Author: Theresa Rose

Increased operating costs and lack of state funding lead to painful decision Mount Pleasant, IA – March 28, 2023 — Iowa Wesleyan University’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted today to close the university at the end of this academic year. The decision is based on a combination of financial challenges – increased operating costs due to inflationary pressures, changing enrollment trends, a significant drop in philanthropic giving, and the rejection of a proposal for federal Covid funding by Governor Reynolds. This decision follows an intensive analysis of Iowa Wesleyan’s financial operations and considerable exploration of all feasible strategic alternatives. The vote to close comes as the
university has been experiencing unprecedented enrollment growth, improvements in student retention, and success with efforts to address economic and workforce development challenges throughout Southeast Iowa, including the formation of a unique partnership with Southeastern Community College. While the university’s overall enrollment has increased post-pandemic, it is
still not yet at a threshold needed for financial stability. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the Board of Trustees has made the heartbreaking decision to close our beloved Iowa Wesleyan after 181 years as an educational pillar in this community,” said Christine Plunkett, president of Iowa Wesleyan University. “Our focus is now on assuring our over 850 students have a smooth transition to another educational opportunity.” Iowa Wesleyan has secured four teach-out agreements with William Penn University, Upper Iowa University, University of Dubuque, and Culver-Stockton College so students can complete their degrees. The teach-out plans ensure the students can complete their program on time and for a comparable cost to Iowa Wesleyan. Additional teach-out agreements may be added. “We know our action will be felt deeply by all Iowa Wesleyan University faculty, staff, students, families, alumni, donors, Mount Pleasant, and the entire region of Southeast Iowa,” said Robert Miller, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “Like many colleges and universities nationally that
have recently announced closure, IW has been confronted with many headwinds including increasing operating costs, declining numbers of high school graduates nationally and insurmountable inflationary pressures. We have worked tirelessly to find solutions at all levels
but to no avail.” Iowa Wesleyan submitted a proposal for money from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that were provided to the state of Iowa. As a primary employer in Southeast Iowa that provided a wide range of educational, economic, workforce, social, and cultural opportunities, Iowa Wesleyan requested $12 million from Governor Kim Reynolds aligned with
her Empower Rural Iowa Initiative. “As a higher education institution that serves rural Iowa, we are disappointed in the lack of state support for this effort. All our indicators have been trending in a positive direction, but we needed funding to buy some additional time,” says Miller. “We are just heartbroken.”When the university closes on May 31, the physical campus will become the responsibility of the
United States Department of Agriculture.

AGENDA

March 28, 2023

Approve Agenda

Approve Minutes

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update

Open Bids for IVRM Building

Approve Dust Control Company Permits

10:00 Public Hearing Henry County Budget FY24

Resolution Approving Henry County FY24 Budget

Resolution Approving Appropriation of Henry County FY24 Budget

Motion approving Henry County FY24 Employee Wage Increases

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

March 29, 2023

10:30 Nicole Uthoff with HHS Regarding Remodel

The Mount Pleasant School Board meets in special session tonight (Monday). The Board is expected to approve hiring a new high school music director and a new football coach.  Both Mackenzie Kauffman and John Bowlin are Mount Pleasant High School graduates.  Kauffman will replace Marlene Depriest following Mrs. D’s retirement at the end of this school year.  The District will continue to conduct interviews this week for the high school instrumental director’s position.  Jim Depriest will retire from that position also at the end of the school year. Bowlin leaves a head coaching job at Iowa Valley to become head coach and at risk teacher at Mount Pleasant.

Alexis Wagner, of Mount Pleasant, has been selected to attend the 2023 Youth Tour on June 18-23. The event is an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. sponsored by Access Energy Cooperative.

Alexis will join approximately 40 other Iowa students and nearly 1,000 students from across the country who have been selected by their electric cooperative to attend the annual Youth Tour.

Alexis is a sophomore at Mount Pleasant Community High School, and is the daughter of Alan and Julie Wagner. She is involved in a variety of school activities including cross country, wrestling, track, jazz band, musical, and show choir.

While on tour, Alexis will learn about American history and government. She will visit historical sights including monuments, museums, the U.S. Capitol, federal agencies and other points of interest. She will also have an opportunity to meet with their legislators in the House and Senate.

Access Energy Cooperative has been a part of the Youth Tour program since 1958 and currently selects up to two students each year to participate in the seven-day trip. The students are selected through an application and interview process.