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Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Newark is a Gov. Matt Meyer signature away from being able to levy a per-student tax on UD
A per-student tax from Newark on its hometown college is closer to a reality than ever. The Delaware Senate passed House Bill 34, which would amend Newark's city charter to allow it to levy a per-student tax on the University of Delaware. UD is the largest university in the state and the economic and cultural heartbeat of Delaware's third-most populated city. There weren't any "no" votes from any state representative or senator against the bill. The bill allows the city to levy a tax of up to $50 per student, per semester. City officials have long been searching for an additional revenue stream to help with rising property taxes and utility costs. UD occupies nearly 40% of the city's municipal borders, and it sits on untaxable land. But its students, faculty, staff and their families are the drivers of Newark's economy. Now the bill has to be signed by Gov. Matt Meyer. The governor's office said the legislation is under review, but did not indicate anything further. Newark Mayor Travis McDermott said this is a long time coming and thanked the bill's sponsor, state Rep. Cyndie Romer, a Democrat from Newark, for her work to get it through. "I think it's a piece of the puzzle to achieving equitable funding for the city of Newark," he said. The bill has one amendment, deleting the cost-of-living adjustment made to the tax rate every year, keeping the limit at $50. If signed, it will be up to the city to put this into action. McDermott said if the bill is signed into law, the city would not rush to levy a tax. After all, graduation is this weekend. He said the council and city staff would look at what the best rate is, and he did not think the tax would start at the maximum allowed $50 rate. If signed, the City Council will take a look at the rate while formulating next year's city budget. CLOSER LOOK AT UD STUDENT TAX House bill allowing Newark to tax University of Delaware per student gains momentum "I don't want to just throw an arbitrary number out and say this is what the fee is going to be," he said. "I think we need to do an analysis of what the services cost and what would be the appropriate fee to set. So, that's going to take some work on city staff's part to see where we want to put that number out." At its maximum rate, the city could pull in $2.4 million, which is about an 8% increase in revenue. Utility payments make up 75% of the city's revenue. It has already hiked property taxes by 7.5% for the 2024-25 budget. UD's economic output is indelible. Blue Hens contribute more than $3 billion annually, according to a report in 2022. Despite its output for the city and state, the city collects only around $180,000 from the university annually from deals made in 1965 and 2002. In an emailed statement to Delaware Online/The News Journal on May 23, UD said it shares an interest in Newark's improvements, financial viability and strength, and that the city's issues with rising costs reflect its own problems. UD's focus remains on access to its education. "We prepare students, including thousands of Delawareans, for success in their professions, communities and beyond," the university said in its statement. "Our goal is and remains centered on providing an accessible and affordable pathway to a UD education for our students – those who contribute social, cultural and economic value to the City of Newark." Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Bill allowing Newark to tax UD awaits Meyer signature
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
University of Delaware president plans to step down after this semester
University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis announced he will be stepping down after this semester. The move by the nine-year university leader comes less than a week after a 24-year-old graduate student was killed by a fleeing U-Haul van that struck several other students and cars along Main Street on April 29. More broadly, the university's 28th president also exits during a period of continued uncertainty, as the Trump administration had previously revoked records of at least eight international students, threatened research funding and targeted UD in a March investigation into "racial preferences." "As we will forever value and cherish fond memories of all of you, this was not an easy decision," the president wrote in a letter to the UD community on May 5, speaking also for his wife, Eleni. His Monday-morning letter said he had "made the meaningful contributions" he set out to make as president, and now is "the appropriate moment" for a leadership transition. UD's announcement did not spell out other reasons for the June 30 exit. 'UD is a remarkable place with a vibrant culture of interdisciplinary inspiration to reimagine what's possible in higher education," Assanis said in a written statement. "I will forever treasure my experience of leading such an extraordinary institution defined by amazing students, talented faculty, dedicated staff and a vast network of loyal alumni and friends who support its mission.' Board of Trustees Chair Terri Kelly credited the outgoing administrator with "advancing the University to new levels of accomplishment, promise and potential," despite challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and its fallout. This year, the university is ranked No. 26 among 500 U.S. colleges and universities – up 60 spots from the year before – in The Wall Street Journal/Pulse Rankings, and No. 86 among 434 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. Earlier this spring, UD's top-ranked graduate programs announced by the same outlet included 13 programs in the top 50. Assanis came to Newark from New York's Stony Brook University, per UD, after a a distinguished career at the University of Michigan and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In its announcement, UD noted Assanis led over boosts to student aid, enhancements in student life and growth of UD's research, which was catalyzed by his help in securing UD as headquarters for the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals. In 2023, the UD also made its move to Conference USA, under Assanis' leadership. The list of contributions goes on, also detailed in a UDaily sendoff. The leader of the university's Dover neighbor also reacted to the announcement. "President Assanis has been a strong leader of the University of Delaware, my alma mater – and has become a great friend and colleague during challenging times for higher education," Delaware State University President Tony Allen said Monday evening. "I have seen his leadership firsthand and know how much UD's ascension has benefitted from Dennis' tenacity and wisdom and wife Eleni's indomitable spirit. ... Godspeed, Mr. President!" According to the university, news of an interim president to serve beginning July 1 is coming soon. When is graduation? The latest 2025 commencement breakdown across Delaware universities (This story was updated to add more information.) Got a story? Contact Kelly Powers at kepowers@ or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on X @kpowers01. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: UD President Dennis Assanis announces he will step down
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
University of Delaware sends off class of 2025
The University of Delaware class of 2025 is off into the real world. The university community of administrators, faculty, staff, graduating students and their loved ones poured into Delaware Stadium in Newark on a crisp morning May 24 to celebrate this year's graduating class. Almost 6,500 graduates make up the class. Of the total number, more than 4,800 are undergrads, and more than 1,600 are graduate students. About 42% of the class are Delawareans. UD President Dennis Assanis gave this class a unique distinction in his speech. "Congratulations to the amazing class of 2025," he said to the crowd. "The best class to ever graduate from the University of Delaware." It's his last commencement ceremony as the president of the university. He has served as president since 2016 and oversaw the expansion of the Science, Technology and Advanced Research Campus; introduced new research opportunities; and oversaw the elevation of the school's athletic program into Conference USA. "Over the years, we've been so impressed and so inspired by the drive, the dedication to the amazing talents of UD students," he told students. "Thank you for the transformative and memorable time that we spent together." ASSANIS LEAVING UD: University of Delaware president plans to step down after this semester He thanked the university community and ended his remarks by taking a selfie from the stage with the students in the background. He was awarded an honorary doctorate at the ceremony. Other people who received honorary distinctions were Wilmington Mayor John Carney, former MBNA executive John Cochran III, biologist and former UD Provost Robin Morgan, professor emerita of theatre and dance Lynette Young Overby, and ABC Action News anchor and guest speaker Matt O'Donnell. UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE NEWS: Newark is a Gov. Matt Meyer signature away from being able to levy a per-student tax on UD O'Donnell was tasked with this year's guest speaking gig, following Joe Flacco in 2024, former astronaut Mae Jemison in 2023 and then-leader of the free world Joe Biden. O'Donnell's speech related to students at his alma mater, UD, and challenged them to continue being authentic. "You are doing these things because you are trying to experience what we took from you as parents when we gave you smartphones way too early and stopped allowing you to go out on your own; you are seeking authenticity," he said in his speech. "You might be the anxious generation, but personally, I define you as something different. You are the disruption generation." GRADUATION PHOTOS: See Delaware State University's 2025 commencement ceremony One graduate, Devin Jiang from Brandywine Hundred, is looking toward the nation's capital. At UD, he said he learned about politics and its inner workings and has worked in the White House and state Legislature during his Blue Hen tenure. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2024, the second Chinese-American to represent Delaware. He is now a staff assistant for Delaware's senior senator, Chris Coons. "I just want to learn as much as I can about the federal government and represent Delaware on the national stage," he said in an interview. Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: UD President Assanis thanks school community at his final graduation
