The State Board of Regents today approved the extension of insurance coverage to the partners of homosexual employees at the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University. Regents Executive Director Frank Stork recommended extending the coverage to match the coverage approved for the University of Iowa last month. Some legislators said they would try to overturn the coverage after it was approved for the University of Iowa. Stork is unsure what the extended coverage will cost taxpayers. The Regents also approved the operating budgets for the three state universities today at their meeting in Cedar Falls. University of Iowa President Mary Sue Coleman says the money allotted by the governor and legislature will force them to delay some things such as building renovations and the purchase of new computers.Iowa State University President Martin Jischke says 54 positions will be cut in Ames, including 12 faculty members. Jischke says those budget cuts will cover half of the University’s shortfall, while the rest will come from tuition.At the University of Northern Iowa, President Robert Koob says they’ll reduce staff by 10-percent. Koob says students won’t get the quality of education they deserve.All three university presidents said they could get by with the cuts this year, but would face serious problems if the cuts continue.
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