Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
Oct. 8, 2020
Inside news
Premiums, copayments and deductibles for employee health care plans are increasing Jan. 1 in what's likely the first phase of a multiyear effort to counteract rising costs.

A winter session could become a regular option for ISU students, senior vice president and provost Jonathan Wickert told the Professional and Scientific Council at its Oct. 1 meeting. The council also received updates on benefits and budget issues.

The International Adventure learning community relies on websites and smartphone apps to connect 58 students in 20 countries on four continents who were unable to get to Ames for their first semester of college.

The #InclusiveByDesign initiative gives faculty, staff and students in the College of Design a way to talk about and be involved in diversity, equity and inclusion.

ISU faculty who have questions or want to brainstorm an idea for an article for an academic essay about a relevant topic may talk with a Conversation editor Friday afternoons.

Employees have been using multifactor authentication for more than a year. Now students will need it to access web-based campus applications, including Canvas and email.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • Benefits open enrollment period begins Nov. 2
  • Early voting is underway; Story County options will include Scheman
  • Parent orientation for YSS Kids Club on campus is Oct. 8
  • Retirees' annual symposium looks at One Health
  • Comedian Ron White's show is postponed to next fall
  • Accrued sick hours may help with closed child care centers, remote school learning
  • Bookstore is selling face coverings designed for students
Around campus
Faculty across campus are bringing real-world issues into the classroom to have students work for solutions in real time.

In an Oct. 5 open letter, athletics director Jamie Pollard said his staff is reviewing options that could allow up to a 10% capacity (about 1,425 fans) for basketball games at Hilton Coliseum this winter.

The 2020 John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition was conducted virtually in September. Twelve teams reached the final round, with the top three placers splitting $80,000. 

A nontraditional student combines her passions for numbers and a desire to help others in an online dashboard that helps Iowans find local support for substance abuse recovery.
Appointments
Retirements
This week
  • Cheryl Conover, IT services, Oct. 9
  • Mike Vaclav, Ames Laboratory, Oct. 9
Seminars and conferences
Arts and events
The first of three small pop-up events hosted by the office of sustainability to celebrate campus sustainability month is Oct. 8 (11 a.m.-1 p.m., Horticulture Hall south lawn). While they last, pick up free herb and edible flower seeds and compostable planters and learn more about energy efficiency efforts on campus. An accompanying virtual event will take place on the office's Facebook page. Campus food security efforts and Earth Day are the focus of events on Oct. 15 and 22.
Professional development
Vice president for research programming
  • Research orientation for new faculty, interactive discussion with leaders and staff from the OVPR on internal funding opportunities, components of the research life cycle and more, Oct. 16 (10-11 a.m., via Zoom), register to receive the link

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

Center for Communication Excellence programming
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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.