Governing Board

The Board of Regents, State of Iowa has broad statutory authority, as outlined in Iowa Code Chapter 262 , to exercise any and all powers to effectively administer its office and the institutions it controls. As provided by law, the Board both governs and coordinates the operations of five institutions:

The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, the Iowa School for the Deaf, and the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School.

The Board provides oversight to the institutions it governs in several key areas. Specifically, it establishes the missions, adopts strategic plans, makes educational policy, appoints presidents and other institutional officials, reviews and approves budgets for submission to the Governor and General Assembly, establishes and oversees annual operating budgets and personnel policies, pursues public policy and budget priorities, reviews and approves academic programs, and adjudicates disputes. The staff of the Board, headed by the Executive Director, is located in Urbandale. Board staff provide support for the Board, including review and analysis of all budget and policy proposals, and preparation of recommendations to the Board (Board of Regents, State of Iowa Policy Manual, Section 1.03 - Governance).

The Board meets several times each year to receive reports from the institutions it governs and make decisions consistent with their governance responsibilities. The meetings are open to the public with the location rotated among the five institutions and other Iowa sites. Iowa State University’s delegation to these meetings includes its President, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Vice President for Business and Finance, President of the Faculty Senate, and President of the Professional and Scientific Council. Other university officials attend when their expertise is required. In addition, the Board president and executive director, the three university presidents, and the superintendents of the special schools meet on a regular basis, usually in conjunction with a Board meeting, to discuss matters pertaining to the governance and guidance of the Regent enterprise.

The Office of the President coordinates interactions between Iowa State University and the Board of Regents. The President has ready access to the Board’s president and executive director. The University annually prepares and submits a series of reports to assist the Board with its governance responsibilities. In addition, the University regularly receives and responds to requests for information from the Iowa Legislature, Board members, Board staff, and the general public. All requests for information are sent to the office of the Assistant to the President for Budget Planning and Analysis. Responses are gathered from the appropriate University offices, reviewed, and then forwarded the to Board Office. A complete record of information requests, constituent complaints, and university responses is maintained in the Office of the President.