News Archive

The state of Iowa should see one more year of growth in its number of high school graduates -- and in college enrollment-- before a decline begins in the fall of 2027. That's about a year later than most states, the Iowa Board of Regents learned during a Nov. 12 update.

In response to an Iowa Board of Regents request, a study committee led by regent Kurt Tjaden and senior vice president for operations and finance Sean Reeder favors providing Iowa State's next president with a monthly housing stipend, rather than on-campus housing at the Knoll.

In this feature, university general counsel Mike Norton answers a few questions regarding the Iowa Board of Regents' social media policy and employee First Amendment rights.

By mid-November, when the Iowa Board of Regents expects to hire Iowa State's next president, the board will develop a plan for improvements to the Knoll. The next-step comes in response to an architect's analysis of the building completed at the board's request.

Two new undergraduate degree programs, including Iowa State's sixth degree of the future, digital storytelling, and a request for state assistance to renovate Atanasoff Hall are on the agenda when the Iowa Board of Regents meets next week in Cedar Falls.

The Iowa Board of Regents policy on academic freedom now includes language that "faculty may teach controversial subjects when they are relevant to the course content. Instruction should be presented in a manner that fosters critical thinking and avoids indoctrination of one perspective."

Following a non-unanimous vote to approve the university fiscal year 2026 budgets, the Iowa Board of Regents directed its investment and finance committee to meet to assess the board's budget review process and seek more detail about the university budgets. Depending on what they learn, the regents could consider budget amendments at their next meeting.

Iowa State leaders will outline a general university operating budget of $766.9 million, a net increase of $41.3 million (5.7%) over the previous year. That increase reflects a projected $44.1 million in additional tuition revenue and an estimated $2.7 million reduction in indirect costs recovery on externally funded research.

Jillian Carlson is the new state relations officer for Iowa State. Since 2023, she has served the University of Northern Iowa in the same capacity for the board of regents.

The proposed policy would prevent instructors at the three regent universities from including "substantial" content on diversity, equity and inclusion or critical race theory in a required course except when the board approves an exception.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will lead the universitywide program, an outcome of one of the state Board of Regents' 2023 directives on diversity, equity and inclusion.