Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
Feb. 4, 2021
Inside news
In her annual state funding request to the Iowa Legislature's joint education appropriations subcommittee, President Wendy Wintersteen also shared the budget impacts of COVID-19 and responded to an inquiry about faculty tenure.

With less than four weeks remaining in a seven-month application window, nearly 250 employees are approved for the university's 2020-21 retirement incentive. The application deadline is March 1.

Rather than assign team members, two residence life leaders chose to staff the university's designated isolation and quarantine student housing themselves last fall, providing 24/7 service and reassurance to students and their families.

The new gaming and esports room in Beyer Hall not only gives students a place to practice and compete, but promotes peer-to-peer interaction between gamers who previously may only have communicated through chat servers. The room also will offer research opportunities.

Have a question about how Iowa State is responding to an issue related to the coronavirus? There shouldn't be any question about where to look for answers. 
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • ABE student wins 3-Minute Thesis competition
  • Public health data site resets for spring semester
  • Cyclone Honor Band is a virtual event this week
  • Creamery offers ice cream pickup for Valentine's Day
  • Nominations for next Emerging Leaders class are due March 8
  • Nominations due Feb. 26 for supplier awards
  • ITS releases cyber guide outlining services
  • Shop MU poster sale online through Feb. 15
  • Semiannual study abroad fair is Feb. 10
  • 'Speed dating' event gives quick overview of support programs
  • Executive order rescinds restrictions on diversity training
  • Obbink will discuss coronavirus and vaccination efforts at next P&S seminar
  • Cyclone Cinema shares its spring titles
Around campus
Assistant professor of psychology John Grundy found that learning a second language delays the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Becoming fluent in a second language doesn't prevent the disease, but symptoms were halted by up to five years.

Plans that began in 2019 were waylaid by a pandemic, but students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will host a pre-health conference this month that connects undergraduates to professionals from more than 75 medical, pharmacy, physician's assistant, dental, optometry, podiatry and physical therapy programs around the country.

A collection of stories released last week examines the hard work and dedication of faculty and staff over the past 12 months as the university has managed the effects of COVID-19.
Retirements
This week
  • Brenda Schwarz, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Feb. 5
  • Pat Trammell, Ames Laboratory, Feb. 5
Seminars and conferences
Arts and events
Bondurant singer/songwriter Marc Bailey performs on the Stephens Auditorium stage Feb. 6 (7 p.m.) as part of the center's Goldfinch Room series. Physically-spaced tables seating up to four, also on the stage, are available for $40. Livestream links are $10 (single stream) and $20 (group stream). Purchase a table or livestream online.

For more than four decades, the United States has celebrated Black History Month during February to honor the achievements and contributions of Black Americans. Exhibits, activities and special events on campus began this week and continue through to the ISCORE conference March 4-5.
Learning opportunities
Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) 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.