Iowa School For The Deaf

UNI, ISU detail procedures for staff cuts, consolidations

Cedar Falls, Ia. — The presidents of the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University on Thursday detailed reductions in staffing and service consolidations for this school year in a budget presentation to the state Board of Regents.

The board unanimously approved a $4.2 billion budget for Iowa's three public universities, the Iowa School for the Deaf and the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School.

The sight-saving school in Vinton also received approval to begin rebuilding after a July windstorm damaged several structures. Old Main, built in 1865, lost its roof, Superintendent Patrick Clancy said.

UNI President Ben Allen said the university faces a $3.6 million shortfall and will reduce staff by about 100 through layoffs and attrition.

"It's painful," he said. "But it's something that has to be done."

Allen said the Cedar Falls university faces a unique challenge because 92 percent of its students are Iowans. ISU and the University of Iowa enroll more out-of-state students, who help balance the budgets by paying more than twice as much tuition as Iowa residents.

ISU and U of I are not facing a budget shortfall this year because increased revenue from a 5 percent tuition hike is about twice as much as money lost in state funding. However, the universities are spending more in areas such as student financial aid and mandated faculty and staff salary increases, officials said.

ISU President Gregory Geoffroy said the university will consolidate academic and support services in the school of education, and combine its entomology program with natural resources and environmental management. The university will evaluate combining the political science and anthropology departments.

An ISU official said last week the university could eliminate 24 positions among more than 4,000 full-time employees.

U of I will not face any staff reduction, in part because retirement incentive programs implemented in recent years have helped control costs, President Sally Mason said.

Tales from the Trail – Council Bluffs, IA — Pizza Ranch Serves

We recently received this letter from a guest, and it was too good not to share.

My daughter was recently hired by the Council Bluffs store and I want to thank not only the managers of that store but the entire company for being open to hiring her.  She is deaf and work opportunities are limited.  I appreciate the chance Pizza Ranch has extended to her and also 2 other students from her school, Iowa School for the Deaf.  It truly shows Pizza Ranch has a commitment to our community and all of its residents.  I hope it will serve as an example to others of what can be done if we are willing to reach out.  Thank you again.