LOOKING AT THE PAY MATRIX
At its April meeting, the P&S Council approved a series of resolutions regarding the P&S staff pay matrix. In general, the resolutions

• initiate efforts to address the inconsistent effects of annual adjustments to the P&S pay matrix,
• request clarification of employee expectations for advancing through pay grades, and
• recommend revisions to the organization and statistical reporting methods of the HRS annual report on P&S salaries.

SUPPORTING MILEAGE RATE HIKES
The P&S Council also approved a resolution supporting ISU Extension's request to tie the university's mileage reimbursement rate to the IRS reimbursement rate.
See details about these and other actions of the P&S Council's April 2 meeting.

NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS ELECTED
Thank you to everyone who ran for council and/or voted in the recent election. Congratulations to new and re-elected council members:

Academic and Research

• Debbie Bahr, program coordinator, Institute for Social and Behavioral Research (Re-elected)
• Cathy Good, program coordinator, Agricultural Experiment Station (Re-elected)
• Mary Darrow, administrative specialist, Center for Designing Foods to Improve Nutrition (New)
• David Popelka, associate director, Academic Information Technologies (New)
• Bonnie Whalen, business manager, Academic Information Technologies (New)

External Affairs

• Barbara McManus, communication specialist, Ag Communications (Re-elected)

Extension

• Beverly Peters, Franklin County extension education director (Re-elected)

Business and Finance

• Patricia 'Ann' Doty, program coordinator and retirement information specialist, Human Resource Services (Re-elected)

Student Affairs

• Yanira Pacheco, program assistant, Minority Student Affairs (New)

IPRT/Ames Lab

• Steve Karsjen, director, IPRT/Ames Lab Public Affairs (New)

WHAT SHOULD THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR LOOK LIKE?
President Gregory Geoffroy is encouraging P&S staff to join faculty and students in providing input about proposals for the next academic calendar. Four calendar options are on the table. Some of the proposed changes (e.g., lengthening the winter break and offering an abbreviated "winter session") are significant. A summary of the proposals is on the Web.

An online survey gives you an opportunity to review details of the four proposals and indicate your preferences. Please complete the survey by 5 p.m. Friday, April 25.

Geoffroy emphasizes that input from P&S staff will be "extremely helpful." He will analyze input and the merits of the calendar proposals over the summer, update the campus community at the beginning of next fall, and seek additional input before reaching a final decision.

MEET THE PROVOST
On Wednesday, April 23, 3:30-5:00 p.m., Ben Allen, Iowa State's new Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, will address the university community in the Memorial Union's Gallery. In an open forum, Allen will discuss his vision regarding the university's academic programs and his role in achieving that vision. This will be a great opportunity to meet the provost and ask questions.

MANAGE YOUR MEDS
Also on April 23, Iowa State is teaming up with Mary Greeley Medical Center and McFarland Clinic to sponsor a free prescription medication forum. The forum, which is open to the public from 7 to 9 p.m. in Benton Auditorium, will feature a panel of professionals including medical directors from Wellmark and Health Alliance and a pharmacist from Mary Greeley. Send questions regarding prescription drugs in advance to Mark Power, chair of the University Benefits Committee, who will moderate the forum:
Send e-mail to: Mark Power.

P&S OPEN FORUMS
STUDENT-FOCUSED INITIATIVES AT THE MAY 1 OPEN FORUM
Thirteen student recruitment and retention projects were funded in 2002-2003 by grants from the P&S Council. Four of them will be highlighted at the next P&S open forum on Thursday, May 1, noon-1:00 p.m., in the Memorial Union Gallery. These presentations are always fun and often spark ideas for other recruitment and retention initiatives. Bring your lunch and join us.

DID YOU MISS BRUCE VAN DE VELDE'S PRESENTATION?
Streaming video of the April 2 forum by Bruce Van De Velde, ISU athletic director, is online.