The Board of Regents heard about salary policies, tuition and mandatory fee increases during their second and final day of meetings in Ames on Thursday.
Several faculty members from all three universities spoke about the salary policies for fiscal year 2026. President-elect of the Iowa State Faculty Senate Meghan Gillette stressed the importance of “investing in faculty.”
“Providing competitive salaries and benefits to faculty helps to sustain the partnerships and programs Iowans receive from Iowa State University,” Gillette said. “When faculty leave due to other states’ abilities to provide competitive salaries, it’s not just the university that suffers, but the entire state.”
President of the Iowa State University Professional and Scientific Council, Jason Follett, on behalf of the council, challenged the Regents to “be a stronger advocate and partner” with Iowa’s political leaders “on both sides of the aisle.”
“Just as we expect our elected officials to be responsive and engaged, the professional and scientific council humbly requests that the Regents themselves be more active and visible beyond these meetings and through staff and press releases,” Follett said.
Tuition increases
Chief Business Officer Brad Berg presented the proposal for tuition increases for the 2025-2026 academic year.
For in-state undergraduates, a 3.0% ($278) increase, and for out-of-state undergraduate students, a 4.5% ($1,232) increase. A 3.0% increase was heard for graduate students as well, totaling $346 for resident students and $874 for nonresident students.
Andrea Anania, associate chief business officer, also presented increases to mandatory fees.
“Students pay only if they use those services,” Anania said.
At Iowa State, a 1.7% increase in mandatory fees would total $26 more for resident and nonresident undergraduates, and a 1.8% increase, totaling $26, for resident and nonresident graduate students.
The proposed increases will be voted on at the Regents’ meeting in June.
Wintersteen’s report
Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen gave a report, focusing on faculty and student accomplishments.
Nine Iowa State faculty members were recognized as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), a prestigious recognition.
“These faculty are in a variety of different scientific fields, including biochemistry, engineering, ecology, physics, statistics and psychology, really recognizing the breadth of scientific fields we have at Iowa State University,” Wintersteen said.
Wintersteen also recognized faculty members elected to the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Inventors and two students selected for the Goldwater Scholarship.
