University of Iowa students ask Ragan, other legislators to support affordable, quality public universities

State Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City talks with a student about the importance of affordable, high quality public universities to Iowa at the Iowa Statehouse on April 2. More than 100 students, alumni, and university leaders traveled to Des Moines to discuss related issues, especially the tuition freeze proposed by the Board of Regents. Ragan told the students that she supports a freeze on in-state undergraduate tuition for next year. Pictured alongside Senator Ragan is Edmarie Guzman-Velez of Iowa City.

(DES MOINES) On April 2, Senator Amanda Ragan and other lawmakers talked with University of Iowa students about the importance of affordable, high quality public universities to Iowa.

“Last year, legislators worked together to provide enough state dollars to keep Iowa tuition increases below the national average of 7 percent for in-state undergraduate students,” said Ragan. “I want every Iowa kid who works hard to have the opportunity to go as far as they can. Those kids will be our state’s next generation of leaders.”

This year, the universities say they can freeze in-state undergraduate tuition for next year if the Legislature can provide an additional $21 million.
Graduates of Iowa’s public universities make up a significant portion of the state’s working professionals.

“It’s a great opportunity to share what the University of Iowa is doing and what we can accomplish for the state of Iowa,” said Guzman-Velez.