Announcements
Reimbursement for personal vehicle use is going up
In response to rising gas prices and overall economic conditions, the Internal Revenue Service is increasing the business standard mileage reimbursement rate for use of a personal automobile, from $0.585 to $0.625 per mile, effective for travel on July 1 or after. As explained in the university's travel policy mileage FAQ, Iowa State changes its maximum mileage rate when the IRS implements a change. The default rate also will change, from $0.2925 to $0.3125 per mile, on July 1 (factors determine which rate applies). The controller's office will update the rates in Workday.
Private gift boosts extension's donation garden project
ISU Extension and Outreach's Growing Together Iowa statewide donation garden project, which shares fresh produce with local food pantries, received $20,000 from Amerigroup, a managed care company. The gift expands extension's capacity to sustain existing project sites and offer funds to high-priority communities. Last year, Growing Together Iowa volunteers harvested and donated almost 91,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables to food pantries.
Reminder: University Boulevard closed overnight this week
To accommodate crews setting in place the pedestrian bridge spans across University Boulevard, the road will be closed overnight (7 p.m.-7 a.m.) Tuesday through Friday nights, June 28-July 1. The designated detour will route overnight traffic around the west side of the stadium using South Fourth Street, Beach Avenue and Mortensen Road. Motorists traveling north on University Boulevard from U.S. Highway 30 will be able to access South 16th Street/College of Veterinary Medicine during the overnight closures.
From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., University Boulevard traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction between South Fourth and 16th streets.
Garden donations sought for local food pantries
Story County Plant a Row for the Hungry (PAR) -- gardeners sharing their produce with local food agencies -- is underway for the 2022 growing season. Home gardeners may drop off produce at the Reiman Gardens maintenance building on Mondays (7:30-9 a.m.) or at the gardens' front desk on Saturdays (10 a.m.-5 p.m.). Collection dates are June 25-Oct. 17 (no collection on holiday Mondays July 4 and Sept. 5). PAR volunteers distribute produce to MICA food pantry, Primary Health Care, Salvation Army, Food at First, the SHOP at Iowa State and Bethesda food pantry. Volunteers also are needed to harvest, collect, weigh and distribute donated produce to the agencies. For more information, contact Reiman Gardens horticulturist Kara Hetrick, 294-6797.
Des Moines businessman named to regents vacancy
Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed James "JC" Risewick to the state Board of Regents, effective June 21 and subject to confirmation by the Iowa Senate when it next meets. Risewick will complete the six-year term (through April 2025) of former regent Milt Dakovich, who died in February after a lengthy cancer battle.
Risewick is the president and COO of Seneca Companies, Des Moines. He has served in multiple roles with the company since 2006. He was a member of the Des Moines' Business Record's 2014 "Forty Under 40" class. He earned a bachelor's degree in business from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; and completed the Minnesota Management Institute in the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management.
Sign up by July 5 to help at the university's state fair exhibit
University marketing seeks faculty and staff volunteers to help in the university's exhibit at the Iowa State Fair Aug. 11-21. Inside the air-conditioned Varied Industries Building, choose from three shorter shifts daily: 8:45 a.m.-1 p.m., 12:45-4:30 p.m. and 4:15-8 p.m. Use the online registration form and register by July 5 to guarantee your T-shirt size. Questions may be directed to Jaden Reed, umarket2@iastate.edu or 515-294-3969. Volunteers choose from two assignments:
- Roll and hand out football posters and schedule cards
- Hand out dry Cyclone tattoos and complimentary bags
Order ISU calendars in time for the academic year
Produced by the ISU Alumni Association, Iowa State's 2022-23 wall calendar features striking full-color photos around campus by Matt Van Winkle and Chris Gannon. Order calendars online with a P-card or worktag/DD#. One P-card or worktag/DD# must be used to receive any bulk discounts. Calendar pricing:
- 1-19 units: $15
- 20-29 units: $13
- 30+ units: $11
Spencer Award nominations due July 5
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture has extended the request for nominations for the 2022 Spencer Award through July 5. The cash prize of up to $2,000 recognizes contributions that advance ecological and economic practices to make agriculture more sustainable and the family farm secure for the future. Recipients have included farmers, landowners, professors, extension educators, farm managers and USDA scientists. For the first time, graduate students are eligible for the award this year. It's named for Norman and Margaretha Spencer, who farmed in Woodbury County for 40 years. More information, including the nomination form, are online.
Yoga in the gardens for five Mondays starts next week
After-work yoga at Reiman Gardens, with Ames Parks and Recreation instructor Stephanie Yocca, begins Monday, June 27, and continues for four more Mondays through Aug. 1 (5:45-6:30 p.m. weekly). There is no class on Monday, July 4. Participants provide their own yoga mat. The cost is $45 for Ames residents and Reiman Gardens members ($60 for all others, $38 for ISU students); registration is due June 26.
SBDC Iowa receives alumni association's Impact Award
America's Small Business Development Center Iowa received the ISU Alumni Association's 2022 Impact Award, and will be recognized in a livestreamed event Thursday, June 23 (noon, via YouTube). The award recognizes individuals, businesses, organizations or units whose programs or accomplishments brought broad recognition to the university and increased the involvement of ISU constituents in the life of the university during the previous year. SBDC Iowa was honored for its support of small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery period. Dec. 1 is the annual nomination deadline for this award.
Aug. 13 memorial service planned for Robert Martin
Robert Martin, retired professor of agricultural education and studies and former department chair, passed away of natural causes at his Ames home May 20. He was 76. A memorial service for Martin will be held Aug. 13 (3 p.m., Rasmusson-Ryan Funeral Home, 1418 Fawcett Parkway, Nevada). Condolences and memories can be shared via Kudoboard. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the ISU Foundation for a scholarship fund established in Martin’s name.
WorkFlex application window opens June 6
The next application window for staff seeking a flexible work arrangement through the WorkFlex program opens Monday, June 6. Submissions for WorkFlex plans beginning this fall are due by July 1. Managers will have until July 29 to review submissions. New arrangements for the fall will be effective starting Aug. 22, the first day of the semester, and can be up to one year long (depending on the college or department). Staff with a WorkFlex agreement already approved to extend beyond the summer semester don't have to reapply until their agreement expires.
WorkFlex gives staff the flexibility to rethink when, where and how they work, as long as their preferred alternatives fit with the university's mission and their job duties. The program options include requesting up to three days a week of remote work. A knowledge base article in the human resources section of the ISU Service Portal explains how to submit a Workflex request. For more information and resources, see the WorkFlex website.
Arts and events
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill June 16 designating Feb. 1 as George Washington Carver Day every year in Iowa.
Here's a list of summer events in ISU facilities that are expected to draw 100 or more visitors.
