March 2021 Newsletter
Announcements
ORM FY20 annual report now available
FY20 was a year like no other. Read about program area impacts, project successes, and our roles in the university's COVID-19 response.
Reminder: events, gatherings and venues

If your department/unit or student organization is planning events or activities this spring, please visit the Events, Gatherings and Venues website. The site is your one-stop shop for current COVID-19 guidelines and policies related to registering and holding gatherings on campus.
New youth program leader training

For youth program leaders who have already completed Intro to Youth Program and Volunteer Registration System (YPVRS) training, we now offer a course to learn more about the features and capabilities of the YPVRS system. Visit our website to learn more about available training opportunities and to schedule a session.
New volunteer service opportunity registration system launched

Departments and units who oversee university volunteers will now be able to register or renew those service opportunities through the Youth Programs and Volunteer Registration system (YPVRS). The system streamlines the approval and background check processes and provides tracking and document retention capabilities to make managing volunteers easy and efficient. Visit our newly revamped volunteer website for more details.
ORM News
ORM receives COVID-19 exceptional effort award

The ORM team is among 52 individuals or teams to receive a COVID-19 Exceptional Effort Award. ORM was recognized "for untiring operational support of students, faculty and staff from the very first stages of the pandemic outbreak through to current contact tracing logistics."
ORM staff and COVID-19 response

Senior risk and systems analyst Kurt Beyer and international risk manager Shaun Jamieson oversee the university's contract tracing team. Read about their role in the university's COVID-19 response and what it took to build a first-in-the-state automated process that improved both efficiency and response time.
Spotlight on: Pierce Zanders
Pierce Zanders joined the ORM staff in May 2020 as an insurance and risk analyst. Pierce has the distinction of being the only current staff member who has never worked in the office, due to the pandemic.

My role:

I act as a liaison between our insurance broker and departments/units. I review certificates of insurance and contracts for proper coverage and accuracy, and purchase special event coverage for weddings, banquets and other events held on campus.

What I like best about working for ORM and ISU:

I enjoy working with the team because we're a melting pot of varying experiences and responsibilities. I REALLY love representing ISU out in the community also. My father has been a huge supporter of ISU since I was a baby and to be a part of the ISU family means everything to me.

Fun facts about me:

  • I really enjoy brewing my own beer in my spare time - IPAs, lagers and stouts.

  • My favorite color is red, as was my grandmother's, and I wear it all the time to honor her.