Shy of firing university employees who made inflammatory comments following the fatal shooting of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk last week, Iowa’s Board of Regents on Wednesday directed its three public campuses to conduct immediate investigations into any employee accused of violating their social media policy.
Closing in on this week’s deadline for applications to lead Iowa State University as its 17th president, the Board of Regents this week will hear an update on the condition of that campus’ presidential residence — in which the president has to live — and it’s not good, according to board documents.
Also in this week’s Government Notes roundup of local news, Iowa City is launching a “Project Cleanup” volunteer litter removal program.
When the Board of Regents convenes in Cedar Falls this week, they’ll meet in closed session to discuss university employees who made inflammatory online posts following the assassination of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk.
Members of the Cedar Rapids City Council have signed onto a letter of support for the Cedar Rapids Community School District’s $117 million bond referendum that goes before voters Nov. 4.
Iowa Republican leaders and school officials are condemning reports that a teacher celebrated the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, calling the alleged remarks “reprehensible” and demanding swift accountability.
Shortly after U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks on Thursday called for the University of Iowa to name is new legislative-imposed Center for Intellectual Freedom after slain Republican-activist Charlie Kirk, Board of Regents President Sherry Bates issued a statement on Kirk’s shooting and the new civic centers on its campuses.
All three of Iowa’s public universities this fall are reporting larger freshman classes than last year — with both Iowa State and the University of Iowa boasting their second-largest first-year classes ever after peaking in 2016.
Some Head Start programs in Iowa that provide child care and early learning that “serves Iowa’s most vulnerable families” at no cost, have reduced operations — with a few even closing classrooms — because of compounding funding challenges.
Preparing to receive longtime U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley’s complete collection of political papers spanning 67 years, the University of Northern Iowa is seeking Board of Regents approval to start planning for a new Chuck and Barbara Grassley Center.
The Board of Regents’ pared-down funding ask comes after lawmakers rejected its $30.3 million request last session and instead offered a $4 million bump, largely supporting legislative priorities and ignoring university appeals.
Engagement surveys given to new Cedar Rapids school district teachers and “milestone” teachers who have been with the district for five, 10, 15, and 20 years or more, highlighted two areas of concern for staff: student behavior and input in decision-making at the building and district level.
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