The Iowa Board of Regents is expected to hear Iowa State’s plan for new programs, a revised capital improvement plan and tuition increases when it meets in Ames Tuesday and Wednesday.

An Iowa State professor is also slated to speak on “translating research to make industrial impact.”

New center

Iowa State is planning to bring a new center to its campus. The university is proposing to open a  center for civics education, named “Center for Cyclone Civics.” According to Board documents, the center will be dedicated to the following:

• Promoting civic literacy, defined as a basic understanding of government, U.S. history and American philosophical traditions;
• Developing civic skills, skills needed and for a functioning democracy, including media literacy, critical thinking and problem solving, and the ability to find common ground across differences; and
• Creating a civic disposition, which are attitudes and beliefs that support American democracy and a sense of civic duty.

Board documents also state the center comes in response to the Board’s DEI directives given to the universities in November 2023. The university has dedicated $250,000 for each of the next five years for the center, according to documents.

Tuition increases

The Regents will hear tuition increases at all three universities on Thursday. For in-state undergraduates, a 3.0% ($278) increase, and for out-of-state undergraduate students, a 4.5% ($1,232) increase is on the table.

Comparatively, a proposed 3.0% increase will be heard for graduate students —totalling $346 for resident students and $874 for nonresident students.

At Iowa’s other public universities, increases vary from 0.9% to 3.0%.

Mandatory fees are also proposed to increase at all three universities. At Iowa State, a 1.7% increase would total an additional $26 for both resident and nonresident undergraduates, and a 1.8% increase, totalling $26, for resident and nonresident graduate students.

“Consistent with the Board’s strategic plan, determining and fulfilling appropriate resource needs are essential in providing high-quality public education, cutting-edge research and needed public services,” according to Board documents. “Predictability, transparency and long-term planning strategies are woven throughout the plan.”

The Regents will vote on the proposed increases when it meets in June.

New programs

Iowa State is requesting three new programs to be added to its catalog for students.

First, the university would like to add a Bachelor of Science in Digital and Precision Agriculture. According to Regent documents, the Council of Provosts and Board office support the program.

“The curriculum will be designed around an integration of existing courses on agricultural science, sensor technologies, data science and spatial analysis,” according to Regent documents. “The program will enhance student experiences with a sequence of new courses focused on field-based operations.”

The need for the program stems from the university’s “world-class expertise in digital and precision agriculture that is pushing the science and engineering of solutions for sustainability maximizing the production of goods from managed systems.”

The university is also seeking approval to add a master of financial technology, also supported by the Council of Provosts and Board office.

The proposed degree would prepare students with knowledge and skills, including algorithms and predictive data techniques.

“The program strives to provide technologically inclined students with a thorough introduction to financial securities and the markets in which they are traded to help these students better understand how technology can provide value to various market participants,” according to Board documents.

Iowa State is also looking to add a master of Science in Supply Chain Management, designed to supply students with high-quality, professional training.

According to Regent documents, graduates of the program are expected to be “highly qualified supply chain professionals who possess advanced managerial and analytical skills to make sound supply chain decisions and lead supply chain improvement initiatives.”

The documents also state the need for the program is due to the lack of talent in the field of supply chain management.

Capital improvements

The University is requesting approval of a revised budget and project description for the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center’s large animal ward 3 expansion. The revised proposal increases the budget by 17.5% —from $12.06 million to $14.17 million.

“The project would be funded by College of Veterinary Medicine funds and private gifts,” according to Board documents. “The revised budget is due to higher than expected bids.
Phase 3 of the plan includes a rehabilitation area, including an exam area, physical therapy, sports medicine and a treadmill.

Construction would begin in spring 2025 with an expected completion date of fall 2027.

Additional items

Nigel Reuel, an Iowa State professor and associate chair of chemical and biological engineering, will present “translating research to make industrial impact.”

“His research group currently has 14 active technology disclosures with the Iowa State University Research Foundation in the areas of optical and resonant biosensors, biomaterials, custom tool design and ‘frugal systems,’” according to the Board.

Board of Regents President Sherry Bates and Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen will also give their respective presentations.

The meetings will be held in Iowa State’s Alumni Center and will be livestreamed on YouTube.