Board News - Page 23

RE: Ken Mason’s compensation - While I will not comment on contractual arrangements made during the presidential hiring process that pre-dates my term as Board President, it is not uncommon for informal discussions of this nature to take place during the presidential hiring process. Ken Mason plays an important role in helping the University of Iowa President Sally Mason in promoting and raising money for the university. As a spouse, Ken’s daily schedule, including teaching, is very demanding as he is expected to attend almost every event on campus with President Mason. He attends most, if not all athletic events, including networking, and entertaining donors and alumni at hundreds of other university events throughout the year. Ken is an invaluable partner to President Sally Mason and the university community, helping to raise over $800 million dollars for the university since their arrival in 2007. 

On behalf of the Board of Regents, I want to express our support for President Ben Allen and the important steps he announced today that we believe will ensure the fiscal and academic integrity of the university well into the future. We are confident that President Allen’s leadership and strategic vision for the University of Northern Iowa will continue to ensure the highest academic quality for our students. 

Paul B. Rothman, MD, Dean of the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa, has been chosen as the 14th dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and chief executive officer of Johns Hopkins Medicine. The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, recognizes Dr. Rothman for his many contributions as the dean of the UI Carver College of Medicine. 

At its meeting on Thursday, December 8, the Board of Regents will consider approval of a proposed increase of 3.75% in resident undergraduate tuition. If approved, this would be the lowest average tuition increase since FY 1997 (with the exception of the FY 2009 increase of 3.2%). 

As a point of personal privilege – let me take this opportunity to briefly comment on an editorial in The Iowa State Daily – published December 5th – written by Thomas Walker, a lecturer at Iowa State University. 

It is a pleasure to confirm with you the conditions of your employment as President of Iowa State University. Your initial appointment will be for a term of three years commencing on February 1, 2012. The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, will provide you with an annual salary of $440,000 effective February 1, 2012. Included with the salary will be the usual benefits available to all Iowa State University faculty and administration. 

Let me begin by saying that in life and in this role, I’m a firm believer in getting input from key players before making any major decisions. That’s why I’ve spent the past couple of weeks reaching out to the Regents, University Presidents and other key leaders to learn more about issues that are “top-of-mind” for them. All of these conversations are necessary during a transition to determine common ground, and assess our future direction. 

Iowa Public Radio announced today the intent to acquire KZHZ-FM and KZHC-FM - a purchase supported by Iowa State University and approved by the Board of Regents for the State of Iowa. At a cost of $1.75 million, IPR will fund and operate KZHZ-FM and KZHC-FM streaming the first ever 24-hour classical music service for the greater Des Moines metro as well as residents in Madison, Warren, Marion, Clarke, Newton, Jasper, Adair, Union, Lucas and Dallas counties. 

On Monday, August 1, Iowa’s Public Universities will be recognized with Iowa’s premiere environmental honor, the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award, for their leadership and innovation in protecting Iowa’s natural resources through comprehensive campus sustainability programs.

“Today, I was honored to be elected President of the Iowa Board of Regents by my fellow Board members. While there are many critical issues that the Board of Regents oversees, one urgent matter that I believe is most important is the selection and recruitment of the next president of Iowa State University.