Iowa State undergraduates completing the athletic training program in May will receive a bachelor of science degree in athletic training, under a change approved Tuesday by the state Board of Regents.
Since the early 1980s, Iowa State had offered athletic training as an option in a more general bachelor's degree (in physical education, health and human performance, or kinesiology and health, depending on the era).
The accreditor of athletic training programs, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, mandated that all programs must be stand-alone degree programs to maintain accreditation, beginning with the 2014-15 academic year. Iowa State's program has been accredited since 2001. Graduation from an accredited program is a prerequisite to taking the test for certification by the National Athletic Trainers Association.
Financing the new football facility
The board approved Iowa State's request to sell up to $25.85 million in athletic facility revenue bonds to serve two purposes:
- Finance construction of the football program training facility, an estimated $20.6 million project already under way
- Refund in advance about $3.8 million in bonds sold in 2003 to partially finance the athletics department's Bergstrom practice facility
With a lower 3.158 percent interest rate, the 2012 bonds will save the athletics department more than $300,000 in interest on the latter project.
Flood recovery and reimbursement
Vice president for business and finance Warren Madden reported that Iowa State has received reimbursements for nearly 25 percent -- $10.1 million – of the $41.5 million in cleanup and mitigation costs following the Squaw Creek flood of Aug. 11, 2010. He told the board he learned recently that the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved another $1.5 million in initial cleanup expenses, which is not included in the $10.1 million figure.
"We'll continue to work through their (FEMA) processes, at their pace," he said, noting that 2011 summer storms created more demand for FEMA assistance and FEMA employees' time.
In other action, the regents:
- Welcomed president Steven Leath to his first board meeting. Leath said he and his wife, Janet, are "thrilled to be here." Expressing gratitude to the university's leadership team for a smooth transition and a good start, he said, "I've worked harder in the last few weeks than I've ever worked, and I enjoyed it more than I ever have."
- Approved an increase to the project budget for phase 1 of the Curtiss Hall renovation, up about $1.1 million, to $13.1 million. The addition (covered with university funds) would add 125 more window replacements and central AC for about 5,400 square feet, eliminating all remaining window air conditioners in the building. Phase 1 includes the Student Services Mall and Harl Commons on the ground level, window replacement and a building-wide sprinkler system.
- Approved a $12 million, 4-phase project to install a fire sprinkler system in Friley residence hall, home to more than 1,200 students. The work will be completed during the summers of 2012 through 2015. A heat and smoke detection system previously was phased in from 2007 to 2010. Dormitory system improvement funds will pay for the project.
- At the board's request, received oral updates from each regent institution's president or director on policies in place to protect children on their campus. Leath expressed confidence in Iowa State's policy review and said it is including considerations as varied as building access/security practices, employee background screenings and children in the workplace policies.
