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 […]
Taylor Collins
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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, […]
Higher education leaders seek clarification on ‘return on investment’ for new Iowa House committee
As a new Iowa House higher education committee gets its start with the beginning of the legislative session, college and university leaders are signaling their willingness to work with lawmakers while seeking clarification about what “return on investment” the Statehouse is seeking. Higher education committee chair Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, said at the committee’s first […]

