State adds $1 million to college's budget
Undergraduate programs benefit
Iowa State has a proud tradition of educating outstanding engineers and
leading the wise application of technology. Now, by allocating additional
engineering education program funds, the state is continuing its prudent
investment in a valuable Iowa resource. Last July, the College of Engineering
received a $1 million increase in its base budget.
The Re-engineering Engineering Education Initiative (REEI) dollars are
providing an unprecedented opportunity for the college to enhance its vital
and value-adding role, said Associate Engineering Dean David Holger.
"This is the programmatic money that goes with the Engineering Teaching
and Research Complex," Holger said. "This funding will allow us
to do the program development we need to deliver on the promise of the building."
The money has been allocated to equipment ($250,000), supplies and services
($250,000), and faculty and staff salaries ($500,000) in areas related to
undergraduate instructional initiatives. These include learning initiatives,
international programs, industrial partnerships, co-op and intern programs,
and articulation and transfer programs.
"This new funding has provided support for the explosive growth
of international initiatives, co-ops and internships, and Project LEA/RN.
It's been essential for maintaining the rapid growth of these programs,"
Holger said. "And the equipment funding is having a major impact, especially
in computer upgrades."
For example, six departments purchased lab equipment; CCE equipped the
learning lab at the Howe Hall construction site; and ECpE hired an alum
with industrial experience as an adjunct instructor. The college also hired
coordinators for international programs, co-op and intern programs, recruitment
activities, and Project LEA/RN. The money enabled AEEM undergraduates to
visit Johnson Space Center and helped to fund faculty involvement in the
expansion of international exchanges in Europe, Mexico, and the Pacific
rim.
The university plans to enlarge the college's base budget again in the
future. "The regents approved our request for a second million but
that didn't make it to the governor's budget this year," Holger said.
"We will try again next year. The additional funding is making a dramatic
difference in our undergraduate programs and is allowing us to enhance our
leadership role in engineering education!" | 