The Iowa Board of Regents on Dec. 3 approved several governance and personnel items, including the bylaws for a Center for Intellectual Freedom, a request to designate Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen as president emerita upon her retirement and the election of new board leadership.

Bylaws and tenure questions: Board executive director Mark Braun introduced bylaws that the advisory committee had reviewed and approved. During discussion, Regent Nancy Dunkel raised an American Association of University Professors (AAUP) letter seeking clarity on how tenure would apply to center-affiliated faculty. Mark Braun and other trustees clarified that the board is the entity that grants tenure and that any center recommendations for tenured faculty would come to the board. Regent Hensley moved approval of the bylaws; Robert Kramer seconded and the board approved the motion on a roll-call vote.

Wendy Wintersteen emerita: Rachel Boone, the board's chief academic officer, presented Iowa State's request to designate President Wendy Wintersteen as president emerita and professor emerita in accordance with university policies. The designation, which the board approved by roll-call vote, takes effect Jan. 2, 2026. Boone said the action follows campus policies and prior precedent for former presidents.

Leadership elections and recognition: The board opened nominations for president and president pro tem for terms beginning Dec. 4, 2025. Trustees nominated and elected Regent Robert Kramer as president and Regent Kurt Jaden as president pro tem, each by roll-call vote. Board members read and adopted a resolution honoring outgoing President Sherry Bates for years of service; Bates thanked colleagues, governors and staff and expressed confidence in new leadership.

Votes at a glance:
- Approve Center for Intellectual Freedom bylaws — motion moved by Regent Hensley; second by Regent Robert Kramer; outcome: approved (unanimous roll-call).
- Designate Wendy Wintersteen president emerita (effective 2026-01-02) — motion moved by Regent Robert Kramer; second by Regent Nancy Dunkel; outcome: approved (unanimous roll-call).
- Elect Robert Kramer as board president (term 12/04/2025–04/30/2026) — outcome: approved (unanimous roll-call).
- Elect Kurt Jaden as president pro tem (term 12/04/2025–04/30/2026) — outcome: approved (unanimous roll-call).

Provenance: Presentation of bylaws and AAUP question, motion and roll-call vote; presentation of emerita request, motion and vote; nomination and roll-call votes for board leadership; resolution honoring outgoing president.