Hunter
10/29/25
The Iowa Board of Regents is seeking a firm, rather than one person, to represent the University of Iowa for the upcoming state legislative session.
The Gazette reports this new strategy deviates from the traditional “state relations officer” approach the board has taken on behalf of the university for decades and comes amid heightened legislative oversight of the nearly 179-year-old Iowa City campus.
The UI has come under increased scrutiny, resulting in Governor Kim Reynolds enacting a bill to establish a new University of Iowa Center for Intellectual Freedom to, quote, “expand the intellectual diversity of the university’s academic community.”
The university is also being investigated by State Attorney General Brenna Bird after an undercover video showed a UI employee discussing ways to work around laws banning diversity, equity, and inclusion-related spending, staffing, and training.
The Board hopes to retain a firm and award a contract at their November 17th meeting so that they’re ready for the 2026 Iowa Legislative Session which starts January 12th.