Winter break reminders, DEI focus group

Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff

Dec. 14, 2023

Inside news

Focus group will help shape plan for DEI recommendations

Faculty, staff, students and administrators will provide feedback and advise senior leaders on a plan, due in April, to comply with the state Board of Regents' November recommendations related to diversity, equity and inclusion programming and policies.

Celebrating with 1,800 graduates

Students completing their Iowa State degrees this semester will celebrate their accomplishments at two commencement ceremonies this weekend at Hilton Coliseum. College receptions also are scheduled Friday and Saturday.

Protect your information from holiday hackers

The security team in IT services warns there's an uptick in online scams this time of year, coming in the form of text message, email or phone call. Use these tips to avoid being scammed.

Senators to learn more about proposed course materials change

At the January Faculty Senate meeting, representatives from the ISU Book Store will present information about a proposed flat fee for course materials that would take effect fall semester. The policy still is being reviewed and discussed.

Brown named to National Academy of Inventors

Mechanical engineer Robert C. Brown has 26 U.S. patents, many of which involve the thermochemical conversion of biomass -- such as corn stalks or wood chips -- into a liquid bio-oil for energy and a biochar for fertilizer.

Reminders about winter session and winter break

The four weeks between fall and spring semesters include an undergraduate winter session. Employees also are encouraged to use leave time to relax and recharge for the new year.

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Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:

Inside on hiatus until Jan. 4
Cyclone gymnastics single-meet tickets on sale
Collegiate recovery program receives accreditation
Reminder: Employee volunteers needed for food pantry during winter break
Stephens staff are collecting used musical instruments through Dec. 22

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Around campus

Inspiring stories with our fall graduates

Several students graduating this weekend who made the most of their Iowa State opportunities -- sometimes despite significant obstacles -- shared their stories this month with the news service team:

Patrick Demers, software engineering (video)
Jacob Lowe, industrial design
Alyssa Rodriguez, human development and family studies

Innovators of Iowa State: A Third Crop for Iowa?

Drier years may be on the horizon for agriculture. In this latest edition of the video series highlighting faculty innovators, President Wendy Wintersteen visits with Patrick Schnable, Distinguished Professor of agronomy, in a field of proso millet, an extremely water-efficient crop that may fare well in the drier years ahead.

P&S Council fills more vacant seats

For the second consecutive month, the council approved appointments due to members leaving the university or resigning from council due to demands on their work time. The challenge isn't unique to Iowa State.

Retirements

Next week

Robin McNeely, GIS Support and Research Facility, College of Design, Dec. 18 (2:30-4:30 p.m., 206 Durham)
Mike Stahr, Seed Science Center, Dec. 20 (2-4 p.m., Seed Science Center)

Upcoming

Sue Reimers, Student Counseling Services, Dec. 29 (no public event)
Kathy Weaver, undergraduate academic advising, Ivy College of Business, Dec. 29 (no public event)
Antonio Mallarino, agronomy, Dec. 31 (no public event)
George Budiselich, quality assurance, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Jan. 2, 2024 (no public event)
Vince Dahl, facilities services, Ames National Laboratory, Jan. 2 (no public event)
Ann Wilson, communications and marketing, College of Engineering, Jan. 2 (no public event)
Henrietta "Dutch" Elliott, facilities services, Ames National Laboratory, Jan. 3 (no public event)
Mike Holtzbauer, ISU Meats Laboratory, Jan. 4 (9-10 a.m., 133 Meats Laboratory)
Greg Davis, administration, university library, Jan. 4 (11 a.m.-noon, staff lounge on third floor, Parks Library), post well wishes to his Kudoboard

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.

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Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions? Email inside@iastate.edu or call 515-294-7065.

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