Employee Tools

Parking Services is a division of the Department of Public Safety.  Most parking permits are virtual and can be obtained online through the Parking Portal.  You can also visit 27 Armory Building for in person questions.  

Find more details, prices, parking maps and the online portal through the Parking Division

An ISUCard (or ISU ID) is your staff identification (ID) card. The ISUCard carries your university ID number and photo. Your university ID number is not the same as your social security number, though it is unique to you and serves as the number that identifies you as a student, faculty, or staff member. 

Employees should obtain their ISU ID on their first day of employment.  You will need to visit the ISUCard Office in person with appropriate identification to have a photo taken and receive your card.  Find appropriate identification, location, office hours and more on the ISUCard website.

New to ISU? A campus tour or visit might be beneficial if you are brand new to ISU. You will learn about the university as well as tour the campus. You can schedule your own visit or work with your supervisor. Visits and tours are managed by the Office of Admissions Soults Family Visitor Center in the Memorial Union. You can also do a virtual tour to get to know the ISU campus from the comfort of your office!

Employee Benefits

New to ISU?

  • Employees have 31 days from their hire date to enroll, must wait for another qualifying event or annual open enrollment to make changes or enroll in benefits.
  • New employees should have an onboarding task in Workday regarding benefit sign up.
  • Employees can meet with a benefits specialist if they have questions.

Current ISU Employee?

  • Current employees will have the option to enroll in and/or change their benefit elections annually through a renewal period, typically in November, or within 31 days of a qualifying event.
  • Contact University Human Resources (UHR) for questions regarding your benefit elections, eligibility or other benefit related questions.

Staff traditionally have access to two types of PTO, vacation and sick. You are strongly encouraged to research your PTO options to ensure you are utilizing your leave options properly. 

Employees and their supervisors will request, approve and track time off requests in Workday.  

There are numerous Knowledge Base Articles available to assist.

In addition to traditional benefits, ISU offers other voluntary benefits and program access.  Below are a few options.

  • Adoption assistance: Employees participating in this program will be reimbursed up to $5,000 per adoption for qualifying expenses. For more information, see the adoption assistance program information on the UHR website.
  • Adventure2: UHR's well-being program incentivizes employees' health and wellness.
  • Long-Term Disability: Principal Financial Group offers ISU faculty and staff supplemental disability income insurance.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EPA): Available to all benefits-eligible employees and immediate family members, the employee assistance program (EAP) offers free counseling, life coaching, financial and legal consultations, elder care and child resources and more. A summary of EAP benefits can be found here.
  • Financial Wellness at Work: ISU employees can use financial wellness support services. Services include virtual workshops, one-on-one financial well-being consultations, and a small dollar loan program through Greater Iowa Credit Union.
  • Legal help: Employees enrolled in ISU life insurance have access to a variety of do-it-yourself legal forms, such as a will, living will, and power of attorney for both health care and financial matters through Principal and ARAG. Use the ISU group policy number (1116190) to sign up online.
  • Student loan repayment tool: TIAA provides a service to help employees identify programs that can reduce or eliminate their student loan debt. Savi sorts through more than 150 state and federal assistance options to propose personalized repayment and forgiveness plans based on income, family size, debt amount and employment history. Savi is offered through TIAA. Employees can sign up online. any time and don't need to be a TIAA client.
  • Travel assistance: Faculty and staff enrolled in ISU life insurance, along with their spouses and dependents, can use the AXA travel assistance program to assist with the challenges of travel when you are more than 100 miles away from home. Available services include medical referrals and transportation, interpretation services, lost item recovery, message delivery, political evacuation, and legal referrals. AXA also offers pre-trip planning resources. See the program website for details.
  • Tuition reimbursement: After one year of employment, ISU Merit and Professional and Scientific staff are eligible for tuition reimbursement for up to four credits of ISU coursework per semester (fall, spring, and summer). See UHR's website and the Merit and Professional & Scientific Tuition Reimbursement Program knowledge base article for more details and application information.

  • Blue365 - Employees with ISU health insurance can access Wellmark's Blue365, a service providing discounts on nutrition, health, fitness, travel and more. See the deals or sign up at the Blue365 website.
  • Car Rental Services: ISU employees can receive discounted Enterprise and National rental rates by accessing the Non-Business Iowa State University Leisure Program.
  • Computers: ISU Book Store sells Apple and Dell products to faculty and staff for personal use at a discount. As with all purchases at the ISU Book Store, there is no sales tax. See faculty and staff computer deals here.
  • Hearing aids: Employees enrolled in ISU life insurance can participate in Principal’s value added benefits and get discounts up to 48% off hearing aids, including rechargeable and Bluetooth options, with a 60-day trial to ensure full satisfaction. You can also receive a free hearing consultation at any of the 3,000+ locations nationwide. Administered by Start Hearing.
  • ISU Book Store: Purchase apparel, technology, books, and other ISU retail items and save on the sales tax. All purchases through the ISU Book Store are exempt from sales tax.
  • ISU Dining: Staff and Faculty can take advantage of ISU dining discounts by purchasing Dining Dollars and Meal Block Plans. Purchasing $200 or more of Dining Dollars can realize discounts of 5% to 10%. The Meal Block plan saves approximately 20% off the door rate.
  • ISU Alumni Association: Faculty and Staff of Iowa State University can purchase an ISU Alumni Association annual membership at a discounted rate of $45. Membership comes with a variety of benefits, including local and national discounts, an annual wall calendar, access to the Alumni director, discounted Alumni Center rentals, and Iowa Stater magazine (mailed three times per year).
  • Laser vision correction: Employees enrolled in ISU life insurance can participate in Principal’s value-added benefits and save $800 on LASIK with featured providers LasikPlus, TLC Laser Eye Centers, or The LASIK Vision Institute. Or receive 15% off standard pricing or 5% off promotional pricing on LASIK through the National Lasik Network's 600 locations.
  • Newspapers: Faculty and staff can access The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and other newspapers through the University Library.
  • Microsoft: ISU Book Store offers free licensing for Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus for faculty and staff personal use.
  • Office and computer supplies: Employees can sign up for personal accounts with ISU-contracted vendors to receive discounts and free shipping on office and computer supplies.
    • B&H – The EDU Advantage program is now open for all students and staff at accredited Universities/Colleges. Register for a personal account here. Staff should utilize their personal email address for this program. If you receive a declined notification, please email edumembership@bhphoto.com for assistance.
    • CDW – Sign up and shop from your personal account here.
    • ODP Business Solutions (formerly Office Depot Business Solutions) – University employees can register for an account that provides University contract pricing for personal purchases using a personal credit card. Register and shop from your personal account here.
  • Recreation Services: Faculty and staff can join Recreation Services at a reduced rate when an annual membership is purchased. Membership includes access to the fitness facilities at State Gym, Lied Recreation Athletic Center, and Beyer Hall. New faculty and staff may be eligible for a complimentary 7 Day Trial Membership.
  • Reiman Gardens: Faculty and staff receive 20% off any level of Reiman Gardens membership.
  • Vision: Employees can purchase an Avesis eyewear plan covering contact lenses and eyeglasses for a monthly premium. Discounts on eyeglasses and lenses are also available to those enrolled in Delta dental insurance. Both Delta and Avesis provide discounts on laser vision correction.

Additional Employee Resources