University of Iowa to offer three degrees on former AIB campuses in 2016

Once AIB College of Business closes its doors next summer, University of Iowa will begin offering three programs on the Des Moines campus.

Starting in fall 2016, UI students will have the opportunity to pursue bachelor's degrees in social work, sports and recreation management, or enterprise leadership on the former AIB campus, which is currently slated to become a 'Regents Resource Center” once it shutters in July 2016.

The idea of a resource center emerged after AIB leadership in January announced intentions to gift the 20-acre campus to the University of Iowa. Officials initially said AIB would become a second UI campus in Des Moines and possibly incorporate AIB students into the UI student body.

But those plans quickly shifted, and officials said the campus instead would become a 'Regents Regional Center” that could accommodate programming from UI, Iowa State University, or University of Northern Iowa.

According to regent documents made public this week, the terms of the gift still are being finalized, but they now call for the campus to transition from AIB to a resource center operated by the University of Iowa. And even that is in flux, with the Board of Regents looking to conduct a 'higher education needs assessment” for the Des Moines metro area, which would include evaluation of an 'optimal location” for the resource center.

A request for proposals from vendors interested in conducting the assessment calls AIB the center's anticipated site in fall 2016. But it asks for a larger review of 'the desirability of the AIB site against other general locations in the Des Moines metro area.”

Board documents suggest the study consult current and prospective students, evaluate demographic statistics, and consider program and student characteristics. It should focus on location factors important to students, like proximity to work, home, retail establishments, and the interstate. It also should weigh the availability of convenient and free parking, access to public transit, and safety.

The AIB campus is located three miles from downtown Des Moines and includes classroom and administrative buildings, residential housing, and recreational facilities.

Although the study opens the door for a possible sale of the AIB campus, Board of Regents spokesman Josh Lehman said it's 'way too premature to talk about a sale.”

'Nothing has happened in that regard - the study needs to happen first,” he said. 'The study is to be used for longer-term decision making and doesn't affect anything short term.”

Following its closure announcement last winter, AIB drafted a teach-out plan aimed at helping students either complete their degrees before summer of 2016 or transfer to other institutions. AIB students wanting to take any of the UI courses that will be offered next fall will need to apply and meet regular admission requirements.

As part of the regents-commissioned study, the board also is interested in finding out why students would want to pursue their education at the resource center rather than on the main campuses, online, or

at another institution; best days of the week and times of the day to offer classes; and support for blended degree and certificate programs.