Inside Iowa State

Fishers young and old participated in a special public fishing event on Saturday, May 9, as part of the renovation of Lake LaVerne. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has relaxed its fishing restrictions at the lake through May 15. go.iastate.edu/O1EQDM

The provost updated senate on faculty advancement. Among 46 faculty cases, 15 received promotion to associate professor with tenure, and 31 tenured faculty earned promotion to full professor. The provost's office approved promotion for 32 term faculty. go.iastate.edu/EOASGX

Information Technology Services shares some reminders about employee options when using artificial intelligence tools within the university's enterprise systems. go.iastate.edu/3AUWV5

A team effort and tweaks over the years make Iowa State's diploma special to all those who take part in commencement. Printing services also prepares several items that become keepsakes for graduates. go.iastate.edu/SNVQF2

Daniel Robison, endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will step down as dean, effective July 31. Food science and human nutrition interim chair Ruth MacDonald will serve as interim dean as a national search will launch this fall. go.iastate.edu/85CNKA

Nearly 5,000 students are earning degrees this spring. This includes 891 first-generation students -- 1 who will wear a special set of regalia. Iowa State will celebrate graduates with university commencement ceremonies and college convocations May 14-16. go.iastate.edu/9D7SCA

PBS visited Ames and Iowa State last September to shoot “John McGivern’s Main Streets.” The episode, available on YouTube, highlights several campus spots. go.iastate.edu/SWDNCA

"Finals in Full Bloom" gives students a colorful and relaxing option at Reiman Gardens during prep week. The gardens partnered with Morning Bell Coffee to provide free coffee for students as they prepare for final exams and the end of the spring semester. go.iastate.edu/IHSOVW

A UHR manager development program launches this fall. The 10-month program offers comprehensive professional development for current and aspiring managers. Participants will gain practical knowledge of ISU resources, policies and processes. go.iastate.edu/CRFWO6

ISU’s FY2027 appropriations remain stable compared to the prior year. Bills passed by the legislature included requiring courses in U.S. history and government, and a requirement to invest 1% of endowment assets into state-sponsored innovation funds. go.iastate.edu/5XIZ7J

University leaders shared the names of 68 Iowa State faculty and staff — 61 individuals and two teams — who received a 2026 university award, the highest recognitions available to employees. They'll be honored at a community celebration this fall. go.iastate.edu/UFMOKL

Mechanical engineering majors and classmates (clockwise from left) Vivian Huynh, Blake Sieverding and Brandon Eberhard labored together this week toward completing a design project for ME 2700, Introduction to Mechanical Engineering Design. go.iastate.edu/VEO51Q

Employees are encouraged to continue remediating digital content and developing habit-building accessibility practices, even with a new compliance deadline of April 26, 2027. go.iastate.edu/8BU1F3

The Iowa Board of Regents took action last week, with Iowa legislators still working on a state budget. Resident undergraduates will pay 2.8% more this fall in tuition and mandatory fees. go.iastate.edu/UYR89M

A newly formed council of campus marketing and communications leaders will help develop the strategies for internal communications. Marcom will be reviewing strategies for faculty-staff communications. go.iastate.edu/6NEY7E

Senators receive update on student rating transition. Explorance Blue will be tested in a pilot during the summer term and launch in the fall. The current tool, Class Climate, still will be used this spring. go.iastate.edu/GW7KP3

A consultant will assess how the Resource Management Model aligns with the strategic plan, academic priorities, best practices and more. The goal is a budget framework that promotes transparency, supports growth and enables ISU to respond as needs evolve. go.iastate.edu/75LUQQ

Two course syllabus templates are unveiled for fall. A Regents template and Iowa State template are required for all undergraduate courses. The intent is to create student-centric syllabi that are more consistent across colleges. go.iastate.edu/F0A9EL

A Q&A about restoring Lake LaVerne. There hasn't been a project like this at the lake since 1959 -- the last time the lake was drained, then dredged, to restore water depths. Campus planners answer some of our "just curious" questions. go.iastate.edu/20O8MF

The end of the semester in mid-May will trigger the start of a much-anticipated project to restore and upgrade Lake LaVerne. Draining, dredging and excavating the lake bottom will occur this summer. go.iastate.edu/DR04PI