Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
Oct. 5, 2023
Inside news
The Oct. 4 virtual town hall on 2024 changes to employees' medical plans gave participants time to ask questions. The broadly applicable ones are shared in this Q&A.

Calculating that the right amount of taxes are being taken out of a paycheck each month could keep employees from having to write a check later.

Other outcomes of the Sept. 28 state Board of Regents meeting include a Scheman Building renovation, new data dashboard on alumni median income and student debt, participation in a special retirement incentive plan and operating fund requests to the state for the next fiscal year.

Members of the university community and Trice's family will gather at noon Oct. 8 on central campus. The ceremony will include presenting a posthumous degree to family members; tribute by members of Alpha Phi Alpha, Trice's fraternity; and several musical performances. An indoor reception follows; all are welcome.

The 32 members of the 2023-24 Emerging Leaders Academy will build their leadership skills, get to know university function and culture, and learn how to think beyond their own department or unit.

Employees who want to contribute to the campaign may use payroll deduction or their credit card to make a gift to the human services agency.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • Reminder: Flu shot clinic opens Oct. 9
  • Arts and humanities celebration is Oct. 12
  • You're invited: Seminar on creativity and artificial intelligence
  • Competition among Big 12 university food pantries is Oct. 7-14
  • Where to find 2024 health plan details
  • P&S CYtation Award nominations due Dec. 1
  • Two Oct. 18 events celebrate Women Entrepreneurship Week
Around campus
Work by architecture students is part of the 4th Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism (Sept. 1-Oct. 29, South Korea), one of Asia's largest urban design events. The team developed its project last spring in Bosuk Hur's Architecture 402 studio: a proposal for a new, sustainable bridge across the city's Hangang River. Their work also will be displayed Oct. 9-13 in the first floor of the College of Design's King Pavilion. 

ISU researchers found mismatches are more likely to be reported as "inconclusive" than matches in firearm cartridge comparisons by forensic experts. That's a problem for innocent people relying on the experts to confirm their gun wasn't involved in a crime.

Iowa State students are exploring generative artificial intelligence tools and techniques this fall in an experimental class by English associate professor Abram Anders. It's part of a larger effort at ISU to equip students with competitive skills as they enter the workforce.

Aerospace engineering professor Partha Sarkar leads a research team that just won a four-year, $14 million grant from the National Science Foundation to design a national testing facility that could simulate high wind speeds and accommodate small buildings.

A panel of judges awarded place winners in existing and new business categories at the Fall Startup Pitch Competition. The event drew 105 students and awarded more than $16,000 in cash prizes. 
Appointments
Open forums
Candidate 3, Oct. 9
Candidate 4, Oct. 11
Arts and events
Stop in to the Sukup Hall atrium Friday, Oct. 6, over the lunch hour. Three carillon students of university carillonneur Tin-Shi Tam will perform on the 27-bell carillon and scale replica of the campanile. Their 12:30 p.m. performance is free; the musical program is online. 

The Cyclone swimming and diving team opens its season with the annual Cardinal and Gold intrasquad meet on Friday, Oct. 6 (6 p.m., Beyer pool). Admission is free.

The legendary Canadian band, with chart-topping hits in the 1970s, will play a concert at Stephens Auditorium Friday, Oct. 6 (7:30 p.m.). Tickets remain ($35-$85), via Ticketmaster.
Learning opportunities
Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming
Register.
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About us
Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions? Email inside@iastate.edu or call 515-294-7065.