University of Iowa seeks Regents approval of $19 million biomedical research expansion
A $19 million research facility expansion is the top agenda item for a light State of Iowa Board of Regents meeting Wednesday, Aug. 2.
This month’s gathering will begin at 10 a.m. at the Regents board room in Urbandale. The agenda contains just four items of note.
The most pressing item is the University of Iowa's construction proposal.
The school is requesting approval for a $19.75 million Biomedical research support facility expansion at the University of Iowa’s research park in Coralville. The project would add 17,200 square feet to the northwest portion of the current building. It would be funded by a National Institutes of Health Grant and the UI Carver College of Medicine indirect cost recovery funds.
If approved by the Board of Regents Wednesday, construction will begin in the fall with an expected completion date by spring 2025.
“Adequate biomedical lab space is needed to recruit and retain top-notch researchers and their programs from a range of disciplines,” the university said in an information packet provided to the Board of Regents. “This proposed facility expansion is critically needed to address current and future needs for the important research performed at the University of Iowa.”
The university’s research facility supports research for several colleges and departments. The school said the expansion will “provide more opportunities for future growth and compliments the UI campus master plan.”
ISU plans to name interim Title IX coordinator
The board is also expected to appoint Mary Howell Sirna as interim director of equal opportunity and Title IX coordinator at Iowa State University. Her annual salary, if appointed, will be $164,554 beginning on July 31.
UNI bookstore proposes new ownership group
Wednesday’s agenda also includes the University of Northern Iowa requesting to enter an agreement with Follett Higher Education Group, Inc. to operate the UNI Bookstore, currently located at 1009 West 23rd St.
The agreement would require Follett to pay UNI a percentage of all commissionable sales while the school is asking the company to invest up to $900,000 for building upgrades.
Additional terms also state Follett would take over ownership of all sellable or rentable merchandise owned by the university and the bookstore.
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Board will consider approval of FY2024 operating budgets
The board of regents will also consider approval of operating budgets for fiscal year 2024 Wednesday at each of the state’s public universities, which includes Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa.
Brandon Hurley is editor of the Ames Tribune and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He also covers the State of Iowa Board of Regents. He can be reached at bhurley@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: University of Iowa proposes $19 million expansion of biomed research facility
