Board News - Page 23

At its meeting on Thursday, December 8, the Board of Regents will consider approval of a proposed increase of 3.75% in resident undergraduate tuition. If approved, this would be the lowest average tuition increase since FY 1997 (with the exception of the FY 2009 increase of 3.2%). 

As a point of personal privilege – let me take this opportunity to briefly comment on an editorial in The Iowa State Daily – published December 5th – written by Thomas Walker, a lecturer at Iowa State University. 

It is a pleasure to confirm with you the conditions of your employment as President of Iowa State University. Your initial appointment will be for a term of three years commencing on February 1, 2012. The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, will provide you with an annual salary of $440,000 effective February 1, 2012. Included with the salary will be the usual benefits available to all Iowa State University faculty and administration. 

Let me begin by saying that in life and in this role, I’m a firm believer in getting input from key players before making any major decisions. That’s why I’ve spent the past couple of weeks reaching out to the Regents, University Presidents and other key leaders to learn more about issues that are “top-of-mind” for them. All of these conversations are necessary during a transition to determine common ground, and assess our future direction. 

Iowa Public Radio announced today the intent to acquire KZHZ-FM and KZHC-FM - a purchase supported by Iowa State University and approved by the Board of Regents for the State of Iowa. At a cost of $1.75 million, IPR will fund and operate KZHZ-FM and KZHC-FM streaming the first ever 24-hour classical music service for the greater Des Moines metro as well as residents in Madison, Warren, Marion, Clarke, Newton, Jasper, Adair, Union, Lucas and Dallas counties. 

On Monday, August 1, Iowa’s Public Universities will be recognized with Iowa’s premiere environmental honor, the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award, for their leadership and innovation in protecting Iowa’s natural resources through comprehensive campus sustainability programs.

“Today, I was honored to be elected President of the Iowa Board of Regents by my fellow Board members. While there are many critical issues that the Board of Regents oversees, one urgent matter that I believe is most important is the selection and recruitment of the next president of Iowa State University. 

As you are aware, in May Governor Branstad called me to ask that I resign as president of the Iowa Board of Regents rather than serve out my statutory term to April 30, 2012. A couple of days later he made the same request of president pro tem Jack Evans.  

I write today to submit my resignation as president pro-tem of the Board of Regents. It is an honor and a privilege to represent the citizens of Iowa as a member of the Board of Regents. I take the responsibility seriously and plan to be just as conscientious during the last two years of my term as I have during my first four years.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.

The Board of Regents announces a new initiative with Iowa’s Community Colleges that will expand opportunities for community college students to complete their associate degree. Under the new reverse credit transfer agreement, community college students who transfer to Iowa’s Public Universities before earning an associate degree will have the opportunity to submit their University credits toward completion of the associate degree.