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COLLEGE NEWS
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TUESDAY MEETING TO DISCUSS CURRICULUM FOR LIFE SCIENCES
A faculty meeting on Tuesday, April 29, will discuss an updated curriculum proposal in biological/life sciences. Deans Catherine Woteki and Peter Rabideau will host the discussion from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday in Physics 5. Copies of the update are available from associate dean Eric Hoiberg’s office. The updated curriculum has been developed by the Interdepartmental Biology Curriculum Committee, chaired by Jim Colbert, botany, and Dan Voytas, zoology and genetics. This revision is based upon discussions since the first draft was developed. This meeting is the beginning of the curriculum discussion. There will be more opportunities for faculty and student input before next spring, the deadline for the development of curriculum copy for the 2005-2007 catalog.
WHITE NAMED INTERIM DEAN OF FCS COLLEGE
Pamela White, University Professor of food science and human nutrition, has been named interim dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at Iowa State. The appointment is effective July 1.
CATNIP CAPTURES ATTENTION AS A NATURAL MOSQUITO REPELLENT
Iowa State researchers have begun testing catnip oil as a possible repellent against mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus. Joel Coats, entomology department chair, began investigating the idea of using catnip oil as a mosquito repellent five years ago.
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AIMS TO GIVE A LEGUME A LEG UP
Charles Brummer, agronomy, is working to breed higher-yielding alfalfa. Brummer and a colleague at Purdue University are sharing a $550,000, three-year grant from the USDA to study the mechanics of winter hardiness.
TEAM FROM CALIFORNIA WINS ISU SPACE CENTER FOOD COMPETITION
A student team from Chapman University in Orange, Calif., took home the top prize for its bite-sized pizza snack in a contest where new foods for space travelers are developed. The competition was sponsored by the NASA Food Technology Commercial Space Center.
LEOPOLD CENTER ANNUAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTS 2002
The 2002 annual report of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture reviews the year in budget issues, research initiatives, outreach activities and partnerships. Details:
http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/annualreport_042303.html
NEW INITIATIVE COORDINATES MIDWEST WATER QUALITY WORK
The Heartland Water Quality Coordination Initiative seeks to improve water quality programs in four agricultural states. The initiative was developed by leaders of extension water quality programs at Iowa State, Kansas State University, University of Missouri and University of Nebraska. Associate dean Gerald Miller is project manager. Learn more in "Agriculture in Action."
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
April 28: Think Tank on Animal Agriculture dinner and meeting, 6 p.m., Campanile Room, Memorial Union
May 4: Spring Celebration, May Pole and old fashioned crafts, 1 p.m., free , Farm House Museum, 4-3342
May 10: College convocation for graduating seniors, 9 a.m., C.Y. Stephens Auditorium, family and guests welcome
May 14-16: Alumni Days
May 16: Reception for College alums attending Alumni Days, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Ensminger Room, Kildee Hall
May 12: Iowa State registration deadline, Plant Sciences Institute Symposium on Transposition, Recombination and Application to Plant Genomics to be held June 5-8
June 24-26: 4-H Youth Conference, more: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/newsrel/2003/apr03/apr0308.html
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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PUT SOME E’S INTO THE NEXT PLANNING PROCESS
Consider four “E’s" when planning your next initiative, advises Mike Love, vice president of corporate affairs with McDonald's Europe:
1. Evolve. Don't be afraid to be flexible.
2. Expectations. Conducting a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis to help understand stakeholders’ expectations.
3. Execute. Make sure the numbers add up. Your plan will have a time-frame to be rolled out and a set of guidelines for how each stage should be executed.
4. Evaluate. Measure the effectiveness of the strategy among stakeholders during and after implementation. Gather qualitative and quantitative research results, anonymous and focus group feedback. (The Business Communicator, February 2003)
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INFOGRAZING
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CSREES SEEKS COMMENTS ON ELECTRONIC GRANT SUBMISSION
CSREES is soliciting comments on its implementation plan for electronic grants. CSREES plans to initiate receiving proposals from E-Grants for selected programs in fiscal year (FY) 2004. All proposals for all CSREES program starting in FY 2005 will only be accepted electronically. Comments may be sent to Jason Hitchcock, at jhitchcock@csrees.usda.gov, before May 31.
KNOWLEDGE MINIMUMS FOR FRESHMEN SENT TO HIGH SCHOOLS
The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that a group of leading research universities and the Pew Charitable Trusts have developed information on what college freshmen need to know to succeed academically. The group is sending the information to every high school in the country. The effort’s goal is to try to better align curricula of high schools and colleges. The booklet, "Understanding University Success," gives detailed information on each area of study. The booklets were created as part of a three-year, $2.5-million project, which was financed by the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Association of American Universities.
UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES CAN HELP WHEN CLEANING OUT FILES
University Archives welcomes records and papers from offices and faculty. Archives staff also can help you decide how long records need to be retained. Call 4-6672.
SARS TRAVEL WEBSITE AVAILABLE
A new SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) website provides health, travel and study abroad information for the ISU community.
SHOWCASE YOUR DEPARTMENT AT FAMILY WEEKEND IN OCTOBER
The Family Weekend (Oct. 3-5) planning committee is organizing events that highlight opportunities and activities offered by ISU organizations, departments and colleges. The deadline to submit ideas is May 2.
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EXTERNAL VOICES
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WHO SLEW THE SCIENTIFIC HYPOTHESIS?
"The great tragedy of Science -- the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact."
- Thomas H. Huxley, English biologist, 1825-1895
Next issue: May 5 Deadline: May 2
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AG ONLINE
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EDITORS
Ed Adcock, edadcock@iastate.edu, and Brian Meyer, bmeyer@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
SUBSCRIBE
Ag Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture, is e-mailed every Monday. To subscribe, send your name, e-mail address and the message "Ag Online subscribe" to edadcock@iastate.edu. To unsubscribe, send "Ag Online unsubscribe."
Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, disability or status as a U.S. Vietnam Era Veteran. Any persons having inquiries concerning this may contact the Director of Affirmative Action, 1031 Wallace Road Office Building, Room 101, (515) 294-7612.