Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
April 14, 2022
Inside news
Retirement@Work will allow employees to see all their university retirement savings in one portal, which they also will use to manage voluntary retirement contributions.  

Lee Burras is a self-described introvert who finds satisfaction in helping his agronomy students discover their passion. His research has led to partnerships in other countries and provided opportunities for students.

After tightening its budget in recent years, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences already has a lean staff as it begins an initiative to close the college's growing deficits, dean Beate Schmittmann told the council at its April 7 meeting.

Faculty and staff spent the past two years helping students deal with challenges presented by the pandemic. As it recedes, a student services leader offers suggestions for the new normal.

Ahead of its June review of university salary policies, the state Board of Regents heard comments April 7 from representatives of employee groups, including the presidents of ISU's Faculty Senate and P&S Council. Here's what they said.

That survey you received this week about how you find university information? Complete it to inform the team redesigning university websites -- including an employee-student portal for everyday resources.

The IGNITE Innovation Showcase next week will give some of Iowa State's most inventive students an opportunity to show how they're making their mark in a variety of ways. 

The first priority is to identify second uses for the clear shields around campus. Options after that include selling it at the weekly surplus sale or recycling it.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • COVID-19: By the numbers
  • Tickets on sale Friday for ABBA tribute show
  • Summer, fall instructors: Submit class materials lists to bookstore
  • Application window open for next Cardinal Women* class
  • Reiman Gardens extends hours for tulip viewing
  • Top Hat certification training for instructors is next week
  • ISU Extension and Outreach week celebrates volunteers
  • Learn about The Conversation's diversity initiative
  • New P&S Council election runs through April 15
  • 2021 CYtation Award recipients honored
  • Comedian Charlie Berens will have October show in Stephens
  • Basket sale at the Workspace benefits Ugandan artists
  • Celebration of life for Gregory Palermo is April 25
  • Exemplary faculty mentors honored
  • Scamper 5K run for humans and dogs is April 30
Around campus
There's a surprising similarity between Iowa and the Czech Republic. It's led to groundbreaking research into why some rural Iowa towns are thriving, even as their populations shrink. Read the latest in the Innovation at Work series from ISU news service. 

The Ivy College of Business is partnering with Cornell College, the private college in Mount Vernon, to automatically accept Cornell graduates into one of three Ivy graduate programs without an application fee if they meet certain criteria. The agreement, the first of its kind for the College of Business, was effective March 1.
Appointments
Retirements
Upcoming
  • Vern Schaefer and Chuck Jahren, civil, construction and environmental engineering, April 27 (11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m., remarks at 12:15 p.m., Campanile Room, MU), submit letters or photos by April 19 
  • Donna Donald, education extension, Human Sciences Extension and Outreach, April 27 (2:45-4 p.m., comments at 3:15 p.m., second floor lobby, Scheman Building), instructions for keepsake book
  • Sarah Nusser, statistics and former vice president for research, May 2 (3:30-5:30 p.m., Speer Room, Reiman Gardens), retirement was in June 2021
  • Leonard Bond, aerospace engineering and Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, May 3 (3-4 p.m., 1235 Howe), retiring June 30
  • Cynthia Feller, HR service delivery (president's units, enrollment management, IT services and Student Innovation Center), May 4, no public event, post well wishes on her Kudoboard

Employees, their colleagues or supervisors are invited to submit retirements and departures to inside@iastate.edu. University human resources does not provide them for publication.
Seminars and conferences
  • Carbon Removal Forum, soil carbon measurement, Bioeconomy Institute and agronomy department, April 22 (9 a.m.-noon via Zoom), registration is free but required
  • Training, Intensive Tasting Proficiency, Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute, May 25 (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 2739 Food Sciences), for beginners and established professionals who produce, sell, serve or purchase wine, $75, register
Arts and events
Cyclone Voice, an annual singing competition for ISU students, will be held Thursday, April 14 (7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m., MU Great Hall). The 14 students in the finale emerged from an April 4 preliminary round. Admission is free. Singer/actor Jesse McCartney will host.

By day, Fred Love writes about faculty research in the colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture and Life Sciences for ISU's news service. At night, he writes songs. Love and fellow guitarist/songwriter Wally Neal are teaming for a Goldfinch Room show Tuesday, April 19 (7 p.m., Stephens Auditorium). Tickets are $10. Stephens' southwest doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Learning opportunities
Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

University library programming

Center for Communication Excellence 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.