The Iowa Board of Regents will convene Wednesday through Thursday at the University of Iowa, with several agenda items affecting Iowa State University, including capital projects, new academic programs, tuition increases and parking changes.
Property and facilities
On Wednesday, Regents will be asked to approve multiple capital projects, including a revised $5.09 million Lake LaVerne improvement project and phase one of a campus-wide fire alarm upgrade totaling to $3.9 million.
The board will also consider the sale of 17 acres at 1915 Scholl Road for $550,000 to Hunziker Development Group and 574 Investments. The land, part of a 58-acre parcel managed by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, was appraised at $536,000 and $610,000. ISU received one public bid matching the proposed sale price.
Regent approval is required under board policy and Iowa Code.
Academic affairs
Regents will consider three new programs and the termination of one secondary major.
The first proposed major is a fully online Bachelor of Arts in psychology that would launch in August 2026, targeting students with at least 30 credits who cannot complete degrees in person. The in-person psychology major currently enrolls about 800 students, with roughly 10% leaving annually. Enrollment for the online program is projected to grow from 25 students in year one to 85 by year five.
The second proposed major is a 16-month online Master of Science in nursing, which would offer tracks in population health and nursing education. Designed to address nursing faculty and workforce shortages, it is projected to enroll 12 students initially and 20 annually by year three. Startup costs are estimated at $47,509, with the program expected to become self-sustaining by 2027.
The third proposed major is an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing, which would allow students with prior bachelor’s degrees to earn a BSN in 15 months. The program would partner with Mary Greeley Medical Center and begin with 24 students, growing to 96 by year five.
Regents will also consider terminating the international business (IBUS) secondary major. Enrollment has ranged from 30 to 50 students since 2019. Beginning Fall 2025, secondary majors must require at least 24 credits; IBUS requires 18. The department does not support expanding the program. Current students will be allowed to finish, and the IBUS minor will remain. Financial impact is expected to be minimal.
Executive Order 10
The Governance, Evaluation and Human Resources Committee will consider a notice of intended action to revise Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 681 as part of Executive Order 10, signed in 2023 by Gov. Kim Reynolds.
The order requires state agencies to review and eliminate outdated administrative rules. Four chapters are proposed for full rescission and 11 for revision. If approved, the proposal advances to the next stage of rulemaking, including additional public hearings.
Parking
On Thursday, Regents will consider ISU’s proposal to increase the fine for illegal parking from $50 to $60. Other fines would remain unchanged.
The parking system, which is self-supported and debt-free, projects $5.61 million in FY 2027 revenue and $3.27 million in expenses. Planned 2026 improvements include reconstruction work, parking deck repairs and continued lot maintenance.
The Memorial Union ramp proposes a 3% permit increase, raising annual employee permits from $700.40 to $721.41. Hourly and daily rates would remain unchanged. Additional revenue would support maintenance and long-term structural planning.
Tuition and fees
For the 2026-27 FY, resident undergraduate tuition would increase 3%, from $9,530 to $9,816. With mandatory fees, the total cost would rise to $11,401.40, a 2.8% increase.
Nonresident undergraduate tuition would increase 4.5%, bringing the total cost with fees to $31,449.40. Graduate resident and nonresident tuition would each increase 3%.
Officials cite inflation, employee recruitment, health care costs, deferred maintenance and financial aid as factors.
Regents will also consider changes to common and program-specific fees, which apply only to students using certain services. Board policy requires approval of new or increased fees above set thresholds and state law requires a 30-day notice to Student Government leaders.
Final approval of tuition, parking and fee changes is scheduled for the board’s April meeting.
The Iowa Board of Regents meetings are open to the public and will be livestreamed on the regents’ website.
