UI reverses scholarship decision

     The University of Iowa decided to cut scholarships after the Republican-led legislature cut the university budget by $9.2 million in the de-appropriation bill that passed earlier this session.

     On Saturday, Feb. 25, the University of Iowa released information in regards to scholarships that had been revoked due to the cuts, and once I heard about the news, I, along with many parents, students and fellow legislators, chose to reach out to the University of Iowa to say that it was wrong to rescind scholarships already awarded to students.

     This week, the University of Iowa decided to reverse their decision to take away scholarships that were already promised. They said, “Continuing these scholarships, while absorbing the $9.2 million reduction in state funding will not be easy.”

     I think President Harreld looked at a lot of different things, and heard from parents and families and understood the impact this would have, and he’s trying to deal with providing world-class services with fewer dollars. He’s put in a no-win situation, and we need to find a way to appropriate the necessary dollars so that the university can maintain great services.

     The State of Iowa appropriates less money today to Iowa’s public universities than it did in 1999. We have been working to get back to those levels of funding the past few years that I have been in the Senate, but this year’s mid-year cut was a step backward. It is unfortunate that these cuts have taken place, but I will fight to make sure they are not permanent. The State of Iowa needs to ensure Iowa students have affordable college opportunities.