Inside Iowa State

May 1, 2009

2009-10 parking rates, P&T list, student fees receive regent approval

by Anne Krapfl

In addition to a lengthy budget discussion at their April 30 meeting in Cedar Falls, the state Board of Regents acted on other agenda items. Following are highlights of issues involving Iowa State.

Bond sales

The board approved two April 30 bond sales. They are:

• $27 million in facility revenue bonds to fund part of ISU recreation services' renovation plans for the Lied Center, Beyer Hall and State Gym. A second phase would add a 92,000-square-foot addition to the west side of State Gym. Total project cost is $52.8 million. The work at Lied begins this month.
• $10.9 million in dormitory revenue "refunding" bonds to take advantage of low interest rates and refinance $14 million worth of bonds sold in 1998 to fund phase 1 of the Frederiksen Court apartments construction (for which payments were to begin July 1). The low interest rate received (3.84 percent) will result in an estimated annual savings of $65,000 through the 2025 bond maturity date.

Promotion and tenure

The board approved Iowa State's request for 71 faculty promotions and tenure awards effective for the 2009-10 academic year. The full list is on the provost's web site. The breakout is:

• Promotion with tenure: 48
• Promotion (already tenured): 20
• Tenure: 3

Parking permits

The board approved parking permit rates for FY10. The increases range from 4.9 to 5.2 percent. The new rates are:

• General staff, $125 (was $119)
• Reserved, $446 (was $425)
• 24-hour reserved, $801 (was $763)
• Departmental, $125 (was $119)
• Vendor, $162 (was $154)
• Staff motorcycle, $42 (was $40)
• MU ramp, $450 (was $429)

Parking fines

The board approved Iowa State's request to raise the penalty on several parking violations, effective July 1. The new and current fines are:

• Illegal parking, $30 (was $15)
• Expired meter, $10 (was $7.50)
• Failure to purchase parking receipt, $10 (was $7.50)
• Altered, counterfeit or forged permit, $150 (was $80)
• Unauthorized use of permit, $150 (was $80)

Honorary degree

The board approved an honorary Doctor of Science degree for ISU alumnus Chan-Koo Park for his innovation in science and the petrochemical industry. Park is chairman and CEO of chemical operations of the Kumho Asiana Group, Seoul, South Korea. Kumho Petrochemicals is the second-largest producer of synthetic rubber in the world. Park earned a bachelor's degree in statistics from ISU in 1976. He will be honored at the May 9 undergraduate commencement ceremony.

Allocation of mandatory student fees

In December, the board approved tuition and mandatory student fee rates for the 2009-10 academic year (which starts this summer). ISU students will pay $894.70 in mandatory fees next year. The breakout looks like this:

• Computer fee, $230
• Recreation fee, $133.30 (programs and building renovation)
• Buildings debt, $97.50 (MU, Hilton, ice arena, student health center, multicultural center)
• Student services, $170.20 (CyRide, athletics)
• Student activities, $67.70 (GSB)
• Health fee, $196

Student miscellaneous fees (non-tuition related)

The board reviewed student miscellaneous fees for the 2009-10 academic year, and had a short discussion about why these fees aren't presented on the same timeline as tuition and mandatory fees. Regent staff said board members have the authority to modify the timing of the review.

ISU fees generally are increasing 10.5 percent to 50 percent. Most fees are in the range of $15 to $100. For example, the transcript fee (for official copies of a transcript) will go from $10 to $15, the application fee for U.S. students will go from $30 to $40. The board will be asked to approve the fees at its June meeting.

Residence hall rates

The board approved residence hall and campus apartment rates for 2009-10, beginning this summer. Students may assemble their own room and board packages, selecting from several dozen housing options and 11 board plans, including weekly, semester and academic year plans; and four Dining Dollar package rates. A double-occupancy room with full board will cost $7,204 -- an increase of 4.6 percent ($320).

Meal plan rates will increase 4.74 to 6.98 percent (depending on the plan). Residence hall room rates will go up 2.5 percent and student apartment rates will increase by 1.5 percent. Rates at Schilletter Village and University Village townhouses have been changed to standard fees, rather than various prices based on square footage and renovation factors.

The state Board of Regents also had a lengthy discussion on FY10 budget planning at its April 30 meeting.