Speaking to the University of Iowa Faculty Senate, Bruce Rastetter emphasized the Iowa Board of Regent's commitment to making the state’s universities stronger.
“One thing that feels really good is this board’s interest in making a difference, not being placeholders,” said the regent’s president.
Rastetter addressed the senate on Feb. 11, shortly after he and board colleagues voted to hire Deloitte Consulting LLP to identify potential efficiencies across the regents’ system. Goals of the project include enhancing accessibility, affordability, and quality of education at the state’s universities.
“This cannot be a top-down change initiative,” Rastetter said, encouraging faculty involvement from day one. Engaging with faculty and other constituents opens opportunities for solutions that consultants and leaders may not discover on their own.
“That is a critical way we can make progress, and you all can have an impact,” he added.
Rastetter noted that savings at each institution will be reinvested locally, and that budget cuts aren’t necessarily the goal. Rather, the project aims to deliver strong, stable, and sustainable programs.
The multi-phase study will begin in March, with recommendations anticipated by late fall. Assessments will consider infrastructure, administrative functions, academic programs, athletics, and other areas.
Rastetter reviewed previous regents’ efforts that encouraged university leaders and constituents to become stronger advocates for their institutions, made the regents’ system more open and transparent, and expanded statewide outreach initiatives.
The projects, he said, helped the regents successfully make the case for a tuition freeze and appropriations increases in academic/fiscal year 2014, goals they’re pursuing again this year.
Continuing this work requires understanding each state university’s mission, strengths, and unique character, Rastetter said. Faculty are essential partners in the process.
“I think the result will be something we can all be extremely proud of,” he said.