The East Gateway Bridge is illuminated at dusk in June. Photo by Christopher Gannon.
The fall semester began Aug. 26. If you were away from campus for significant chunks of time this summer, here's a quick summary of news you may have missed:
News
- University leaders shared salary increase parameters for faculty, professional and scientific staff, contract staff and postdoctoral researchers. Increases would take effect Jan. 1.
- Regents approved tuition increases for the 2024-25 academic year and the salary policy.
- Iowa State's general fund operating budget is $802.3 million for the fiscal year that began July 1. It's an increase of $34.7 million -- nearly 5% -- over a year ago.
- The president's office announced $2.1 million in second-year strategic plan funding for 12 projects selected a year ago for their potential to advance the plan.
- The LeBaron Hall replacement project got underway with the demolition phase.
- The maidens in Christian Petersen's Fountain of the Four Seasons sculpture returned to the Memorial Union north lawn.
- Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Ivy College of Business David Spalding announced his plans to retire from Iowa State in the summer of 2025.
- Beginning Oct. 1, merit, contract and professional and scientific employees and postdoctoral scholars in salary nonexempt positions will change to hourly compensation and be paid twice a month. It won't change how much they earn.
- Information Technology Services is transitioning the university's sign-on dashboard from Okta to Microsoft. An update will be provided in next week's Inside.
- As part of the Workday rollout, users no longer can complete processes in ADIN or AccessPlus, which became read-only systems earlier this month.
- Iowa State researchers attracted $346.2 million in external funding for the fiscal year that ended June 30. It's the third straight year of record research funding.
- Facilities, planning and management is restructuring its service teams and processes in an effort to improve customer service and efficiencies across the department.
- A partnership between Iowa State and LinkedIn Corp. automatically will post university job openings on the LinkedIn platform.
- University leaders are working with the state Board of Regents to determine what actions are needed to comply with a new law that imposes restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion offices.
- Beginning July 1, Iowa State completes criminal history background checks on post-doctoral scholars and seasonal/temporary employees selected to fill positions.
- Recycling coordinator Steve Kohtz completed a study to make recycling in campus buildings easier -- and more successful. Here's what you should know.
- A federal change moved up the deadline for digital accessibility -- when all web content and mobile apps must be accessible for all users.
- A new Office of Student Information at Iowa State will help the university get the most from its investment in Workday. The staff team will lead continuous improvement initiatives.
- The provost's office honored 31 faculty and staff with student recruiting innovation awards.
Appointments
Provost
- Jason Keith, dean of the James Worth Bagley College of Engineering; Mississippi State University, to senior vice president and provost, effective Aug. 1
Vice presidents
- Peter Dorhout, vice president for research, reappointed to a five-year second term
- Sean Reeder, University of Missouri, Kansas City, to senior vice president for operations and finance, effective Sept. 3
College teams
- Raj Agnihotri, professor of marketing, to assistant dean for industry engagement in the Ivy College of Business
- Tandalayo Kidd, Kansas State University, to associate dean and director for Human Sciences Extension and Outreach, effective Sept. 16
Directors
- Sebastian Braun, professor in world languages and cultures, to a second three-year term as director of American Indian studies, effective July 1
- Ann Gansemer-Topf, School of Education director of graduate education, to director of the school and Frances S. and Arthur L. Wallace Professor in the College of Human Sciences
- Teri Kruse, senior manager of payroll, to (inaugural) tax director, office of budget, financial strategy and treasury, effective July 8
- Christine Prescott-Jacobsen, Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha, to director of Reiman Gardens, effective Aug. 1.
Department chairs
- Amy Burgin, University of Kansas, to chair of the ecology, evolution and organismal biology department, effective Jan. 1
- Megan Myers, associate professor of Spanish, to chair of the department of world languages and cultures, five-year term effective July 1
Interim appointments
- Pavan Aduri, professor of computer science, to interim department chair, effective July 1
- Larissa Begley, teaching professor in history, to interim director of African and African American studies, for three years, effective July 1
- Susan Bradbury, professor of community and regional planning, to interim chair of the department, effective July 1
- Steven Harris, professor and chair of plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, to interim director of the Seed Science Center
- Gustavo Macintosh, LAS Dean's Professor and professor in biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, to interim associate dean for graduate studies and faculty development, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, for one year, effective July 1
- Jodi McGill, assistant dean of research and graduate studies for the College of Veterinary Medicine, to interim associate dean of research and graduate studies, effective July 2
