The Iowa Board of Regents on Dec. 3 unanimously ratified a charge to its Investment and Finance Committee to perform a comprehensive review of potential new revenue streams and cost efficiencies across the system's three universities.

Executive Director Mark Braun told trustees the charge is "comparable to what the board did in 2014 with TIER," asking the committee to identify new revenue opportunities and efficiency measures and to report back to the full board.

Why it matters: Trustees framed the review as necessary to strengthen the universities' financial foundation amid continuing budget pressures and enrollment trends. Regent Kurt Jaden, who chairs the committee, said the effort will engage the board office, regent institutions and third-party experts to broaden analysis and recommend actions. "This strategic opportunity is an ability to jointly engage the board office, regent institutions, and third party experts to challenge and expand our thinking and explore new areas of opportunity to ensure our future financial foundation remains strong," Jaden said.

Board action: Regent Kurt Jaden moved to ratify the charge; Regent Rouse seconded. The board took a roll-call vote and approved the motion unanimously. Committee updates will be provided to the board on a regular basis as the work proceeds.

Provenance: Executive director presentation of the charge; committee motion, second and unanimous roll-call vote.