Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
May 25, 2023
Inside news
New student orientation starts May 31, the first of 19 day-and-a-half sessions designed to help members of the fall freshman class begin their transition to college. Learn more about what they'll get done -- and where.

More than 80% of employees have verified the eligibility of dependents on their health care plans, and less than 1% of dependents have been identified as ineligible. Employees who don't provide any verification documents will have ineligible dependents removed from their plans.

The computer science department's plan, which focuses on its two non-thesis master's programs and relies on bridge funds from the provost's office, is a model other departments could follow.

In a newly created position, she will provide data and metrics management and analysis to advance strategic priorities and build and strengthen relationships with campus partners.

With 5% of its sales transacted with cash last year and that figure down to about 3% so far this year, the change won't impact most of its customers.

Parking lot closures were adjusted for construction projects and venue changes at the Special Olympics Iowa Summer Games, May 25-27.

The Faculty Senate's executive board -- senate officers and college caucus chairs -- doesn't officially meet during the summer, but lays the groundwork for a productive academic year.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • Work begins June 5 to improve network infrastructure
  • May 29 is a university holiday
  • Volunteers sought for College Creek cleanup on June 24
  • Reiman extends 'Rovers' evenings
  • Reminder: Clear files out of Google Photos ahead of June 1 shutoff
  • You're invited: CSAFE reception, poster session on June 5
  • Support Uganda education efforts through FundISU campaign
  • Rec services offers sand volleyball summer league for faculty and staff
  • Memorial Day ceremony honors employees, retirees and partners
  • United Way spring food drive sets records
  • Inside publishes every other Thursday this summer
Around campus
In an essay for The Conversation, veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine assistant professor David Verhoeven explains the benefit of using mRNA vaccines in food animals and the unlikelihood that it ends up in the food people consume. 

Chemical and biological engineering associate professor Nigel Reuel and two doctoral students are developing advanced tools for cell manufacturing that could improve the cost and availability of therapeutic cells capable of fighting diseases such as cancers, heart disease, lupus and other autoimmune diseases.

Using scenes from three blockbuster movies, management associate professor Jame Summers details how negative emotions -- if leveraged the right way -- can help teams adapt.
Retirements and open houses
Next week
  • Retirement, Missy Murphy, contract administration, facilities planning and management, May 30 (1-3 p.m., 162 General Services Building)
  • Retirement, George Kraus, chemistry, May 31 (2-3 p.m., Thiel North, atrium of Hach Hall)
  • Retirement, James Coyle, high performance computing, information technology services, June 1 (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 206 Durham)
  • Open house, ISU Dairy Farm, June 2 (7 a.m.-noon, 52470 260 St., south on University Blvd., right on 260 Street), riding tours, activities, breakfast, free
  • Retirement, Darren Huntley, electrical/mechanical maintenance, facilities planning and management, June 2 (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., break room, 168 General Services Building)

Employees, their colleagues or supervisors are invited to submit retirements and departures to inside@iastate.edu. Inside doesn't receive this information from a central source.
Arts and events
The Grammy Award-winning band Chicago stops in Ames Thursday, May 25, for a 7:30 p.m. concert at Stephens Auditorium. Some tickets ($80-$100) remain through Ticketmaster. Chicago is the first American rock band to release 'Top 40' albums in six consecutive decades.

The first of four guest performances in the Summer Carillon Concert Series is Tuesday, May 30 (7 p.m., central campus). John Widmann, city carillonneur for Frederick, Maryland, opens the series, which continues through August on the last Tuesday of each month. Widman's 11-piece program includes an original composition, The Doors' "Riders on the Storm," "Ukraine National Anthem" and "The Star Spangled Banner."

From orientation and RAGBRAI to Cyclone athletic camps and a goat show, thousands of guests will attend events at Iowa State facilities in the coming weeks. Inside staff assembled a list of events expecting more than 100 attendees -- let us know if we missed any and we'll add it to the list.

Tickets are on sale for four-show "create your own" or three-show Broadway packages in the just-announced 2023-24 Performing Arts Series at Stephens Auditorium. Packages provide ticket savings, priority seating, ticket exchanges and more. Tickets to single shows go on sale this fall.
Learning opportunities
University human resources programming 
Workshops, Leadership Skills certificate series for supervisors, register in Workday Learning (topic: university human resources)
Previous Inside coverage
About us
Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions? Email inside@iastate.edu or call 515-294-7065.