Geoffroy, Skorton on WOI call-in Dec. 14

University presidents Gregory Geoffroy (ISU) and David Skorton (Iowa) will be guests on WOI Radio's Talk of Iowa Tuesday, Dec. 14. The one-hour, call-in show starts at 10 a.m. Questions can be submitted in advance to talk@iastate.edu.

ISU commencement is Dec. 17-18

An estimated 1,749 students will receive degrees from Iowa State at fall commencement. Catherine Woteki, dean of the College of Agriculture, will address the graduate class. John Forsyth, president of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, is the undergraduate speaker.

See story.

Gilman Hall reopened after minor chemical reaction

Iowa State University Police evacuated Gilman Hall for approximately 45 minutes Thursday afternoon (Dec. 9) as a precaution after a chemical reaction occurred. No injuries or property damage were reported.

The chemical, methyl lithium bromide, was stored in an ether solution, which serves to stabilize the chemical. The chemical is highly reactive to water and air, and can present a flash fire danger if not properly stabilized. There was no explosive danger, ISU Police Commander Gene Deisinger said.

ISU Police, Environmental Health and Safety and the Ames Fire Department were called to room 2631 Gilman Hall after researchers noticed bubbling and changes in the methyl lithium bromide. The chemical was stabilized, placed in a different container, and transported to the chemical waste handling facility at Iowa State.

Gilman Hall was reopened and normal activity resumed at 4:14 p.m.

Faculty Senate approves college combination

The Faculty Senate narrowly approved a proposal to combine the colleges of Education and Family and Consumer Sciences. While the senate overwhelmingly favored the combination of the two colleges, the narrow vote reflected divisions over the proposed name for the new college. President Gregory Geoffroy is meeting with leaders from the two colleges and the Faculty Senate and will provide his recommendation to the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, next week.

See story.

Minority Student Affairs office adopts new name

ISU's Office of Minority Student Affairs will now be known as "Multicultural Student Affairs," effective immediately.

News Release.

Iowa State to Independence Bowl

The Iowa State football team will play Miami University in the Independence Bowl Dec. 28, at 5:30 p.m. The game will mark the Cyclones' fourth postseason bowl appearance in five seasons.

News story | ISU Alumni Assn. travel information

Lee Enterprises, Inc. Supports Greenlee School's "First Amendment Days" Celebration

Iowa-based newspaper publishing company Lee Enterprises, Inc., Davenport, and the Lee Foundation have together pledged $80,000 to support Iowa State University's First Amendment Days events and activities. The celebration is sponsored by the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication.

News Release.

Keep pets safe over the holidays

Holiday hustle and bustle can unleash hazards that put pets in peril, says an Iowa State University veterinarian. Dr. Kim Langholz reminds pet owners about potential risks.

News Release.

ISU's Food Safety Answers program offers holiday food-safety tips

With the holiday season approaching, Iowa State University Extension offers tips and online resources for safely handling
food at the "Ask a Food Safety Expert" (www.foodsafetyanswers.org). The site contains more than 600 frequently asked food safety questions that cover purchasing, leftovers and everything in between. ISU Extension and Iowa State's College of Family and Consumer Sciences sponsor the site.

News release.