UI president: Budget protects jobs, affordability

Protecting jobs and maintaining affordability remain top priorities as University of Iowa leaders look to trim next year's budget, UI President Sally Mason told faculty leaders Tuesday afternoon.

Mason will present UI budget plans for next year to the state Board of Regents on Thursday. UI officials have been mum about the details of the plan and what sort of cuts might be in store.

But Mason told the UI Faculty Senate Tuesday her guiding principles of protecting jobs, affordability and research strengths have always remained.

She also noted the budget plan includes a 2 percent salary increase for faculty and professional and scientific staff, as well as negotiated increases for union staff. The UI struggles to keep salaries competitive with peers, she said.

“I felt it was fair and equitable that we try to provide raises for everyone,” she said. “This will hopefully help keep us ahead of the curve.”

Also at the meeting, faculty discussed a sexual harassment policy draft that has been in the works for months, a request of state regents to refine the policies at all three regent universities.

Several faculty leaders said they felt the draft didn't offer enough protection or due process for faculty accused of harassment. They noted faculty wouldn't be notified of charges or outcomes that are handled under the “informal” policy route, but that resolutions under that informal route would still be on the record.

The Faculty Senate did not vote on the draft and will continue discussing it with UI officials.

Also at the meeting, the senate elected officers for next year. Edwin Dove, associate professor of biomedical engineering, becomes president, while philosophy Professor Richard Fumerton is vice president and Associate Professor of finance Jon Garfinkel is secretary.