean of students, Feb. 11 (3-5 p.m., program at 3:30 p.m., MU Campanile Room)
  • Reception, "G00nD0ck Practice" exhibit and artist talk with senior Christian D'Cruz, Feb. 13 (6-8 p.m., Gallery 181, Design)
  • Retirement, Angie Jewett, environmental health and safety, Feb. 14 (1-3 p.m., program at 1:30 p.m., Learning Center, EH&S Building)

Upcoming
  • Retirement, Judy Strand, Graduate College, Feb. 26 (3-5 p.m., program at 3:30 p.m., MU Cardinal Room)
Seminars and conferences
  • Statewide kickoff event: 19th Amendment Centennial Commemoration, Feb. 14 (11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Memorial Union), registration not required
Arts and events
A variety of events throughout February will honor Black History Month at Iowa State and in Ames. That includes this weekend's Black Arts and Music Festival, a family-friendly event Feb. 8-9 at the Ames Public Library celebrating the artistic and cultural contributions of African and African American visual and performing artists. The festival is sponsored in part by the College of Design and the office of diversity and inclusion.
Professional development
Provost office programming
Register via Learn@ISU . 

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming
Register via Learn@ISU . 
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About us
Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions may be directed to 515-294-7065.