A month after Democrat Tom Vilsack’s victory in the Iowa gubernatorial election, members of the state Board of Regents say they are optimistic about the future under a new governor.

“Vilsack has been a supporter of higher education, and I look forward to working with him, because I believe he’ll continue to support higher education,” said Regent David Fisher.

During his campaign against Republican Jim Ross Lightfoot, Vilsack consistently stressed the importance of quality education at all levels.

“It was the No. 1 issue for him,” Fisher said, citing Vilsack’s advocacy of distance learning to help re-educate people who are changing careers. “Iowans listened, and that was one of the main reasons he won the election.”

In a speech at Iowa State’s Carver Hall in October, Vilsack also proposed a scholarship program for Iowa-educated teachers who stay in the state to teach.

Another topic he addressed while at ISU was rising tuition. Vilsack said the rapid growth of tuition can be slowed more easily if state government fully funds the budgets of the regent schools each year.

The board presented its annual budget requests to Vilsack and Lt. Gov.-elect Sally Pederson two weeks ago.

Fisher said he is confident that the new administration will “continue the tradition of support from the governor’s office.” He said outgoing Gov. Terry Branstad “has gone the full mile in supporting us.”

Vilsack was hesitant to discuss appropriations.

“It’s a little premature to talk about this,” he said, noting that the state Revenue Estimating Committee will meet Friday to forecast income levels for the coming fiscal year.

With the committee’s estimates, Vilsack and his staff will be able to appropriate funds for all state organizations, a daunting task for a first-time chief executive.

But, he said, “education is clearly a priority at all levels.”

Regent Nancy Pellett said she sees “every indication” that the new governor will be a friend of the regents.

“We need his moral support as well as his support for the financial package,” she said.

Pellett mentioned one crucial area for the universities: deferred maintenance.

“We went through a period in the ’80s when there was just not money in the state coffers, and a lot of things didn’t get done,” she said. “We’re constantly playing catch-up, and that’s going to be a factor again.”

Vilsack said he did not have any specific changes he wanted the board to implement, but he did praise the regents for their emphasis on long-term goals.

“The strategic planning process that they have gone through has been a constructive one, and it’s established a game plan,” he said. “It was time and effort well spent.”

One change Vilsack will make next year is the appointment of three new board members because the terms of Regents James Arenson, Owen J. Newlin and Pellett will be finished next year.

He said has not had much contact with most of the regents in the past, though he knows Fisher and Newlin fairly well.

Fisher said Vilsack’s rookie status on Terrace Hill will not prevent him from picking suitable replacements for the open spots on the board.

“He understands the governor’s responsibility to the regents,” Fisher said, “and I anticipate him appointing good Iowans who will support higher education.”