Iowa Board of Regents President Michael Richards stepping down

After eight years on the Board of Regents and nearly seven as its president, Michael Richards on Tuesday resigned his presidential post "effective today“ and announced he’s leaving the board entirely at the end of April — three years before his term expires.

“Governor, I am most grateful for being given this opportunity,” Richards wrote to Gov. Kim Reynolds in his resignation letter, dated Tuesday, Jan. 16. “If there is anything I can do to help in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me.”

In a statement announcing his resignation, Richards, 75, of West Des Moines, said, "Serving as a member of the board has been a true honor and privilege.

“I want to publicly thank Governor Reynolds and Governor Branstad who gave me the opportunity to serve in this important role.”

He also thanked the many regents he’s served with “who have given generously of their time and expertise” and the university presidents and staff he’s worked alongside.

“I am extremely proud of all that we have accomplished over the past seven years,” he said. “Our public universities are among the finest in the nation, and I have enjoyed the collaborative relationship to find ways to continue to improve.”

Although Richards didn’t give a specific reason for his early departure, board spokesman Josh Lehman said he “wanted to have more time available to spend with friends and family.”

“I am making this announcement now to allow for a smooth transition in leadership, and to hopefully give Governor Reynolds ample time to find and name my replacement,” Richards said in a statement.

With Richards’ resignation, President Pro Tem Sherry Bates becomes interim president until the board elects a new leader at a future meeting.

Richards, regents history

Gov. Terry Branstad first appointed Richards to the board in 2016 to fill the unexpired term of Mary Andringa. A year later, his peers elected him the 22nd board president on May 1, 2017 — a post to which he was reelected in 2018, 2020, and 2022.

Gov. Reynolds reappointed him to an additional six-year term on the board in April 2021 — putting his current term’s expiration in April 2027.

At nearly seven years, Richards was the longest-serving regents president since Owen J. Newlin’s tenure from 1996 to 2004.

The nine-member volunteer board dates back to 1909, when Iowa’s 33rd General Assembly created a state board to oversee and govern Iowa’s three public institutes of higher education. The state in 1955 renamed it the Board of Regents, with the governor appointing members subject to senate confirmation.

The board must have both political and gender balance — meaning it can’t have more than five members identifying with the same political party or gender. Iowa’s current board has the maximum five Republicans, along with three independents and one Democrat.

It has five men and four women, none of whom have terms expiring this year. Three members’ terms expire in 2025, three expire in 2027 — including Richards’ — and three expire in 2029.

Richards’ abrupt resignation comes as the state’s 90th General Assembly convenes for its 2024 Legislative Session — a key time for regents lobbying for adequate state appropriations for the institutions they oversee.

It also comes after Gov. Reynolds last year removed the Iowa School for the Deaf and Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired from under regent purview as part of a government reorganization, compelling a Board of Regents rebranding in November.

Additionally, a governor-directed review of Iowa’s board and commissions recommended a Board of Regents change to pay the volunteer members a $10,000 annual salary.

Many of Iowa’s past and present members — including Richards — have been big political donors, including for Reynolds and her predecessor Branstad.

Board, higher ed criticism

Still, the Republican-led legislature in recent years has levied sharp criticism against the board and its universities — pointing to complaints of suppressed free speech, political bias, tenure abuse, and overspending on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

To that end, the board recently created a study group to assess diversity, equity, and inclusion programming across its campuses — producing a list of 10 recommendations, which the universities now are implementing.

Lawmakers in recent years have denied the board its full funding requests — even imposing cuts at times. Heading into the current session, Gov. Reynolds has recommended funding well below the board’s ask and lawmakers have said they want to conduct a comprehensive review of “how we deliver higher education.”

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com