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AMES — After Iowa’s public universities in the spring promised to pursue a DEI-related directive from regents and lawmakers to explore establishing new “free speech and civic education” initiatives on their campuses, the University of Northern Iowa is forging ahead with a proposed Center for Civic Education. In doing so, UNI is seeking millions in state support — including a $1 million direct appropriation in the upcoming 2026 budget year to launch the center and another $32.4 million in facilities-specific state funds over the next three years to cover the “deferred maintenance” costs of renovating and transforming its Commons building into a “hub for outreach and civic education.
” The UNI state-facilities request would start with a $4.7 million ask in the 2026 budget year. University of Northern Iowa students on campus in August 2021 after the Student Organizations Fair, part of the UNI Now! program for incoming freshman and transfer students.
“In early American history, a town commons served as the civic and social center of the community, hosting events, civic discourse and building community,” according to UNI’s facilities-related funding request. “The university would blend these two concepts by making the current Commons into a hub for outreach and civic education.” Specifically, it would house both the UNI Foundation and its new Center for Civic Education, which is going before the Board of Regents for formal approval at its meeting this week in Ames.
“At its November 2023 meeting, the (board) directed the regent institutions to explore proposals ‘to establish a widespread initiative that includes opportunities for education and research on free speech and civic education,’ ” according to UNI’s proposal. “This proposal for a Center for Civic Education reflects significant university efforts in this area both before and since that directive was established.” Per the proposal, the new center would engage in a range of activities and services, including: Proposed events include a “controversial issues speakers' series” alongside existing events like “Constitution Day.
” In April — while reporting to the board on progress toward its 10 diversity, equity and inclusion-related directives, including reorganizing DEI offices, reviewing DEI positions and cutting any not necessary for compliance and accreditation — the University of Iowa and Iowa State University leaders also reported civic-education initiatives. UI President Barbara Wilson said her campus planned to launch a pilot “Civic Dialogue Initiative” this fall, including a “field experiment in the residence halls” and a first-year seminar to assess the impact of dialogue skill building on student learning outcomes. In response to The Gazette’s questions on that initiative this fall and how it’s being implemented, UI officials declined to share details until “after we have a chance to update the Board of Regents and campus community.
” To the question of how UNI’s new center might collaborate with centers and institutes at Iowa’s other colleges and universities, UNI officials reported it “will be the only center at the regents' universities focused solely on civic learning and engagement and the only center in the state of Iowa whose mission includes a focus on promoting civic learning across the state, particularly in K-12 education.” Among the center’s anticipated expenses is a faculty fellow needed in the first year to get programming off the ground, overseeing its initial activities, and leading a search for a director — a tenured faculty member in an academic department with expertise in civic education. After UNI hires a director, the fellow will assist him or her, and UNI will hire a half-time administrative assistant.
“The center also will need IT support in identifying, creating and maintaining the system by which it will make teaching resources available to K-12 teachers across the state,” according to board documents. UNI will pull initial funding for the center from its general education budget, while exploring additional revenue streams. “One of the clear duties of the director will be applying for grants,” according to UNI.
Per the proposal, the UNI center will research its own effectiveness and publish its results — in hopes of serving as a resource for effective civic education regionally and nationally — while also conducting external research on free speech and civic education and best practices. At the university level, the center will craft curricula aimed at developing effective citizens; launch an annual series of free speech and civic engagement professional development events; build a repository of assignments and class activities to help develop civic knowledge and values; create online courses on free speech and civic education for faculty to use as they build courses; and develop online courses on free speech and civic education for university staff in their interactions with students in student organizations, residence halls and other non-academic parts of campus. Regarding public outreach, the center will offer programming featuring state and community leaders and sponsor free-speech and democratic-dialogue activities “designed to expose students to multiple ideological viewpoints and help them discuss issues with others, including those with whom they disagree.
” At the K-12 level, the UNI center will — among other things — organize and host an annual “Conference on Innovation in Civic Education and Free Speech”; hold a “New Teacher Academy” aimed at training new teachers in civic and civil discourse in the classroom; and offer events on timely topics involving civic education and free speech issues in the news. UNI officials said the campus is well positioned to host the center, given its “unique research capacities in Iowa history and politics.” Earlier this year, longtime Republican U.
S. Sen. Chuck Grassley gifted his senatorial papers to UNI.
“These papers would join his U.S. House and Iowa legislative papers and an impressive array of other archival materials and collections that would attract scholars throughout Iowa and beyond, allowing UNI to promote research and scholarship in civic education and free speech,” according to board documents.
“UNI has already established a strong foundation in civic education.” Boasting the system’s first civic education undergraduate certificate and minor, newly offered this fall, UNI officials said, “the Center for Civic Education at UNI would be an invaluable asset to help students develop critical workforce skills to better support Iowa industry.” Northern Iowa Director of University Relations Pete Morris announces plans for a fundraising campaign to construct a new wrestling training facility on Monday, Oct.
2. Northern Iowa tight end Layne Pryor makes a running catch in the end zone for a touchdown against Valparaiso on Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Northern Iowa tight end Layne Pryor (45) points to the crowd after his touchdown reception against Valparaiso on Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
Northern Iowa running back Tye Edwards runs for a 54-yard touchdown against Valparaiso on Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Northern Iowa quarterback Aidan Dunne is forced to jump out of bounds on a run against Valparaiso on Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Northern Iowa linebacker Ben Belken gets a hold of Valparaiso's Ryan Mann as he runs the ball on Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
Northern Iowa counts the snap at the line of scrimmage against Valparaiso on Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Northern Iowa defensive back JJ Dervil wraps around Valparaiso's Ryan Mann as he leaps on a run on Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The Northern Iowa Marching Bands plays during a timeout against Valparaiso on Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
The Northern Iowa student section unfurls a large banner during pregame against Valparaiso on Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Northern Iowa tight end Layne Pryor, center, celebrates with teammates after his touchdown reception against Valparaiso on Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Northern Iowa wide receiver Jaiden Ellis-Lahey draws a pass interference call from Valparaiso's Max Franco on Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
Northern Iowa defensive lineman Zach Mehmert sacks Valparaiso quarterback Rowan Keefe on Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Northern Iowa defensive back Jonathan Cabral-Martin (8) wraps around the foot of Valparaiso's Ryan Mann as he runs the ball on Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Northern Iowa running back Tye Edwards high steps into the end zone for a touchdown against Valparaiso on Saturday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls.
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