During a telephonic meeting Friday, the Board of Regents voted 9-0 to initiate a restructuring of Iowa’s three public universities that could result in a loss of over 250 administrative and information technology jobs but save millions of dollars.

The eight proposals the BOR passed come from recommendations by a consulting firm, Deloitte, which was awarded a $3.3 million contract to conduct their efficiency study of the schools in 25 years.

The departments with potential job cuts include human resources, information technology and finance. They are expected to occur through normal attrition and retirements. Deloitte estimates 125 finance, 61 IT and between 33 and 66 human resources positions could be lost.

Savings from job cuts could help fund a proposed third-consecutive year freeze in tuition.

“I think future generations of Iowa students and their parents will greatly appreciate this initiative,” said Bruce Rastetter, president of the board. 

Rastetter also said early retirement programs could be a possibility.

UNI President Bill Ruud, along with UI President Sally Mason and ISU President Steven Leath promised to create a system for savings.

The universities will be allowed to submit proposals to carry out any changes themselves if it would be more efficient, said a Des Moines Register article.

The article also said the regents plan to hire a consultant to advance another plan in which the universities will negotiate new, more favorable master contracts for buying goods and services as well as a contractor to review issues such as faculty staffing and class size that affect degree-completion time.