News

Spring Break

Spring Break is upon us and will officially be from March 17-21, 2014.For those students who remain on campus and having dining plans, the dining centers will have very limited hours or will be closed. Have your student check out the ISU Dining websitefor more information on hours of operation. In addition, if your student utilizes the CyRide buses for transportation needs, a reduced schedule that your student can access is available at the CyRide website.

VEISHEA is coming in April!

VEISHEA, Iowa State’s annual spring celebration, is one of the university’s oldest traditions. It serves as a showcase and display of the Iowa State community with a wide variety of educational and entertainment events. This is a great opportunity for parents and families to visit campus, as there are many events and activities scheduled.

Many new parents and Cyclone families have asked, “What does ‘VEISHEA’ stand for?” According to the website, VEISHEA was named in 1922 by Professor Frank D. Paine, Department of General Engineering. He combined the first letters of the University’s academic colleges at that time, and the name has stuck ever since.

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Engineering
  • Industrial Science
  • Home Economics
  • Agriculture

In this context, the term VEISHEA (pronounced "VEE-sha") is a reminder this celebration started as an academic showcase highlighting the University’s programs and history. Encourage your student to participate fully in this annual tradition (Cherry Pies!)and to be safe and responsible as a member of our Cyclone community.Look for the ISU Parents’ Association in front of Beardshear Hall during VEISHEA Village on Saturday, April 12, 2014.

STARS – Seeking Volunteers

The Office of Admissions is recruiting motivated and energetic students to serve as STARS (Student Admissions Representatives). Is your student looking for a new opportunity to take part in a high energy, fast pace environment that allows them to showcase their talents, communication skills, and love of Iowa State? Then encourage them to apply to serve as a Student Admissions Representative. Deadline to apply is March 26, 2014!

Tax Preparation Assistance

This item was first announced last month; but is worth repeating. Students can get free help preparing their taxes right here on campus. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program is available through Tuesday, April 15, 2014. This service is provided by trained ISU accounting students through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Taxpayers with household incomes of less than $51,000 are eligible. Assistance is provided by appointment. As a helpful reminder, the 1098 tax form can be accessed by students on their AccessPlus account.

Frequently Asked Question of the Month

Q. What are Mid-Term Reports?

Students may view their mid-term reports through AccessPlus. Mid-term reports are grades that are submitted half-way through each semester to allow students to gauge their progress within each course. Now is a good time to check with your student on how the semester is going. Students can contact the Academic Success Centerif their midterm grades are a concern; or they may want to consult with their academic advisor about the possibility of dropping a course before the March 29, 2014 deadline. At the end of each semester, students may also view their final grades online on AccessPlus.

For more information tailored to parents and families or to see more FAQ’s, check out the “Info for parents” website or FAQpage!

The Student Perspective – March

Student Issues

  • Communicate with students about their Spring Break plans, whether they involve travel with friends or coming home.
  • Finalizing summer plans. Students must decide whether they will intern, study abroad, take classes or enjoy a lazy summer. If your student plans to attend classes at a hometown university or community college, they should consult their academic advisor to make sure the credits will transfer to Iowa State.
  • Students are halfway through their semester and may find they need extra help with classes, time management skills, or other services to help them succeed.

Parent Tips

  • Build confidence: discuss and reflect on your student’s successes from the past academic year.
  • Encourage vacationing students to think through their choices for Spring Break activities: travel safely, make a travel budget and stick to it, avoid risky behaviors in alcohol and drug use.
  • Have students check out the Academic Success Center which provides tutors, time management, and other helpful skills to assist in their academic success. In addition, if your student finds that they need accommodations for a documented disability and have not done so already, refer them to the Student Disability Resource office where they will help your student obtain the services based on their individual needs.

We welcome your feedback.

Relatively Speaking is published by the Iowa State University Parents’ Association and the Dean of Students Office. We welcome your suggestions to improve this publication. If you have a question you need answered or suggestions for content in future monthly editions, please contact us at any time at .

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Relatively Speaking is a production of theISU Parents’ Associationand theISU Dean of Students Office.

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