Having trouble viewing this email? Click here
Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
Jan. 14, 2021
Inside news
The development and rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine is a significant step, but it is not a cure-all to return life back to normal overnight. Those on campus who have received the vaccine report few side effects, but following Cyclones Care behaviors remains important.

Other updates this week from the provost's office: International business travel for employees is still prohibited and a decision on the spring commencement format has been postponed to March 1.

Two online competitions the admissions office held last month in partnership with the Innovate at Iowa State program aimed to cut through the detached drudgery of virtual recruiting fairs, giving prospective international students a taste of the ISU experience.

A five-member panel, approaching stress management and mental health from different perspectives, will offer help for pandemic-weary employees during a 90-minute forum Jan. 19.

Every item in the new Staples catalog was preapproved by trademark licensing, university marketing and procurement services, so it's as simple as placing an order.

With the state DOT's semiannual vehicle auctions sidelined by COVID-19, ISU transportation services, which sells 80-110 fleet vehicles in a normal year at the auctions, found its alternative in a liquidity website for government agencies.

University is closed Monday
In observance of the national Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 18, university offices are closed and winter classes will not meet.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • Reminder: Complete your Jan. 13 Workday survey
  • CyThx recognizes those who make others feel valued
  • ISSO updates spring enrollment guidelines for international students
  • P&S Council sets member numbers for fiscal year 2022
  • Alumni award nominations are due Feb. 15
  • Nominations due Feb. 1 for student employee award
  • You're invited: Jan. 15 town hall will focus on COVID-19 vaccines
  • Vet Med to begin spring semester four days early
  • Honors program invites proposals for fall seminars
Around campus
A $2.2 million gift will establish the Graether Family Fund for Climate Science Advancement to support the department of geological and atmospheric sciences. The endowed fund will support student, faculty and staff efforts in climate science education, impacting areas such as statistics, math, computer science, sociology, communication and design.

DataShare, Iowa State's Open Access repository for sharing, publishing and archiving research data, is jointly funded by the university library, office of the vice president for research and Information technology services. Here's why researchers should use it.

A redesigned space shared by art and visual culture and graphic design provides opportunities for students to explore printmaking and screen printing in a collaborative environment. Classes are open to all Iowa State students.

Associate professor of graphic design Paul Bruski explains the "Don't Tread on Me" flag has flown since before the American Revolution, but its meaning has changed through the years. The flag was visible inside and outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Agronomy professor Brian Hornbuckle was among 13 scientists selected to serve on a congressionally mandated panel to advise NASA on which satellite missions should continue and which should be grounded.
Appointments
  • Rebecca Runyon, to director of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' Innovation + Entrepreneurship Academy
Retirements and farewells
Last week
  • Retirement, Barb McBreen, communications service, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jan. 5
  • Retirement, Paula Imerman, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Jan. 8

This week
  • Retirement, Sue Finestead, global programs, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Jan. 14, send well wishes via this Qualtrics page
  • Retirement, Jenny Froyd, office of the registrar, Jan. 15
  • Retirement, Debbie Lettow, office of the registrar, Jan. 15
  • Retirement, Janelle Wallerich, office of the registrar, Jan. 15

Next week
  • Retirement, Guru Rao, office of the vice president for research and biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, Jan. 22 (4-5 p.m., via Zoom), post messages to his Kudoboard
  • Farewell, Jackie Rees Ulmer, Ivy College of Business, Jan. 22, post messages to her Kudoboard by Jan. 22
Seminars and conferences
  • Carbon Removal Forum, for faculty, staff and students, March 10 (via Zoom), hosted by the Bioeconomy Institute, registration required
Open forums
  • Town hall, COVID-19 vaccine distribution and spring testing plans, Jan. 15 (2-3 p.m., via Webex)
Arts and events
The community's annual celebration honoring Martin Luther King Jr. will be held Jan. 18 (6:30-7:30 p.m.) on the Ames/Story County MLK Celebration Facebook page and on YouTube. Wayne Clinton, longtime Ames resident, retired teacher and coach, will deliver the keynote speech. A carillon concert will honor King on Feb. 8 (11:50 a.m.-12:10 p.m.), and Isabel Wilkerson, a Pulitzer Prize and National Humanities Medal recipient, will deliver the MLK Jr. Legacy Series keynote Feb. 8 (7 p.m.) on WebEx.
Learning opportunities
Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

ISU WorkLife 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.