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Source: https://iowastatedaily.com/feed/

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<title>Iowa State Daily</title>
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<title>DEI Directive update: VP of DEI office to close in July</title>
<link>https://iowastatedaily.com/295770/news/dei-directive-update-vp-of-dei-office-to-close-in-july/</link>
<comments>https://iowastatedaily.com/295770/news/dei-directive-update-vp-of-dei-office-to-close-in-july/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Ella Slade, Diversity Editor]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 04:14:47 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Diversity]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News / Politics And Administration]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News / Politics And Administration / Campus]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News / Politics And Administration / State]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[dei]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[DEI directives]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[diversity]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[diversity equity and inclusion]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iowa board of regents]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iowa state university]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[regent universities]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[regents]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://iowastatedaily.com/?p=295770</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The Iowa Board of Regents received a progress report at its meeting Thursday from university presidents on action taken and response regarding the 10 diversity, equity and inclusion directives administered in November. DEI directive updates Thursday’s meeting included a progress report from President Wendy Wintersteen on the status of directive implementation at Iowa State regarding...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The Iowa Board of Regents received a <a href="https://www.iowaregents.edu/media/cms/0424_ITEM_12__DEI_Directives_928405974963E.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">progress report</a> at its meeting Thursday from university presidents on action taken and response regarding the 10 diversity, equity and inclusion directives <a href="https://iowastatedaily.com/285648/news/regents-recommend-changes-for-university-dei-programs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">administered in November</a>.
DEI directive updates 
Thursday’s meeting included a progress report from President Wendy Wintersteen on the status of directive implementation at Iowa State regarding work from the focus group of senior leaders.
Directive one: Restructure the central DEI office
As a result of directive one, Wintersteen said Iowa State has decided the vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion office (VP DEI) will close in July.
The university will also eliminate five positions, three of which are vacant and two currently filled, which Wintersteen said would eliminate $789,000 in salaries and benefits.
“This office was established back in 2015, but at this time, we don’t feel that we can meet directive one without closing the central vice president for diversity equity and inclusion office,” Wintersteen said. “So, we’re in the process of completing a written reorganization to eliminate these positions in accordance with our policy, and our staff have been given a 90-day notice and they will work with the University HR through this process.”
Wintersteen said the VP DEI budget has been reallocated to “university priorities.”
Directive two: Review all DEI-specific positions
Wintersteen’s presentation stated that Iowa State had completed a review of positions to ensure responsibilities are necessary for compliance, whether accreditation or student and employee support services and completed a review of business titles to ensure they appropriately reflect position responsibilities. Where necessary, updates are being made.
Wintersteen said she thinks it is important to recognize that under directive two, there is an opportunity to look at important functions relative to accreditation and student and employee support services.
“We have a number of very important programs units under our Division for Student Affairs, under our colleges that we feel are critical for accreditation and for students and employee support services,” Wintersteen said. “We have done a very good review of these positions that are found in those units, both [of] what their responsibilities are and their business titles and where appropriate updates are being made.”
According to Wintersteen, there may be a few additional steps to be taken, but university officials feel, for the most part, that they have done the work necessary under directive two.
Directive three: Review services, university promotional materials
In compliance with directive three, Wintersteen stated the university has completed a review of services provided by the offices supporting diversity, Multicultural Student Affairs and the Division of Student Affairs to ensure availability to all students.
Wintersteen said university officials feel they have done a comprehensive review of both websites and promotional materials “to make sure that everyone understands that all of our programs are available to all students,” which she also said would require an ongoing effort of monitoring university websites and promotional materials. 
 
Directive Four (b): Employee evaluations, use of pronouns
The university issued a campus directive in <a href="https://iowastatedaily.com/288584/news/university-addresses-implementation-of-regents-dei-recommendations-announces-initial-steps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">January</a> stating that students, faculty and staff may choose to, but are not required to, voluntarily disclose their pronouns to another individual.
In March, the Faculty Senate also <a href="https://iowastatedaily.com/292977/news/u-s-diversity-requirement-renamed-to-exclude-diversity-faculty-senate-continues-with-dei-directives/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">approved an addition to a required syllabus statement</a>, the free expression statement, effective beginning in the summer 2024 term. The addition includes the following statement: “No employee, student, applicant, or campus visitor is compelled to disclose their pronouns. Anyone may voluntarily disclose their own pronouns.”
“Beginning with the summer 2024 term, every syllabus and every course, will include the statement, ‘No employee, student applicant or campus visitor is compelled to disclose their programs. Anyone may voluntarily disclose their own pronouns,’ so we feel that we have complied with directive four b,” Wintersteen said. 
 
Directive six: Initiate a review of DEI-related general education categories and update category names
In March, the Faculty Senate<a href="https://iowastatedaily.com/292977/news/u-s-diversity-requirement-renamed-to-exclude-diversity-faculty-senate-continues-with-dei-directives/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> approved a name change</a> of the U.S. Diversity course requirement to U.S. Cultures and Communities to meet Regent directive requirements.
Wintersteen said this change will take effect with Iowa State’s 2024-25 university catalog and was made to “more accurately reflect the array of options available to students.” 
 
Directive eight: Explore recruitment strategies for advancing diversity of intellectual and philosophical perspectives in faculty and staff
To comply with directive eight, Wintersteen said the university is advertising some job openings in publications that attract audiences with diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives.
“One example: We advertised for a recently opened senior vice president and provost in the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times [to] try to get a spectrum of possibilities there,” Wintersteen said.
Directive nine: Establish a widespread initiative that includes opportunities for education and research on free speech and civic education
Wintersteen said a working group, composed of faculty and campus leaders, has been formed to develop a formal proposal for a widespread initiative on civic education for free speech centered in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. According to Wintersteen, work on this initiative will continue into the next academic year.
The University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook said the university had developed a proposal for a center for civic education, which would offer resources on free speech and civic knowledge and use funds previously allocated toward DEI programs.
Wintersteen said Iowa State is in the process of developing a similar proposal.
Regarding directives four (a and b), five, seven and 10, Wintersteen said Iowa State is complying with the Board of Regents’ <a href="https://iowastatedaily.com/291067/news-diversity/regents-implement-dei-directives-into-board-policy-manual/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revisions</a> to its <a href="https://www.iowaregents.edu/media/cms/0224_GEHR_4b__DEI_Directives_C34B8F4DC9D8E.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">policy manual</a>, which were unanimously approved in February.
Other news 
In comments following the presentations, Regent David Barker said the progress reports were the first the regents have seen of any DEI implementation at regent universities.
“It was five months ago that we put out the directives, and we’ve given no feedback and had no updates during that time,” Barker said. “That meant that we were unable to update legislators as well who had asked about the progress, and I believe that that is a reason why Senate File 2435 was passed.”
<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/20/iowa-lawmakers-pass-income-tax-cut-budget-bills-in-push-to-end-session/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senate File 2435</a> appropriates funds for the Iowa Board of Regents and the universities it governs, as well as the Iowa Department of Education and the Department for the Blind. The bill was sent to the governor’s desk April 19 with no debate.
“Senate File 2435 makes a lot of our directives irrelevant,” Barker said. “There’s a much broader definition of DEI in there. [A] much stronger enforcement comes from the Attorney General’s Office, prohibitions of money being spent from any source on these programs.”
Barker said he suggests the board begin working on compliance with the legislation right away, adding that he thinks it would be a good idea if the board can comply before the next legislative session opens.
University of Iowa President Barbara Wilson said while the law acknowledges the state and federal accreditation requirements regent universities must comply with, there is some recognition that the legislation is more complicated than it looks at first glance.
“While I wish, too, that we didn’t have laws in front of us and that the board directors would have been given more opportunity to unfold, I think we shouldn’t jump to conclude anything about whether we’re in compliance with the laws,” Wilson said.
Wilson said she thinks the most important thing to assure all taxpayers, legislators and regents is that the regents’ goal is to serve all students.
“We may have spent a little too much time focusing on particular categories and particular groups, in part because of historical challenges,” Wilson said. “So it made sense at the time, but we may have swung too far in one direction. And it’s time for us to balance things out and recognize that most of us bring multiple identities to the table.”
Past action 
The board released a <a href="https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/DF/1387350.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> in November on DEI programs at the three Regent universities, including the 10 <a href="https://www.iowaregents.edu/media/cms/Board_Directives_62DBAF9AAC1FF.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">directives</a>, following a <a href="https://iowastatedaily.net/276963/news/board-of-regents-pauses-new-dei-initiatives/#:~:text=The%20Iowa%20Board%20of%20Regents,the%20end%20of%20the%20summer." target="_blank" rel="noopener">pause of new DEI initiatives</a> in April 2023.
The report was compiled at the direction of the Iowa legislature via the passage of <a href="https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGE/90/SF560.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Iowa Senate File 560</a>.
The directives include restructuring the central, university-wide DEI offices, restricting people from being “compelled to disclose their pronouns” and eliminating positions that are not “necessary for compliance, accreditation or student and employee support services.”
President Wendy Wintersteen <a href="https://www.inside.iastate.edu/article/2023/12/14/deifocus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">established a campus focus group</a> in December to help develop the university’s plan for addressing the recommendations, which consisted of 14 faculty, staff, students and administration. Additional feedback was provided by the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs’ student advisory council.
]]></content:encoded>
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<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">295770</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>The Psychology of your 20s: A podcast review</title>
<link>https://iowastatedaily.com/295763/arts-culture/the-psychology-of-your-20s-a-podcast-review/</link>
<comments>https://iowastatedaily.com/295763/arts-culture/the-psychology-of-your-20s-a-podcast-review/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Annika Trost, Arts & Culture Reporter]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 03:46:18 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Arts & Culture]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[jemma sbeg]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[podcast]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[the psychology of your 20s]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://iowastatedaily.com/?p=295763</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Media is everywhere, and we are constantly consuming. Whether you are scrolling through social media, watching movies or listening to music, our brains are constantly absorbing new information. Podcasts can be accessed through Spotify or Apple Music and are typically focused on one topic, ranging from self-help, language practice, crime, religion or just about anything...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Media is everywhere, and we are constantly consuming. Whether you are scrolling through social media, watching movies or listening to music, our brains are constantly absorbing new information. 
Podcasts can be accessed through Spotify or Apple Music and are typically focused on one topic, ranging from self-help, language practice, crime, religion or just about anything you can imagine. “The Psychology of your 20s” by Jemma Sbeg is a podcast currently on the rise, especially for college students and people in their 20s. 
Sbeg explores topics of psychology and relates them to common struggles faced by 20-year-olds. She gives practical advice on topics such as dating, friendships, sleep habits, living with your parents, indecisiveness, social media, jealousy and even being friend-zoned.
Her most recent podcast, “5 ways to stop comparing yourself to others”, dives into the danger of comparison—where it came from, when it started and how to keep it from consuming your everyday thoughts and emotions. 
“We use social comparison as a form of aspiration and sometimes even motivation … It can also make us feel pretty horrific,” Sbeg said.
In a world of social media, we are currently exposed to more of people’s lives and what’s going on than ever before. Sbeg does an impeccable job choosing relatable topics and involving her personal experience with psychology research. 
With her soothing voice and Australian accent, Sbeg’s podcast is the perfect companion for an afternoon walk or a long road trip. In my opinion, this podcast holds a 9/10 rating for entertaining excellence. If there’s any situation you’re dealing with in your 20s, including the stress of upcoming finals or graduation, Sbeg most likely has a podcast episode to combat it. 
]]></content:encoded>
<wfw:commentRss>https://iowastatedaily.com/295763/arts-culture/the-psychology-of-your-20s-a-podcast-review/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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<item>
<title>Board recommends no changes to admissions formula, vetos new admissions test</title>
<link>https://iowastatedaily.com/295758/news/board-recommends-no-changes-to-admissions-formula-vetos-new-admissions-test/</link>
<comments>https://iowastatedaily.com/295758/news/board-recommends-no-changes-to-admissions-formula-vetos-new-admissions-test/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jay Waagmeester, Academics Editor]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 03:00:17 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News / Academics]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News / Politics And Administration]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News / Politics And Administration / Campus]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News / Politics And Administration / State]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News / State]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[act]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[classic learning test]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[david barker]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iowa board of regents]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[parking rates]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[rai]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[residence system rates]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[sat]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[university of new mexico]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://iowastatedaily.com/?p=295758</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Regent David Barker pushed back on a regents admission study team report that recommended the Classic Learning Test (CLT) should not be included in calculating regent admission index (RAI) scores of prospective students. The CLT is a college entrance test accepted by 250 colleges and universities, including six in Iowa. All the schools in Iowa...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Regent David Barker pushed back on a regents admission study team report that recommended the Classic Learning Test (CLT) should not be included in calculating regent admission index (RAI) scores of prospective students. 
The CLT is a college entrance test <a href="https://www.cltexam.com/colleges/">accepted by 250 colleges and universities</a>, including six in Iowa. All the schools in Iowa accepting it for admission are religiously affiliated. The test can stand in for the ACT and SAT in some instances, though a viable concordance table has not been developed between ACT and SAT and the CLT, report writers said.
Barker suggested that sample sizes needed to develop a concordance table have not been deemed large enough by the companies that produce the ACT and SAT because the companies are hesitant to welcome a competitor. He referenced a <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/florida-classic-learning-test-ron-desantis-education-act-sat-college-board-5d465af3">Wall Street Journal editorial</a> that shared the same sentiment: A duopoly is preventing the entrance of competitors like the CLT.
“There are some issues of competition in this also. The duopoly on testing naturally doesn’t want competitors,” Barker said. 
The companies, College Board and ACT, administer the tests. ACT, Inc. is located in Iowa City, Iowa. 
The report concluded regent universities will “continue to have the RAI act the way it does using ACT and SAT and the concordance tables that have been very well validated through that and accept the Classic Learning Test as part of the holistic or individual review,” said Rachel Boon, chief academic officer for the Board of Regents. 
According to Iowa State Vice President for Enrollment Management Laura Doering, no schools have published outcomes in relation to student success. Doering said the study team dove into how the test was developed and contacted other schools that utilize the test and did not contact the Classic Learning Company. 
Barker asked if using the CLT would be a bigger experiment than going test-optional for admissions, something universities nationwide elected to do during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Brent Gage, associate vice president for enrollment management and strategy at the University of Iowa, said going test-optional has been a challenge in that it has been a more “arduous” process in reading transcripts and personal statements. 
Members of the study team responded by saying the predictive efficacy of the CLT cannot be determined, such as how the CLT scores translate into performance at regent universities. 
A <a href="https://www.iowaregents.edu/media/cms/0424_AAC_8__2023_RAI_Biennial_Revie_F44336C7C00CD.pdf">biennial RAI report</a> details students who took the ACT or SAT and the correlation to academic performance and graduation outcomes while at regent institutions. Part of the recommendation not to include the CLT in the RAI includes the inability for it to be used to predict student outcomes.
“The good thing about the RAI as we have it now is we have studied it closely for a long time now, and I think we are pretty confident if a student hits that 245 and they come to one of our campuses, that student’s going to do alright. They’re going to be successful, so I think we feel pretty confident about that,” Gage said. 
Barker also said board and university staff members compiling the report were presenting the board with out-of-date numbers, saying the number of students who have taken the test this year is three times bigger than what was in the report, which was 25,000 test takers since 2015.
Despite the colleges accepting the test as being largely religion-based, Barker said 77% of test takers were students in public secondary schools.
The test is currently accepted as an admissions test at 250 institutions, including the University of New Mexico and all public institutions in Florida.
<figure id="attachment_293752" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-293752" style="width: 229px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-293752" src="http://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JRD06286-600x400.jpg" alt="" width="229" height="152" srcset="https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JRD06286-600x400.jpg 600w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JRD06286-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JRD06286-768x512.jpg 768w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JRD06286-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JRD06286-300x200.jpg 300w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/JRD06286.jpg 2001w" sizes="(max-width: 229px) 100vw, 229px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-293752" class="wp-caption-text">Located on Sheldon Avenue, two parking meters read expired on March 28, 2024. (<a href="https://iowastatedaily.com/staff_profile/joseph-dicklin/">Joseph Dicklin</a>)</figcaption></figure>
<h3>Thursday measures</h3>
The board approved all items on the consent agenda, which includes an <a href="https://iowastatedaily.com/293740/news/parking-proposal-permits-to-increase-fines-will-not/">increase in parking rates</a> and violations. Barker signaled a vote to remove the <a href="https://www.iowaregents.edu/media/cms/0424_ITEM_7j__Residence_System_Rate_32A9AADB2D9E9.pdf">residence system rate increases</a> from the consent agenda. The board voted separately on the measure, all voting in favor.
Sarah Bennett-George, Faculty Senate president, and Patrick Wall, P&S Council president, presented alongside representatives from the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa regarding salary increases for employees who are not organized for the purpose of collective bargaining. 
The board also heard updates on the diversity, equity and inclusion directives administered in November. University presidents updated the board on actions taken since receiving the directives, including Iowa State announcing the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, including the role of vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, will be eliminated.
]]></content:encoded>
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<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">295758</post-id> </item>
<item>
<title>Cyclones travel for three-game series against high-scoring No. 1 Texas</title>
<link>https://iowastatedaily.com/295734/sports/cyclones-travel-for-three-game-series-against-high-scoring-no-1-texas/</link>
<comments>https://iowastatedaily.com/295734/sports/cyclones-travel-for-three-game-series-against-high-scoring-no-1-texas/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Ford Griffith, Sports Reporter]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Apr 2024 02:39:33 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Sports / Softball]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[ashley minor]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[cyclones]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iowa state]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[jamie pinkerton]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[softball]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[sports]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[texas]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://iowastatedaily.com/?p=295734</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Iowa State enters a three-game series against SEC-bound, No. 1-ranked Texas on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for its last out-of-state trip of the season. The Cyclones have won their last two games, the most recent being a 12-7 victory against St. Thomas at home Tuesday. The game against the Tommies showcased some impressive Cyclone performances,...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Iowa State enters a three-game series against SEC-bound, No. 1-ranked Texas on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for its last out-of-state trip of the season.
The Cyclones have won their last two games, the most recent being a 12-7 victory against St. Thomas at home Tuesday. The game against the Tommies showcased some impressive Cyclone performances, including a five-RBI game from Ashley Minor and three-hit performances from Angelina Allen and Carli Spelhaug.
The win Tuesday improved the Cyclones’ record to 18-25 overall, giving them their seventh home win of the season.
Iowa State has not matched up well with the Longhorns in the past, holding a 4-66 record all-time. The last time the Cyclones beat the Longhorns was in 2019 in Oklahoma City 2-0. Since then, Iowa State has lost 10 straight to the Longhorns.
This series will be the last time Iowa State will play in Austin, Texas, as Big 12 opponents. Despite the tough recent history against Texas, head coach Jamie Pinkerton is optimistic about the series.
“The last two times we’ve been there, we haven’t come away with a win, but we’ve played well,” Pinkerton said. “Two years ago when we were there, we blew a lead in the seventh inning in all three games.”
Despite the 0-3 series against BYU, the Cyclones pulled off an impressive series win against No. 5 Oklahoma State, and Minor and her teammates hope to do the same in Austin, Texas.
“We know they are tough, but we see that they are a good matchup for us too,” Minor said. “But we feel like we play pretty well in Texas.”
The Longhorns, who are on a nine-game win streak, will be a tough test for the Cyclones. The nine-game win streak includes series sweeps against Kansas and Baylor and two wins against then-No. 1 Oklahoma.
Texas is led by power-hitting sophomore Reese Atwood, who plays both catcher and first base. Atwood has put up an impressive .399 batting average and hit 15 home runs on the year. If that was not enough, Atwood has a team-high 66 RBIs, the next closest being Mia Scott with 33.
The bullpen for the Longhorns makes them even stronger as well. No pitcher for Texas has an ERA above two, and one of five pitchers has allowed an opponent batting average of over .200.
Freshman Teagan Kavan, from Des Moines, Iowa, has started 16 games and pitched 82.1 innings. Kavan leads Texas in strikeouts with 82, which is also eighth in the Big 12.
In order for Iowa State to have success against the Longhorns, the bats will need to be hot just like they were Tuesday against St. Thomas.
Iowa State starts its three-game series against the Longhorns at 6 p.m. Friday in Austin, Texas.
]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Book review: “The Zone of Interest” by Martin Amis</title>
<link>https://iowastatedaily.com/295661/opinion/book-review-the-zone-of-interest-by-martin-amis/</link>
<comments>https://iowastatedaily.com/295661/opinion/book-review-the-zone-of-interest-by-martin-amis/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Caleb Weingarten, Opinion Editor]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 23:04:25 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[book review]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Caleb Weingarten]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Martin Amis]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[novel]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[novel review]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Zone of Interest]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://iowastatedaily.com/?p=295661</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Martin Amis was (and still is even after his death) one of the pre-eminent fiction writers of our time. With highly popular novels like “Money,” “London Fields” and “Time’s Arrow,” Amis established himself amongst the literary elite, and his more modern masterpiece “The Zone of Interest” reminds everybody of how magnificent a writer Amis was. ...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Martin Amis was (and still is even after his death) one of the pre-eminent fiction writers of our time. With highly popular novels like “Money,” “London Fields” and “Time’s Arrow,” Amis established himself amongst the literary elite, and his more modern masterpiece “The Zone of Interest” reminds everybody of how magnificent a writer Amis was. 
Set in Nazi Germany during WWII, Amis focuses on Kat Zet (short for Konzentrationslager), where Nazi guard and nephew of Hitler’s secretary Angelus Thomsen, or “Golo,” finds himself in love with Hannah Doll, the wife of the concentration camp commandant Paul Doll. The story is told from three alternating perspectives: Thomsen, Paul Doll and Szmul, the lead of the Sonderkommando, which was a group of prisoners burdened with the unimaginable horror of disposing of dead bodies.
Amis skillfully weaves these three accounts together and dives in and out of each as the story progresses. Without revealing too much, Amis uses this technique as a way to create a certain resonance and experience throughout the novel. He aims to illuminate how miserable and turbulent this period of human history was and how it impacted the minds of both the oppressor and the oppressed. 
In my view, the book’s different perspectives achieve the proper tone and cadence you would expect from each character. Szmul, for example, speaks about his general mentality toward his work:
“I used to have the greatest respect for nightmares—for their intelligence and artistry. Now I think nightmares are pathetic. They are quite incapable of coming up with anything even remotely as terrible as what I do all day—and they’ve stopped trying. Now I just dream about cleanliness and food.”
Szmul, for good reason, hits all readers in the most tender spot of the heart. I have little doubt that Amis included this intentionally—and in my opinion, it is why he is simply one of the greatest to put pen to paper. He surveys the psyche at all levels—from top to bottom—and writes brilliantly about not only the suffering and trauma but the unfettered Nazi idealism of the upper echelon, like that espoused by Paul Doll:
“Triumphalism tempts me not in the slightest, for National Socialists never boast or crow. We unsmilingly turn, rather, to a mature assessment of the historic responsibilities. Eurasia is ours; we will purify even as we pacify, whilst also fanning out, as acknowledged suzerains, over the restless nations of the West. I raise my glass to General Friedrich Paulus and his valiant 6th Army. All hail our ineluctable victory in the Battle of Stalingrad!”
One would normally think of such barbarism as accompanying a sort of primitive flair. However, this is the most terrifying thing about Nazi Germany. It was calculated and precise, and Germany, known for its education and elevated record of intelligence, supported such a movement. These factors make learning about the Nazi phenomenon fascinating and crucially important. It also elucidates how incredibly complex the time was.
As Amis himself writes in the book’s acknowledgments section on the question of Hitler, he quotes Alan Bullock, writing: “I can’t explain Hitler. I don’t believe anyone can … the more I learn about Hitler, the harder I find it to explain.” 
And since it is impossible to truly understand someone like Hitler, it must be equally, if not more, challenging to understand Nazi Germany as a whole. In my reading, “The Zone of Interest” is not only Amis’ attempt to explain what happened but also why and how. In many ways, this novel represents his unique individual account and understanding, and it is an incredibly insightful read for even the most polished historian. The research that Amis put into this novel is not to be underestimated (You can read about this in the acknowledgments section, too).
Speaking of history, this book is a must-read for those who indulge in historical fiction. At times, I found myself in awe over how accurate the novel is—and anyone who appreciates preciseness will not be disappointed. Even if you do not look at intricacies while reading, Amis provides the reader with a pleasurable experience—of course, aside from the subject matter (which is inevitably depressing). His almost-Nabokovian emphasis on the beauty and flexibility of language and, of course, the sentence itself is why this book is so incredible—truly one of the masterpieces of our time.
Be prepared before reading, however. It is a heavy book, and it takes a great deal of willpower to confront how dark and tumultuous the events that took place were. As the heroic survivor of Auschwitz Primo Levi once said: “I am constantly amazed by man’s inhumanity to man.” Perhaps there is no better phrase that sums it all up. 
Note: The book has also been put in film. So, if you like the book, make sure to watch the movie.
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<title>City of Ames plans to widen South 16th Street</title>
<link>https://iowastatedaily.com/295692/news/city-of-ames-plans-to-widen-south-16th-street/</link>
<comments>https://iowastatedaily.com/295692/news/city-of-ames-plans-to-widen-south-16th-street/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Stacia Drey, Politics Reporter]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 22:05:42 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News / Politics And Administration]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://iowastatedaily.com/?p=295692</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Traffic increases on South 16th Street in Ames have caused the city to look into widening the road. The project will take place right next to the Veterinary Medicine Buildings with construction slated to begin in April of 2025. Project details The estimated cost for the South 16th construction is $3.2 million. The funding is...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Traffic increases on South 16th Street in Ames have caused the city to look into widening the road. The project will take place right next to the Veterinary Medicine Buildings with construction slated to begin in April of 2025. 
Project details
The estimated cost for the South 16th construction is $3.2 million. The funding is coming from an Iowa Department of Transportation grant of $2.8 million and $1 million from the city of Ames. Shive-Hattery has been hired as the consultant for the city on the project. 
Hafiz Ibrahim serves as a civil engineer working to develop the construction plan for the project. As an Iowa State graduate in 2012, he is familiar with the area and thinks this project will improve the flow of traffic for those using the road. 
“It would help with peak hour traffic […] sometimes when you drive through, you can see traffic backed up all the way to Grand– which shouldn’t be happening,” Ibrahim said. “This can affect access to Veterinary Med.”
Proposed plan for construction
There are two proposed plans for the construction on South 16th Street. 
The first plan is to work on widening from University Avenue to Christensen Drive. The city’s goal would be to complete this portion of the construction before the first home football game of 2025. After this is complete, construction would move to the second part of South 16th from Christensen Drive to Apple Place.
The second plan would be to work on the two southbound lanes in the first year of construction and then complete the two northbound lanes in the following year. 
The city has not yet chosen what option to move forward with. The city intends to meet with veterinary medicine and hospital, and Iowa State Athletics to decide on the preferred method of construction because of how much of an impact the project will have on the traffic around these areas. 
Public impact
The impact of the construction would be more than just opening up a congested traffic corridor in Ames. There is a plan to add a 10-foot-wide biking and walking trail on both sides of the newly widened South 16th Street. 
Ibrahim shared the benefits this will have for Iowa State and wider Ames communities. 
“The bike trail will be open on both sides, so people that want to bike around will have connectivity from the Vet Med trail into S 16th and to the University. It will definitely improve some of the bike routes in town,” Ibrahim said.
Ibrahim had one piece of advice for commuters once the construction project begins. 
“We typically would like for the public to use alternate routes,” Ibrahim said. “Leave the construction [zone] to minimize the expected traffic.”
Currently, the corridor of South 16th Street near the veterinary college is an Iowa State road. In planning for the upcoming construction, the right of the road would be transferred to the city while the work was being done.
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<title>Handful of Cyclones travel west for challenging meets</title>
<link>https://iowastatedaily.com/295648/sports/handful-of-cyclones-travel-west-for-challenging-meets/</link>
<comments>https://iowastatedaily.com/295648/sports/handful-of-cyclones-travel-west-for-challenging-meets/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Logan Nosekabel, Sports Reporter]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 21:24:36 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Sports / Mens Track Field]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Sports / Womens Track Field]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[cyclones]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Desert Heat Classic]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[iowa state]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[men's track and field]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[payton jordan invitational]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[sports]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[track and field]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[women's track and field]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://iowastatedaily.com/?p=295648</guid>
<description><![CDATA[While most of the Cyclones headed to Des Moines, Iowa, for the Drake Relays, some headed out west to compete in either the Payton Jordan Invitational in Palo Alto, California, or the Desert Heat Classic in Tucson, Arizona. The Cyclones have great momentum going into both of these meets from their performances in prior meets....]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[While most of the Cyclones headed to Des Moines, Iowa, for the Drake Relays, some headed out west to compete in either the Payton Jordan Invitational in Palo Alto, California, or the Desert Heat Classic in Tucson, Arizona.
The Cyclones have great momentum going into both of these meets from their performances in prior meets.
In the women’s discus throw at the John McDonnell Invitational, Betty Rosvold placed first overall with a throw of 50.30 meters, and Kevin Sakson placed first overall in the men’s discus throw with a throw of 55.51 meters.
Gable Sieperda traveled to the Virginia Challenge, where he placed in the top-five overall in the 3000-meter steeplechase with a new personal best time of 8:26.58.
This performance from Sieperda broke the program record by five seconds and ranked fourth in the nation. Sieperda’s time also hit the automatic Olympic Trials qualifying standard.
The Cyclones will have to contend with some steep competition in the Payton Jordan Invitational, where they will be competing against the host team Standford. The Cardinal distance runners have been impressive so far this season and will look to continue their hot streak.
The Cyclones will also have to watch out for Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State started the year off slow, but in the past couple of meets has seen its distance runners step up.
According to Iowa State Athletics, Ezekiel Rop will compete in the 1,500-meter run, while Silas Winders will compete in the 5,000-meter at the event.
The Payton Jordan Invitational is not the only meet filled with challenging competition that the Cyclones will be attending.
The Desert Heat Classic has a loaded field as well with the host team Arizona, a team that has been a consistent force so far this season, placing high and winning multiple events in every meet it has competed in.
The Cyclones will also be put up against Arizona State, a team coming off a meet where it had two runners set new school records.
According to a list from Arizona Athletics, Sydney Willits will be competing in the high jump.
The Payton Jordan Invitational will take place Friday in Palo Alto, California, and the Desert Heat Classic will be Saturday in Tucson, Arizona.
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<title>Agronomy 2050 auditorium to be revamped during summer as part of 10 year cycle</title>
<link>https://iowastatedaily.com/295608/news/agronomy-2050-auditorium-to-be-revamped-during-summer-as-part-of-10-year-cycle/</link>
<comments>https://iowastatedaily.com/295608/news/agronomy-2050-auditorium-to-be-revamped-during-summer-as-part-of-10-year-cycle/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Brayton Kohl, Academics Reporter]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:40:26 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News / Academics]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[agronomy hall]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[facilities planning and management]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[inside iowa state]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://iowastatedaily.com/?p=295608</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Out with the old and in with the new: worn-out upholstery, old technology and dim lighting will no longer be top of mind to students in Agronomy Hall. As a part of the university’s 10 year classroom upgrade cycle, one of Agronomy Hall’s auditoriums, Agronomy 2050, will receive a major makeover this summer. Kathleen Baumgarn,...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Out with the old and in with the new: worn-out upholstery, old technology and dim lighting will no longer be top of mind to students in Agronomy Hall. As a part of the university’s 10 year classroom upgrade cycle, one of Agronomy Hall’s auditoriums, Agronomy 2050, will receive a major makeover this summer.
Kathleen Baumgarn, a classroom scheduling specialist with Facilities Planning and Management, said Agronomy 2050, which can hold up to 117 students, will remain at the same capacity after the completion of construction.
“Yeah, it’s one of those things where it just started kind of falling apart,” Baumgarn said. “You know, things that were like, ‘OK, yep, the lighting needs to improve.’ That’s not the best for the students to just take notes, much less take exams there. So it’s gonna be really exciting. I mean, we’re taking off the ceiling and going up to the deck and it’d be nice.”
According to Baumgarten, the estimated cost of the project is $612,550, with construction starting May 13, immediately after finals week. Baumgarn said the auditorium should be ready for fall classes on Aug. 23.
Baumgarn said planning started in the spring of 2022 and financing for the project was secured in March 2023.
<figure id="attachment_295746" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-295746" style="width: 437px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-295746" src="http://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240425-DSC00553-600x400.jpg" alt="" width="437" height="291" srcset="https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240425-DSC00553-600x400.jpg 600w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240425-DSC00553-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240425-DSC00553-768x512.jpg 768w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240425-DSC00553-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240425-DSC00553-300x200.jpg 300w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240425-DSC00553.jpg 2001w" sizes="(max-width: 437px) 100vw, 437px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-295746" class="wp-caption-text">Agronomy Hall, Power Auditorium 2050, April 25, 2024. (<a href="https://iowastatedaily.com/staff_profile/jacob-rice/">Jacob Rice</a>)</figcaption></figure>
<h3>New classrooms within 10 years</h3>
In 2014, the university placed each classroom on a <a href="https://www.inside.iastate.edu/article/2015/03/12/classrooms">10 year upgrade cycle</a>, where classrooms would be upgraded with new technology, paint, seats and more based on the specific needs of each classroom.
“It was very ambitious,” Baumgarn said. “But also funding was very different than at that time. There was a higher promise […] from upper administration that they were going to be able to give us more money.”
Baumgarn also attributes many of the shortcomings to the cost of goods today compared to 10 years ago.
As of the spring 2024 semester, a third of the university’s 209 general university classrooms have been upgraded since 2014 at a total cost of roughly $5.7 million. The average cost per classroom is about $450,000, according to Brandi Latterell, assistant vice president of real estate and planning at Facilities Planning and Management. During that same time frame, 21 additional classrooms have been introduced, most coming from the Student Innovation Center, which opened its doors to students in fall 2020.
The original plan carved out $750,000 per year for upgrades, $500,000 from the office of the senior vice president and provost and $250,000 from facilities planning and management, according to <a href="https://www.inside.iastate.edu/article/2015/03/12/classrooms">Inside Iowa State</a>.
Baumgarn said the upgrades that take place today are drastically different than nearly 10 years ago, citing the ever-changing technology landscape. 
“I think that we’ve seen especially since COVID, more cameras being added into spaces so that faculty can be seen,” Baumgarn said.
Classrooms that are upgraded are selected based on needs, room utilization and room capacity, with rooms that house classes with 70 to 150 seats at the top of the list. Baumgarn noted that classrooms on the perimeter of campus tend to have lower utilization compared to centralized classrooms.
The university will also be “right-sizing” 30 classrooms this summer, which sometimes involves taking unused seats out of a room to make it feel more appropriately sized, Latterell said. 
“We’re just starting what we’ve called the small classroom project. It’s a right sizing of rooms, to where we’re actually going to try to have all of our classrooms eventually have, at least the ones with movable furniture[…], at 25 square-feet per student,” Baumgarn said.
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<title>City of Ames celebrates groundbreaking of $32 million Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center</title>
<link>https://iowastatedaily.com/295575/news/city-of-ames-celebrates-groundbreaking-of-32-million-fitch-family-indoor-aquatic-center/</link>
<comments>https://iowastatedaily.com/295575/news/city-of-ames-celebrates-groundbreaking-of-32-million-fitch-family-indoor-aquatic-center/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Claire Cosier, Politics Reporter]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 03:42:59 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News / Local]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[ames high school]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Fitch Family Aquatic Center]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[john haila]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[lisa heddens]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[mayor john haila]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[story county board of supervisors]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://iowastatedaily.com/?p=295575</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The City of Ames officially broke ground on the $32 million Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center on Wednesday, with about 150 people in attendance. “This project comes with broad support of communities throughout the county who see this aquatic center as not only an economic development investment but also as an investment in health care,”...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[The City of Ames officially broke ground on the $32 million Fitch Family Indoor Aquatic Center on Wednesday, with about 150 people in attendance.
“This project comes with broad support of communities throughout the county who see this aquatic center as not only an economic development investment but also as an investment in health care,” Lisa Heddens, chair of the Story County Board of Supervisors, said. “If we can provide multiple ways for people to enhance their overall health habits while having fun at the same time, we think we’ve invested dollars wisely.”
The construction of the aquatic center is supported by 47 individuals, organizations and businesses who collectively donated over $10 million to the facility. Richard and Mary Fitch, owners of Furman Realty and the project’s namesake, contributed $3 million.
“Mary and I are happy and fortunate enough to be able to give back to the city where we live, own our business, Furman Corporation and Furman Realty and have raised our children,” Richard Fitch said on behalf of the Fitch family.
<figure id="attachment_295566" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-295566" style="width: 480px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" class=" wp-image-295566" src="http://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_9033-600x400.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="320" srcset="https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_9033-600x400.jpg 600w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_9033-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_9033-768x512.jpg 768w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_9033-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_9033-300x200.jpg 300w, https://iowastatedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_9033.jpg 2001w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-295566" class="wp-caption-text">Richard Fitch talking on behalf of the Rich and Mary Fitch donors at the Aquatic Center groundbreaking, April 24, 2024. (Maeley Rosengren)</figcaption></figure>
Other significant donors include Mary Greeley Medical Center and Fareway Corporation. In addition to private donations, the project received financial contributions of $500,000 from Story County and was awarded a $500,000 Community Attraction and Tourism Grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority. 
In an interview with the Daily, Veronica Phillips, director of sales and procurement at AgCertain, said the company wants to see “continued development in Iowa and the surrounding areas.” AgCertain donated $50,000 to the aquatic center.
The aquatic center will offer various amenities, including a lap pool, a recreational pool with a play structure, a current channel, a wellness pool and an interior water slide that loops in and out of the building. Additionally, the facility will include two multi-purpose rooms and a designated walking area, providing options for different activities and interests.
Following the closure of the Municipal Pool at the old Ames High School in 2022, the community was left without a public indoor swimming option, the aquatic center became a top priority of some to meet the needs of Ames and Story County residents.
“I’m honored as a mayor of our city to officiate today, and this is just an exciting day for the Ames community,” Ames Mayor John Haila said. “The Fitch Family Aquatic Center will provide Ames and the surrounding area with a new, exciting indoor recreation facility.” 
The aquatic center will open in the fall of 2025. 
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<title>Fraud cases continue to rise, ISUPD March activity report shows</title>
<link>https://iowastatedaily.com/295574/news/fraud-cases-continue-to-rise-isupd-march-activity-report-shows/</link>
<comments>https://iowastatedaily.com/295574/news/fraud-cases-continue-to-rise-isupd-march-activity-report-shows/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Mackenzie Bodell, Senior Reporter]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 02:58:02 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[activity report]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[fraud]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[isupd]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[law enforcement]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://iowastatedaily.com/?p=295574</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Forgery and fraud cases are up 700% from March 2023, according to the Iowa State University Police Department’s (ISUPD) March activity report. Online fraud scams are increasing nationwide, and Ames is no exception. The Iowa State Daily published an article that highlights the phishing scams students tend to see more often. ISUPD Chief Michael Newton...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[Forgery and fraud cases are up 700% from March 2023, according to the Iowa State University Police Department’s (ISUPD) <a href="https://www.police.iastate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/03-March-2024-Activity-Report.pdf">March activity report</a>. 
Online fraud scams are increasing nationwide, and Ames is no exception. The Iowa State Daily published an <a href="https://iowastatedaily.com/278489/news/your-account-is-at-risk-email-phishing-scam-targets-iowa-state/">article</a> that highlights the phishing scams students tend to see more often. 
ISUPD Chief Michael Newton advises everyone to be hyper-vigilant when it comes to suspicious emails or messages. From his experience, he notes the email addresses in which suspicious messages are sent typically have errors. 
Traffic stops saw a decrease of 42.9% despite the grant the department received from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau. Newton said this decrease is due to focus on other cases. 
“We’re down a little bit, but overall, we’re still hovering close to where we were last year,” Newton said. 
Theft cases are down 70.6%. Newton said he hopes this decrease can be attributed to the continued education effort toward anti-theft tactics. 
Mental health calls for service were down, according to Newton and according to the report, the number of welfare checks decreased by 11. 
“I hope that means that people are getting the help that they need and finding the resources that they need,” Newton said. “April tends to be higher because of the stress associated with exams and the end of the school year, so we are going to focus coming up here in May on mental health and mental health awareness.”
Looking into the future, the department is focusing on mental health training throughout the upcoming months. Alongside that piece, officers are gearing up for summer, when they will do their qualifications and firearm training. 
 
March statistics: 
Assault: 1 (50% decrease)
Sexual assault: 0 
Harassment: 6 (100% increase)
Interference with official acts: 1
Trespassing: 1 (75% decrease)
Extortion/forgery/fraud: 8 (700% increase)
Burglary: 3 (200% increase)
Theft: 5 (70.6% decrease)
Auto theft: 0
Criminal mischief/vandalism: 9 (25% decrease)
Drug violations: 6 (53.8% decrease)
Alcohol violations: 8 (14.3% increase)
Weapons violations: 1
OWI: 5 (66.7% decrease)
Traffic/accidents: 25 (43.2% decrease)
Traffic stops: 351 (42.9% decrease)
New reports: 109 (12.8% decrease)
Calls for service: 3,059 (1.8% decrease)
Outreach events: 30 (26.8% decrease)
Number of arrests: 30 (41.2% decrease)
Number of charges filed: 47 (41.3% decrease)
]]></content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>Ready, set, prep: Study tips, upcoming events and more</title>
<link>https://iowastatedaily.com/295595/news/ready-set-prep-study-tips-upcoming-events-and-more/</link>
<comments>https://iowastatedaily.com/295595/news/ready-set-prep-study-tips-upcoming-events-and-more/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[ Madeline Turpin, Student Life Reporter]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 02:54:08 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News / Student Life]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[barks at parks]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[finals]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[grammarly]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[prep-week]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://iowastatedaily.com/?p=295595</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It is the final countdown – just one week before prep week, where students will begin locking in and locking down their final grades. Prep week starts April 29, lasting until May 3. Here are some reminders, tips and tricks to keep you on track: Utilize free materials for students Shovel – A time management...]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[It is the final countdown – just one week before prep week, where students will begin locking in and locking down their final grades. Prep week starts April 29, lasting until May 3. Here are some reminders, tips and tricks to keep you on track:
<ol>
<li>Utilize free materials for students</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://shovelapp.io/iastate/">Shovel</a> – A time management tool for students that syncs with <a href="https://canvas.iastate.edu/">Canvas</a> for productivity.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://grammarly.engl.iastate.edu/">Grammarly</a> – A digital writing tool that helps correct grammar, plagiarism and spelling.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://asc.dso.iastate.edu/writingsuccess">Iowa State Writing and Media Center</a> – Extra help with written, oral and visual projects in addition to career guidance</li>
</ul>
<ol start="2">
<li>Prep week special hours</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Parks Library is open regular hours during prep week, 24/7 during finals week.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Quiet hours in residence halls begin April 27, with study hours from 9 – 10 p.m.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Prep week testing centers are by appointment. During finals week, testing centers are <a href="https://www.testcenter.iastate.edu/students/schedule-your-exam/">walk-in only</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ol start="3">
<li>Take a break from studying with free events on campus</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><a href="https://iowastatedaily.com/295158/news/smash-room-free-food-central-campus-movie-headline-new-finals-prep-event/">Cy’s Finals Frenzy</a></li>
</ul>
April 28 – 30 Memorial Union
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Hosted by the Division of Student Affairs, CY’s Finals Frenzy will feature a variety of activities and events to help students prepare, relax and fuel up for the week of finals ahead.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Barks at Parks</li>
</ul>
April 29 – May 3, Noon – 3 p.m. Rotunda of Parks Library
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Therapy dogs, massages, origami, coloring pages and puzzles.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Student Union Board Build Your own Mental Health kit</li>
</ul>
Wednesday, April 24, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Maintenance Shop, Memorial Union
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Choose from a variety of stress-relieving items, create your own kit.</li>
</ul>
<ol start="4">
<li>Secure a good study spot.</li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Don’t forget to<a href="https://www.lib.iastate.edu/visit-and-study/study-spaces/reserve-study-room"> reserve study rooms</a> ahead of time. Remember, quiet spaces and cozy corners are great for focus.</li>
</ul>
Take it from the students – check out the best<a href="https://iowastatedaily.com/15562/news/students-favorite-study-spots/"> study spaces</a> on campus.
]]></content:encoded>
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