Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

November 14, 2002

Regents approve tuition hike

Iowa State students will see a 17.6 tuition hike in 2003-04 under a policy approved by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, during its meeting in Ames Nov. 13-14.

The new policy sets tuition at $4,342 for Iowa State undergrads, a $650 increase. Non-resident undergrads will pay $13,684, an increase of $1,300 or 10.5 percent.

The regents' policy also includes a tuition set-aside of 15 percent of gross tuition revenues for financial aid.

In addition, mandatory fees for Iowa State students will increase 64 percent under a plan to redirect "designated tuition" to mandatory fees. Students will pay $686 in FY04 (they are paying $418 this fiscal year). These funds cover the student service fee for CyRide and recreation, student health fee and computer fees. In addition, a new $76 fee for future improvements to Memorial Union has been added to the mandatory fee for next year.

The total increase (tuition and mandatory fees) for in-state students will be $918 and for out-of-state students $1,568.

Iowa State officials indicated that in addition to the set-aside for financial aid and the mandatory fees, the university would use the additional revenue generated by the tuition increase to support faculty recruitment and retention efforts, as well as new faculty positions and initiatives.

Part of the tuition increase also will go toward new expenses associated with biohazard security and new data required by U.S. government on students and scholars who are not U.S. citizens.

Union transfer OK'd
The regents also approved a request from Iowa State to accept the transfer of property from the Memorial Union corporation. (The regents have the responsibility to acquire and control property on behalf of the state universities.)

The Union, a non-profit corporation since it opened in 1928, will become a more formal part of Iowa State with the transfer.

Student leaders initiated the proposal to transfer the Union to the university and received support from ISU President Gregory Geoffroy and other university officials.

The transfer will allow for more extensive renovation of the facility and subsequently, better services and programs for students, student leaders said.

The separate corporate set-up of the Memorial Union is unusual among university unions, said Warren Madden, vice president for business and finance. However, it was necessary in the '20s when the Union was built, because the university didn't have the authority to borrow the needed funds.

Also approved

The Institute for Food Safety and Security, which will be dedicated to protecting the nation's and Iowa's investment in agriculture, and serve as umbrella over seven units that engage food problems and food issues (such as food-borne infectious disease, food service and international food safety). Faculty affiliated with institute will come from the colleges of Agriculture, Family and Consumer Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine. The institute will be funded ($245,000) as an "academic initiative" by the President's Office.
The Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology. The center formerly was the survey section of the Statistical Laboratory. ISU recently received approval to establish the Interdisciplinary Research Institute for Survey Science. Renaming the Statistical Lab's survey section and elevating it to center status will align all the units reporting to the new institute.
Naming the Union Drive Suite Building I after former university president Gordon Eaton. The building will be named Gordon P. Eaton Hall, after Iowa State's 12th president.
An honorary doctorate of science for Daniel Lane, who has made pioneering contributions to the fields of biochemistry and nutrition. The degree will be conferred during next fall's commencement. Lane received his B.S. and M.S. from Iowa State.
Capital improvement business transactions, including:
- Modified program statement, schematic design, and revised project budget ($19,992,000) for Union Drive Suite Building 2. The building was modified to 88,777 gross square feet (a 4,777 gross square feet increase) and will house 331 students (an 11 student increase). The building will include 17 two-level loft units and 12 traditional residence hall rooms.
- Project statement and schematic design for University Family Housing Community Center to build a new facility to house various student services (including a retail grocery store, meeting areas, office and computer areas, student lounge and fitness center). Construction should begin in March 2003 and be substantially completed by September 2003. The old facility at 100 University Village will be remodeled to serve as the North Campus Child Care Facility.
- Project description and budget for Institutional Roads 2003 Preventative Maintenance project ($548,500) for various paving improvements to selected campus streets.
- Project description and budget ($435,990) and engineering agreement with architects Rudi/Lee/Dreyer, Ames ($54,500) for the College of Veterinary Medicine to convert vacant space in Room 2400 into four conference rooms.
- Revised project budget for Town Engineering -- Upgrade Building Ventilation System project ($541,260). The outside air intakes are located at high and low penthouse room levels, resulting in transmission of exhaust chemicals through the building's heating, ventilating and air conditioning system. The completed project will meet university Environmental Health and Safety guidelines for ventilation. The increase will be funded by private gifts and income from Treasurer's Temporary Investments.
- Architectural agreement with OPN Architects, Cedar Raids ($178,500) for an east parking deck project. A single-level parking deck will be built over lot 50B, east of the Gerdin building (southeast corner of Knoll Road and Union Drive). Approximately 200 new parking stalls will be created, while the existing parking area on the ground level will remain. The total project cost of $2.5 million to $3 million will be paid with parking system revenue bonds.