At its June 2020 meeting, the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, approved zero increases for tuition and mandatory fees at the University of Iowa for the 2020–21 academic year. In addition, this month UI leaders will finalize the university’s budget for the coming academic year and the Iowa Legislature reconvenes to decide funding for the state’s public universities.

At its April 2020 meeting, the Regents stated that they may re-evaluate tuition and fees this fall for spring 2021 and that tuition and fee decisions, which may depart from the five-year tuition model established last year, will be made to give as much financial predictability to students and families as possible amid the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their decision comes as UI leaders grapple with more than $70 million in lost funds due to the pandemic.

“For the last 173 years, this university has overcome tremendous challenges,” says UI President Bruce Harreld. “Although our current challenge is unprecedented, the amazing people in our community inspire my confidence that we can make it through and become stronger. We can and will find a way for students to continue to learn, for researchers to continue making breakthroughs, and for doctors and nurses to continue treating patients.”

Since March, and projected through August, the university—not including UI Hospitals & Clinics—will lose more than $70 million due to the pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, provided emergency funding for disruptions of campus operations, but although these resources are deeply appreciated, they account for only about 10% of the university’s losses.

Campus leaders have convened to discuss the difficult task of building a budget for the coming year given the currently projected loss of funds and the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. Following the budget model established in 2018, collegiate and unit leaders will make budgetary decisions at a local level, which is especially important given that the impact of the pandemic will be different for each college and central service unit.

Harreld has asked collegiate and unit leaders to consider the following guiding principles as they make budgetary decisions:

• • Place people first—the university is only as strong as its students, faculty, and staff;
  • Preserve the core values of the institution—excellence, learning, community, diversity, integrity, respect, and responsibility;
  • Deliver on Iowa’s mission of education, research, and health care;
  • Protect the core activities of the university to ensure delivery of its mission; and
  • Engage shared governance and campus leadership.

Especially now, predictable financial commitment from the state is critical for the university to maintain the excellence Iowans expect, and as university leaders finalize the university budget, the Iowa Legislature is reconvening to finalize the state budget.