Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
Nov. 11, 2021
Inside news
By a vote of 33-20, senators rejected a motion to rescind the executive board's amendment that reduced the number of learning outcomes -- from four to three -- students must achieve in U.S. diversity courses. The outcomes were updated for the first time since the diversity course requirement was introduced in the 1990s.

Through Nov. 26, the Friday after Thanksgiving, staff can request a flexible work arrangement through WorkFlex, the university's new program that provides options for where, when and how staff work. Here are some tips to think about if you're submitting a request. 

The clinic in State Gym will offer a smorgasbord of vaccines: All three brands of COVID-19 vaccines, booster doses, third dose (for the immunocompromised) and seasonal flu vaccine. An appointment is required and must be scheduled online by 8 p.m. Nov. 15.

A one-year renovation of the Memorial Union's top three floors is on schedule for late April move-in for seven student services units.

It didn't change how many hours Iowa State faculty work in a week, but the pandemic did tweak how they spent that time.

Other topics from the Nov. 4 meeting: enrollment trends, 2022-23 faculty professional development assignments, solar farm partnership with Alliant Energy and parking lots around the Iowa State Center.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • COVID-19: By the numbers
  • Governor awards two paid holidays to state employees
  • Another option in Workday: Submit vaccine record, request an exemption
  • Funeral service is Nov. 13 for former faculty member Neil Harl
  • Reminder: CYtation award nominations due Dec. 1
  • Winter Wish list for STORIES students
Around campus
A study found a range of agricultural soils produce nitrous oxide emissions big enough to contribute to climate change. The effects were significant enough to offset benefits of using the same soils to sequester carbon.

A paper led by kinesiology assistant professor Jacob Meyer found that the onset of the pandemic led people to sit more and cut down on moderate to vigorous activity. As a result, they were more likely to have higher symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and loneliness.  

ISU cybersecurity experts are working with colleagues from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, to build a workforce capable of defending critical infrastructure, including energy providers, from computer attacks. A two-year, $2 million grant from the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, a part of the National Security Agency, will support the project.
Appointments
  • Kristen Obbink, Center for Food Security and Public Health and former COVID-19 public health coordinator, as the inaugural university public health coordinator, office of student wellness, effective Dec. 6
Open houses and receptions
This week
  • Open house, Cyclone Appreciation Event, ISU Book Store, Nov. 11 (3-6 p.m., in-store only, Memorial Union)
  • Retirement, Susan Larson, university museums, Nov. 11 (3:30-5 p.m., Brunnier Art Museum, treats in the university museums office, 290 Scheman), registration encouraged, send well wishes

Next week
  • Retirement, Paul Gallagher, economics (May 2020 retirement), Nov. 16 (2:30-4 p.m., 368A Heady)
Seminars and conferences
  • Flagship Friday, Cracks in Your Character, Anthony Sardella, evolve24, St. Louis, Nov. 12 (noon-1 p.m., stepatorium, Student Innovation Center, or via Zoom), register
  • Futures Forum, Photojournalism and Multimedia Storytelling, with freelance photographer Leigh Vogel and alumni Emily Kestel, Des Moines Business Record, and Kelsey Kremer, Des Moines Register, Nov. 16 (3 p.m., MU Cardinal Room and via YouTube Live), reception follows (4:30-5:30 p.m., 172 Hamilton)
  • Documentary virtual discussion, "Coded Bias," with filmmaker Shalina Kantayya, Nov. 16 (6 p.m.), register to receive two links: documentary screening and discussion, hosted by ADVANCE Midwest Partnership of which ISU is a member 
  • Flagship Friday, Crying in the Bathroom, Ana Pinto da Silva, Minka and Amazon, Seattle, Nov. 19 (noon-1 p.m., stepatorium, Student Innovation Center, or via Zoom), register
Arts and events
The ISU Rodeo Club is hosting the first Ranch Rodeo Championship at the Hansen Agriculture Learning Center (Nov. 13, 5:30 p.m.). A ranch rodeo is a showcase of practical skills centered around teamwork. Club members are organizing morning activities for children and lunch. Tickets are $15, $5 for those 12 and under and $10 for ISU students.

ISU Theatre collaborates with the ISU Symphony Orchestra and Opera Studio to perform the American opera, "Street Scene," this weekend. It is a story of forbidden love and brutal vengeance in a 1940s New York City tenement community. Fisher Theater hosts three performances (Nov. 12-13, 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 14, 2 p.m.). Tickets are $25 -- free for ISU students and youth -- at the Iowa State Center ticket office, via Ticketmaster or at the door.

The ISU Wind Ensemble will commemorate the John Philip Sousa Band's 1920 performance in State Gym Nov. 11 (7 p.m., also in State Gym). The concert will be modeled after a Sousa concert, with a featured soloist and marches as encores. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in 149 Simon Estes Music Hall or at the door.
Learning opportunities
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.