The leaders of the state-supported universities discussed their institutions’ uncertain futures today at the Board of Regents meeting in Iowa City. University of Northern Iowa president Robert Koob says state spending reductions are “changing the face” of his university. While enrollment caps haven’t been instituted, Koob says there is an effort underway to keep out “marginal” students. He says they closely monitor the financial aid that’s given to ensure that the students who get the money are most likely to succeed. Koob says the cuts are directly affecting students, with reduced choice, larger class sizes and less patience with marginal students. Iowa State University president Gregory Geoffrey says with fewer faculty, class sizes are getting bigger and bigger. Geoffrey says they’re having difficulty finding larger classrooms as they’ve combined smaller sections into larger classes so students can get the courses they need.The Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School’s Superintendent says the parents of his students may sue because the budget has been trimmed to the point that they’re receiving an “unequal education” when compared to kids enrolled in Iowa’s public K-through-12 schools.
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