Board of Regents Meetings

Regents approve development plan for six more CyTown buildings

• Approval clears the way for the developer, Goldenrod, to sign tenant agreements for the two office and retail buildings, two suite buildings, a food and beverage anchor building and an amphitheater. A proposed seventh building project, a hotel, still is in the design phase.
• Board members elected new leaders: Robert Cramer to serve as president and Kurt Tjaden to serve as president pro tem through April 30, 2026, completing the leadership terms of Sherry Bates and Greta Rouse, respectively.
• Board approved Iowa State's request to designate President Wendy Wintersteen as president emerita, effective on her Jan. 2 retirement date.
• Bates directed the investment and finance committee, chaired by Tjaden, to lead a comprehensive review of additional revenue streams and cost efficiencies across all regent universities and outside the "normal funding sources," give regular progress updates to the board and make recommendations to the board. 

Regent study team makes headway on education value questions

• Board staff members summarize seven-month study on measuring how specific academic programs align with state workforce needs. A primary work product is a public dashboard that includes all programs at the three regent universities.
• Study included three focuses: Alignment of majors to specific occupations, return on investment of specific majors, identify low-enrollment programs, with recommendations in each area.
• Regents asked that work continue, staff provides more information at February meeting.

Regents learn more about three-year degree options

• Key consideration: More first-year students arrive with college credits (some with nearly two semesters' worth).
• Iowa State has an accelerated degree programs website (listed by college); departments and admissions team collaborate to promote them.
• Not all programs are a good fit for an accelerated pathway and some students prefer a four-year college experience.
• In final meeting for President Wendy Wintersteen, board thanks her for her service, dedication.
• David Spalding appointed interim president (Jan. 3-March 1, 2026); monthly housing allowance ($8,000) approved for incoming president David Cook. The Knoll will be used for public events and further assessed for a renovation.
• Biennial free speech survey to be distributed to all regent university faculty, staff and students during Jan-Feb 2026.
• ISU receives permission to begin planning for two major projects: Phase 1 of a replacement food production facility for ISU Dining (estimated $20.5 million-$23 million); renovation of the natatorium (pool room) portion of State Gym (estimated $20 million-$22 million).
• Regents' tuition guarantee program study group submitted its report (mandated by the 2025 Iowa Legislature and due Nov. 30 to the Legislature and Gov. Kim Reynolds).
• Approved leases: Alumni Center (ISU-ISU Foundation), State Avenue land lease for fire station (ISU-City of Ames).

State data suggests another year of enrollment growth

• Board staff member Jason Pontius' annual presentation on HS student data and college enrollment expectations.
• Based on state K-12 enrollment data, regent universities would hit the bottom of the state enrollment "trough" in fall 2029, when numbers could mirror fall 2022 enrollments.
• Regent universities' success at recruiting out-of-state students, particularly first-year undergraduates, has offset declines in international graduate students and community college transfer students and the impact of stronger graduation rates to keep enrollment trending up.
• More first-year students arrive with college credits, including lots of 100-level credits, not all of which will apply to degree programs.

High school graduate numbers present a challenge for colleges

• Annual enrollment report to the regents by board staff member Jason Pontius. Highlights:
• Iowa's pool of high school graduates will remain relatively stable in the next decade, which is good news. Historically, most of them stay in state for college.
• What is shifting is the number of high school graduates whose post-high school plans are to forego college and join the workforce.
• There's little data on a fairly new subset of Iowa high school graduates: (mostly) males who aren't college students and aren't employed.
• Over the next 10-12 years, Iowa high school graduation numbers will reflect a decline in White students and growth in Hispanic and Black student numbers, populations which historically showed lower college-going rates.
• Challenges to, and helpful trends favoring, Iowa's regent universities.

Regents approve plan to comply with DEI law

• Iowa State announces four key changes to comply with 2024 SF 2435: Programming associated with the Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success will be discontinued; Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) will be renamed the Iowa State Conference on Research, Opportunity, Equality and Excellence in Education, and its scope broadened to comply with the law; three staff associated with these two units will have their roles broadened to support success for all students; and the multicultural student success job profile will be discontinued and nine college staff in that profile reclassified.
• The majority of Iowa State units, programs, positions and spaces complied with the law or were otherwise exempt and may continue operating.
• Story includes five Q&A.
• Regents also approve professional development experiences during fiscal year 2026 for 43 ISU faculty members.

Rural economy, Iowa businesses would benefit from new state support

• Wintersteen presents FY26 state funding requests totaling $11.8 million to regents. The seven requests are grouped around two focus areas: Enhancing Iowa's rural economy ($10 million) and supporting Iowa businesses ($1.8 million). There's no request for an increase to the general university operating support.
• Board president Sherry Bates said a board staff-directed review of offices and positions doing work related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on the three regent campuses will conclude by Dec. 31. This review is in response to the 2024 Iowa Legislature's passing of Senate File 2435, which restricts DEI efforts at the universities, beginning July 1, 2025.

It's official: College of Health and Human Sciences

• New name approved for the former College of Human Sciences.
• Increases to health and dental insurance premiums for the 2025 plan year (to both employee and employer portions).
• Administrative Services Building renamed Warren Madden Building for the alumnus and retired senior vice president for business and finance who served the university for 50 years.
• Approval of new academic programs: B.S. in game design (second approved 'degree of the future'), B.S. in education studies.
• FY24 completion rates (students, faculty/staff) announced for regents' required First Amendment training.
• Approved budget and project description for phase 1 of the National Testing Facility for Enhancing Wind Resiliency of Infrastructure in Tornado-Downburst-Gust-front Events (NEWRITE) in Howe Hall.
• Approved revised plans and budgets for three previously approved projects: Stange Road reconstruction between 13th Street and Blankenburg Drive in summer 2025, three-phased expansion of the Lloyd Large Animal Hospital, addition of dining room and food service upgrades to a "back of house" renovation completed during summer 2024 in the Seasons Marketplace, Maple Willow Larch Commons.

Operating budget grows by nearly 5%

• Regents approve Iowa State FY25 operating budget: $802.3 million, an increase of $34.7 million over a year ago
• New funds: Student tuition (+$27.8 million), General university appropriation (+$4.3 million), administrative costs recovery on externally funded research (+$2.2 million) and three special purpose state appropriations (+$0.35 million)
• University priorities for the additional funding: Employee salaries and benefits, student financial aid, building repairs and equipment purchases
• Bigger picture: Overall FY25 university budget: $1.7 billion. Other pieces (totaling $919.8 million) are auxiliary units that receive no state support (for example, athletics, residence, utilities, recreation services) and activities whose funding is restricted for a specific purpose (for example, building projects, private gifts, sponsored research).

Regents approve CYTown agreements

• First building in CYTown: land lease agreement between Iowa State and McFarland Clinic, Memorandum of Understanding between Iowa State and city of Ames
• 2024-25 tuition rates approved, student leaders provide oral comments prior to vote
• FY25 salary policy: Approved for Merit staff, TBD for all other employees
• Approved: 3% market adjustment to the P&S pay grade structure, effective July 1
• Salary increase for President Wendy Wintersteen: $60,000 (9.2%)
• Final meeting for student regent Abby Crow, UI. Two board vacancies: Crow, Richards.

Review: Regent schools' admissions index is working

• Biennial review of RAI shows it's a good predictor of success in college
• Faculty Senate, P&S Council leaders present comments preceding board's June discussion on FY 2025 salary policy
• DEI directives: University presidents present their campus response
• Board elects officers (president, president pro-tem) to two-year terms: Sherry Bates and Greta Rouse
• Approval of two ISU degree programs for fall 2024: Master of Digital Health in the kinesiology department and Bachelor of Arts in sports media and communication in the Greenlee School
• Approval of Mary Sirna appointment (director of equal opportunity, Title IX coordinator)
• Approval of expansion ($9.2 million) to large animal wing, Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center
• Approval of parking permit rates for FY 2025
• Approval of dining (5% increase), student housing (6.5%) rates for 2024-25
• Summary of February 2024 distribution of regents' free speech survey, its second distribution (also Nov 2021)

Congratulations, faculty promotion recipients

• Tenure and/or promotions for 66 tenure-track faculty (approved by the regents)
• Promotions for 56 term faculty (approved by President Wendy Wintersteen)

Regents elect Sherry Bates to lead the board

• Regent (and president pro tem) Sherry Bates will serve as board president through April 30; Greta Rouse to serve as president pro tem.
• First reading on proposed 2024-25 rates for residence (average increase of 6.5%), dining (5%).
• Approved: Master of Science in Applied Statistics, to be offered through Iowa State Online beginning in spring 2025.
• First reading on proposed 3% increase to parking permits for campus lots, Memorial Union ramp for FY 2025.
• Approved: revisions to board policy manual required to implement regents' DEI directives (November 2023) 4a, 4b, 5, 7 and 10.
• Permission granted to begin planning on two ISU building projects: Series of additions (in three phases) to the large animal wing of the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center to expand reproductive services, primarily for horses, and equine sports medicine services; and two NSF-funded research facilities (prototype and full-scale) for studying the impact of tornadoes, derechos and other severe downbursts of wind.
• Approved: athletics department's $16 million proposal to replace the sound systems and all video displays at Jack Trice Stadium, Hilton Coliseum, Lied Center and Cyclone Sports Complex.
• Approved: Issuance of $12.28 million in ISU Facilities Corp. revenue bonds to cover the costs to renovate the east end of the ground and first floors in the Scheman Building for flexible event space branded for the athletics department.

LeBaron Hall replacement plan gets the green light

• Building schematics (30,000 square feet) and project budget ($39 million) approved.
• $12 million renovation plan approved for east end of Scheman Building (led by athletics department).
• $2.45 million renovation approved for Seasons Marketplace, Maple Willow Larch commons.
• Plan approved to remodel the indoor tennis complex on South Dakota Avenue for the Cyclone volleyball program's training facility. (New plan for the tennis program: ISU Research Park purchases Ames Racquet and Fitness Center's four-court facility and expands it.)
• Prototype of student data dashboard required by the 2023 Legislature in House File 135.
• Requests for state operating support for fiscal year 2025.
• Results of special retirement incentive option for LAS faculty: 17 participated.
• Approved for discontinuation: B.A. in speech communications due to declining student interest (3-year phase-out).

State grants assist eligible students in targeted degree programs

• Approved lists of bachelor's degree programs will train students for a set of high-demand jobs that meet criteria in spring 2023 legislation.
• Tuition and fee increases for 2023-24 academic year: 3.5% for ISU resident undergraduates, 4% for nonresident undergraduates and all graduate students, 3.8-5% for DVM students. Mandatory fees will go up $60 (to at least $1,515).
• Student leaders offered comments to board members prior to their vote on the tuition and fee increases.
• Three years added to a year-old pilot for an incentive program that rewards Vet Med faculty who provide veterinary clinical services.
• Vet Med complex named for alumnus Frederick Douglass Patterson.
• Regents completed annual performance evaluation of President Wendy Wintersteen and announced compensation changes.
• Bachelor of science in biophysics ended, due to low student interest.
• Two previously approved remodeling projects at the Memorial Union (second and third floors) were merged into one, allowing for one contractor and a single construction schedule.
• Final regents meeting to include oversight of the Iowa School for the Deaf and Iowa Educational Services for the Blind. On July 1, 2023, they become part of the state Department of Education.

Regents propose tuition, fee increases

• First reading of proposed tuition increases for 2023-24 academic year: At ISU, a 3.5% increase ($304) for resident undergraduates, 4% increases for nonresident undergraduates and all graduate students, and 3.8% (nonresidents) to 5% (resident students) increases for DVM students. Proposal reflects Legislature's mostly flat operating support for regents universities in FY24.
• Ivy College of Business seeks permission to phase in, over three years, differential tuition rates for its sophomore students to align with rates for junior and senior business students.
• Mandatory fees: Proposed increase of $60 (4.1%), to at least $1,515 (students in specific programs pay a higher technology fee).
• University and program-specific fees: ISU seeks $15 increase to the undergraduate application fee, 3.5-4% increase in the per-credit-hour rate for continuing education courses, $95 increase (to $290) to the New Student Programs fee, and $120 increase (to $250) to the one-time university records and documents fee.
• Decisions will be made at June 14 board meeting.

Regents approve promotions for 75 faculty members

• P&T cases, including 43 cases of promotion to associate professor with tenure, tenure-only awards for three associate professors and 29 promotions to full professor for tenured faculty.
• Two degree programs approved: online Master of Accounting Analytics, Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural communications.
• 3% increase to parking permit rates for the fiscal year that begins July 1 (increases of 7.5%-9.2% for Memorial Union ramp permits).
• Residence system rate increases approved: 2.9% increase to most hall and apartment rates and a 5% increase to 25- and 50-meal plans and academic year plans. On average, a room-meal package will go up 3.9%.
• Closing of four ISU centers approved: Biobased Industry Center, Center for Metabolic Biology, Iowa Center for Advance Neurotoxicology and the Center for Earthworks Engineering Research.

Regents' DEI review likely to take several months

• The board's regular meeting in November is the tentative target for the group to present its findings and recommendations to the full board. Regents David Barker, Jim Lindenmayer and Greta Rouse are leading the review.
• Comments from Faculty Senate president Jon Perkins and P&S Council president Jamie Sass on FY24 salary policy.
• Approval on three ISU building projects: To install donated and discounted feed mill and grain processing equipment ($11.2 million) at the new $24 million grain science complex on the Curtiss Farm; begin planning for an estimated $23 million addition to the southeast corner of the Lied Recreation Athletic Center to benefit the Cyclone track and wrestling programs; build seven teaching labs for textile sciences in the Human Nutritional Sciences Building, permanently replacing and modernizing current labs in the adjacent LeBaron Hall.

On the rise: Student numbers in campus housing

• Students living on campus expected to climb above 10,000 within 2 years; Wilson Hall reopening fall 2023 as single rooms.
• First read: Housing and dining rates for 2023-24, most room rates would go up 2.9%, meal packs 3.9-5%.
• First read: Parking permit rates for FY2024 to go up 3%.
• President Mike Richards: Statement on two regent-related changes in Gov. Kim Reynolds' proposal to restructure state government (governance of Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council and Iowa School for the Deaf/Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired would transfer to state Department of Education).
• Permission to begin planning an estimated $10 million-$12 million in renovations to the lower two floors of Scheman Building.
• Permission to begin offering in fall 2023 a B.S. in biomedical engineering.
• Plans to award two honorary degrees at spring 2023 commencement: Trudy Huskamp Peterson, 1967 alumna and first woman archivist of the United States; and Temple Grandin, distinguished professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University, animal welfare pioneer and activist for people with autism.
• Seven new members in ISU's 10 peer institutions.
• Permission to close two centers, effective May 31: Plant Genomics Center and Plant Transformation Center.

University, private sources pressed for student aid

A look at undergraduate financial aid at Iowa State: Reliance on university, private resources as federal, state aid programs' capacity to cover education costs diminishes.

Memorial Union projects could begin next summer

• Professional development assignment proposals (FY24) approved for 41 ISU faculty
• Two more MU renovation projects approved: Second floor Col. Pride Lounge area and third floor offices between bookstore and parking ramp
• CYTown lot infrastructure improvements approved
• Approved: Nevada property sale, farmland property purchase adjacent to Ag450 farm, and 15-year lease with ISU Research Park for 81,500 square feet in a yet-to-be-constructed Ag Innovation Lab facility

Iowa high school grad numbers are robust; inclination to attend college less so

• Board staff member Jason Pontius' presentation: Iowa public high school graduate numbers increased about 3% in the last decade and should hold steady for a decade. For a variety of reasons, graduates are showing less interest or less ability to attend college.
• Board staff (Rachel Boon): Pilot project starting spring 2023 with school districts served by Mississippi River Bend AEA: Reach out to HS juniors who would qualify for admission to a regent university if they applied.

Leaders share priorities for additional state support next year

• Iowa State would invest its requested $12 million in five priority areas.
• Regents add $1 million to overall appropriations request to address student mental health on the three campuses.
• ISU capital request for FY24: Veterinary Diagnostic Lab phase 2 ($62.5 million over four years, FY 2024-27).
• Inflationary increases for two previously approved projects: Therkildsen Industrial Engineering Building and Union Drive Marketplace dining center renovation.
• 20-year lease with Ames Racquet and Fitness for indoor, outdoor courts for use by Cyclone tennis team. 

Regents approve 4.25% tuition increase for 2022-23

• Lone exception to 4.25%: Tuition for veterinary medicine (DVM) students will go up 5%.
• Mandatory student fee package will increase $145 (11%), to $1,455.
• Iowa State completes a four-year effort to simplify dozens of differential tuition rates into two categories. For resident undergraduates this fall, the two differentials are $1,794 and $2,928.

Regents propose 4.25% tuition increase for this fall

• Increase % would be the same for resident and nonresident undergrads and grads
• Vet Med tuition proposed increase is 5% for residents and 3.5% for nonresidents
• Three-year process to align ISU differential tuitions into two groups is complete
• Mandatory fee package proposed increase is 11% ($145 increase)
• Student leaders provide comments to regents

Nine priority projects will jump-start next strategic plan

• 2022-31 strategic plan approved
• Wintersteen announces nine high-priority, high-impact projects will jump-start the plan prior to first annual strategic process

Regents approve strategic facilities plan, industrial engineering building

• 30-year strategic facilities plan succeeds 1991 campus master plan
• Budget ($54 million) and project description for Therkildsen Industrial Engineering Building (green light for construction)
• Final campus tallies for spring semester free-speech training
• Annual evaluation, compensation increases for President Wendy Wintersteen
• New B.S. program in healthcare management (management and entrepreneurship dept.)
• Three-year pilot to cover adoption expenses for benefits-eligible employees
• Planning may begin for estimated $25 million project to improve Iowa State Center lots ($6 million for infrastructure, $19 million to raise lots above 100-year flood plain and resurface)

Regents updated on free speech survey, training

• Regents' free speech survey (November 2021 distribution) response rates and highlights
• Participation rates (to date) on regents' free speech training (May 13 deadline to complete)
• Proposed parking permit rates for FY23 (ISU lots and MU ramp), approximately 4% hike
• Proposed student housing and dining rates for FY23, approximately 3% hike
• Public radio call signs and FCC licenses transferred from universities/regents to Iowa Public Radio
• Two new ISU centers approved: Translational AI Research and Education Center, Center for Wireless, Communities and Innovation
• Permission to begin planning for Phase 2 of Vet Diagnostic Lab (Phase 1 to be completed Fall 2023)
• New budget ($9.1 million) for 330-stall RV lot for football fans
• Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters approved for alumnus Daniel Houston, Principal Financial Group
• Naming of turkey facility for alumnus and former faculty member Stanley Balloun

Regents approve adjustment to P&S pay matrix

• March 1 effective date for 6% adjustment
• About 200 employees are directly impacted (salary falls below new minimum or back within new maximum); Oct. 1 deadline to bring salaries up to new minimums 

Standardized test score dropped from admission requirement

• National standardized test (ACT or SAT) will be permanently option for admission to a regent university. (Requires changing Iowa Administrative Code)
• Automatic admission remains option for resident applicants with an ACT/SAT score.
• Richards: Fall semester guidelines for COVID-19 campus operations remain in place for spring semester.

Regents approve launch of free speech survey

• Biennial survey for all regent employees and students distributed for first time Nov. 9; annual training module to roll out spring semester.
• President Richards receives authority to provide direction to schools for state, federal COVID-19 mandates.
• Annual enrollment report: This fall marked fifth straight year of declining enrollment across all three regent universities (and reasons why).
• Comments to board from ISU faculty senate officers Andrea Wheeler and Jon Perkins, RE: communications, collaboration among regents and regent faculty.
• 2022-23 faculty professional development requests approved (38 ISU faculty).
• 20-year lease agreement between ISU and Alliant Energy for solar farm.
• Final approval: Athletics department plans for two parking lots: RV lot for football game days, and enlarging and connecting the lots north of Scheman and west of Fisher Theater.

Faculty workweek report reflects pandemic shifts

• Survey administered spring 2021, asks faculty to track their work time for one complete week.
• Pandemic didn't change how many hours Iowa State faculty work in a week, but it did tweak how they spent that time.
• Faculty time spent on classroom teaching/preparation dropped by a half to two-thirds, to be replaced by time spent in online teaching and preparation -- a subcategory that existed previously -- and hybrid teaching and preparation, a subcategory that did not.
• Tenured and tenure-track faculty reported spending an hour more in the week on instruction-related activities than two years ago, and a little less time in professional development and administrative or service activities.

Free speech training, survey are in the works

• Regent universities, Iowa CCs jointly hire firm to produce training module for annual use; goal is to have it ready for use early in spring semester.
• Committee of board staff, university staff are developing a survey, to be administered every other year to all employees and students.
• Building naming approval: Therkildsen Industrial Engineering, for alumni C.G. "Turk" and Joyce Therkildsen, who are providing the lead gift ($42 million) for the new facility for the industrial and manufacturing systems engineering department.
• Approval for two building requests: Replace all external office windows at the College of Design, $2.85 million, starts in spring 2022; begin planning for addition(s) to Town Engineering, estimated $25 million, to be covered 100% by private gifts.
• FY23 requests for state support: $8.4 million in new operating funds, multi-year support for Veterinary Diagnostic Lab addition ($60.8 million request) and LeBaron Hall replacement ($18.9 million request).
• Permission to close four research programs: Center for International Agricultural Finance, Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, Center for Arthropod Management Technologies and Center for Nanotechnology in Cementitious Systems.

Senate leaders take COVID-19 concerns to regents

• President Andrea Wheeler: Give instructors full authority in their classrooms to require masks, for pedagogical and health reasons.
• President-elect Jon Perkins: The board has failed to "meaningfully reduce the risk to faculty" of COVID-19.

Regents confirm fall tuition rates

• Second and final reading: 3.5% tuition increase for the 2021-22 academic year for resident undergraduates and a 3.9% increase for all others.
• Student financial literacy tool, CashCourse, no longer will be free in fall 2022; regent universities will decide to purchase a membership or replace CashCourse with another tool.
• Permission granted to begin planning an estimated $35 million-$40 million modernization of about one-fourth of Gilman Hall, to be funded with private gifts and university funds.
• Permission to offer a master of healthcare analytics and operations in the Ivy College of Business.

FY22 budget contains reallocations, additional revenue

• Board approves FY22 operating budgets. $21.9 million in incremental revenue:  $16.7 million in tuition, $1.9 million in cost recovery on research, $1 million in interest income and just over $2 million in state appropriations for specific purposes.
• FY22 state appropriations for building projects: $11.375 million for Student Innovation Center, year six of an adjusted seven years of support; and $12.5 million for the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, year four of six years of support
• Report on Iowa State's 2021 retirement incentive option: Savings estimated at $42 million over its three-year span, including $14.6 million across the university in FY22. A total of 318 employees participated.

Regents propose 3.5-3.9% tuition increases for fall

• 3.5% tuition increase for resident undergraduates this fall (3.9% increase for all others). Increases are higher for upper division students in academic programs that assess supplemental tuition to cover higher instructional costs.
• Mandatory student fee package would increase about 2.8% ($36).
• A three-year plan to align differential tuitions into just two levels, stalled by last year's tuition freeze, would be completed during 2021-22, with one exception.
• Second reading and vote is anticipated at the July 28 meeting.

Regents will begin tuition discussion yet this month

• Updates on free speech initiatives: mandatory syllabus statements, designated free speech websites, preparing 15-20 minute digital training course on First Amendement and free speech for university use this fall.
• Department merger approved: Entomology and plant pathology into: plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, effective fall 2022.
• Gift of Story County farm from Hill family; possible new site for ISU swine teaching farm.
• Six new degree programs for fall 2021: bachelor of business administration, bachelor of science in human resource management, bachelor of science in education as a second major only, master of arts in teaching (secondary education), master of arts in teaching (math education), and master of science in artificial intelligence.
• Fourth 10-year CyRide agreement (through June 2031) among the university, ISU student government and the city of Ames; no content changes to the agreement.
• President Wendy Wintersteen salary and deferred compensation adjustments.

Regents direct employees back to campus by July 1

• Repeal of March 2020 "state of emergency" on regent university campuses.
• Face coverings and physical distancing aren't required on campus; exceptions are buses, human and animal health care facilities, and research labs.
• Effective immediately, campus spaces, including classrooms, will return to their normal capacity levels.
• Effective for fall semester, academic coursework and experiences will be offered in person similar to pre-pandemic levels.

Regents approve faculty promotions

• Promotion and/or tenure for 69 ISU faculty members
• Board president: There will be no regents system mandate for COVID-19 vaccinations
• Salary increase comments fron P&S Council, Faculty Senate presidents (submitted in writing)
• Board approves: cleanup budget for Ross Hall, replacement plan for last two coal boilers
• No increase to parking permit rates for 2021-22
• Planning may begin for new or expanded parking lots around Iowa State Center (athletics dept projects)
• Student residence, dining rates approved for 2021-22
• ISU receives 389-acre farmland gift in Worth County
• Names changes at ISU: sociology and criminal justice, Center for Cybersecurity Innovation and Research

• Approval of 10 recommendations from ad-hoc Free Speech Committee (regents Leist, Boettger and Barker conducted a 3-month best practices study among colleges and universities)
• Gateway bridge over University Boulevard east of stadium gets final board approval
• FY22 parking permit rates get first read: No change to permit fee; 25 cents/hour increase in metered lots
• Residence department annual report and first read on housing, dining rates for FY22, four residence halls to start 2021-22 academic year shuttered due to lower demand
• Third budget increase approved for poultry teaching and research facility (up $2.4 million, to $9.2 million), to enlarge turkey facility and purchase equipment and biosecurity systems for the chicken facility
• 14-year-old Regent Admission Index will be reviewed by inter-institutional team to study whether it still meets the state's need
• Approval of two leases: St. John, Virgin Islands property for horticulture department's EARTH program and with U.S. Cellular for more light pole-mounted communication equipment at Iowa State Center, east recreation fields and Vet Med college to improve cell phone reception and data speeds

Regents ask for attention to free speech, efficiencies

• Spring 2021 tuition won't go up
• University presidents will report on free speech protection at February meeting; regents president Richards says board won't tolerate violations of the board's 2019 free speech policy. Board 3-member task force also will prepare a higher ed "best practices" report on guarding the First Amendment in higher education.
• ACT/SAT admissions requirement waived through 2021-22 admissions cycle
• Regents Barker, Dunkel present about two dozen recommendations for possible collaborations, greater efficiency among the regent universities; board will return to this at February meeting
• 2021-22 professional development assignments approved for 29 ISU faculty
• Athletics' sports performance center is named for supporters Richard and Joan Stark and family
• Budget ($2.1 million), project scope expanded for SE glass wall system at Parks Library
• Economics department's Iowa Community Vitality Center will close Dec. 31 (director retired in August) 

Regents approve 20-month building moratorium

• FY22 funding request to state is +$18 million (ISU portion is $7 million), restoration of operating funds cut for FY21
• Sole capital request for FY22 is $30 million for deferred maintenance (Iowa State's share is $11.4 million)
• Through June 2022, campus building projects involving state funding can't add square footage to campus (recommended by regents' efficiencies task force)
• FY22 athletics budgets approved
• ISU building projects approved: $1.9 million budget increase to Student Innovation Center for audio-visual equipment in four areas, plan (no budget) to replace the HVAC and bump out north and south concourses at Hilton Coliseum, $2.8 million budget increase to feed mill/grain science complex at Curtiss farm due to higher-than-expected design and construction costs, permission to begin planning to renovate all the bathrooms in Helser and Friley residence halls, home to more than 1,900 students.

Preview story

New budget reflects $41 million revenue swing

• Board approves FY21 university budgets; athletics budgets postponed to September meeting

Retirement incentive plan clears regents

• Window for Iowa State RIO is Aug. 3, 2020-March 1, 2021, with retirement required by June 30, 2021
• President Wintersteen is among regent leaders requesting salary reduction in FY21 to meet smaller budgets
• Appointments approved for 4 ISU leaders: Pam Elliott Cain, Toyia Younger, Kristen Constant and Kristi Darr

Preview story 1   

Preview story 2 (women leaders announcement)

Regents hope for open, safe campuses this fall

• President Mike Richards: Regents' goal for fall is that universities can offer a full campus experience
• No tuition increases for 2020-21 for all ISU students (spring semester could be revisited in the fall)
• University representatives named to academic, administrative subgroups of regents' 6-month efficiency advisory group
• FY21 salary policy approved
• Department name changed approved in Ivy College of Business: Management and entrepreneurship
• New degree program approved in Graduate College: M.A. in teaching history
• ISU plans approved to replace its last two coal-fired boilers with natural gas units, goal is to generate cost savings and enhance value of the whole system for possible partnership with a private utility company

Preview

Regents propose flat tuition for fall

• First reading for no increases to tuition, mandatory fees for 2020-21. Board could revisit spring semester rates in the fall, if new information is available
• University presidents outline costs, lost revenue due to COVID-19 pandemic
• President Richards announces advisory group (four board members) to look for opportunities for collaboration among the three universities with a goal of efficiency, cost savings. Recommendations due at November board meeting.
• Bond sale: $17.6 million of ISU dormitory revenue refunding bonds to refund three previous sales of dormitory revenue refunding bonds in 2010 and 2011

Regents greenlight faculty P&T requests

• P&T requests approved for 98 ISU faculty
• Data on faculty ranks: 2017-18 through 2019-20
• Vet Diagnostic Lab: Final approval on budget and schematic design
• Approval of compensation structure for new P&S classification/compensation system
• Parking permit increases for FY 21 (ISU Parking division and Memorial Union ramp)
• Student residence hall and apartment rates for two summers and 2020-21 academic year
• New undergraduate major approved: B.S. in environmental engineering
• Honorary doctoral degrees for ISU alumni Subra Suresh and Beth Ford
• Sale of Fick Observatory property in Boone County
• Mike Richards, Patty Cownie re-elected to two-year terms as board president, president pro-tem

Music Hall is named for Simon Estes

• Athletics department may begin planning for pedestrian bridge over University Boulevard
• Bond sale: $59.9 million for sports performance addition to Bergstrom
• Music Hall named for music artist-in-resident Simon Estes
• First read on FY 21 parking permit rates and student residence/dining rates
• Investigation concluded into Sept. 14 incident at Jack Trice Stadium; not enough evidence to pursue any of five charges related to assault, mistreatment of U of Iowa marching band members
• Project description and budget ($16 million) to replace the ISU power plant's central control system, in 12 phases over eight years

Students appeal to regents to act

• Dozens of student attend, numerous speak during public comment period on a perceived lack of response to racist incidents on the campuses
• Overview of Emsi economic impact study of three regent universities to the state (see Nov. 14 story)
• ISU economic development annual report to the board (David Spalding, interim VP for economic development and industry relations)
• ISU building project requests: Renovation of MU floors 4-6, planning to replace LeBaron Hall
• Addition of computer science as a sixth course category in Regents Admissions Index
• Change to catastrophic illness policy (employees who don't accrue vacation can receive vacation leave donations
• ISU faculty professional development assignments for the 2020-21 academic year (48)
• Permission to close two centers: Industrial Assessment Center and Center for Plant Responses to Environmental Stresses
• Schematic design and budget ($5.9 million) to replace the slate roof on Friley residence hall (summers 2020 and 2021)
• Naming the feed mill and grain science complex at Curtiss Farm for the Kent Corp., which provided the lead gift of $8 million

ISU delivers $3.4 billion to state economy

• Economic impact and investment analysis of ISU (and all three regent universities) conducted by Emsi for the state Board of Regents

Report shows how a faculty work week is spent

• Biennial faculty activities report (data from fall 2018)

Meet student regent Zack Leist

Funding request to replace LeBaron Hall heads to the state

• FY2021 capital request will include 3-year, $30 million toward proposed $55 million replacement building for LeBaron Hall
• FY2021 operations support incremental requests: $7 million for general university, $2.9 million for biosciences platforms (shared with U of Iowa)
• Iowa Public Universities application portal will be phased out due to low use
• Demolition of Insectary building approved
• Two new degrees approved: bachelor of science in business analytics degree program, master of athletic training degree program
• Approval of sale of Stagecoach Road 10-acre property to adjacent land owner
• Approval to begin planning for Friley Hall roof replacement (from slate to asphalt shingles)

New budget relies on reallocations

• ISU's FY20 general fund operating budget includes $10.1 million in incremental revenue and $8.1 million in reallocations to cover priorities such as salary increases, faculty promotions and support for academic programs
• Permission to begin planning an estimated $40 million new building for the industrial and manufacturing systems engineering department
• Permission to purchase East Lincoln Way warehouse to serve as ISU's central receiving facility (currently in a shared space on Airport Road)
• Permission to lease Ontario Road property to city of Ames ($1/year) as site for proposed Healthy Life Center

Regents approve tuition, fee rates for fall

• Iowa State students will pay between 3.7% and 4.8% more in tuition and fees. Also approved: Year 2 of a three-year plan to align differential tuitions into two categories
• Board will divide new $12 million FY20 state appropriation evenly: $4 million to each university
• Updates to President Wintersteen employment agreement with the board
• ISU undergrad application fee raised $10, to $50 for U.S. applicants, $60 for international applicants
• Final approval for $21.2 million feed mill and grain science complex at the Curtiss Farm
• Budget change for new poultry facility: Add $1 million (new total $6.8 million) for turkey research/teaching

Regents have first look at tuition increases for fall

• Tuition-only proposed increase for resident undergraduates is 3.9%, 4% for all DVM students, and 4.9% for all other students
• Proposed mandatory fee increases: $29.50 per student ($16 for different funding structure to support student newspaper, $2 for student government, $11 for additional CyRide support)
• Final board approval of promotions or tenure for 70 Iowa State faculty members for the 2019-20 year

Employee leaders appeal to regents for pay increases

• Iowa State presenters: Stacy Renfro, P&S Council; Peter Martin, Faculty Senate
• First tuition discussion (scheduled for April) postponed since Legislature is still in session; appropriations not known
• Final board approval: $25 million in improvements to Hilton Coliseum (concessions, concourses, entrances), design and budget for Veterinary Medicine Field Services expansion, honorary degree at spring commencement for Robert Easter, president emeritus of University of Illinois, new board policy on freedom of expression on university campuses, parking permit rates for FY20, student housing and dining rates for FY20, program name changes: agricultural biochemistry becomes biochemistry; M.A. in graphic design becomes experiential graphic design

Hilton concourse, campus cellphone coverage proposals clear regent committee

• Athletics department wants to begin planning (estimated) $25 million in improvements to Hilton: widening the concourse, moving concessions stands, redesigning north/south entrances for accessibility, upgrading mechnical system and both elevators
• Other project proposals that clear facilities committee: Addition to Vet Med's field services building, contract with Verizon to improve campus, stadium cell phone coverage with small cells installation.
• First read: FY20 parking permit rates, student housing rates
• Summary data: 2017-18 student financial aid
• President Mike Richards goes on record  in support of U of Iowa's exploration of a third-party service agreement to operate the campus' utlities (strategy: new revenue stream for the university)
• Final board approval of ISU's National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education

Regents like five-year plan that connects tuition increases and state support

• Five-year plan ties size of tuition increases for resident undergraduates directly to state funding increases (range is 3 percent to 3 percent plus projected HEPI)
• Tuition discussion/decision move to April-June sequence
• Final board approval for $90 million plan north of football stadium
• Campus safety presentation by ISU police chief Michael Newton
• 2019-20 faculty professional development assignments approved (50 ISU faculty members)
• $7 million plan to finish the 5th floor of the ATRB for the Nanovaccine Institute (construction April 2019-April 2020)
• $3.2 million for upgrades for Helser Hall: tile floor out, painting interior walls, LED lighting, new room furnishings
• Revised budget ($5.75 million, an increase of $750,000) for poultry farm replacement on South State Avenue

Planning will resume for a scaled-back veterinary lab

• Regents have questions about duplication among doctoral programs in education (vote pending in November)
• Planning will begin for smaller ($75 million) VDL
• FY20 state funding request: $7.4 million increase for ISU
• $28 million library learning hub (renovate stacks space on two floors)
• $10 million recreation services' renovation to recreation fields east of football stadium

Gerdin addition has final approval from regents

• Final approval for $28 million east addition to Gerdin
• Final approval for Curtiss Hall third floor renovation ($2.3 million)
• Planning begins for Memorial Union renovation (top three floors from hotel rooms to office and collaborative spaces for existing student service units (estimated $11 million)
• Curtiss Farm education and outreach facilities ($21.2 million)
• Residence hall window replacement ($12.7 million): Birch, Welch, Roberts, Helser, Oak and Elm
• Elimination of two centers: Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI Design Center, electrical and computer engineering department; Asteroid Deflection Research Center becomes the Asteroid Defense Research Consortium
• Board policy manual change to include public comment period as regular part of all regular meetings

Reallocations bolster new budget

• Regents approve ISU's FY20 budget, which includes just over $14 million in new revenue and approximately $4.5 million in internal reallocations
• President Wintersteen tells regents the funding priorities are salary increases, student financial aid, additional programming for international students and strategic hires to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion
• FY18 mid-year reversions absorbed permanently by four ISU divisions
• FY19 state appropriations for building projects total $11 million

Regents approve ISU tuition package

• 2018-19 tuition increase, international student differential tuition (year 3 of 3), 3-year plan to bring all programmatic differential tuition to one of two levels
• Regents' allocation of $8.3 million new state appropriation
• Wintersteen to donate 2018 salary increase to ISU Foundation
• Alternative RAI to become the only admissions index in 2020
• Four new degree programs approved: population sciences in animal health, real estate development, actuarial science, data science
• Land sale: 68 acres from ISU to the ISU Research Park

Most of midyear reversion to be absored centrally

• State cuts to regent enterprise
• President Wintersteen: How Iowa State will absorb its share

Employee reps share need for salary increases with regents

• Speaking on behalf of ISU employees: Faculty Senate president Tim Day and P&S Council president Jessica Bell
• Board gives final approval to 81 ISU promotion and tenure proposals
• Also approved: housing and dining rates, parking permit rates, 3 requests for honorary degrees (Dwight Ink, Jon Kinzenbaw, Theaster Gates
• President Mike Richards and president pro-tem Patty Cownie re-elected to two-year terms

Tuition proposal awaits June decision

• ISU proposal has three pieces: 3.8 percent tuition increase for  resident undergraduates and 4 percent for all others;  final year of a three-phase, $542 annual tuition differential assessed all international students ($1,500 when implemented); and a three-year plan to align the various differential tuitions in two levels: $1,600 (all students) and $2,612 ($3,026 for nonresidents including international) annually when fully implemented.
• ISU Student Government president Cody West provides tuition increase perspective to board members
• Facility projects approved: final plans and three naming proposals for new poultry farm; sale of 68 acres to ISU Research Park
• Location for vehicle dynamometer approved for ISU farm instead of Sukup Hall
• Athletics department receives permission to begin planning for multiple improvements on the north side of football stadium 

ISU faculty and staff increasingly diverse, most among regent schools

• Annual diversity report
• Annual human resources report: salaries, primary occupational activities

Regents wait on legislative budget process

• 2018-19 tuition discussions will occur at April, June meetings
• Board may ask for five-year plan for predictability
• Parking permit proposed increases for FY19
• Differentiation of three Ivy College of Business MBA options
• Residence system update from Pete Englin

Regents approve professional development assignments, four ISU project proposals (announcement)

• Full board approval of faculty PDAs for FY19 (43 ISU faculty)
• Board approval of four projects: ATRB floor assigned to the Nanovaccine Instititute, Hub renovation/reconfiguration, parking lot/lighting improvements adjacent to Hilton Coliseum, expanded plan for rec fields east of Willow Hall