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Regents approve FY 2027 appropriation requests from state universities and add $1 million for student mental health
Summary
The Board approved incremental state appropriation requests from the three regent universities and voted to add $1 million for student mental health supports. The presidents outlined priorities that will form the board’s state request.
The Iowa Board of Regents approved incremental state appropriation requests for fiscal year 2027 from the three public universities and voted to add $1 million to the request for student mental health supports.
Brad Berg of the Board of Regents office summarized presidents’ proposals as an $8.8 million incremental request: $3.6 million for the University of Iowa to expand rural physician training; $3.6 million for Iowa State University to support AgTech innovation and veterinary diagnostic lab operations; and $1.6 million for the University of Northern Iowa to expand nursing and to support a neighboring‑state tuition program.
During discussion, a motion by Regent Dunkel to add $1,000,000 for student mental health services — described in the meeting as student‑focused mental‑health funding — was seconded and adopted in a roll‑call vote. The roll call recorded a single “no” vote by Regent Barker; all other voting regents supported the addition.
After adopting the mental‑health addition, the board approved the operating appropriation request as amended and authorized regent staff to seek collaborations and partnerships between regent institutions and other state agencies. The board’s recorded vote on final approval was unanimous among those present.
University presidents had described how the requested funds would be targeted: University of Iowa asked for $3.6 million to increase the number of physicians practicing in rural Iowa; Iowa State requested funds to support AgTech research, extension work and operations at a veterinary diagnostic lab; and UNI requested $1.6 million to expand nursing‑program capacity and to help subsidize reduced neighboring‑state tuition while the program grows. Brad Berg confirmed those totals during his summary to the board.
Regents said the mental‑health addition responded to student leaders’ presentations and to concerns raised by regents at an earlier student breakfast. Several regents noted the request had clear described uses and that universities had provided details on intended programs and how the funds would be used.
The board instructed designated regent staff to pursue partnerships and collaboration between regent institutions and other state entities as part of the appropriation effort. The amended total incremental request reported to the legislature is $9.8 million (the $8.8 million initially summarized plus the $1.0 million mental‑health addition).
