Latest news with #IowaBoardofRegents
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen to retire
DES MOINES, Iowa — The president of Iowa State University, Wendy Wintersteen, is planning to retire at the beginning of next year. The announcement was made on Friday morning. Wintersteen will retire in January of 2026. Her latest contract had been set to expire at the end of June in 2026. In the news release posted to Iowa State's website, Wintersteen said, 'I am fortunate to have served Iowa State University in many roles over the past 46 years, and it's been a fascinating journey. I am truly proud of Iowa State's extraordinary faculty and staff for their remarkable performance these past years. Perhaps most of all, I will miss the amazing energy, talent and potential of our Iowa State students.' Iowa Board of Regents President Sherry Bates praised President Wintersteen's steady guidance over the years. 'Under President Wintersteen's leadership, Iowa State's reputation has soared, particularly in research growth, student outcomes and an emphasis on innovation. With her steady guidance, Iowa State has met and overcome many external challenges, including a derecho, an international pandemic and more. The state of Iowa has been blessed to have an accomplished leader like Wendy Wintersteen leading this great land-grant university,' said Bates. Wintersteen was named president of the university in October of 2017 after a six-month nationwide search. She was the first woman named to head Iowa State when she became the university's 16th president. She succeeded Steven Leath, who was Iowa State's president from 2012 to 2017 and left to take the same job at Auburn University. Wintersteen was the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State before taking on the job of president. She has a Ph. D. in Entomology from Iowa State and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in crop protection at Kansas State University. Judge OKs Iowa limits on K-6 gender identity, sexual orientation teaching but not elective programs Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen to retire Bacoon Ride to go on with slight detour due to trail bridge fire Can you create 166,000 outfits out of 50 items? Iowan shares how he did it in new 'anti-fashion' magazine Governor's bill tackling doctor shortage passes House and Senate Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Regent David Barker nominated for U.S. assistant secretary for postsecondary education
Regent David Barker has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the assistant secretary for postsecondary education. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa Board of Regents member David Barker has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as assistant secretary for postsecondary education, the U.S. Department of Education announced Friday. According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Education, if appointed, Barker's job will include improving 'outcomes and accountability' in higher education through accreditation reforms and changing federal student aid programs for the better. He would also make sure 'grant programs are invested in agency priorities,' the release stated. Sen. Joni Ernst called Barker a 'great pick' in the news release, citing his long career and work on the board. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'Sixth generation Iowan David Barker has a proven 40-year track record as a successful entrepreneur and led the fight on the Iowa Board of Regents to undo restrictive COVID-19 mandates on students,' Ernst said in the release. Barker, who has served on the board of regents since 2019, was confirmed by the Iowa Senate to continue his tenure on the board in late April. His term is set to expire in 2031. He also works as a partner in Barker Companies, which oversees and develops real estate, and was previously an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, according to his board of regents biography. In response to whether Barker is planning to step down from the board, board of regents spokesperson Josh Lehman said in an email he is still a member. Sherry Bates, president of the board of regents, congratulated Barker for the nomination in a statement. 'He will bring his tremendous knowledge, expertise and passion to that role,' Bates said. 'It's great that a fellow Iowan has been selected for this position, and we wish him well.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Funding flat for state universities, community colleges in proposed appropriation bill
Legislation proposing state appropriations for the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Board of Regents and more moved out of subcommittee Tuesday. (Photo by) Iowa's public universities and community colleges would see flat funding for the upcoming fiscal year if proposed education appropriation legislation is passed, causing concern for some lawmakers. Senate Study Bill 1231 would set fiscal year 2026 state funding for the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Board of Regents and the institutions it governs, Department for the Blind and other individual programs. Under the bill, general university funding for the University of Iowa would stay at almost $223.5 million, Iowa State University funding would remain at more than $178.4 million and funding for the University of Northern Iowa would remain at almost $101.9 million. While neither the University of Iowa or Iowa State University requested any general funding increases, the University of Northern Iowa asked for an additional $2.5 million for the upcoming year, which was not reflected in the bill. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sen. Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport, said Tuesday during a subcommittee meeting on the bill that data from the board of regents shows around 66% of the higher education system budget is driven by tuition, with less than 30% made up of state appropriations. 'I'm very concerned about the level funding for both our community colleges and our regent universities,' Winckler said. 'That would mean, as costs are going up for the provision of education, that tuition will go up, and in many cases, that is very difficult for families.' Public education is incredibly important, she said, and when the Legislature keeps funding flat for state universities and community colleges — especially with national challenges all colleges must weather — the students and families paying to attend them feel the hurt of rising costs. Funding for community colleges is listed at close to $235.9 million, the same as last year. Katrina Holck, representing Community Colleges for Iowa, said many community colleges are concerned about the proposed funding as well. Lobbyists expressed general support for the legislation during the meeting, including proposed funding of $10 million for a health care professional incentive program and more than $2.3 million for the therapeutic classroom incentive fund for school districts. Representatives of Des Moines University said in the past, the private college and the UI have been allocated funds for a loan program to either keep alumni practicing in Iowa or bring professionals back to the state to work, and expressed their wish to see it continue. 'The loan program has been really helpful for our alumni to stay here and practice or come back and practice in rural areas,' said Joseph Jones, chief of staff in the president's office at DMU. Other funds left out of the legislation mentioned by commenters included the Iowa Tuition Grant program, $14 million for paraeducators and other civil work personnel and a $335,000 ask for a dyslexia endorsement tuition reimbursement program. Subcommittee chair Sen. Jesse Green, R-Boone, said in total, the bill allocates more than $1 billion from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026, an increase of more than $7 million from last year, as well as about $33.7 million from other funds. Sen. Sandy Salmon, R-Janesville, had no comments but joined Green in signing the legislation forward. It will head to the full Senate Appropriations Committee for further review. Green praised Gov. Kim Reynolds for urging the Legislature to allocate $1 million to the UI for cancer research, as well as the health care professional incentive program. In speaking with his constituents about actions taken last year to increase starting teacher pay, Green said it has really helped rural teachers and schools, and similar efforts should continue. 'This year, when I have gone out and I've talked to the communities, it resonates with a lot of people that we need to maybe expand our rural teacher loan incentives,' Green said. 'That's something that I would like to continue to pursue in the future, for me personally.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Senate approves bill requiring schools to publicize vaccine exemption information
(Photo via Getty Images) Any communication from schools on immunization requirements would have to include information and requirements for families seeking an exemption under a bill sent to the governor Tuesday. House File 299 was passed by the Senate 32-16. The bill requires all Iowa K-12 schools, as well as child care centers, community colleges, universities under the Iowa Board of Regents as well as private universities using the tuition grant program, to include information on exemptions when communicating with students and families about vaccine requirements. For child care facilities and K-12 schools, information on vaccine requirement exemptions must also be published on their website and be included in student registration documents. Republicans who spoke in support of the measure said it was needed because there were some reports of school staff falsely claiming that vaccines were required — with no exceptions — for students to be able to attend school. Sen. Dennis Guth, R-Klemme, shared a story from a mother who spoke on the bill during a subcommittee meeting. He said the woman claimed that while she was registering her child for an exemption to vaccine requirements, she witnessed another parent being told they needed to get vaccinations despite expressing they did not want to vaccine their child. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'The first mother came and said, 'There are exemptions, you know, you don't have to do that,' and the school official said, 'I'm sorry, no shots, no school,'' Guth said. 'That's just not the truth. We have a law in Iowa, and this will help make sure that that law is upheld.' Iowa law requires students to receive vaccinations to enroll in schools, including receiving the polio, measles, hepatitis B, varicella and meningococcal vaccines while in the K-12 school system. However, families have the ability to opt out from these requirements if vaccinating their child 'conflicts with a genuine and sincere religious belief.' The law does not require families to obtain a waiver or specify their religion to claim the exemption. Medical exemptions can also be granted by a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner who finds a required vaccination would be harmful to the health and well-being of the child or a member of their family. While exemptions exist, Sen. Molly Donahue, D-Cedar Rapids, said the bill 'risks sending a mixed message about the importance of the safety of vaccines' by emphasizing vaccine exemptions, potentially putting students in danger by diminishing herd immunity. 'The implications of this legislation could undermine public health efforts and lead to increased vaccine hesitancy, weakening our state and threatening our children,' Donahue said. 'To be clear, vaccinations are safe. And this bill is particularly troubling when a resurgence of preventable diseases in areas with low vaccine rates is happening. Right now, we see measles popping up in multiple states.' As of April 24, there have been a total of 884 confirmed measles cases in 29 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The largest outbreak has been in Texas, where two unvaccinated children died from the disease. Though no cases have been reported in Iowa since 2019, according to state public health officials, the neighboring states of Illinois and Minnesota have reported confirmed measles cases in 2025. Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner also emphasized the efficacy of the measles vaccine in the wake of the recent outbreak and deaths from the disease. 'I'm left wondering how many have looked at the numbers of graves of young children in cemeteries prior to the advent of these vaccines, or looked into the long-term effects of measles on the immune system,' Weiner said. '… It is preventable, completely preventable through vaccination, and that is the most effective way to protect individuals and communities from measles.' Having a wide majority of a people vaccinated — 95% — is needed to provide overall community protection from measles, according to medical professionals, especially for those who cannot get vaccinated because of issues like age or other health problems. Weiner said the bill will allow families to 'feel free and are actually encouraged to opt out of life-saving vaccines,' which will put others at risk. 'This is unnecessary and in my view, irresponsible,' Weiner said. 'We have a duty to Iowans. We should be informing the public about the safety, efficacy and importance of the measles and other vaccinations, and working to keep kids healthy and Iowans healthy.' But Sen. Jesse Green, R-Boone, said the measure is not taking a stance on vaccines. He called the bill 'an honesty bill,' because it is requiring schools share accurate information on vaccination requirements — and the fact that parents can seek exemptions. 'What's troubling to me is a handful of schools in the state that decide it's okay to lie to parents, that if you don't receive shots then you can't send your kids to school,' Green said. 'That is a lie, and our parents in the state of Iowa deserve better. And so that's what this bill ensures. It ensures an honest conversation between the taxpayers, the parents and the schools.' The bill, which the Iowa House passed in March, goes to Gov. Kim Reynolds for final approval. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
$35M UIowa project will raze, move Center for Disabilities and Development. What to know:
Citing outdated conditions at its 1950-era facility and a need to free up space for a new inpatient tower, the Iowa Board of Regents approved the University of Iowa's request to raze and relocate the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD). The university will enter a 20-year lease at a former office building 15 minutes from the main medical campus to house the many offerings of the CDD. The demolition project is anticipated to begin in late 2026. Renovations at the new building are expected to cost $35 to $40 million. The CDD, built in 1954 at 100 Hawkins Dr., is in the path of the planned new UI Health Care inpatient tower. Ongoing construction, according to board documents, is hampering local clinical services, including the cytogenetics lab and the sleep disorders clinic, making it 'difficult, if not impossible, to continue to occupy the building." The UI also said the 100,500-square-foot building needs 'significant renovations and upgrading' and has "no significant architectural or historic significance.' The building's demolition is expected to eliminate $20 million in deferred maintenance costs. More: Meet the latest nominees for the Iowa City Press-Citizen Student of the Week The CDD serves all 99 of Iowa's counties, and about '70% of CDD's patients come from outside Johnson County.' Services at the CDD center focus on providing diagnostic and therapeutic care for individuals with complex disabilities, addressing a range of medical, physical, and behavioral conditions. The CDD will relocate to a 58,000-square-foot building at 2610 Northgate Dr., Iowa City, near the N Dodge Street Interstate 80 exit and the Highlander Hotel. The lease will last 20 years, anchored by four five-year renewals. 'Moving to this new location will give us the opportunity to create a more innovative and state-of-the-art environment for individuals with disabilities and their families to receive care, as well as conduct research, and lead community engagement efforts and interdisciplinary training,' said Jim Leste, chief administrative officer for UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital in a news release. More: Iowa City again pauses rezoning for apartments on Governor St. amid neighborhood opposition The University and UI Health Care believe that the services offered will be 'more successful' thanks to the new building's "convenient access" to the interstate and additional space. 'This will be a huge benefit for the many patients who travel to us for specialized care from all over the state," Leste said. The CDD's services are not expected to relocate until late 2026 or early 2027 to allow time for necessary renovations at the Northgate facility. The new CDD will include patient clinic rooms, diagnostic and treatment areas, specialized patient rehabilitation spaces, a lab, faculty offices, and nursing/staff support spaces, along with an exterior playground. As part of the lease agreement, the landlord will build a 15,000-25,000 square-foot addition and will be solely responsible for the costs of a new roof, replacing the air handling units, upgrading the surface parking lots, and making other landscaping improvements. More: University of Iowa dean says five student visas have been revoked. What to know: The total estimated cost of the renovations is $35 to $40 million, which UI Health Care will pay for 'upon substantial completion.' The full lease agreement has not been made public. UI Health Care will pay approximately $2.89 per square foot annually for operating and maintenance costs and real estate taxes. Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_ This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: UI plans to raze, relocate Center for Disabilities and Development
