SF 166 (LSB 1966XS (2) 88)

SENATE FILE 166

BY  ZAUN

A BILL FOR

An Act requesting the establishment of a state university governance interim study committee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  LEGISLATIVE INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE —— STATE UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE MODEL.
   1.  The legislative council is requested to establish an interim study committee to create a plan to eliminate the state board of regents while creating separate boards of directors for each of the state universities. The study committee shall develop a governance model that articulates the responsibilities of each state university board of directors, meets the needs of students, recognizes the unique strengths of each university, is responsive to the state’s economic development and workforce needs on a local, regional, and statewide level, and provides each university with the autonomy necessary to function agilely.
   2.  The study committee shall receive input from agencies and entities including but not limited to all of the following:
   a.  A representative of the state university of Iowa.
   b.  A representative of the Iowa state university of science and technology.
   c.  A representative from the university of northern Iowa.
   d.  A representative of the department of workforce development.
   e.  A representative of the economic development authority.
   f.  Two representatives of Iowa’s community colleges.
   g.  Three current and three former state university students within the past five years.
   h.  Three parents of students currently attending a state university and three parents of individuals who attended a state university.
   3.  The study committee shall do all of the following:
   a.  Determine the appropriate role, scope, and mission of the board of directors to be established for each state university.
   b.  Determine the appropriate role for each university president, including the authority and responsibility to supervise and direct the efficient operation of the university.
   c.  Examine the current Code requirements relating to the state board of regents and all of the institutions it governs under section 262.7, including but not limited to provisions relating to exemptions, exclusions, reports, capital projects, accounting and payroll systems, investments and bonding activities, audits, purchasing requirements, human resources requirements, interactions with other boards and agencies, the central board office, and the other responsibilities or duties of the board as set forth in chapters 262 through 271.
   4.  In creating a model, the study committee shall provide for clear delineation between governance and management responsibilities for each state university board of directors, and identify the entities responsible for the duties and other provisions identified in the examination conducted pursuant to subsection 3.
   5.  The study committee shall submit a report, including findings and recommendations, to the general assembly by November 29, 2019.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requests that the legislative council establish an interim study committee to create a plan to eliminate the state board of regents while creating a separate board of directors for each of the state universities. The study committee shall develop a governance model that articulates the responsibilities of each university board of directors, meets the needs of students, recognizes the unique strengths of each university, is responsive to the state’s economic development and workforce needs on a local, regional, and statewide level, and provides each university with the autonomy necessary to function agilely.
   The study committee shall receive input from representatives of the state universities, the department of workforce development, the economic development authority, the community colleges, current and former state university students, and the parents of students who currently attend or who formerly attended a state university.
   The study committee shall determine the appropriate role, scope, and mission of the board of directors to be established for each state university, and the appropriate role for each university president; and shall examine the current Code requirements relating to the state board of regents and the institutions of higher learning it governs, including but not limited to the responsibilities or duties of the board as set forth in Code chapters 262 through 271.
   In creating a model, the committee shall provide for clear delineation between governance and management responsibilities for each state university board of directors, and identify the entity responsible for the duties and other provisions identified in the examination performed.
   The study committee shall submit a report, including findings and recommendations, to the general assembly by November 29, 2019.