Announcements
Reminders about combining business and personal travel
As part of its ongoing commitment to provide clarity and streamline processes, the controller's office team reminds all employees about university guidelines for combining personal and business travel.
Employees who combine personal and business travel must ensure that all expenses are well documented. Total reimbursable expenses should not exceed the lowest available cost of travel on the most direct or uninterrupted route. Any expenses exceeding the lowest available cost will be the sole responsibility of the traveler. When comparing flight options, be sure to compare for the same date, time and carrier prior to booking the travel.
Before they travel, employees are expected to review the policy carefully to ensure a more efficient reimbursement process when they return. For questions or clarification, contact the Financial and Accounting Compliance staff at fact@iastate.edu.
Regents amend their strategic plan; universities' plans are on February agenda
At its Jan. 15 meeting the Iowa Board of Regents approved updates to its 2022-27 strategic plan (PDF). The edits address three key changes since the plan was approved: 2023 transfer to the state Department of Education of oversight for the state's services for K-12 sight-impaired and hearing-impaired students, 2024 law that removes a gender balance requirement for state boards and commissions, and a 2024 law requiring the regent universities to eliminate all functions and positions related to diversity, equity and inclusion. DEI-related edits primarily impacted the vision statement, board "dispositions" and its strategic priority #1 (related to student success and the academic experience), eliminating references to opportunities for underrepresented students and underserved populations.
Campus groups at Iowa's three regent universities have reviewed their respective strategic plans for compliance with the law restricting DEI efforts. The regents will review those recommendations at their Feb. 27 meeting.
Jan. 22 women's basketball tickets discounted for faculty and staff
ISU faculty and staff can purchase half-price tickets ($5) -- and share the invite with family and friends -- for the Cyclone women's basketball game against Big 12 Conference opponent Brigham Young University on Wednesday, Jan. 22 (6:30 p.m., Hilton Coliseum).
Health insurance coverage form goes paperless for 2024
For the 2024 tax year, 1095-C forms (Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage) will be available only in Workday; paper copies no longer will be mailed. Employees can view their form in Workday at the beginning of February and will be notified when the form is available. Employees who have questions or who wish to receive a paper copy should submit a request to fbac@iastate.edu.
Study Abroad Fair is Jan. 30
The Study Abroad Center will host its next Study Abroad Fair on Thursday, Jan. 30 (10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., MU Great Hall). Learn about interning or studying abroad in experiences ranging from one week to one year. Students can enter their names for a chance to win study abroad scholarships. All ISU community members are able to apply for a U.S. passport during the fair (schedule an appointment in advance). More information is online.
Nominations due Feb. 15 for annual alumni awards
The ISU Alumni Association is seeking nominations by Feb. 15 for four awards to be presented during Homecoming 2025 that honor alumni. Award descriptions and nomination forms are online. Questions may be directed to Katie Lickteig. The awards are:
- Alumni Medal, recognizes long, loyal service to the university through alumni-related activities
- Alumni Humanitarian Award, recognizes humanitarian efforts that transcend professional accomplishments and bring honor to the university
- Outstanding Young Alumni Award, recognizes alumni age 40 years and younger who excel in their profession and provide service to their community
- James A. Hopson Alumni Service Award (2023 merger of the former Hopson and Alumni Service awards), recognizes alumni and friends whose volunteer activities and service support the work of the ISU Alumni Association in connecting alumni, students and friends to each other and the university
Smile and Write dates are set for spring semester
Smile and Write is an online program open to faculty and staff, designed to leverage peer accountability and help participants carve out space in their schedules to work on curriculum, manuscripts and other writing projects. Smile and Write connects peers across disciplines as they work together toward their writing goals to aid in career progression. During spring semester, the fixed time is Tuesday (11 a.m.-1 p.m., Jan. 21-May 6); 17 sessions on the other four days of the week also are scheduled. The Smile and Write format is:
- Register ahead of time for as many sessions as you want. Upon registration, you'll be sent a Zoom link for each session.
- Once logged in, keep your video turned on. Doing this helps assure accountability and prevent distraction.
- At the start of each session participants state their goals, and at the end of each session they briefly share the progress they made.
Clothing closet seeks business attire in advance of career fairs
Iowa State's free Business Attire Pop-Up Shop, which has a permanent space in the east Memorial Union, is accepting new or gently used business attire to share with students in preparation for the spring career fairs (Feb. 11-March 10). Items sought most frequently by students are blazers, suits, slacks, large and tall menswear, loafers, flats, dress shoes, ties, laptop bags, purses and accessories. All donations can be dropped off at the Memorial Union Multicultural Center (around the corner from the information desk) during open hours. Monetary donations can be contributed to the professional attire closet fund at the ISU Foundation. Questions can be emailed to thecloset@iastate.edu. More information is shared on Instagram @isupopup.
The Pop-Up Shop in the MU Multicultural Center will be open for all ISU students:
- Wednesday, Feb. 5 (9 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.)
- Thursday, Feb. 6 (9 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m.)
Early registration for P&S Council conference ends Feb. 2
The Professional and Scientific Council is hosting its annual professional development conference, "Charting the Future," on Thursday, Feb. 27 (7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Gateway Hotel and Conference Center) for P&S employees. The day includes a keynote address, three breakout sessions and lunch. Early registration ($130) ends Feb. 2 and regular registration ($150) closes Feb. 19.
Register for February civics conference for all employees
Registration has opened for Civics Across the Curriculum and Co-Curriculum, a professional development conference for faculty, staff and administrators on Wednesday, Feb. 19 (noon-4:30 p.m., Memorial Union). Participants will hear from national experts and campus practitioners on ways to narrow gaps in civic literacy, skills and disposition among Iowa State's students. Registration, which will remain open through Feb. 3, is free and includes lunch.
Council seminar takes a look at Ames Lab
Adam Schwartz, director of Ames National Laboratory, will present at the P&S Council's monthly seminar on Thursday, Jan. 23 (2-3 p.m., virtual presentation, register in Workday). For more than 77 years, Ames Lab has partnered with Iowa State to lead in the discovery, synthesis, analysis and use of new materials, novel chemistries and transformational analytical tools. The partnership led to technology-relevant materials like lead-free solders, new catalysts for biofuel production and analytical techniques that make our lives healthier and safer. Schwartz's overview will highlight recent progress in critical materials challenges and future directions for Ames National Laboratory.
Success center offers workshops for your classroom
The Academic Success Center offers workshops for the classroom. In addition to a 20-minute "Intro to Our Services" workshop, a variety of 45-60-minute workshops cover writing, communication and academic skills including public speaking, bullet journaling, study skills and more. To submit a workshop request, use the center's webform.
Further Jan. 1 revisions for travel reimbursement
A Dec. 12 story in Inside shared changes to Iowa State's travel reimbursement policy and procedures that took effect Jan. 1. Based on employee input, a couple of the changes were further tweaked for clarity. The story site is updated with these changes:
- Travel status for meal reimbursement: To receive reimbursement for dinner, the required time for in-travel-status was changed to 6:30 p.m. (from 4 p.m.).
- Travel duration: Travelers should arrive no earlier than 24 hours (domestic) or 48 hours (international), based on the destination time zone, before a business event. (Original language required travel to begin no earlier than 24 hours for domestic, 48 hours for international travel.)
- Non-employees traveling for Iowa State business must provide receipts for reimbursement (they no longer receive a per diem but rather are reimbursed for actual expenses).
Matt Mathews stand-up comedy show stops at Stephens
Comedian, Alabama native and social media sensation Matt Mathews brings his national stand-up comedy tour, "Boujee On A Budget," to Stephens Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 24 (7 p.m.). Tickets, starting at $33.50, pay be purchased online via Ticketmaster and at the Stephens ticket office.
Next Goldfinch Room show is Jan. 19
The next performance in Stephens Auditorium's Goldfinch Room series will feature Evander Ellsbury and Kelli Rae Powell on Sunday, Jan. 19 (5 p.m., doors open at 4:15 p.m.). Table tickets (admission for up to four people) may be purchased online for $40. Food and beverages may be pre-ordered online or purchased at the show.
