Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
Oct. 29, 2020
Inside news
Employees have three weeks to make benefits choices for the 2021 calendar year when open enrollment launches on Nov. 2. 

The guidance doesn't replace or conflict with any university COVID-19 policies or guidelines. It simply clarifies and highlights the fact that informal interactions are possible.

The one-question daily survey is designed to assist with pillar four in the Cyclones Care behaviors campaign: Stay home if you are ill.

Faculty and staff not only are using new teaching methods, but they also are helping students cope during a difficult time. It is important they remember self-care in support of others.

A public comment period will run Nov. 1-23 for a draft policy on considering the removal of names from university property. The draft will be available in the policy library.

A team of faculty and staff trained to respond to campus demonstrations is looking to expand, both in size and scope. The demonstration safety team is recruiting employees to grow its ranks and planning more training for members and student groups. 

The new finance and planning portal, managed through the ServiceNow platform, is the last of three that converted job aids to a searchable articles format, joining IT services (April) and university human resources (August).

A policy change approved in June and going into effect Jan. 1 will adjust the time period used to determine the amount of leave available to an employee under the Family Medical Leave Act.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • Library closes fourth-floor study spaces
  • Reminder: Students must activate MFA by Oct. 31
  • Wallace Road is on schedule to reopen next week
  • Block and Bridle Club fundraiser orders due Nov. 9
  • Online study event is Sunday evening
  • Groundbreaking for state vet lab is Oct. 30
  • CyThx recognitions will be accepted through Nov. 30
  • Reminder: Classrooms designated for student study
  • ISU honey added to weekly produce sale
  • Instructors: Submit winter, spring course material lists now
  • Creamery will serve college flavors beginning Nov. 2
Around campus
Research by assistant professor of marketing Beatriz Pereira showed that thinking of health as an essential part of identity encourages healthier behaviors, including adherence to physical distancing and mask guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Iowa Egg Council has donated an additional $150,000 to Iowa State's poultry teaching and research farm, a new facility that opened earlier this year. The commitment extends the council's original pledge of $1.5 million by a year and will add opportunities for students and other visitors to learn about poultry production.
Retirements
Next week
  • Mark Peterson, graduate career services, Ivy College of Business, Nov. 2, send congratulations to his Kudoboard or via email by Nov. 2
  • Ed Jack, chemistry stores, Nov. 6
  • Dave Knight, controller's department, Nov. 6  

Upcoming
  • Linda Svendsen, food science and human nutrition, Nov. 13 (4-5 p.m., via Webex), registration not needed
Seminars and conferences
Arts and events
Timed-entrance tickets still are available for the gardens' annual "Spirits in the Gardens" Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 5-10 p.m. nightly). Enjoy games and activities (5-7 p.m.), and after sunset, hundreds of lit, hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns and hologram projections.

Memorial Union staff are hiding eight medallions over four weeks (Oct. 23-Nov. 20), providing clues and inviting members of the campus community to locate them only in public areas of the building. Those who are the first to find each get a prize; they and everyone who locates at least six will be entered in a grand prize drawing. Check the website for details and rules.
Learning opportunities
Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

Student Innovation Center programming

University human resources/ISU WellBeing programming

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