UNI Legislative Update - 2008 Archive

The Office of Governmental Relations provides legislative updates to the campus community through online communication and bimonthly campus presentations. These updates will inform faculty, staff and students of hot topics facing the legislature and legislative actions affecting UNI and the Regents institutions.

December 18, 2008

More budget cuts for UNI

Below is a statement from Governor Culver outlining his recent budget cuts. This round calls for roughly $10.5 million cut from Iowa's public universities (UNI, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa) for a total of roughly $17.5 million cuts from the public university system. UNI's share of the burden is around $2.5 million.

Governor Culver Takes Action To Meet 'Historic' National Economic Challenges
Announces 1.5% across-the-board reduction, seeks $10 million in fund transfers

DES MOINES - Governor Chet Culver has announced new steps he is taking to meet the budget challenges facing the state of Iowa caused by a global economic downturn, including an across-the-board cut in State spending.

"We are in the midst of an economic challenge that is historic in its scope," said Governor Culver. "While its cause comes from actions on Wall Street, supported by misguided federal policies from Washington over the past eight years, the result has been an economic recession that is hitting Main Streets and factories and farms and families across the nation. This world-wide economic recession is affecting every state in the nation, no matter if they are big or small, rural or urban, Democratic or Republican. We are all facing this challenge together. And together, we must accept the reality and share in the sacrifice."

The Governor is taking action after last week's meeting of the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) determined that state government would see a decline in revenues during the current fiscal year. After meetings with state budget officials and members of his Council of Economic Advisors, the Governor determined the end of the economic downturn has not yet reached Iowa and that the REC could make further reductions to revenue estimates.

The Iowa Constitution requires a balanced budget; the state cannot deficit spend. Today"s actions by the Governor meet the demands of the current and projected declines in revenue, and balance the state budget. He has taken the following steps:

1. He has directed the Department of Management (DOM) to revise its projected balance sheet for the General Fund at the end of December in order to adjust for the recent REC action and make other adjustments based upon DOM's best projections of income and expenditures. This action has already been done, which projects a negative balance at the end of the current fiscal year. A copy of the revised sheet is attached.
2. Pursuant to Iowa Code, the Governor will sign an Executive Order making an across-the-board reduction in General Fund expenditures, currently expected to be 1.5%. This is estimated to save the state $91.4 million. However, the Governor will protect funding for Corrections Officers and State Troopers, and will ask the legislature to backfill these cuts when they convene next month.
3. He will work with legislative leaders and members of the legislature to transfer $10 million to the General Fund from accounts and funds in state government that have balances that exceed the amount needed for the current fiscal year.

Governor Culver assured Iowans that he would hold the line on taxes, saying, "Maintaining a balanced budget and staying in front of this national economic crisis requires sacrifice throughout state government, as well as business, workers, urban, rural, and all of Iowa. And I intend to do this while holding the line on taxes."

Today's announcement represents a $101 million reduction in general fund expenditures for the current fiscal year. When combined with last weeks announced $77 million in cuts, this represents nearly $180 million in budget savings for the current fiscal year.

During his remarks today, the Governor reassured Iowans that Iowa is in a strong position to meet the challenges presented by the national economic downturn.

"I don't want to be alarmist or suggest to Iowans that their state government is in financial trouble," the Governor said. "The fact is we have more than $620 million in reserves that will help us through this situation. We have a AAA bond rating that would allow us to do some things that other states may find impossible."

The Governor added: "We have a history, under both Democratic and Republican leadership, of balancing our budget and acting appropriately to economic tough times. And we have a strong, unmatched, talented citizenry who demands that their political leaders pull together to keep Iowa strong. The difficult, current economic circumstances may not be the fault of Iowans, but it is something we must all face together. Like most Iowans, I am both optimistic and confident about what the future holds for our state. We have always met challenges with solutions, problems with answers. And we always will."

Below is a listing of budget savings announced by the Governor in recent weeks.

SAVINGS ANNOUNCED ON DECEMBER 9TH
Freeze on Out-of-State Travel, Filling of Vacancies, and Equipment Purchases and savings from Judicial Branch, Legislature, and the Regents: $28.0 million
Transfers from Alcoholic Beverages Division and Executive Council: $12.0 million
De-appropriation of New State Office Building: $37.0 million
Total $77.0 million

ADDITIONAL SAVINGS ANNOUNCED TODAY
1.5 % Across-the-Board Reduction: $91.4 million
Transfer of Funds $10.0 million
Total $101.4 million

Total Budget Savings: $178.4 million

December 12, 2008

Governor Culver To Announce $60 Million In Additional State Spending Reductions Next Week

DES MOINES - Governor Chet Culver will announce steps next week to reduce state spending by an additional $60 million, which represents one percent of the State’s General Fund revenues.

The Governor made his announcement in response to new projections made this morning by the Revenue Estimating Conference. The REC is estimating that state revenues for FY2009 will be $99.5 million below estimates made in October; revenue estimates for FY2010 are $132.6 million lower.

The Governor issued the following statement:

"When I announced more than $75 million in budget cuts and cost savings earlier this week, I reminded Iowans that our state is being hit on two financial fronts: a national economic recession and the natural disasters of last summer. Both events are having an impact on families, businesses and government across the state.

"At the same time, we cannot lose sight of the fact that Iowa has benefited from strong financial management. While bordering states are facing deficits that are measured in billions of dollars, Iowa has a record level of cash reserves, the highest possible bond rating, and a diversified economy.

"The budget savings that I announced on Tuesday, which included asking the legislature to de-appropriate $37 million for a new state office building, not only met our immediate needs but also anticipated today's new estimates. However, we are going to need to find additional savings in order to reduce spending, maintain an appropriate year-end budget balance, and continue to be fiscally responsible.

"Next week, after carefully reviewing our options, I will announce additional steps to reduce state spending by $60 million, which represents one percent of our General Fund revenue. These savings will come from a combination of further administrative spending reductions, transfers of unused funds to the General Fund, and recommendations to the legislature for additional de-appropriations when they convene in January.

"As economic conditions have changed, my Administration has neither overreacted nor under-reacted, but has taken prudent steps to balance our strong fiscal management with the services Iowans need. As Governor, I will continue this approach, not only during this current fiscal year but as we head into what will likely be a very difficult budget year in 2010. But I am confident that, working together in a bi-partisan way, we will meet these economic challenges."

Iowa tax collection dips; more spending cuts likely

The below article is certainly not good news for UNI. At this point, we are in a holding pattern to see what the Governor recommends in his budget for the universities, but it is obviously not a good start.

DES MOINES Iowa leaders today said deeper cuts in state spending likely will be required by next June 30.

A three-member panel that projects state tax collections today scaled back current year expectations by nearly $100 million and knocked down fiscal 2010 by $132.6 million.

State Revenue Estimating Conference members gave a pessimistic view of Iowa's chances of coming out of the recession soon, with employment expected to slip and other economic indicators staying flat or declining.

The panel revised revenue estimates downward over the next 18 months, with REC member David Underwood of Mason City expressing concern that the cutbacks aren't deep enough and that the revenue forecasters may be back in the spring to lower them even further.

REC member Charles Krogmeier, director of the state Department of Management, said today's action likely means Gov. Chet Culver will have to make deeper cuts than the $40 million he trimmed from general fund spending earlier this week. He also called for halting construction of a new state office building to save another $37 million.

"We'll have to go back to the drawing board," said Krogmeier, who did not rule out unpaid employee furloughs as a possible option to reduce current-year spending by another $40 million to $60 million. He also ruled out an across-the-board approach to cutting state expenditures.

"It's a problem, but it's a manageable problem," he said. "While this isn't good news, it should not be surprising."

Krogmeier said the lowered revenue estimate also makes the fiscal 2010 budgeting cycle much more difficult now that the governor and lawmakers will have $132.6 million less to spend when the new fiscal year begins next July 1.

REC member Holly Lyon of the Legislative Services Agency said today's decision increased the likelihood that the governor and Legislature will have to use some of the state's $640 million cash reserve to address one-time emergency needs in fiscal 2010.

"We will take action in January to keep the 2009 budget balanced," House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, said in a statement. "There will be difficult decisions to make, but we will not balance the state budget on the backs of middle class families in these difficult times.

"Last week, Gov. Culver took the first step in tightening our belts, but there is more that must be done," he added. "When the Legislature convenes next month, we will keep the state's fiscal house in order and provide more security for Iowans facing economic hardship and recovering from last summer's devastating storms."

November 5, 2008

Election Day!

The election day results are still being counted and processed and more absentee ballots have not yet arrived but one thing is for certain... the Democrats have retained their majorities in both the Iowa House of Representatives and Senate. Check back in a few days for the updated tally.

UPDATE:

Democrats have increased their majorities in both chambers.

56 - 44 seat advantage in the House

32 - 18 seat advantage in the Senate

Here's a link with the the winner's in each district.

August 27, 2008

For 12th consecutive year, UNI ranked second on 'U.S. News & World Report' list

Friday, August 22, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Benjamin Allen, UNI president, (319) 273-2566
James O'Connor, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-6728

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- For the 12th consecutive year, the University of Northern Iowa is ranked second in the "Best Midwest Universities -- Master's" category for public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2009 "America's Best Colleges" guidebook.

The magazine's ranking criteria include peer assessment, academic reputation, retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation-rate performance and alumni giving rate. This year, UNI tied with the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse for the second-place honors.

UNI also was in a four-way tie for 17th on a combined list of all public and private Midwest regional universities -- one of only three public institutions to make the list of top 20 Midwest regionals. UNI was ranked 16th on the list last year.

Earlier this month, UNI was one of an elite group of 159 colleges on the Princeton Review's list of "Best in the Midwest" for 2009, based on standards of academic excellence, along with anonymous student surveys, site visits and independent invited recommendations.

"While we don't live for rankings, it's great to see our faculty and staff recognized for the quality and value they provide our students," said Benjamin Allen, UNI president.

Truman State University in Missouri was ranked first among public institutions in the "Best Midwest Universities -- Master's" category, also for the 12th consecutive year.

August 14, 2008

UNI rated among best Midwestern colleges by Princeton Review

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

James Lubker, UNI provost and vice president for academic affairs, (319) 273-2517
Terry Hogan, UNI vice president for student affairs, (319) 273-2331
Harriet Brand, director of public relations, The Princeton Review, (212) 874-8282, ext. 1091
Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-6728

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa is one of an elite group of 159 colleges on the Princeton Review's list of "Best in the Midwest" for 2009. The annual college listings, released recently, are based on standards of academic excellence, along with anonymous student surveys, site visits and independent invited recommendations.

Schools are named "as our 'regional best' colleges primarily for their excellent academic programs," said Robert Franek, Princeton Review's vice president for publishing. "We selected them based on institutional data we collected from several hundred schools in each region, our visits to schools over the years and the opinions of independent and high school-based college advisers whose recommendations we invite."

Princeton Review divides the country into four regions and, this year, identified 630 colleges as "regional bests," adding that this figure represents about 25 percent of the nation's 2,500 four-year colleges. In addition to the Midwest, the company designated 212 colleges in the Northeast, 120 in the West and 139 in the South as best in their locales.

The annual listing, along with student comments about UNI, can be found online at www.princetonreview.com

July 11, 2008

Gilchrist Hall tenants finally get to come home

By EMILY CHRISTENSEN, Courier Staff Writer

CEDAR FALLS --- After more than 2 1/2 years in temporary office space, the tenants of Gilchrist Hall are finally preparing for the move back home.

"It's been a long road, with everything that has happened," said Dave Zarifis, the director of public safety. "We've been in our temporary quarters a long time, but we have adapted given the circumstances. We are excited to be getting back home."

The Department of Public Safety was one of about a dozen university departments, including the Follon Student Services Center and many administration offices, displaced when Aaron Scott Lessmeier and Tanner James Wilkens, both of West Des Moines, set fire to the building during the Homecoming celebration in October 2005. The blaze caused about $10.2 million in damage to Gilchrist, Lang and Baker halls.

Lessmeier and Wilkens both pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree arson and one count of reckless use of fire. They were sentenced to three consecutive 10-year prison terms each, a total of 30 years behind bars.

Steve Pavelec, the university owner construction representative, said nobody expected the building to stay closed for as long as it did, but all departments have been cooperative during the refurbishing process. Originally, the university had said the departments would be back in the building by the end of 2005.

"The facilities department probably felt the damage was far more extensive than the insurance company from the start," Pavelec said. "It got to the point where if we decided to do one thing, it required us to do another. That was the biggest part of the process, determining what actually needed to be done."

Pavelec is excited to see the offices reopen, but the students will benefit most.

"Especially the incoming class of freshmen, who will once again have all student services in one place instead of scattered across campus," he said.

First floor offices --- public safety, human resources, international programs and admissions --- begin moving in this week. Second floor offices --- including compliance and equity management, the registrar, financial aid and academic advising --- will move in later this month and throughout August. Finishing work is still being done on the building's second floor.

Though the university's insurance policy had guidelines for the building's restoration --- which would essentially return the building to its original use --- the university did move forward with a few additional renovations, including extra space for public safety. Zarifis said the department has nearly double its original space, some for a processing room and to generally improve the department's efficiency. There is now a bricked-in dispatch center that is storm and fire resistant, Zarifis said.

All office and individual phone numbers will remain the same throughout the move. Public safety will also maintain 24-hour service during the transition.

A rededication ceremony is planned for Sept. 19.

July 9, 2008

UNI offices begin returning to Gilchrist Hall in July

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Terrence Hogan, UNI vice president for student affairs, (319) 273-2332
Rebecca Schultze, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-6728

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Offices and departments displaced by the October 2005 fire in Gilchrist Hall on the University of Northern Iowa campus began moving into the newly renovated building the July 7. The move-in schedule is as follows:

Moving Date Office Moving to
July 7-11 Public Safety 030 Gilchrist
Human Resources 027 Gilchrist
July 14-18 International Programs 028 Gilchrist
Admissions 002 Gilchrist
July 21-25 Compliance & Equity Management 117 Gilchrist
Registrar's Office 115 Gilchrist
July 28-Aug. 1 Financial Aid 105 Gilchrist
Vice President for Educational & Student Services 118 Gilchrist
Vocational Rehabilitation 116 Gilchrist
Aug. 4-8 Academic Advising 102 Gilchrist
Career Services 02 Gilchrist
Aug. 11-16 Business Operations 103 Gilchrist
Aug. 18-22 Financial Aid Operations 023 Gilchrist

Office and individual phone numbers remain the same. Public Safety will maintain 24-hour operations during the move. Signs will be posted at the temporary office locations throughout the fall 2008 semester directing people to the new locations in Gilchrist Hall.
A Gilchrist Hall Rededication Ceremony is planned for Sept. 19.

June 27, 2008

University faculty prepare Regent Universities Mathematics Transitions Guide

6/26/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Jeff Weld, director, Iowa Mathematics & Science Education Partnership, (319) 273-2723
Stacey Christensen, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-6728

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- High school and college educators in the U.S. have long struggled with the problem of poor student transition from high school to college mathematics. Faculty at the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa are addressing how to improve student preparation and teacher awareness of the entry expectations for math courses at Iowa's Regent universities.

Last November, UNI hosted a Math Transitions Congress for state educators, legislators and business leaders to discuss the challenges facing students and teachers in mathematics. One of the outcomes of the meeting was the need for more communication between math instructors at the university and high school levels -- particularly the identification of key skills and competencies expected of students entering the universities. As a result, university faculty have developed the "Iowa High Schools-to-Regent Universities Mathematics Transition Guide."

The guide gives high school teachers the math competencies students need to enter university math and science courses. It gives the foundational skills and competencies for six entry-level university courses: pre-calculus, calculus I, calculus II, statistics, finite mathematics and mathematics for elementary teachers. The guide also addresses the mindset and learning experiences of students at the high school and college levels to help instructors better meet their needs.

"Everyone involved in the project recognized the opportunity to be the first state to align high school and college math study," said Jeff Weld, director, Iowa Mathematics & Science Education Partnership. "We now have a model not only for other states, but for other academic areas to follow."

It will be distributed to Iowa schools, area education agencies, universities and other professional organizations. For more information or to view the guide, contact Jeff Weld at (319) 273-2723 or visit http://www2.state.ia.us/regents/StudentInfo/Math_Guide.pdf.

June 26, 2008

Legislator thank-you reception

Last week, UNI held a reception for the local Cedar Falls/Waterloo delegation for their strong support of UNI at the statehouse this past legislative session. Thanks again for all your work!

Representative Berry explaining a point with Representatives Wiencek (left) and Kressig (right) looking on

Provost Lubker (left) with Senator Danielson (middle) and Representative Kelley (right)

Senator Danielson answering questions about the 2008 legislative session

Representative Kelley listening to a question from a UNI supporter

Representative Kressig (right) talks with a UNI supporter

June 9, 2008

Math & Science Regent report

Click here to read a report of the Board of Regents on the Math & Science Initiative. The report is full of details relating to the goals and mission of the project along with outlining the "next steps."

June 5, 2008

Director named for Mathematics and Science Education Collaborative Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Jeff Weld, director, Board of Regents Mathematics & Science Education Collaborative Initiative,
(319) 273-2723
Stacey Christensen, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-6728

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Jeff Weld, associate professor in the University of Northern Iowa Department of Biology, has been named director of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, Mathematics & Science Education Collaborative Initiative, effective July 1.

"Jeff has delivered exceptional service this past year in his leadership role working with faculty at UNI, the University of Iowa and Iowa State University to devise a plan that will enhance math and science education teaching and student learning," said Ben Allen, UNI president.

In May 2007, Weld was named leader of the Regents Math & Science Collaborative Initiative. Weld has been at UNI since 2000. He holds a Ph.D. in science education from the University of Iowa and prior to that taught high school sciences for 11 years. He also was recognized as the 2007 Four-year College Biology Teacher of the Year by the National Association of Biology Teachers.

The initiative is led by UNI in collaboration with the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. The initiative has three basic goals: 1) To improve mathematics and science performance of Iowa students; 2) To prepare more high-quality mathematics and science teachers for Iowa's schools; and 3) To promote statewide collaboration and cooperation.

"I'm excited to work collaboratively with the various stakeholders as we strengthen math and science education opportunities for teachers and our young generation of students who will prove to be the seed corn of our 21st century economy and society," Weld said.

To further the goals of the initiative, several projects are proposed. They include the establishment of:

- The Regents Mathematics and Science Education Institute to be located at UNI, with faculty and staff distributed at all three state universities;
- Math and Science Majors to Teaching to address teacher shortage by recruiting students into math and science teaching;
- Science and Math Teacher Real World Interns to establish summer math and science-related internships in the private and public sector for math and science;
- Wider implementation of Project Lead The Way (PLTW) across Iowa. PLTW targets math and science curriculum and student recruitment to math and science careers;
- Community College STEM Instructor Preparation and Updates to address the shortage of math and science instructors at community colleges.

June 3, 2008

UNI to introduce new AD today

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Josh Lehman, assistant athletics director for media relations, (319) 273-3642
Rebecca Schultze, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-6728

Note to editors/news directors:

A mult box will be provided. Troy Dannen will be available for one-on-one interviews following the question-and-answer session

New UNI director of athletics to be formally introduced at 11 a.m. on June 3

New University of Northern Iowa Director of Athletics Troy Dannen will be formally introduced to the UNI community, alumni, media and the Cedar Valley at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 3, in the McLeod Center Alumni Suite.

Parking will be available west of the McLeod Center. Please use the northwest entrance of the building.

Speakers include UNI President Ben Allen, Greater Cedar Valley Chamber of Commerce President and director of athletics search committee member Bob Justis, and Dannen. UNI coaches, faculty, staff and students, as well as members of the community also will be in attendance.

The event can be seen live on the Web, which also can be accessed via a link from the UNI home page.

For information about Dannen's new role at UNI, visit UNI News.

May 30, 2008

Troy Dannen named UNI director of athletics

CEDAR FALLS --- Troy Dannen has been named director of athletics at the University of Northern Iowa. He is currently executive director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. He will assume his new duties at UNI in July.

"Troy brings a valuable and unique perspective to this position. He also brings a level of energy, enthusiasm, and passion for Panther athletics second to none," said UNI President Ben Allen. "I look forward to working with Troy and to welcoming the Dannen family back to the UNI community."

Dannen will be formally introduced at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 3, at the McLeod Center Alumni Suite. He has been employed by the IGHSAU since 1989, becoming executive director in 2002. IGHSAU oversees athletics in 392 schools in 11 sports across the state of Iowa, involving 70,000 participants. He received his B.A. from UNI.

"The University of Northern Iowa has been a significant part of my personal life since I arrived on campus as a freshman in 1985," Dannen said. "The opportunity to extend that relationship professionally is a dream come true. My wife and I are Panthers for life and look forward to coming home to the Cedar Valley."

"Troy is a dynamic leader who will provide vision and direction. He has proven he can get things done," said Tom Schellhardt, UNI vice president for administration and finance. "He has a solid understanding and appreciation for student athletes, coaches and administrative staff. He will be a strong collaborator between the Athletic Department and the rest of the university and will be actively engaged in the university community and the community at large."

Dannen signed a four-year contract and will receive a $155,000 annual salary. He replaces Rick Hartzell, who resigned in January.

Other finalists for the position included Terry L. Wanless, director of athletics, Sacramento State; Barbara G. Walker, senior associate athletic director, Wake Forest University; Michael P. Waddell, senior associate director of athletics, University of Cincinnati; and Glen Krupica, deputy director of athletics for external affairs, Northern Illinois University.

May 19, 2008

Congratulations to UNI Men's and Women's Track & Field!

MVC Championships: Panthers Sweep Titles

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The University of Northern Iowa track and field team made history Sunday at the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships, sweeping the men's and women's league championships to cap what was an outstanding weekend for the Panthers.

The Panthers came out on the winning end of a battle with Southern Illinois to secure their first-ever women's outdoor conference title, while the UNI men took home their second-consecutive MVC crown.

In doing so, UNI became the first program in MVC history to sweep each of the league's four track and field team titles (women's indoor, men's indoor, women's outdoor, men's outdoor) in the same season.

The women's team racked up 172.5 points to edge out the Salukis, who finished runner-up in the team race with 168 points, while the Panther men scored 204 points to take the title over second-place Wichita State, which scored 180.5 points.

Sunday, the Panthers added seven individual championships and another pair of NCAA regional qualifying marks to their laundry list of accomplishments. In total, UNI racked up 14 individual titles, added 11 new qualifiers for the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships and tallied a total of 39 All-MVC honors.

Along with a sweep of the conference's outdoor coach of the year honors by UNI head coach Chris Bucknam, the Panthers earned several individual honors. Senior Raven Cepeda earned Most Valuable Men's Athlete honors, while sophomore Dani Stipe was named Outstanding Women's Track Athlete and sophomore Ehi Oamen was named Outstanding Men's Field Athlete.

"It was a highly-competititve meet and we answered the call when the chips were down on the last day," Bucknam said. "The first two days were phenomenal for our men and women, and that laid the groundwork. We had some hiccups today, but we were able to recover and win."

The women's team race was tight throughout the day, with UNI and Southern Illinois locked in a tight battle for the championship. The Salukis took the lead following the completion of the women's discus, but the Panthers snatched it back with a strong performance in the women's 5,000 meters.

Senior Traci Hawley took runner-up honors in 17:24.85, while junior Caedryn Schrunk came through with a fifth-place finish in 17:44.78 to give the Panthers a 4 1/2-point edge with two events to go.

A runner-up finish in the 4x400 relay, with the team of Dani Stipe, Amy Bagge, Kara Yahn and Lauren Carruthers clocking in 3:41.90, was enough to secure the title for the Panthers.

"It was those points that secured it for us," Bucknam said. "Just awesome stuff."

Bagge, a first-time regional qualifier this season, also added to the Panthers' point tally by winning the championships in the women's 800 meters in 2:10.35. Trailing by 20 meters with just 200 meters to go, Bagge used an outstanding kick down the homestretch to secure the win.

"I couldn't be happier for this women's program. It's come an awfully long way in the last four years," Bucknam said. "Last year we were close and the kids made that effort to get over the hump.

"I can't be more thrilled for them."

The sailing was smoother for UNI's men, who racked up six individual championships on the final day of the conference meet.

Senior Jarrel Anderson scored the victory in the men's 110-meter hurdles, clocking in at 14.20 seconds to hold off Cepeda, who took runner-up honors in 14.37. Wojciech Jurkowski was fourth in the race with a time of 14.62.

Sophomore Dorian Ulrey was another first-time outdoor winner for the Panthers, taking the title in the men's 1,500 meters in 3:56.81. He then followed with another All-MVC performance in the 800 meters, taking third behind teammate and repeat champion Tyler Mulder.

Mulder cruised to his second straight title in the event in 1:49.32, leading the charge for the five UNI athletes who made the nine-man final. In addition to the all-conference performances by Mulder and Ulrey, Jack Ogden was fifth, Mike Craddick was sixth and Dale Maxedon took seventh to rack up 25 points for the Panthers in the event.

Senior Terrance Reid also defended his title in the men's 400 meters, clocking in at 46.77 to earn the ninth MVC title of his career.

Also winning a second-conecutive title was sophomore Cory Goos, who took the top spot in the men's 400-meter hurdles with an NCAA regional qualifying time of 52.35. Goos' sprint off the final hurdle pushed him past teammate Dennis Hammel, who was second in 52.42. Both athletes have qualified for regional competition in the event.

The Panthers scored a total of five runner-up finishes on the day, as well, including second-place showings in both the men's and women's 4x400 relays.

UNI took second and third in the men's pole vault, with redshirt freshman Phil Hanson taking runner-up honors to Wichita State's Beau Morris, who took the title in a jump-off. Both cleared 17 feet, 3/4 inch, but neither was able to make it over the bar at XXX. Hanson then missed his first attempt of the jump-off and Morris cleared the bar to take the title.

Hanson's mark improved his regional qualifying mark, while senior Raven Cepeda was third by matching the regional mark of 16-6 3/4 he also hit Saturday in the decathlon pole vault.

The Panthers now have a week off to prepare for the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships, which will be held May 30-31 at Ed Weir Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. UNI has posted a total of 28 qualifying marks for the regional meet.

May 12, 2008

Culver signs $1 billion education bill in Bettendorf

By Ed Tibbetts and Dan Gearino | Friday, May 09, 2008

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver signed into law a nearly $1 billion education funding package Friday in Bettendorf, setting aside money for higher teacher salaries, an expansion of early childhood initiatives and a new program to train math and science teachers.

With about 100 people in attendance at the Mississippi Bend Area Agency on Education, the governor heralded the bill for putting a record amount of money into education. It's about a 6 percent increase over the current year, according to the governor's office.

"We're covering, literally, pre-K to grad school," Culver said.

The bill funds the Regents institutions, community colleges, the state Department of Education and other programs. Funding for basic K-12 school aid has already been approved.

Community colleges got a $10.5 million increase in the bill to $184 million, which is even more than the governor proposed in his own budget plan.

Patricia Keir, the chancellor at Eastern Iowa Community College, said Friday the money will help with tuition rates, work force development and adult education programs. She added colleges were appreciative of money for faculty salaries, too.

"Most of our faculty are giving exams right now, but they wanted me to thank you,"Keir said.

She noted border areas such as the Quad-Cities need to be competitive. The bill adds $1.5 million for higher salaries.

The largest part of the package is $554 million in general aid to the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa.

The new law also puts $75 million aside for teacher salaries, $15 million for expanding pre-school and $4 million for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Center at UNI.

State Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, pushed hard for the center, which will be located near his district. He said the new initiative will be good for K-12 schools across the state.

"It's pretty obvious that the 21st century jobs are requiring enhanced skill levels," he said. "Science, technology and math skills are important for the future."

The bill also includes another top Culver priority, the All-Iowa Opportunity Scholarship, which will help hundreds of low- and moderate-income Iowans attend college. The program will get $4 million, up from $1.5 million in the current year.

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will get a $1 million increase, which was a top priority of Sen. Joe Seng, D-Davenport.

On hand for the budget signing were Rep. Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport, and Sen. Frank Wood, D-Eldridge, who chair the appropriations subcommittees that oversee education spending in the House and Senate.

Wood said he was pleased with bringing up teacher salaries, but he called the steps modest.

"To me, we're just making moderate strides to get them up to average,"Wood said.

Iowa was ranked 42nd in teacher salaries in 2006, which the governor called "embarrassing."

The $75 million included in this bill is part of a larger package that's aimed at bringing teacher pay up to the national average.

May 9, 2008

Governor Culver signs education budget bill

Governor Culver signed the education appropriations bill today in Bettendorf. The bill provides over $700 million to be used for studies, salaries, operational costs, and other strategic initiatives that will help keep UNI and the other two Regent institutions competitive.

Also included in the education appropriations bill signed today by the Governor was the Math and Science Initiative funding of $4 million. The investment from the state is a great start to the program that will address the needs of performance in math and science among our students and teachers.

Thanks again for all your efforts this legislative session! We certainly couldn't do it without you.

April 30, 2008

UNI director of athletics search narrows to five

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Joel Haack, dean, UNI College of Natural Sciences; and chair, director of athletics search committee, (319) 273-2585
Josh Lehman, assistant athletics director for media relations, (319) 273-3642
Rebecca Schultze, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-6728

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Five finalists for the position of director of athletics at the University of Northern Iowa will make campus visits and give public presentations beginning the first full week of May.

The finalists are Terry L. Wanless, director of athletics, Sacramento State; Barbara G. Walker, senior associate athletic director, Wake Forest University; Michael P. Waddell, senior associate director of athletics, University of Cincinnati; Glen Krupica, deputy director of athletics for external affairs, Northern Illinois University; and Troy A. Dannen, executive director, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

Each candidate will participate in a two-day interview process, including an open forum for the public. More information about the candidates and the interview schedule can be found here as information becomes available.

The new director of athletics will replace Mark Farley, who has served as interim director of athletics since Rick Hartzell resigned in January.

April 29, 2008

Write-up on legislative session

The Des Moines Register has an interesting look on the winners and losers of this legislative session. I might add that UNI is considered a winner as are college students based on a number of laws that were passed aimed at alleviating student debt. One of the provisions, a bill encouraging universities and colleges to list college textbook information, actually got its start by the former Student Body President at UNI talking to the Cedar Falls delegation about the issue. Another example of grassroots work at its finest!

Statement from David Miles, President, Board of Regents, State of Iowa, regarding final legislative appropriations action

4/26/08
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Baumert, Interim Executive Director, Board of Regents, State of Iowa,
(515) 281-3934

Salary Appropriation in HF 2700
- The Regents' most important budget request by far was for salary funding. This is critically
important for our institutions to be able to keep tuition increases to low levels and at the same
time attract and retain the best faculty to teach Iowa students, conduct cutting edge research and provide service to Iowa's families and communities. We are grateful that the Governor and the Legislature continued the trend initiated last year by funding the Regents salary needs. This will allow the Regents the opportunity to once again keep tuition increases at a low, stable and
predictable rate.

Math and Science Appropriation in HF 2679
- The largest new Regents' budget request was for a collaborative Math and Science initiative that will help our institutions address a critical need for Iowa. The goals of the Math and Science
Initiative include improving the mathematics and science performance of Iowa students;
preparing more high quality mathematics and science teachers for Iowa's schools; and promoting statewide collaboration and cooperation in math and science education. We are very
appreciative that the Governor and the legislature have decided to provide $4 million to begin
this very important initiative.

April 28, 2008

UNI students in counselor education achieve 100 percent pass rate on national exam

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Jan Bartlett, associate professor, UNI Department of Educational Leadership, Counseling and Postsecondary Education, (319) 273-7979

Stacey Christensen, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-6728

CEDAR FALLS, IA -- Results released by the Center for Credentialing & Education show students enrolled in the University of Northern Iowa counselor education program had a 100 percent pass rate on the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE) in fall 2007 and spring 2008, with 71 percent scoring above the national average. Nationally, 1,025 students took the exam -- 24 were UNI students.

UNI's counselor education program includes school and mental health counseling. The exam is used by 210 colleges and universities to assess students' knowledge of counseling information -- as determined by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

"We're very proud of our students' performance on this exam," said Jan Bartlett, associate professor, UNI Department of Educational Leadership, Counseling and Postsecondary Education. "It speaks accolades for the quality of our program and instruction that prepares students for careers in counseling."

UNI's school counseling program and mental health counseling programs have been nationally accredited by CACREP since 1990. UNI's mental health counseling program was the first CACREP accredited program in the nation. UNI's school counseling program was one of the first programs in the nation to train elementary counselors and among the first to offer K-12 training programs.

The counselor education program at UNI had a record number of applicants this fall. Program graduates experience 100 percent placement in mental health or school counseling. UNI faculty worked with the Iowa Department of Education to develop state guidelines for school counselors when counseling was re-instated last July.

April 26, 2008

Legislature adjournes; UNI comes out a winner

Both chambers of the Iowa Legislature have adjourned until next year just after 2:30am. The House and the Senate have agreed on the salary bill which will include $41.9 million for the Regent universities. It's up to the Department of Management, the budget arm of the executive branch, to actually divvy up the $88 million, but we are secure in our thinking that we will receive what we've been promised.

The salary bill, along with the education appropriations bill, now goes to the Governor where he has 30 days to sign it.

It was a very good year for UNI in the Legislature this year...
* $41.9 million of the salary needs were appropriated
* The Math & Science Initiative came back from the dead and was appropriated $4 million
* Research Development Demonstration Dissemination School to be centered at Price Lab
* $160,000 for the budget operating needs of the Real Estate program in the Business School

Thank you all for your hard work this legislative session! It goes to show you that you CAN and DO make a difference when it comes to grassroots advocacy. Please spread the word to your other friends and coworkers who have connections to UNI and tell them about UNITE! Better yet, you can invite them personally through Recruit a Friend.

Legislature going through the night

It's after midnight here at the Capitol and we are listening to the Senate debate the salary bill which will be used to fund the mandatory salary increases for our faculty and staff. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the salary bill is the most important factor when determining tuition. If the salary bill is adequately funded, tuition increases have a greater chance of remaining low and predictable.

The good news so far for us is the current language in the bill has roughly $88 million to be spread out among all state agencies for salary increases. The Governor has said publicly that he intends to fund the Regents to the tune of 90% of their salary needs which will give us $41.9 million for salaries.

April 25, 2008

Thank You and Congratulations!

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who played a part in securing funding for the Regents Math and Science Initiative, which will be headquartered at UNI. House File 2679, which contains the funding for the Initiative has now been sent to the Governor for his signature.

The Governor has thirty days following the adjournment of the General Assembly to take action. Due to the fact that the Math and Science Initiative was one of the Governor's highest priorities, it is widely expected he will approve the appropriation.

Again, thank you and congratulations!

Below is the news release being issued today by UNI regarding the approval of the Math and Science Initiative

Iowa Legislature approves $4 million for the Regents Mathematics and Science Education Collaborative Initiative

CEDAR FALLS, IA -- The Iowa Legislature has approved $4 million for the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, Mathematics and Science Education Collaborative Initiative.

The Initiative is led by the University of Northern Iowa in collaboration with the University of Iowa and Iowa State University. The Initiative has three basic goals: 1) To improve mathematics and science performance of Iowa students; 2) To prepare more high-quality mathematics and science teachers for Iowa's schools; and 3) To promote statewide collaboration and cooperation.

"We appreciate the outstanding support of the governor, his staff and the legislators for their confidence and funding of this Initiative," said Ben Allen, UNI president. "We look forward to working not only with the University of Iowa and Iowa State University, but with all the stakeholders across the state on this vital task of restoring Iowa's historic leadership position in math and science education."

"I'm excited to work collaboratively with the various stakeholders as we strengthen math and science education opportunities for teachers and our young generation of students who will prove to be the backbone of our 21st century economy and society," said Jeff Weld, Initiative leader.

To further the goals of the Initiative, several projects are proposed including the establishment of 1) the Regents Mathematics and Science Education Institute -- to be located at UNI, with faculty and staff distributed at all three state universities; 2) Star Math and Science Majors to Teaching -- addresses teacher shortage by recruiting students into math and science teaching; 3) Science and Math Teacher Real World Interns -- summer math and science-related internships in the private and public sector for math and science; 4) wider implementation of Project Lead The Way (PLTW) across Iowa -- targets math and science curriculum and student recruitment to math and science careers; 5) community college STEM instructor preparation and updates -- addresses shortage of math and science instructors at community colleges.

Legislature may adjourn today

By Courier Des Moines Bureau
DES MOINES --- Leaders of the Iowa Legislature are optimistic they can wrap up the 2008 legislation and head home for the year today (Friday) after putting the finishing touches on the state budget.

Lawmakers went into overtime after extending the session past Tuesday, the 100th day of the session and the scheduled end.

Debate has stretched into the late evening and sometimes the wee morning hours this week in the push to adjourn by Friday.

"We're making good progress," House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines said Thursday evening. "We still have a lot to do. There's still a tremendous amount of paperwork and behind the scenes work that our staff is doing, and that takes a lot of time."

Why the salary bill is the most important

The salary increases that UNI is required to pay its employees is the single most influential variable when figuring tuition. If the state appropriates the money to cover their employees-- tuition increases stay low. If the state does not adequately appropriate money for salaries-- tuition increases are higher. For every $1 that tuition brings in to the university, 75 cents of that dollar goes toward salaries of faculty and staff.

Receiving adequate funding from the salary bill helps keep the quality of education in classroom at the level UNI expects not to mention retaining our most top-notch faculty on staff.

To illustrate the point of the direct correlation between the salary bill and tuition consider this: from the 2000-01 through 2005-06 academic year salary increases at state universities was not funded by the legislature...AT ALL! The result? Tuition increased over 75% on UNI's campus. During the 2007 session, the legislature did fund the salary needs of the universities and the result was a tuition increase of only 3.2 percent, the smallest tuition increase in 27 years!

April 24, 2008

House agrees with Senate on Regent Budget

The House and Senate came to an agreement tonight on the education appropriation bill. Both chambers agreed on funding the Math & Science Initiative to the tune of $4 million. See what happens when we put our efforts to a good cause?!?

The next big thing concerning UNI will be the salary bill which is expected to be taken up tonight (and by tonight I mean early Friday morning).

From the CR Gazette

Culver priorities make the cut

By Rod Boshart The Gazette

DES MOINES Â— The Senate last night approved a $988 million educational funding package for fiscal 2009 that included several of Gov. Chet CulverÂ’s priorities.

By a 34-12 vote, senators agreed to appropriate $4 million for CulverÂ’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics collaborative initiatives at the University of Northern Iowa. They also beefed up the needs-based All-Iowa opportunity scholarships by $2.5 million to a new $4 million level, and allocated $1.9 million for the senior-plus program to expand collegecredit courses for high school students Â— including $500,000 to cover fees for advanced placement exams.

Sen. Frank Wood, D-Eldridge, the billÂ’s floor manager, said the provisions resulted from negotiations between the governor and leaders of the Democrat-led Legislature.

Â“This is a huge piece,Â” he said. Â“Going in I thought it was going to be a bleak year.Â” The amended House File 2679 that now goes back to the House also boosted state aid to community colleges by $9.1 million, with a $1.5 million increase for salaries. General fund spending for regent universities held relatively steady, with much of the increases to come separately in a state employee salary bill.

The Senate also struck House-passed language that would require the state Board of Regents to report any funded activities or studies that involve actions that violate state law. The language was spurred by news reports about a University of Iowa professorÂ’s research on the effects of marijuana use. During floor debate, senators voted generally along political party lines 17-31 to defeat an amendment that would have required libraries that receive state funding to set policies to restrict access to R-rated video material for borrowers under the age of 17.

April 23, 2008

MATH & SCIENCE FUNDING ADDED TO THE BUDGET

The Senate just added $4 million to the Regents budget to start up the Math & Science Initiative (STEM). A very special UNITE thanks to Senators Danielson, Dotzler, Gronstal, Dvorsky, and Heckroth who all contributed greatly to find additional funds for the Initiative. The budget bill now heads back to the House where it must approve the Senate version before it heads to Governor Culver's desk.

This is a significant step forward and thank you all for your hard work in contacting your legislators over the past few weeks. This is a perfect example of how grassroots advocacy can influence the process. As a result of your combined effort, Iowa will reap the benefits that the Math & Science Initiative has to offer.

As I said above, this is not final. The bill must go back to the House and then to the Governor. Our hard work has paid off and we can't let that work go to waste. Plus urge your Representative to accept the Senate amendment that significantly funds the Math & Science Initiative.

Price Lab weathers adversity, emerges a leader

Just over six years ago, the closing down of a portion of the Malcolm Price Laboratory School was a very real consideration --- an attempt to deal with severe state appropriation cuts to the regent universities.

University of Northern Iowa officials considered eliminating the Northern University High School portion of the school and forming a professional development school partnership with the Cedar Falls and Waterloo schools to train 10th-through-12th-grade student teachers in the public schools instead of at Price Lab.

Ultimately, the school survived intact.

Late last week, Gov. Chet Culver signed into law a program that will heap further challenges, responsibilities and prestige upon the lab school.

The program will be designed to help train educators and focus on practical research to meet the needs of Iowa schools. It expands UNI's Price Laboratory School to become the State of Iowa Research, Development, Demonstration and Dissemination School.

"Today, with my signature, the state of Iowa takes another great leap forward toward innovation in public education," Culver said at the bill signing last week.

That's quite a turnaround for MPLS since the beginning of the decade.

"This is something that's very special to the University of Northern Iowa but will serve the entire state," UNI President Ben Allen said.

The school has been serving the state for quite some time. Price Lab has been in existence in some form since 1883 and has three main purposes:

Serving as an arm of UNI in the preparation of new teachers.

Engaging in research and curriculum development and providing professional development opportunities for practicing teachers throughout the state.

Providing curriculum for pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students.

The legislation was announced after a task force composed of representatives from the three state universities, the Department of Education, school districts and businesses had been asked last year to evaluate potential sites and programs where innovative practices can be studied and implemented to improve student achievement.

Lab schools are a place where new ideas and materials are tested. The information gleaned is disseminated not only throughout the state, but throughout the country.

This new designation will be a huge shot in the arm for MPLS, which was looking at extremely tough times not too long ago. Most important, it could lead to more efficient and effective teaching practices.

Considering its long history of effectiveness, we believe Malcolm Price Laboratory School is up to the task.

UNI's RiteCare clinic helps preschoolers with speech, language delays

By MARY STEGMEIR, Courier Staff Writer
CEDAR FALLS --- The best preschool educators take advantage of teachable moments to bolster their curriculum.

Winter's first snowfall can be used to introduce the concept of weather. Snack time may lead to a discussion of manners. And art class lends itself to a review of the colors.

The staff at the Scottish Rite preschool in Cedar Falls are always on the lookout for those opportunities, but unlike ordinary classroom teachers, the educators focus the resulting lessons on speech and language development. The center, based at the University of Northern Iowa, was founded this fall to help students who struggle with speech sound formation, language delay or social communication.

"We conduct ourselves a lot like a normal preschool," said Prof. Theresa Kouri, director of the university's speech and hearing clinic. "But we're more individualized, and throughout the day we're working with the children on their specific speech and language issues."

That technique was on display Thursday when MaKenna Carlson dipped her pink sleeve into glue during craft time. The 2½-year-old was born with impaired hearing and learned her first words through sign language. The girl was fitted with cochlear implants at 16 months, and is building her spoken English vocabulary at the preschool.

"Oh no!" cried graduate speech clinician, Alisha Sanchez.

"Dirty," she exclaimed, while placing her right hand under her chin and wiggling her fingers --- the corresponding sign for the word.

Little MaKenna nodded and watched as Sanchez dabbed away the mess with a tissue.

"Every child in here comes with different needs," said Kouri, who witnessed the exchange. "Our job is to make sure that within the course of the day, we address those needs."

UNI's RiteCare program is part of a network of speech and hearing clinics sponsored by the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States. The Iowa chapter of the organization funds the Cedar Falls center, as well as a summer program at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. The group plans to start a clinic in Davenport next year.

"We want to reach as many kids as we can," said Scottish Rite member Sid Morris, a retired Waterloo educator. "Early intervention is probably one of the most crucial things for children with speech and language delays. The sooner they get the help they need the better so that by the time they get to school they are ready to learn."

The Scottish Rite Foundation contributed about $70,000 to the UNI RiteCare preschool in its first year. Students meet Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Nine children are currently receiving Rite Care services.

Most families pay about $300 per semester for the classes, but no one is turned away due to financial constraints. A licensed speech and language pathologist oversees the program, while roughly 10 graduate student clinicians assist in preparing lessons and leading class activities.

MaKenna's mother, Rheannon Carlson, said RiteCare has helped her daughter learn new words.

"They are getting her to speak more," said the Cedar Falls woman. "She really couldn't hear until she was implanted, so this program has really helped her get started catching up to the other kids her age."

During story time Thursday MaKenna got to put her burgeoning language skills to work. Graduate student clinician Sanchez stopped her recitation of an "Old MacDonald" tale to ask the preschooler to name the animal on the page.

MaKenna looked uncertainly at the book, then back at another clinician who said "horse," while signing the name for the mammal.

"Horse," the child mouthed silently, making a fist near her temple and bending her fingers. "Horse."

Adjournment looming

UPDATE--

The Senate has the education appropriation bill (HF 2679) slate slated for debate sometime today. Any phone calls to the Senate or emails to Senators would be extremely helpful!

Senate phone number: 515-281-3371

------

Rumors are swirling that the Legislature will adjourn for the year either tomorrow or Friday with still no Math & Science in the budget!

April 22, 2008

UNI budget bill goes to the Senate floor

The Senate Appropriations Committee just passed out the universities budget bill which will be debated on the Senate floor sometime this week. There is still no money for the Math & Science Initiative.

Please take some time over the next few days to contact your elected officials! This will be the last week of session so we need your help NOW!

UNI Executive VP and Provost update

New UNI executive vice president and provost search committee named

CEDAR FALLS --- University of Northern Iowa President Benjamin Allen has appointed a committee to conduct a national search for a new executive vice president and provost at UNI.

Catherine Palczewski, professor of communication studies, will serve as chair of the committee.

Members of the search committee, in addition to Palczewski, are: Syed Kirmani, professor of mathematics; Melissa Heston, associate professor of education; Susan Hill, associate professor of religion; Susan Wurtz, associate professor of management and vice chair of the Faculty Senate; Philip Mauceri, head and professor of political science; Roland Carrillo, director of the Office of Financial Aid; Brenda Neff, secretary, Office of the Vice President for Administration & Finance.

Also appointed are: Farzad Moussavi, dean of the College of Business Administration and professor of management; Stacey Christensen, community relations manager, University Marketing & Public Relations; Phyllis Baker, director of Women's & Gender Studies and professor of sociology; Brenda Buzynski, executive assistant, Office of the President; Pernell Cezar, president, Northern Iowa Student Government and a junior real estate and finance:
financial management double major from Gary, Ind.; and Rachel Brinkman, graduate student in the School of Health, Physical Education & Leisure Services and an athletic training major, from Cedar Falls.

The committee will hold its first meeting soon. "Our goal is to have our new executive vice president and provost named before the end of the fall 2008 semester," said Allen.

James Lubker has been serving as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs since the departure of Aaron Podolefsky, who left UNI in 2005 to become president of Central Missouri State University.

This is the second committee to be formed for this search. The first group found candidates, but none were selected for the job.

April 21, 2008

Pics from the RDDD signing

Governor Culver signing the bill. From left to right, Governor Culver, Director of the Department of Education Judy Jeffrey, Representative Cindy Winckler, President Allen.

President Allen addressing a question from the press.

President Allen remarking on the bill.

Budget negotiations on going

It is common practice during the last few weeks of session for the Governor's Office, Appropriations chairs from the House and Senate, and the majority leaders to get together to discuss the final budget. The Governor laid out his budget proposals at the end of January that included $4.7 million for the Regents Math & Science Initiative. The legislative leadership also released their own budget recommendations and priorities that sometimes differ from the Governor. As a result of the differing opinions as to where to spend the money, the two sides are currently meeting to negotiate a budget that both sides feel comfortable supporting.

According to sources within the knowledge of the process, the two sides are close at reaching an agreement and we can only hope that that agreement will include funding for UNI's top priorities-- adequate funding for salaries and of course, the Math & Science Initiative.

During the bill signing for the RDDD School on Friday afternoon, Governor Culver was asked about the budget meetings with the legislative branch and what was hopeful for. Governor Culver responded by saying that the Math & Science Initiative (sometimes referred to as STEM, Science - Technology - Engineering - Mathematics) was at the, "top of the list of things that need to be funded."

This is great news for UNI and the Regents to have Governor Culver come out so strongly in favor of the Initiative, but we mustn't take our eye off the prize and take it for granted.

The final week of session is here and we need to solidify support in the Legislature to ensure that it will be funded. The Governor can say that he wants it funded a hundred times, and we thank him for his strong support, but the Legislature controls the purse. Please keep up the communication with your elected officials this week to stress the importance of quality teachers in math and science and increased performance in math and science among our students!

April 19, 2008

UNI student wins national philosophy award

I thought I would share this press release with the UNITE group. Congratulations Grant!

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Grant Rozeboom, of Amana, a senior philosophy major and honors student at the University of Northern Iowa, won first prize at the recent Undergraduate Philosophy Conference at Dartmouth College.

Rozeboom's winning paper, "Freedom Beyond Restraint: An Arendtian Critique of the Liberal Tradition," has already been published in Aporia, Dartmouth's undergraduate philosophy journal. Rozeboom's paper focuses on political philosophy, and specifically, the traditional definitions of political freedom. He says that he constructively criticizes these definitions using the work of Hanna Ardendt, a 20th century political theorist and philosopher.

The conference, which is unique for being entirely student-run, drew submissions from as far away as Edinburgh, Scotland. However, Rozeboom was one of only two students from public universities on the conference's program. Both the conference and the journal, Aporia, are "very prestigious," according to Betty DeBerg, UNI professor and head of the Department of Philosophy and Religion.

"I was very impressed with the level of scholarship," Rozeboom said of the conference in a Dartmouth news article, adding that it is one of only a few forums he has found for undergraduates to present their work. "I hadn't seen a lot of opportunities. It sounded like a great opportunity to get some presentation experience."

Rozeboom's advisor is William Clohesy, UNI professor of philosophy and "a master teacher and mentor for philosophy students at UNI for 20 years," according to DeBerg.

Culver signs UNI program into law

By CHARLOTTE EBY, Courier Des Moines Bureau

DES MOINES --- The University of Northern Iowa will see a new effort to research teaching practices and share them with the rest of the state after Gov. Chet Culver signed legislation creating the program Friday.

The program will help train educators and focus on practical research to meet the needs of Iowa schools. It expands UNI's Price Laboratory School to become the State of Iowa Research, Development, Demonstration and Dissemination School.

"Today, with my signature, the state of Iowa takes another great leap forward towards innovation in public education," Culver said at the bill signing.

The bill he signed, Senate File 2307, lays the groundwork for what Culver called a "world-class" research school at UNI. He said the school will help teachers meet the challenging needs of Iowa's education system.

The Iowa House approved the legislation unanimously, and the Senate approved it on a 40-7 vote.

UNI President Benjamin Allen said the university has the largest teacher preparation program in the state and a history of research in teacher innovation.

"This is something that's very special to the University of Northern Iowa, but it will serve the entire state," Allen said of the program.

Friday, Culver also renewed his call for creating another teaching initiative at UNI.

Culver has proposed spending $5 million to create a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM center, at UNI to train science and math teachers.

Lawmakers have not yet approved the request, which remains tied up in budget negotiations with Culver.

Culver said the STEM center would help increase the number of math and science teachers graduating from the state's Regents universities.

"I once again today ask the members of the Legislature to get this bill to my desk for my signature before adjournment," said Culver, who taught high school before he began his political career.

April 18, 2008

Governor Culver to sign the RDDD bill today

Governor Culver will sign a bill today that will set Price Lab School on the path to become the State of Iowa's Research Development Demonstration and Dissemination School. The bill sets up two committees which will look into the expansion of Price Lab School to accommodate the change, and a second committee to design funding and implementation plans.

I'll post pictures of the signing later on this afternoon.

Weekend forums

Here the forums for this Saturday. Forum season is winding down so if you haven't gone please make an effort to attend! UNI needs your help! The Math & Science Initiative is still ZEROED out of the budget and the message needs to be conveyed that math and science education, along with quality teachers in those areas, is vitally important to the long term success of our state.

Waukee -- City Hall -- April 19, 9:00am
Grimes -- Public Library -- April 19, 10:00am
Montezuma -- Ellie's Soda Fountain -- April 19, 9:00am
Sioux City -- Wilbur Aalfs Library -- April 19, 10:00am
Algona -- Public Library -- April 19, 10:00am
Webster City -- City Hall -- April 19, 8:00am
Algona -- Algona High School Little Theatre -- April 19, 8:00am
Humboldt -- City Hall -- April 19, 8:00am
Ames -- City Council Chambers -- April 19, 8:30am

April 17, 2008

Regents cautiously optimistic about education budget

Thursday, April 17, 2008
Specific funding details not yet finalized
By Brian Morelli
Iowa City Press-Citizen

Iowa public higher education officials will not receive their full asking from the state, but it appears they will maintain the status quo after a strong year of funding last year.

"We expect good, solid revenues for the rest of 2008 and 2009, which keeps us hopeful the salary bill will be fully or near fully funded, which is our priority," said Andy Baumert, interim executive director of the Iowa state Board of Regents. "I have reason for cautious optimism."

The regents oversee Iowa's three public universities, including the University of Iowa.
Specific details of the $6.1 billion state budget are not yet finalized, but state officials say the general fund appropriation will get about the same funding as last year, and the salary bill will receive 90 percent funding.

"It does not get into details about the various levels of education. It's a very broad balance sheet," Baumert said of figures state Democrats released this week.

The state budget likely will be the last bill passed before the session wraps up next week, said State Sen. Robert Dvorsky, D-Coralville, who is chairman of the appropriations committee.

Regents can expect about $42 million in salary funding, Dvorsky said, which is slightly less than the $44.6 million regents were asking for, but up about $1 million from last year. The $42 million represents half of the total budget for state salaries, Dvorsky said.

"In the past, they didn't have money to give raises. If they did, they left positions unfilled. Now they can fill those positions," Dvorsky said.

The general fund appropriation will be about the same as last year, Dvorsky said, which was $687.5 million. The state gave higher education a $70 million windfall last year after years of budget cuts. Overall, the regents received about $717 million plus another $33 million for building, also called capital projects, last year.

Dvorsky said capital projects -- regents were asking for $10 million for deferred maintenance -- is one area that will see cuts this year. Several smaller initiatives, such as a math and science program, enhanced campus security systems and an economic development fund will not be fully funded, Dvorsky said, but he did not know the specific breakdown.

The regents had requested $770 million overall this year for operating costs and $50 million for capital projects.
"I think they are really in pretty good shape. They were in pretty good shape. I think with the largest increase in history last year, if we could maintain the budget and fund salaries, we are in pretty good shape," Dvorsky said.

UI received $311.7 million last year for its general fund budget and $25.6 million for capital projects, when the regents finished divvying up the pot.

State Rep. Vicki Lensing, D-Iowa City, said she thinks this year's higher education budget will be positive for the UI community.

"I think it is good because they had an increase last year. This particular budget, on all fronts a status quo budget, I would think our area would be pleased with that," Lensing said.