5/22/02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Robert Koob, president, University of Northern Iowa, (319) 273-2566

Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Note to editors/news directors: A 200 dpi JPEG image of Robert Koob is available at http://www.uni.edu/pubrel/newsroom/facstaff/pages/Koob,Robert_jpg.htm

University of Northern Iowa to cut public service and economic development programs

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa, still reeling from budget reversions to its fiscal year 2002 budget, today announced plans to drastically cut public service and economic development programs.

Although the state legislature has not yet made final budget announcements, the university is expecting another round of severe cutbacks to its fiscal year 2003 budget. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that, although the state negotiates salary increases for university employees, the raises were not fully funded through the appropriations process. The university will now need to come up with $5.9 million to cover raises.

Tuition for fall 2002 was increased by 18.5 percent, but that money won't become available until fall and won't affect the expected shortfall in fiscal year 2003.

During a news conference today, university president Robert Koob outlined UNI's proposal for handling the shortfalls. "As we've made decisions to deal with the budget cuts, we've kept foremost in our minds our motto, 'Students First.' We exist to educate the students whose families support this institution with tuition dollars. We also serve this state, whose tax dollars support our mission. We serve the state through public service and economic development programs. But as you will see, we must attend to our core mission first, which means there will be proportionately greater reductions in public service/economic development and physical plant."

He said there are four proposals for operational reductions. "They aren't etched in stone, but they are the framework from which we will build the final budget."

First, the university would reduce positions. "While there will be some layoffs, in most cases it means reassignment of duties. Some positions that exist now might not exist next year, but most of the people who currently fill those positions should have opportunities to work elsewhere on campus," said Koob. "Some positions will go unfilled."

Second, the university will make program reductions, two of which have already been announced. The Department of Athletics cut swimming and tennis for men and women, and the Malcolm Price Laboratory School budget will be cut by $800,000.

Third, said Koob, UNI will consider extensive administrative reorganization. "In keeping the focus on preserving the core mission, the university would close or suspend a number of centers."

Two initiatives that could lose all funding are the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and the Center for the Study of Adolescence. Support to public radio station KUNI would be significantly reduced, as would support for the Center for Energy and Environmental Education, the Center for Social and Behavioral Research, and the Institute for Decision Making.

Finally, the university is looking at losses in student services and the physical plant. "This would include cuts in wages and positions in the Office of Admissions, the Career Center and the Office of Financial Aid, among others."

None of these cuts is taken lightly, Koob said, emphasizing that great care was taken to preserve the integrity of teaching and learning on campus. "This fall UNI will be different than it was last fall. Iowa's citizens will see fewer services and parents will see less personal attention, but students should receive a high-quality classroom experience."

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5/22/02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Mike Waggoner, UNI Merchant Scholarship committee chair, (319) 273-2605

Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

University of Northern Iowa graduates receive 2002-2003 Merchant Scholarships

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The 2002-2003 Merchant Scholarship Program at the University of Northern Iowa, open to all UNI bachelor's degree graduates pursuing advanced degrees, has named this year’s recipients.

The scholarships are awarded on the basis of ability, attainment, moral character, spirit, personality, intellectual promise and devotion to society.

Recipients of $2,000 awards are:

Elizabeth Kellner, originally from Paullina and now of Manhattan, Kan. She received a B.A. degree from UNI in 2000 in family services. She is pursuing her M.S. in family life education and consultation at Kansas State University.

Brian McInnis, originally from Indianola and now from Berkeley, Calif., a 1996 UNI graduate with a triple major in history, humanities and German. He is pursuing a doctorate in German literature at Vanderbilt University.

Those receiving a $1,000 scholarship are:

Dana Binder, originally from Spencer and now living in Lander, Wyo. She is a 2001 UNI graduate in psychology and Spanish, pursuing her master's and Ph.D. degrees in social psychology at the University of Wyoming.

Nathanael Dirks, originally from Alburnett and now living in Memphis, Tenn. He is a 2001 UNI graduate in biology pursuing a Pharm.D.\ Ph.D. in pharmacy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Andrew Drenner, originally from Waterloo and now living in Minneapolis. He is a 2001 UNI B.S. degree graduate in computer science pursuing a Ph.D. in that field at the University of Minnesota.

Elaine Eshbaugh, a 2000 UNI graduate in psychology from Ankeny, pursuing her Ph.D. in human development and family studies at Iowa State University.

Sarah Stoever, originally from Milford and now living in St. Louis Park, Minn. She is a 2001 graduate from UNI in psychology, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in counseling psychology at the University of Minnesota.

The scholarships are awarded from a trust established in 1951 to honor Frank Ivan Merchant and his sister, Kate Matilda Merchant. Frank was a professor of Latin and Greek, and served as head of the Department of Foreign Languages at UNI (then Iowa State Teachers College). His sister taught piano lessons. ###

5/22/02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Katherine Cota-Uyar, program manager, John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, (319) 273-7350

Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

UNI John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center Names Student Entrepreneur of the Year

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Brent Bierstedt, who graduated from the University of Northern Iowa earlier this month with a major in management information systems (MIS), is the first recipient of UNI's John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center's Student Entrepreneur of the Year award. The award comes with a $200 cash prize.

Bierstedt, who is from Lone Rock, plans to run his Web hosting service company, Unlimited Web Network, in Algona. He founded the company three years ago.

He was nominated by three College of Business Administration faculty members for this award. The selection committee was "unanimously impressed with his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to academics," according to Katherine Cota-Uyar, selection committee chair.

Bierstedt has founded several other companies, including a company providing computer help, a DJ Service Company, and a student information site called InfoPanther that was subsequently acquired by UNI.

He is the son of Lynn and Kitty Bierstedt.

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