The University of Iowa is reversing a decision to close its Center on Aging. The U-I’s Center on Aging assists researchers and supports projects advancing older Iowans’ health. But, a few weeks ago, its staff was told the Center and their jobs were being eliminated.
Now U-I Provost Barry Butler is changing that. “No, it’s not closing,” Butler says. The original decision, according to Butler, got ahead of planning. “We…prematurely issued reduction in force statements to them. Those will be rescinded,” Butler said. “This is part of our process to say we need to step back and take a look at the next six to nine months in terms of what we’re doing and where we’re going to head with it.”
Butler envisions enhancing the University’s research and services for older Iowans. “We’re going to recognize the fact that it’s interdisciplinary. It covers many, many different areas — nursing, engineering, business, public health, medicine, pharmacy. And we’re going to come out with the most efficient and effective organization that we can,” Butler said.
For now, that means retaining the U-I Center on Aging and its roughly $330,000 dollar budget.