Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
June 9, 2022
Inside news
Eligible non-Merit employees whose performance meets expectations will receive a 3.1% increase on July 1. A second, discretionary increase on Oct. 1, between 1% and 4%, would recognize outstanding performance.

With the state Board of Regents approving a nine-year strategic planning process for ISU, President Wendy Wintersteen announced nine immediate initiatives that will start moving the university toward its goals.

John Lawrence will wrap up a 32-year university career, the last five leading ISU Extension and Outreach. A national search for his successor will begin this summer.

In his second term, Bill Graves will focus on graduate college operations, interdisciplinary programs and graduate student recruitment and success.

Summer is the busy season for university archivists, as retirees pack up their offices and campus workspaces are renovated or cleaned. Here are some tips to consider if you're wondering whether you have a trove of records worth saving.

Alumna Haley Moon began serving May 31 in a new position, assistant director of federal relations.

Reducing the equity gaps for retention and degree completion among underrepresented students and meeting the needs of "new majority" learners are among the recommendations following ISU's participation in a national Learner Success Laboratory.

Hundreds of new WorkFlex requests were approved during the second application window for the flexible work program, according to data UHR staff shared with the Professional and Scientific Council.

Other June 2 agenda items included campus completion rates for free speech training, executive compensation increases and a three-year pilot that reimburses eligible employees for adoption expenses.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • Sign-up is open for university's state fair exhibit
  • Reminder: Retrieve DocuSign documents by July 31
  • Nominations accepted through July 1 for Ivy Women in Business awards
  • Help yourself cope following mass shootings
  • EH&S 50th anniversary open house is June 10
Around campus
Learn about the origin of Pride Month and how The Center at Iowa State supports LGBTQIA+ students in a message of inclusion from vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion Sharon Perry Fantini.

Iowa State is involved in events in Ames and Des Moines to commemorate June 19, 1865, the day the country's last enslaved people learned they were free.

An ISU electrical engineering team is using a U.S. Department of Energy grant to figure out how to orchestrate the restoration of wind-dominant electric grids after a blackout, a critical step in building up wind farm reliability.

The Biological Materials and Processes Research Experience for Undergraduates provides mentored research for students pursuing bachelor's degrees in chemical engineering or a related curriculum. Each is paired with a faculty member in the chemical and biological engineering department to work on a research project.

The family of renowned agricultural economist and ISU Distinguished Professor Neil Harl, who died last year, committed a $2 million gift to establish a scholarship for students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Friends, colleagues and former students also contributed, and additional donations are sought to further honor Harl's legacy.
Appointments
Open houses and retirements
This week
  • Open house, ISU Dairy Farm, June 10 (7 a.m.-noon, 52470 260th St.) 
  • Carnival-themed open house, 50th anniversary of environmental health and safety department, June 10 (1-3 p.m., EH&S Services Building)

Upcoming
  • Retirement, Lisa Eslinger, ISU Foundation administration, June 22 (3:30-5 p.m., MU Campanile Room), post well wishes to her Kudoboard
  • Retirement, David Inyang, environmental health and safety administration, June 28 (2-4 p.m., Reiman Ballroom, Alumni Center, RSVP to Clayton Chapman), post well wishes to his Kudoboard
  • Retirement, Sheri Alcott, ISU Foundation donor compliance services, July 1 (no public event), post well wishes to her Kudoboard
  • Retirement, Stephen Simpson, emergency management and outreach, environmental health and safety, July 5 (no public event), post well wishes to his Kudoboard
Arts and events
Enjoy Reiman Gardens' extensive rose collections and award-winning cut selections at the Rose Show Saturday, June 11. The Iowa Rose Society's annual statewide juried show will be held in the Speer Room, opening to the public approximately 1-4 p.m. (following judging). The gardens are open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; regular admission rates apply.

The world premiere of "Water Rocks! The Musical," featuring new pieces and music from 10 years of the youth program, will be held June 16 and repeated June 23 (7-8 p.m., Ames City Hall auditorium). Water Rocks! is an ISU Extension and Outreach youth water education program. Admission is free.

In recognition of National Rivers Month, help clean College Creek by walking along designated sections of the creek to pick up trash on Saturday, June 18 (10 a.m.-2 p.m., meet at Forker Building parking lot, any period of help is welcome). Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes; supplies (bags, gloves, mechanical grabbers) and refreshments are provided.

University Museums' monthly Iowa Maker series, in conjunction with the "Collecting Craft" exhibition this summer in the Brunnier Art Museum, concludes Sunday, June 19 (2-3 p.m.), with a demonstration of woodturning by Rob Wallace, associate professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology. It's free and open to the public.
Learning opportunities
Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) 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.