To continue delivering on its missions of teaching, research, and patient care, the University of Iowa is asking the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, for permission to proceed with planning a 10-year revitalization of campus facilities.

The 10-year master facilities plan will encompass academic, health care, and research buildings.

“Our exceptional students, faculty, and staff are what make this a phenomenal university and we need to provide them with the buildings and spaces that foster their highest aspirations,” says President Barb Wilson. “We are excited about the future of our university and this plan is a step forward.”

Over the last five years, the UI has taken steps to ensure:

• Existing campus buildings are remodeled for long-term use.
• Space is developed and allocated to match program needs.
• Campus is right-sized in order to maximize efficiency and lower operational costs.

While the UI constructed several buildings after the flood of 2008, the next 10 years of campus projects will be aimed at reducing deferred maintenance backlogs and enhancing long-term stewardship.

“The range of projects will focus on the success of students who attend UI; faculty, staff, and researchers who work here; and the patients who rely on the services and expertise of UI Hospitals & Clinics,” says Rod Lehnertz, senior vice president for finance and operations. “To remain competitive, we need to respond to the growth of programs that are in high demand by our students and support cutting-edge research across many fields, all of which provide meaningful benefits to the state of Iowa and the nation.”

Needs of the health care campus, which serves the entire state of Iowa, will be another primary focus of the 10-year master plan.

“UI Hospitals & Clinics is consistently at, and often above, full capacity, impacting operations and the ability to provide care for complex patients, who come to us from every county in Iowa,” says CEO Suresh Gunasekaran. “The campus is in significant need of modernization both for our patients and to serve the academic medicine mission of our students and researchers.”

The Board of Regents will consider the UI’s request for permission to proceed with planning at the Jan. 11—12 meeting.

The university will share more details during a presentation at the Board of Regents meeting.