Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
Feb. 10, 2022
Inside news
Following a successful fall, study abroad programs are getting closer to pre-pandemic numbers. There are 310 students taking part in a semester program this spring, about 80% of the number from spring 2020. An additional 200 students will join faculty-led trips over spring break.

Twenty-seven employees received awards this week for their above-and-beyond efforts to serve students despite pandemic challenges to their work.

A "significant" pay increase for Professional and Scientific employees in fiscal year 2023 is warranted in the face of increased inflation, according to the P&S Council's annual report and recommendation on benefits and compensation.

Two initiatives by Iowa State's collegiate recovery community, a support program run by student health and wellness, are intended to make it easier for students struggling with substance use to seek help. In different ways, both efforts involve faculty and staff.

Nearly 230 employees who created documents in DocuSign received "initiator" status this week for Adobe Sign, the university's new designated software for documents requiring electronic signatures. Employees who only sign documents routed to them don't need to be initiators.

As the Workday Student and Receivables implementation turns to design and configuration in 2022, questions likely will come up. Turn to your change liaison to ask questions about the project or weigh in with a suggestion or concern.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • COVID-19: By the numbers
  • Faculty, staff invited to second town hall on strategic plan draft
  • Immunocompromised protocols extended through Aug. 5
  • Panelists discuss language discrimination and advocacy
  • Apply now for mentor role in fall undergraduate research program
  • Needtobreathe concert announced for May 10
  • Application window closes March 13 for spaceflight operations workshop
Around campus
Burr oak trees from university land south of Reiman Gardens helped ag specialist Nick Upah replace an unusual set of loft doors on the horse barn at Stange and Pammel roads. Trapezoidal in shape, they also hung high on sloping tracks. 

In an essay for The Conversation, finance assistant professor Tyler Jensen discusses the divide U.S. women see between their ethical views and what they believe about investment managers.

An ISU study tracked eye movement of users during video calls and found participants looked offscreen more often during smaller, interactive sessions. Women also looked at their own video image more than men.

Iowa State is the only university in the United States to have a partnership with the U.S. Department of State to work on historic preservation projects at U.S. diplomatic properties around the world.
Retirements
Next week
  • Eric Cooper, psychology, Feb. 18, noon, "Last Lecture," 0125 Kildee; 1-2 p.m., reception, 1416 Lagomarcino
Seminars and conferences
  • Symposium on Sustainability: Awards presentation and keynote address, Feb. 21 (7 p.m. via Webex), Sustainapalooza, Feb. 22 (5-8 p.m., MU Great Hall)
Open forums
  • Presentation to city council and student government, Feb. 10, 6-8 p.m., Ames city auditorium, 520 6th St., and via livestream, open to the public

  • Town hall for students, Feb. 16, 4:30 p.m., 0114 Student Innovation Center and via Webex
Arts and events
February is Black History Month and the library's special collections and university archives tell the story of impactful individuals who have made a mark on campus over the years. 

Reiman Gardens will host its annual Orchid Fest Feb. 12-13 (10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily). Orchids will be displayed and available to purchase, and the Central Iowa Orchid Society will staff a question-and-answer booth on orchid care. Visitors pay garden admission ($11, youth $6, free for members and ISU students).

Former New Mexico governor Susana Martinez will give a virtual presentation, "It's a Different World Out There: Leadership in the States," on Wednesday, Feb. 16 (7:30 p.m., via Webex). Martinez is the 34th recipient of the Catt Center's Mary Louise Smith Chair in Women and Politics. The event is free and open to the public.
Learning opportunities
Provost office programming 
  • Faculty workshop, Documenting Your Research Impact and Increasing Visibility, introduction to impact metrics and sources, locating information on who is citing your work, creating reports in Web of Science and Scopus, methods for increasing visibility of scholarly outcomes, Feb. 24 (9:30-11 a.m., MU Oak Room), register

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

University library programming
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Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions may be directed to 515-294-7065.