Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
Nov. 12, 2020
Inside news
The recruiting team established in the mid-2019 shift to Workday and service delivery has made hiring staff easier, and more improvements are yet to come.

The study found no evidence of systemic bias in faculty pay by gender or ethnicity, but pay gaps were addressed in two colleges.

The new funds will reimburse IT access and connectivity projects. With other funding options, they'll help reduce the COVID-19 impact on the university operating budget.

The director, associate director and director of graduate education are stepping down; interim leaders will be named soon.

The ISU Online Learning Community focuses on digital pedagogy and Canvas updates that help instructors engage students. Friday's online meeting will deal with preparing and delivering final exams; join them.

Season ticket holders for the men's and women's programs will have an opportunity to purchase single-game tickets for up to seven home contests.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • Map highlights indoor spaces available for studying
  • APLU recognizes Iowa State for innovation
  • Applications due Dec. 15 for term faculty professional development grants
  • Library schedules wellness events for prep week
  • Submit library reserve requests now for winter, spring courses
  • Gardens host online holiday plant sale Nov. 21-29
  • New required syllabus statement on free expression
  • Food pantry has upcoming volunteer opportunities for employees
  • 'Jagged Little Pill' special concert tickets go on sale Nov. 16
  • Central campus museums close next week for winter break
  • MU holiday art sale is Nov. 18-21
  • Asymptomatic students may get a COVID-19 test before break
  • Stephens Auditorium hosts two productions this month
Around campus
While it couldn't hold a Veterans Day Gold Star Hall ceremony this fall to remember individual Iowa Staters who gave their lives in service, the Memorial Union instead shared the history of the passageway that honors them.

A study co-authored by agronomy professor Matt Liebman found adding more diversity to crop land improves the ecosystem and maintains or improves yields.

Iowa generates more than 40% of its electricity from wind, but wind-dominant electric grids aren't designed for a typical, step-by-step blackout recovery after storms such as the Aug. 10 derecho. An ISU team is studying how to restore wind-dominant grids.
Appointments
  • Michael Roof, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, to chief technology officer for the vaccines and immunotherapeutics research and innovation platform (one of four in the state's biosciences economic growth initiative), effective Nov. 2
  • Joseph Ballard II, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, as the inaugural director of diversity, equity and inclusion for campus life (serving the residence department, ISU Dining and the Memorial Union), effective Nov. 9
  • Brenda Allen, Iowa 4-H staff and volunteer development manager, to ISU Extension and Outreach manager of professional development, effective Nov. 23
Open houses and receptions
This week

Next week
  • Retirement, Lester Wilson, food science and human nutrition, Nov. 20 (4-5 p.m., via Webex), registration not needed

Upcoming
  • Retirement, Renee Harris, chemistry, Nov. 30 (2-4 p.m., Thiel lobby, Hach Hall), send congratulations to her Kudoboard
Arts and events
Spectators can attend the 12:30 p.m. recital in person or watch online.

The ISU Symphony Orchestra will perform from Recital Hall in the Music Building Nov. 14 (7:30 p.m.).
Learning opportunities
Provost office programming
  • Web talk, External Recognition for Career Progression, with Kirsten Abel, SVPP honors and awards coordinator and a faculty panel, Nov. 19 (9:30-10:30 a.m., via Zoom), register via Learn@ISU
  • Online 12-week bootcamp, Faculty Success, Jan. 17-April 10, 2021, National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity, $500 early-bird discount through Nov. 13 (ISU has an institutional membership, sign in if you have a profile or click "Become a Member," select "Iowa State University" and create your profile)

Vice president for research programming
  • Web talk, Write Winning Grant Proposals, two parts: Dec. 3 (1-4:30 p.m.), Dec. 4 (8:30 a.m.-noon), via Zoom 

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

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