[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6484006,"mediaKeyId","5506690-8ae8494bacb4bf64d0fd87e53434bdb2","parentId",5506690,"title","Votes at a glance: Board approves policy and property items, appointments and leases","audioSeconds",6003,"startMs",444000,"endMs",6447000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5506690-8ae8494bacb4bf64d0fd87e53434bdb2&start=444&end=6447","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5506690-8ae8494bacb4bf64d0fd87e53434bdb2/thumbnail_444000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6484006/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-Board-approves-policy-and-property-items-appointments-and-leases","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484006-d536a3342a7c00be99db00a3d164e40b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075320&Signature=Kicc8zSzlNdCQh4o3Cz2Wqy4ld5MvRA-5j~gOX~VQDVf0cUg3Ji7qtgSGWmSSOEbJ0aNlvMAqbvYi06KNFgFcTpm~5qzJxPbdqTwQT27klL~APDlIlSbxuAwh5o5N6DxNsbqBdHaGiFq7gR1kdmKpUosJZuFVekBK3BdBj0ibyfIZsF-DyRiYPbfKakJxZiSKClBFWmqNtoiZUFK96ImvJsbm4lQCVwSHOEHuH4puScgm1~tBxOg8qF0En1-01lLofP30NsQafjFZUUmcCW5Nuu7q2B3HIye~kw2lGqjeFGQrnhqo8DlTPnHlOq3DiEodgkiQqNNl1S4erEvB7TooA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Regents, State Board of ","date","2025-07-30T14:14:02Z","article","The Board of Regents approved multiple docket items and motions with limited discussion. Below are the principal actions, outcomes, brief context and the presenters recorded in the meeting. Vote tallies for items called by roll are noted when recorded.

Consent agenda
- Action: Approve and receive items on the consent agenda.
- Presenter: (motion made and second recorded; roll call)
- Outcome: Approved (roll call: unanimous yes as recorded).

Policy manual: Chapter 2.1 (human resources; P&S pay and benefits thresholds)
- Action: Second and final reading to remove the HR report reference and establish approval thresholds for professional and scientific (P&S) pay plans and insurance benefit changes (adjustments ≤3% approved by the executive director; larger adjustments require board approval; insurance changes judged against a 3-year weighted medical trend benchmark).
- Presenter: Kristen Bauer Davis, Board office.
- Outcome: Approved (roll call recorded as yes by all regents present).

Policy manual: Chapter 3.2 (admissions residency for College of Medicine and Dentistry)
- Action: First-and-final reading to amend admissions policy 3.2 to implement House File 516 (effective July 1) to add new residency requirements for the University of Iowa College of Medicine and College of Dentistry.
- Presenter: Amy (Board office).
- Outcome: Approved (roll call recorded as yes by all regents present).

Facility analysis for presidential residences
- Action: Direct senior vice presidents for finance and operations to coordinate a facility analysis at each of the three presidential residences and submit renovation recommendations to the board no later than the November meeting; board approved an accelerated preliminary report for Iowa State to assist its presidential search (requested to appear at the September meeting).
- Presenter: John Nash, Board office.
- Outcome: Approved (roll call yes recorded).

University of Iowa Health Care property purchase (Cedar Rapids)
- Action: Approve UI Health Care’s purchase of a 38,000-square-foot medical office building in Cedar Rapids (listed at 411 SE Tenth) for $4,250,000; presenter said UI Health Care currently leases the building, occupies over 60% of it, and the purchase would secure use and existing capital investments; financial analysis showed a payback vs. lease payments in just over 11 years.
- Presenter: David Koepp, University of Iowa.
- Outcome: Approved (roll call yes recorded).

University of Northern Iowa cell tower lease
- Action: Approve a lease renewal for a cell tower with terms described as 25 years plus a five-year term, a 3% annual escalator, and the university not responsible for tower maintenance.
- Presenter: Michael Hager, University of Northern Iowa.
- Outcome: Approved (roll call yes recorded).

UNI tuition parity for contiguous states (2025–26)
- Action: Approve tuition and fee rates for 2025–26 for new undergraduate students from contiguous states at the Iowa resident rate and waive Board policy manual section cited in the docket; UNI said the initiative will require approximately $1,500,000 per year during a startup period to close the financial gap and that about 160 new students are expected in the first year; long-term enrollment growth was projected to add more revenue and about 300 additional annual graduates when fully implemented.
- Presenter: President Mark Nook, University of Northern Iowa.
- Outcome: Approved (roll call yes recorded).

Appointment: Interim executive director, Center for Intellectual Freedom
- Action: Appoint Professor DeCastro as interim executive director of the Center for Intellectual Freedom, term to commence immediately and conclude upon appointment of a permanent director; the Center was created in House File 437 (transcript reference) and the board expects to bring permanent appointment candidates to the September meeting.
- Presenter: Mark Braun, board executive director.
- Outcome: Approved (roll call yes recorded).

Notes on documentation
- For several items the board recorded only a roll call “yes” for all members; for the FY26 budgets the board recorded a 7–2 vote (see separate article). Where presenters provided numerical details (purchase price, square footage, lease term, estimated fiscal gaps), those numbers are included above and are taken from presenters’ remarks on the public docket.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Iowa Board of Regents Meeting 7-30-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Regents approved a range of routine and substantive docket items including policy manual revisions, facility reviews, a property purchase, a multi-decade cell tower lease and a tuition parity program for contiguous-state students.","taxTitle","Regents, State Board of, Executive, Iowa","taxId",27586,"location","Iowa","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6484012,"Board approves FY26 university budgets after heated debate over process, risk and oversight",4433,1977000,6410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5506690-8ae8494bacb4bf64d0fd87e53434bdb2&start=1977&end=6410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5506690-8ae8494bacb4bf64d0fd87e53434bdb2/thumbnail_1977000.jpg","/articles/6484012/Iowa/Board-approves-FY26-university-budgets-after-heated-debate-over-process-risk-and-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484012-5d91ed25778044141b4ac55e2e8178d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075320&Signature=RsWBC3NSFwdRMPYi0o5izHvrn~G--TXYq3x4BhF1iUVnjm2JetuM8uDXUMWe8X5rNS8XhNzq5NVb8eGYNkRnWNLG7eqHetL8Y52oSu3bNxbtisV7AD8-YZLnYReBzR3~jN-T9po2wko2GFTKW4P8ABUqz6CCWKI2BaBjNHhH20w5ARtWPnWrdSI4WV49qLSHAPa4Yl~iATTlCm1f8bJpTNNEbjOKS07eKPtIoeucsrORSJGbVIT73uiJIPvHWsMLjUFzXodrjowTcLVFvS5fRtH-asBxttUkT5l4Wxshs08J39Z-aYcjdLoYU92boQdhVM0VyMnSHyOdRYGOHkFKZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Brad Berg, board office budget lead, presented the fiscal year 2026 operating and restricted fund budgets for the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa, and for the board office and Lakeside Lab. Berg said the budgets reflect the legislative appropriations already enacted and that the fiscal year began July 1.

Board members and the university presidents discussed program priorities and recent investments before the board took up the motion to approve the budgets. University presidents highlighted new degree programs, facilities projects and enrollment gains as drivers of the proposed budgets. President Wintersteen (Iowa State) and President Nook (UNI) reviewed new degree launches and capital projects; President Wilson (University of Iowa) described student-retention gains and a major NASA grant for space research. Terry Johnson (University of Iowa finance) said universities prepare multi-year projections and continually monitor revenue and expense risks.

Regent Hensley said she would vote no because she had limited opportunity to review financial “actuals” and asked for a more deliberate process. “When I looked at what is the mission and purpose for this board of regents, it is oversight to the financial operations of the universities. How can I sit here and say I really have done my job? Because I haven't,” Hensley said.

Regent David Barker (regent) pressed for more contingency planning and explicit assessments of risks tied to federal funding, indirect cost recoveries and hospital directed payments. Barker noted potential impacts on UI Health Care finances and urged the board to plan for scenarios where revenue declines. “Our role as regents is oversight, not cheerleading,” Barker said.

A motion to approve the FY26 budgets was made by Regent Jaden and seconded by Regent Dunkel. The roll call vote recorded: Dunkel — yes; Barker — no; Hensley — no; Rouse — yes; Reiswick — yes; Gipple — yes; Jaden — yes; Kramer — yes; Bates — yes. The motion carried, 7–2.

Following the budget vote, Regent Kramer moved, and Regent Reiswick seconded, a separate motion directing the board’s investment and finance committee to convene promptly to review the budget process and contingency planning and to report back with recommendations. That motion passed on voice/roll call consent.

Board members and university CFOs agreed to schedule additional briefings and one-on-one sessions to address questions raised by newly seated regents. Board staff said amended budgets and contingency plans can be returned to the board for approval if needed.","The Board of Regents approved FY26 operating and restricted fund budgets for the three state universities after extended discussion about review process and financial risk. The motion passed, 7–2, and the board asked its finance committee to conduct a deeper review of budgeting practice and contingency planning.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6484014,"Iowa Board of Regents backs attorney general review after report on DEI compliance; special meeting set",127,314000,441000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5506690-8ae8494bacb4bf64d0fd87e53434bdb2&start=314&end=441","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5506690-8ae8494bacb4bf64d0fd87e53434bdb2/thumbnail_314000.jpg","/articles/6484014/Iowa/Iowa-Board-of-Regents-backs-attorney-general-review-after-report-on-DEI-compliance-special-meeting-set","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6484014-d5d9acf6f4071987d4044e478f134f5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075320&Signature=mau8yF31CqmsqTjz469FCQlaWVqe0OzCmu5uOn-QeMHXFG2nsw7Ghr7Uy-g8unbZilPubMBJ6rI2p9kvJno1ar6yFN8XOqHF~OHirQ4IfUvoEqvTaso7-EUb-qzk70JotkrfueBLI7ZgWud5HUsG~KitPHu2pepnGyswHBbRtkydeqCjPnnkKXhCYvW5F~Du~pnuEbd8-cgrSdo9dvU-IqBHt6Udl5IbGp5V3ATwDlMUucuha7ctd5RAC1e8pSu8LOiCoSLenRvG0ePR4fetUCJAuGwbbSFy0l7PQLgyrLtmx8d237qyxqGD5J55MXaokLKAr3ho~I3Kvfv99nQZeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Regent Bates, president of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, opened the meeting by saying the board will support the attorney general's review after a news report alleging faculty and staff had not followed state and federal law related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

“Following the law is not optional, nor is working around the law,” Regent Bates said. “Any attempt to skirt the law needs to be dealt with swiftly.”

Bates said the board will not take up the proposed DEI-related policy at this meeting because “discussions on how to best implement the ideas that were brought forward are still ongoing.” She said the board has heard from people on “both sides of this specific issue” and that a more comprehensive approach is needed. Bates said she had asked the board office to schedule a special meeting in August to address the new policy proposal.

President Wilson, president of the University of Iowa, told the board the university had launched “an immediate and comprehensive investigation” in response to the report referenced by the board and had coordinated with the board office and the attorney general’s office. “If at any point we find the policies or laws have been violated, we will take the necessary corrective actions without hesitation,” President Wilson said.

Regent Barker and others also commented later in the meeting about continuing concerns over DEI compliance; Regent Barker read from an earlier letter to Attorney General Brenna Bird and urged more direct board action where compliance issues are identified. Barker said the board’s earlier direction that universities handle compliance locally had left gaps the board may need to address.

No formal enforcement action was recorded at the meeting; the recorded step was the board president’s direction that the board office arrange a special August meeting to consider the policy proposal further and the board’s public support for the attorney general review. The board did not adopt a new DEI policy at this session.

The matter remains under review, and the board said it will consider a revised policy after additional work and consultation.","Board president and university leaders said they will cooperate with the attorney general’s review after a report alleging faculty and staff violations of state and federal rules on diversity, equity and inclusion. The board will hold a special meeting in August to continue work on a replacement policy.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Board approves policy and property items, appointments and leases

Board approves FY26 university budgets after heated debate over process, risk and oversight

Iowa Board of Regents backs attorney general review after report on DEI compliance; special meeting set