Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff

Oct. 2, 2025

Inside news

Campus phones migration nears halfway mark

The campus phone service migration from Cisco Webex to Microsoft Teams Voice is about 45% complete, with a target of transitioning all employees by the end of April 2026. So far, about 10% of migrated employees opted into using a desk phone rather than the computer software, known as a softphone.


A message about the government shutdown

The federal government shut down on Oct. 1. While it's difficult to project the impact on Iowa State's research programs, resources are available to remain informed during the process. 


Loaned piano provides grand stage in Student Innovation Center

Pianists of any caliber are welcome to play the Steinway instrument, on long-term loan from the music and theatre department, and passersby are invited to appreciate their efforts.


Have you tried these learning tools in your classroom?

Instructors use Canvas to deliver information to their students in a variety of ways. Inside inquired about the learning tools in Canvas instructors use most frequently as well as others that are new or could benefit instructors across the disciplines.


Employee flu shot clinic opens Monday

The free clinic for employees at State Gymnasium will be open weekdays Oct. 6-17 (9 a.m.-4 p.m.). A high-dose flu shot will be available on Thursday, Oct. 9 (9 a.m.-1 p.m.).

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:

  • University AI website is live
  • Workshop for Community Engaged Research is Oct. 13
  • Tableau Public introductory workshop is Oct. 20
  • Extension’s 2026 garden calendar now on sale
  • Funeral for former faculty member Denis McGee is Oct. 4
  • Learn more about the proposed Ames fire station relocation
  • Register for Nov. 17 Iowa Organic Conference
  • Presidential search committee meets Oct. 6

Around campus

Proponents of sustainability in the curriculum

A new report by ISU sociologists reveals support among both students and faculty for greater integration of sustainability themes across the university's curriculum.


Boosting soil organic carbon on Iowa farms

Using 12 years of data, Iowa State researchers found the byproduct of turning farm waste into energy significantly improves soil carbon health when applied to fields.


The challenges when whisper networks move online

Carrie Ann Johnson, women and gender studies assistant teaching professor, writes that when whisper networks -- informal channels women use to warn each other about sexual harassment, abuse or assault -- move to a digital platform, the information may still be useful, but harder to gauge for reliability, in an essay for The Conversation.

Appointments

  • Ben Vinar, assistant director of trademark licensing, to director, effective Oct. 1

Retirements

This week

  • Leesha Arunsiripate Zimmerman, trademark office, Oct. 1 (no public event), post well wishes to Leesha's Kudoboard
  • Keith Kutz, office of sponsored programs administration, Oct. 3 (2-4 p.m., remarks at 3 p.m., Cardinal Room, Memorial Union), post well wishes to Keith's Kudoboard

Arts and events

Volleyball looks to keep strong start going

The Cyclone volleyball team, off to an 11-2 start, hosts its first two conference foes of the season this week. Coming to Hilton Coliseum are Texas Tech on Thursday, Oct. 2 (6:30 p.m.) and Central Florida on Saturday, Oct. 4 (2 p.m.). Tickets are available on Ticketmaster.


Pitch competition begins next week

The Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship will host the fall installment of its Startup Pitch competition for students Oct. 6-14 (first rounds 3-5 p.m. daily, room 3231) and Oct. 14 (finale 2-5 p.m., Launch Pad) at the Student Innovation Center. In a 90-second pitch, students compete for cash prizes in one of two categories, new idea or existing business idea.


Get your reservation for Spirits in the Gardens

Reiman Gardens' annual Halloween celebration, featuring a thousand carved jack o' lanterns, is a week away, Oct. 10-12. Timed reservations are required and tickets are selling fast. Tickets are $16 ($14 members and ISU students, $7 2-12 years).

Learning opportunities

Provost office programming

  • Virtual workshop, Preparing Effective Award Nominations, Oct. 14 (2-3 p.m., via Zoom), register
  • Workshop, ISU ADVANCE: Promotion from Associate Professor to Professor, Oct. 15 (1-2:15 p.m., 3580 Memorial Union), register
  • Luncheon, Fostering Strong Mentoring Relationships, Oct. 16 (noon-1:30 p.m., Campanile Room, Memorial Union), register


Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

Register online. 

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