Regents slated to take up tuition hikes, search for new UNI president

AMES — The Board of Regents met for more than six hours in closed session Wednesday to evaluate the presidents of its public universities and superintendent of its special schools, but didn't make public any decisions on compensation or contracts for the leaders.

The evaluations are among several high-profile issues the board is scheduled to address during its two-day meeting in Ames. Thursday, the board will discuss steep tuition hikes, the search for a new University of Northern Iowa president and plans for the AIB College of Business campus in Des Moines.

Regents also are scheduled to consider a sweeping review of its policy manual, its five-year strategic plan and savings from a 2-year-old, nearly $6 million efficiency review.

Tuition

In light of smaller increases in state appropriations than requested for the upcoming budget year, the board will consider more tuition increases — including a $300 increase for resident undergraduate students at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and UNI.

While Gov. Terry Branstad called that proposal too steep, UI officials debuted a follow-up proposal that could — depending on a student's program and residency status — increase annual tuition by as much as $800.

All the proposed increases come on top of rate increases approved last year to take effect either in the spring semester that just ended or the approaching fall semester.

Presidential search

UNI President Bill Ruud, who was not evaluated by the board, announced last month plans to leave in July to become president of Marietta College in Ohio.

The board is planning to name UNI Provost Jim Wohlpart as interim president and talk more about the process for finding a permanent replacement. Some have said they'll be watching this process closely after the board received widespread criticism for its search and hiring of UI President Bruce Harreld.

Des Moines needs

The board months ago commissioned a higher-education needs assessment of the Des Moines area after officials with the AIB College of Business there donated its campus to the UI.

The board initially said the campus would become a Regents Resource Center, and the UI is set to offer some programs there this fall. But the assessment found AIB's campus is not the ideal location for needs in the area.

The board will hear a report on the assessment, potentially discussing a way forward.

Board policy review

Board staff have conducted what amounts to a rewrite of the policy manual, making changes to bid requirements, information technology regulations and student life issues. The board will review the proposed revisions.

Efficiency savings

The board in 2014 agreed to spend millions — more than $5.4 million to date — on a sweeping efficiency review of its institutions in hopes of saving many more millions in the years to come.

Staff will report to the regents on savings to date — including $5.38 million to $6.41 million in improved sourcing and procurement practices, $3.5 million in human resources efficiencies and $1.7 million in information technology changes.

The combined actual and estimated savings for the 2016 and 2017 budget years is between $11.2 million and $12.2 million, according to the board report.