Posted October 3, 2001

IOWA CITY -- Iowa will "accelerate the trend toward increasing privatization of public higher education" if proposed budget cuts for its three state universities are approved, University of Iowa President Mary Sue Coleman said last week in her annual convocation speech.
(Read the complete speech.)

The state is facing serious revenue difficulties and the University needs to be part of the overall solution, the UI President said. "But we are worried, and we are alerting Iowans about the dangers of privatizing public higher education and bringing about a radical change in our character," she added.

Coleman said she would attempt to heed the plea of U.S. President George W. Bush to preserve as many jobs as possible as a means of supporting the nation's economic base in the wake of terrorist attacks. (Read more about the UI's response to the national tragedy.)

Given the magnitude of the budget reduction proposal for this fiscal year, all University employees would be asked to make "a personal sacrifice so we can keep as many people in jobs as possible," she said.

Contact Information

Mary Sue Coleman
President, The University of Iowa

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