Ben Allen back on ISU campus, won’t live in the Knoll

Former Iowa State University Provost and University of Northern Iowa President Ben Allen returned to Ames last week to transition into his role as interim ISU president.

With Steven Leath in the next few weeks scheduled to depart for Auburn University in Alabama, where he'll become that school's 19th president, Allen, 70, has agreed to assume the presidential duties from May 9 until the university finds a permanent replacement - which tentatively is expected in early October, according to a search timeline.

While on campus, Allen won't live in the Knoll - the presidential residence - due to $834,481 in renovations planned for the property. The board made as much clear in its offer letter to Allen, committing instead to 'provide and pay all costs associated with a temporary residence in Ames, including, but not limited to: furnishings, rent, utilities, phone and internet service, and cable television.”

The university also is covering all moving costs, as Allen and his wife have been living in St. Louis since he retired as UNI president in 2013.

ISU spokesman John McCarroll confirmed the university has arranged temporary housing in Ames for the couple. But Allen has not yet submitted moving or living expenses, so those associated costs remain unknown.

His salary for the transition period, which began April 17, and as interim president is $525,000 - equal to Leath's base pay. Allen's employment letter stipulates he'll devote 'full-time attention and energies to the duties of interim president.”

Although he serves on the Heartland Express, Inc. board of directors and might be required to provide services for that entity during his presidential appointment, the letter notes that won't be considered a conflict of interest - so long as it complies with board and university policies.

By signing the letter, Allen committed not to 'engage in any activity that may be competitive with or adverse to the best interests of the board or the university.”

Upgrades keeping Allen out of the Knoll - the 13,342-square-foot presidential residence, used annually to host thousands for university-supported events - are moving forward, according to Jeff Witt, utilities services director and interim associate vice president in facilities and planning management.

Work is scheduled to start the week of May 8, after commencement. Crews expect to wrap their work in late September - before a new president arrives, according to the newly-released timeline.

Administrators notified the Board of Regents in October 2013 of its plan to spend $110,000 on upgrades to sidewalks, patios, and outdoor lighting at the Knoll, along with $95,000 for plantings and trees on its grounds.

While designing that work, Iowa State identified a need to replace the public entrance stairs and its front entry ramp, in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. It also sought - among other things - to add a four-season porch and a deck to the garden room, upping the project cost to $730,998.

In August 2016, administrators again revised the Knoll modifications project budget after crews determined 'design elements within the scope of work were not clearly defined and therefore the estimate did not properly reflect the scope of work,” according to ISU spokeswoman Annette Hacker.

The new project budget of $834,481 - reflecting additional design expenses - is being funded through ISU Foundation gifts earmarked for the renovations. No general university funds - including state appropriations or student fees - are being used for the work, according to Board of Regents spokesman Josh Lehman.

Although Iowa State notified the regents of their planned work on the Knoll, board approval wasn't necessary because the project's budget did not reach a $1 million threshold, Lehman said.

The Knoll, first constructed in 1901, last was updated before Leath arrived in 2012. At that time, the university spent $375,000 in unrestricted private foundation donations on upgrades including bathroom remodeling, window and carpet replacement, interior and exterior painting, and driveway repair.

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