Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
Dec. 9, 2021
Inside news
Nearly 1,900 undergraduates are enrolled in one of the 54 online courses being offered, and approximately 80% of them are upperclassmen. Classes begin Dec. 20.

The clinic, offering COVID-19 and seasonal flu vaccines, is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in State Gym. Appointments must be scheduled online by noon Dec. 14. 

Increases to the minimum pay in a handful of entry-level pay grades provided about 200 employees with a raise this month, lifting rates to at least $15 per hour. Updated benchmarking also will bring adjustments to P&S pay ranges next year.

The ISCORE champions program offers a way for colleges to share innovative projects, achievements and best practices -- and integrate their efforts, where appropriate. Here's a look at the 2021 champions.

A new dashboard in Workday for cost center managers and grant coordinators stores in one place the reports, tasks and links they use most frequently. And reports they don't need to use don't clutter their dashboard.

ISU Extension and Outreach constantly looks for ways to serve all Iowans. An important one is translating programs and publications into languages other than English. All four programming areas have offerings and continue to develop more.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • COVID-19: By the numbers
  • 'Tracing Race' proposal deadline moved to Dec. 17
  • Submit winter, spring course reserves at library now
  • Additional inclusive classroom trainings available
  • Register now for implicit bias session on Jan. 26
  • It's the final week to give to United Way campaign
Around campus
Seven study rooms on Parks Library's main floor got a colorful new look this fall, a collaborative project by university marketing, the library and several library donors, nearly all of whom were Iowa State students.

Chemical and biological engineering professor Yue Wu and a multi-institution research team have discovered a catalyst that converts methane, the primary component of natural gas and a major greenhouse gas, into ethane and ethylene that can be turned into plastics and resins.

ISU scientists are perfecting a technique to grow, from patients' urine samples, organoids on which various bladder cancer treatments can be tested. The innovative approach could allow doctors to better tailor therapies to patients.

Assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship Melissa Chamberlain co-authored a paper that showed how individuals speak up in groups impacts how work is done and whether they are picked for teams.
Farewell
Next week
  • Annie Arbuckle, office of the dean, university library, Dec. 17
Arts and events
This Stephens Auditorium holiday tradition, featuring more than 200 local dancers and two professional guests in the roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier, has three curtain times this weekend: 1 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12. Tickets, $30 each ($25, youth and seniors), remain for all three performances.

After opening their indoor season at University of Arkansas last weekend, the Cyclone men's and women's track and field teams will host the Iowa State Holiday Invitational Saturday, Dec. 11 (noon-5 p.m., Lied Recreation Center). Admission is free.
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Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions may be directed to 515-294-7065.