Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
Oct. 20, 2022
Inside news
ALEX is an interactive virtual counselor that explains how Iowa State's employee benefits work, analyzes the pros and cons of different offerings, asks questions that can help inform choices and proposes personalized suggestions for faculty and staff.

The committee also is developing a draft report that will include an initial recommendation on whether Catt Hall should be renamed. Once completed, it will be available for public comment for 60 days.

Five finalists have been identified in the search for the next vice president of ISU Extension and Outreach. Their campus visits will include a public forum in Carver Hall with a livestream option for faculty, staff and extension council members.
 
An amendment to a proposed policy on posthumous degrees for students would remove course credit and GPA requirements and ensure families of deceased children receive the degree. A second reading and vote are set for the November Faculty Senate meeting.

In two upcoming surveys, members of the Iowa State community will be asked to share their perspectives on employee benefits and the campus climate for learning, living and working.

October -- Green Dot Action Month -- asks groups across campus to focus on proactive efforts to prevent power-based personal violence. This month, that's everything from wearing green to hosting a green eggs, ham and pancake breakfast to bring awareness to the topic.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • Next Goldfinch Room concert is Oct. 25
  • Miller Faculty Fellowship proposals for 2023-24 due Dec. 12
  • October is National disability Employment Awareness Month
  • Oct. 24-30 is international Open Access Week
  • Virtual workshop is a refresher on using your health insurance benefits
  • Alumni association seeks nominations for Impact Award
  • Nutcracker Ballet tickets go on sale Oct. 21
  • WorkFlex application window is Oct. 31-Nov. 23
  • Two satellite voting October dates are on campus
  • Cyclone football kickoff on Oct. 29: 11 a.m.
  • Greek-hosted Trick-or-Treat for families is Oct. 30
Around campus
An ISU researcher is showing the bigger impact of Russia's war with Ukraine: Diminished supplies of corn and wheat resulting in surging grain prices that could worsen food insecurity. That scenario also would have an environmental impact, with carbon emissions rising as additional land elsewhere is used to grow crops.

Psychology professor Shana Carpenter's research reinforced two strategies -- spacing and retrieval practice -- can produce "drastic increases in learning." Spacing is learning in small doses over time, while retrieval practice is recalling what you previously learned, for example, through practice tests or flash cards.

An environmental engineering team led by associate professor Kaoru Ikuma will work with rural communities -- who tend to get left behind in water policy and funding -- to find ways to make recycled wastewater use affordable and acceptable.
Appointments
  • Tara Widner, LAS administration, to interim director of the leadership studies program
  • Kelly Winfrey, Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, to interim director of the women's and gender studies program
  • Lt. Col. Eric Lopez, aerospace studies, to commander of the ISU-based Detachment 250, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps
Retirements
Next week
  • Rose Wilbanks, office of the senior vice president for student affairs, Oct. 25 (come and go 10:30 a.m.-noon, remarks at 11 a.m., 3560 Memorial Union) 

Upcoming
  • Pat Hahn, office of admissions, Nov. 1 (no public event), post well wishes to her Kudoboard

Employees, their colleagues or supervisors are invited to submit retirements and departures to inside@iastate.edu. University human resources doesn't provide them for publication.
Seminars and conferences
  • 10th annual symposium, ISU Retirees Association, open to faculty and staff, Nov. 9 (8:30 a.m.-noon, ISU Alumni Center and via Zoom), registration is free but required
Open forums
Forums will be in 202 Carver and also livestreamed. Candidates will be named one business day before their forum. A feedback form is on the search website.
  • Oct. 27, 2 p.m.
  • Oct. 31, 2 p.m.
  • Nov. 3, 3 p.m.
  • Nov. 14, 2 p.m.
  • Nov. 17, 3 p.m.
Arts and events
The Cyclone soccer squad hosts defending Big 12 champion Texas in its final home match of the season Thursday, Oct. 20 (6 p.m., Cyclone Athletic Complex). Admission is free.

Matt Nelson, creator of the "WeRateDogs" Twitter account, will share his story of turning a meme account into a force for good in a lecture Thursday, October 20 (6 p.m., MU Sun Room). "We Rate Dogs" has 17+ million followers. Nelson created a nonprofit foundation, 15/10, to provide veterinary care and help find homes for pets.

Volunteers have spent nearly a week preparing 1,000+ jack-o'-lanterns for Reiman Gardens' annual Halloween lights and activities event Oct. 21-23. Time-entry tickets ($7-$15) remain for Friday and Sunday evenings and must be purchased in advance.

The Live Green initiative will host its annual sustainability month celebration Tuesday, Oct. 25 (10 a.m.-2 p.m., Parks Library south lawn). Get tips for putting more green in your daily life, and enjoy free Crumbl cookies, hot cider and tea, and free bike tune-ups from recreation services.
Learning opportunities
Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship programming
Lunch and learn, Start This, Start That, Start Something at Iowa State, for faculty, staff and graduate students, offered three times in the Student Innovation Center (noon-1 p.m.), lunch is provided, registration requested.
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Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions may be directed to 515-294-7065.