Aug. 5, 2010
65 approved for RIO3 retirement plan
by Diana Pounds
Sixty-five people have been approved for Iowa State's latest retirement incentive option (RIO3), Mike Otis, associate director of human resources, told the Professional and Scientific Council during its Aug. 3 meeting. He noted that a few more applications may be approved soon. The deadline for applying to the program was Aug. 1.
RIO3 is similar to two previous retirement incentive options (RIO and RIO2) with a new option -- employees who currently are enrolled in TIAA-CREF can choose five years of employer-paid retirement contributions. Or, as with the previous plans, they can opt for five years of health care coverage.
Otis reported that 60 percent of employees enrolling in the plan chose the health and dental care coverage and 40 percent, the retirement contribution. Of the 65 enrolled in the plan, 30 are P&S staff, 26 are merit staff and nine are faculty members. Thirteen of those enrolling in the plan previously had been approved for the RIO2 plan and switched to RIO3.
RIO3 enrollees must retire by Dec. 31.
'Workplace resiliency' sessions
Otis also reported to the council that ISU's new employee assistance provider -- Employee and Family Resources, Des Moines, -- will offer three one-hour sessions on "resiliency in the workplace" on Sept. 8 (noon), Sept. 21 (4 p.m.) and Oct. 5 (noon). Watch the human resource services website for details and online registration.
Dean, VP searches under way
In other business, executive vice president and provost Elizabeth Hoffman reported that the search for a new dean of veterinary medicine is under way, with campus visits likely in the fall, and that the search for a new vice president for extension and outreach is just beginning.
Hoffman also said that ISU officials are looking forward to another near-record enrollment this fall.
Tuition reimbursement deadline nears
In her report to the council, associate vice president for human resource services Carla Espinoza reminded P&S staff of the Aug. 15 application deadline for those who wish to seek tuition reimbursement for classes taken this fall.
Next meeting
The next P&S Council meeting is Thursday, Sept. 2 (2 p.m. Pioneer Room, Memorial Union). ISU Alumni Association president Jeff Johnson will be the featured speaker in an open forum preceding the meeting (noon, Campanile Room, MU).
