Regents approve strategic facilities plan, industrial engineering building
Author: Anne Krapfl
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Author: Anne Krapfl
Iowa State's 30-year strategic facilities plan provides a framework for renewing and investing in existing buildings whenever possible and replacing them with modern spaces when it's not. It looks at both cost and sustainability considerations in making those decisions. Over the life of the plan, it would refresh 48% of outdated campus space and eliminate half of the university's deferred maintenance log -- currently at about $500 million.
The state Board of Regents approved the plan June 2 during its meeting in Iowa City.
In several enrollment scenarios, a campus space inventory indicates a need for academic and research space, an excess of office space, and adequate student and support spaces. One of the plan goals is to right-size those space assignments.
The plan focuses on four areas for renewal, each of which outlines buildings for renovation and demolition as well as sites for new construction:
The regents approved a budget ($54 million) and project description for the proposed Therkildsen Industrial Engineering Building for the industrial and manufacturing systems engineering department, the final green light required from the regents. The building will be located northwest of Beyer Hall and include teaching and research labs, classrooms, offices and a food cafe. Preliminary work begins later this summer to replace parking spots in Lot 3 this project will eliminate. Connecticut-based SLAM Collaborate is the design-build firm hired in 2019. The cost of the project will be covered by a $42 million gift from alumni C.G. "Turk" and Joyce McEwen Therkildsen and university funds.
Representatives from the three universities provided spring semester completion data among students and employees for an online training module, and summarized campus efforts to promote it. In February 2021, the board agreed to provide and require annual training on the First Amendment and free speech for the regent university campus communities. It launched during spring semester.
In response to an inquiry, board counsel Aimee Claeys said she doesn't anticipate the training module will be tweaked for fall semester.
"We'll review it over the summer," she added. "Training isn't static, and we want it to be accurate. As it needs to evolve, we'll be adaptable."
University |
Faculty and staff |
Students |
Iowa State |
81%* |
37% |
Iowa |
57%** |
35% |
Northern Iowa |
76% |
39% |
*Staff 86%, faculty 68%
**Non-health care employees 62%, health care employees 55%
Following its semi-annual performance evaluation of President Wendy Wintersteen, the board approved a $50,000 increase to her base salary, effective July 1, raising her annual salary to $650,000. The board also approved additional deferred compensation for two years (fiscal years 2023-24) of $40,000 annually. This is on top of previously awarded deferred compensation of $200,000 per year covering November 2020-June 2023, and $100,000 per year covering July 2021-June 2023.
"We're very pleased with our university leadership," said board president Michael Richards in announcing the compensation changes for the three campus leaders. "We want to continue with the same leadership team, and this is an indication of our willingness and interest in keeping a steady course as we go forward."
In other business, the regents: