Click the link below to send a predrafted email to your Iowa legislators. We all can help create fair distribution of state funding to the Iowa public universities. It literally takes seconds to do but can make a big difference to help ISU.
http://alliance.isualum.org/send-a-message/form/
http://alliance.isualum.org/send-a-message/form/
On Monday morning you received a message from the Alliance for Iowa State encouraging you to contact Iowa legislators and ask them to support performance-based funding (PBF). We have had tremendous outreach so far, and I want to thank those of you who took the time to contact your legislators. If you haven't done so yet, it's not too late. Please send a message to your local legislators and urge them to support performance-based funding. I understand some of you no longer reside in Iowa, but I still encourage you to send a message to the Iowa Legislature to show your support for Iowa State University.
The Iowa Legislature is considering appropriations to the three Regent universities. Traditionally, the largest allocation has been to Iowa, with Iowa State second and UNI third. For the current fiscal year (FY15), the inequity in state support for the three Regent universities is glaring.
If you look at it from a funding-per-resident-student perspective, a resident student who comes to Iowa State receives approximately $5,000 less in state support than one who attends the University of Iowa.
- Iowa: $230.9 million or 46% of the state appropriation
- Iowa State: $180.9 million or 36% of the state appropriation
- UNI: $93.2 million or 18% of the state appropriation
Iowa State is growing; enrollment is up more than 30% in the last seven years, and the majority of that growth is in our core competencies, fields that drive Iowa's economy. Increasing demand for degrees in agriculture, the biosciences, and engineering account for nearly 70% of our total growth. Iowa State and the other Regent universities need an equitable funding system that recognizes not only growth, but other key aspirations for our state universities. The Board-approved PBF model recognizes changes in resident enrollment and will ensure that Iowa tax dollars follow Iowa students.
Approval of PBF is our top priority this legislative session. I appreciate very much that Governor Branstad understands the issue and supports the PBF model wholeheartedly. I have been meeting with legislators for many months, providing them factual information and urging them to address the inequity in funding. Now I implore you to help us with this important effort.
Please contact your legislators, and I thank you in advance for supporting Iowa State University.
Sincerely,
Steven Leath
President