Iowa House lawmakers approved legislation Thursday to alter university presidential searches, tuition options and general education requirements. General education review HF 2361, passed by the Iowa House Higher Education Committee more than one month ago alongside other legislation, would require state universities to include courses in American history and government in general education requirements. The […]
Brooklyn Draisey, Iowa Capital Dispatch
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Private college officials say they’re being threatened by Rep. Taylor Collins, House education chair
Iowa private college officials say a key lawmaker is threatening funding to a state tuition grant program over their opposition to allowing community colleges to offer four-year degrees. Gary Steinke, president of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, said lobbyists for the association received a call last week from Rep. Taylor Collins, chair […]
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Iowa House passes tuition freeze, penalties for private schools with DEI programs, continuing education limits
Iowa House lawmakers passed legislation Tuesday to freeze tuition and restrict some nonresident enrollment at public universities; penalize private colleges with diversity, equity and inclusion offices; and make changes to continuing education and career and technical education. Career, continuing education courses HF 2547 would expand career and technical education (CTE) credit transfers and establish a […]
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Iowa House panel narrows bill allowing four-year degrees at community colleges
Legislation allowing Iowa community colleges to offer four-year degrees in some subjects — an idea strongly opposed by Iowa private colleges — was narrowed Wednesday before passing out of an Iowa House committee. The Iowa House Higher Education Committee also passed a number of other bills Wednesday to change community college and public university operations, […]
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Republican lawmaker pushes Iowa’s private universities to require courses in U.S. history and civics for all students
The chair of the Iowa House Higher Education Committee is asking Iowa’s private universities to fall into line with curricular changes for state institutions that have yet to be passed into law. But the head of the association for Iowa’s private colleges and universities says the institutions can make their own decisions. Rep. Taylor Collins, […]
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Coe College awarded $1.3 million grant to lead physics research collab with UI, Caltech, CERN and others
Coe College will lead universities in Iowa and across the U.S. in research of “high-level physics” with the aid of a seven-figure federal grant. The Cedar Rapids university announced Thursday in a news release that it received a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of High Energy Physics to lead collaborative […]
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Nearly 50,000 Iowa children could lose food aid in government shutdown, report says
Federal funding for programs feeding thousands of young and vulnerable Iowans could run out if the government shutdown continues, according to a report from Food & Water Watch. The national nonprofit released a map and report Thursday compiling how many children under the age of 5 across the U.S. rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition […]
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Iowa public universities to investigate employee social media posts about Charlie Kirk death
After hours of closed discussion, the Iowa Board of Regents directed state universities Wednesday to investigate social media posts allegedly made by university employees relating to rightwing influencer Charlie Kirk and his death. The board began its first meeting of the fall semester with a closed session, added to the agenda after multiple Iowa State […]
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University of Iowa to form new Office of Writing and Communication
The University of Iowa is working to bind its writing centers, programs and initiatives closer together with a new office. The UI announced online Thursday its launch of the Office of Writing and Communication, which will serve as a “strategic hub” and support system for the university’s writing programs. Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin […]
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Iowa Board of Regents hears student leaders’ concerns about proposed tuition increases
Frustration. Defeat. Uncertainty about whether they will be able to complete their goals. These are some of the feelings University of Iowa Student Body President Thomas Knudsen said fellow UI students have expressed to him as they watch tuition and fees rise along with many other expenses. Knudsen, a junior at the UI, shared stories […]
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Jewish stakeholders decry actions against Iowa colleges aimed at ‘antisemitism’
A group of Jewish faculty, staff, students and alumni from colleges and universities across Iowa have penned a letter condemning actions taken against public higher education in the name of fighting antisemitism and protecting the Jewish community. University of Iowa professor Lisa Heineman said her institution has not faced direct attacks on academic freedom, for […]
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University students speak out against anti-DEI actions at Board of Regents meeting
Daniela Pintor-Mendoza stood up before the Iowa Board of Regents on Wednesday, a crowd of people holding signs and waving flags behind her. She spoke during the board’s public comment period to express her feelings as a “proud” University of Iowa student about decisions made by the board to reduce diversity, equity and inclusion practices […]
