Latest news with #UniversityofNorthernIowa
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UNI employee alleges age discrimination in lawsuit after demotion
A University of Northern Iowa employee has filed suit against the university after being demoted, alleging age discrimination. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) A University of Northern Iowa employee is suing the institution after she was demoted from an assistant vice president position, alleging discrimination against her age that led to her taking a pay cut as well as her title and some duties being handed off to younger coworkers. Shelley O'Connell, former UNI assistant vice president and executive director of Student Health and Well Being and current assistant to the vice president, filed suit against the university and the Iowa Board of Regents June 2 and requested a trial by jury. According to court filings, she is seeking funds 'in an amount which will fully and fairly compensate her for her injuries and damages' like emotional stress, lost wages and more. 'As a proximate result of Defendants' actions … Shelley O'Connell has in the past and will in the future suffer mental and emotional harm, anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, loss of dignity, lost wages and benefits, loss of professional career, and lost earning capacity,' the court filing stated. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The 59-year-old started working at UNI in 2001 as an administrative assistant, the filing stated, and according to her LinkedIn profile, O'Connell earned a master's degree in educational leadership and administration from the institution in 2007. She moved into the assistant vice president position in 2022. In her time in the role, the court filing stated O'Connell received positive performance evaluations and received an award for her 'outstanding dedication and service.' In August 2023, O'Connell had a meeting with her then-supervisor Heather Harbach, the university's vice president for student life, according to the filing, during which Harbach asked O'Connell if she had any plans of stepping down or moving out of a role supervising staff. These questions were 'motivated by (O'Connell's) age,' the filing stated, to which O'Connell replied she had no interest in retiring or stepping away. This exchange led to distance between the coworkers, according to the filing, and O'Connell brought her concerns to the university's Title IX office, saying she felt Harbach was trying to make her vacate her position based on her age. 'Shelley remained committed to her job and providing the best service to the University that she possibly could,' the filing stated. Harbach informed Shelley of her demotion in April 2024, according to the filing, providing the new title and saying her duties specific to her previous role were being transferred to Allyson Rafanello and Nick Rafanello, a married couple. The employees Shelley oversaw were transitioned to work under one of the new assistant vice presidents, and Shelley's pay was reduced by more than $50,000. Allyson Rafanello received an around-$50,000 pay increase for the new duties, the filing stated. In addition to holding the assistant vice president title, Allyson Rafanello is the dean of students and Nick Rafanello is the executive director of university housing and dining. 'Shelley will have to work longer than she had anticipated because her wages were slashed by more than $50,000 per year, thereby delaying her ability to retire,' the filing stated. The plaintiff also had 15 more years of experience at UNI than the new assistant vice presidents, according to the filing, and decades of experience in health care and public health. One of her previous duties was overseeing all university medical facilities, which was transferred to the Rafanellos after her demotion. UNI, and the board of regents, committed age discrimination by setting higher standards for O'Connell than her peers, the filing stated, as well as not treating her equally to younger employees, allowing discrimination from her supervisor, demoting her and offering less pay. UNI spokesperson Pete Moris said the university 'does not comment on pending legal matters.' The university must provide an answer to the petition within 20 days of its filing to the Polk County courthouse. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Reynolds vetoes $1.5 million for UNI tuition program
Gov. Kim Reynolds line-item vetoed part of the education appropriations bill before signing that would have funded a new UNI tuition program. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed legislation setting state appropriations for primary and secondary education for the next fiscal year, but item-vetoed a line providing funds to the University of Northern Iowa for out-of-state tuition changes with a vow to further work with the university next year. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Reynolds signed Senate File 647 alongside other policy and appropriations bills June 11, according to a governor's office news release. Reynolds said in a veto letter she line-item vetoed a $1.5 million appropriation to UNI to provide in-state tuition for students coming from states bordering Iowa not because she doesn't support the program, but because of how it was being implemented. Reynolds makes 'difficult decision' to sign bill on pharmacy benefit managers UNI originally requested $3 million for the tuition change, Reynolds said in the letter, a one-time allocation to launch the program before it became self-sustaining, but the legislation would provide $1.5 million in the upcoming fiscal year 'with an expectation of ongoing funding.' Questions also remained about how the program could impact current students who fall under this category, Reynolds said in the letter. UNI President Mark Nook told lawmakers this spring lowering tuition for students from contiguous states would help bring more of them to Iowa, where they would likely stay after graduation. 'I look forward to working with UNI next year to further develop the details of the program and see it launched,' Reynolds said in the letter. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa Lakes Community College introduces new transfer degrees
Iowa Lakes Community College students will now have additional options to transfer to a state university with new transfer degrees. (Photo courtesy of Iowa Lakes Community College) Iowa Lakes Community College is tapping partnerships with Iowa's public universities to offer students more degree options and paths to further their education. The Estherville-based community college announced the launch of seven new 'transfer major degrees' that will be available for student enrollment in the fall 2025 semester. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'These new majors reflect both student demand and workforce trends in Iowa and across the nation,' said college President Scott Stokes in a news release. 'They give our students more targeted opportunities to begin their educational journey locally while ensuring a clear and cost-effective route to a bachelor's degree.' The transfer degrees cover areas of study in agriculture business, agronomy, animal science, communication, English, political science and social work, according to the release. Each of the degrees were formed in agreement with the University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University and will count for the first two years of a bachelor's degree. With the new additions to its academic offerings, the community college now offers more than 20 transfer degrees, the release stated, ranging from math to education, fine arts and more. These degree programs were developed to make the transfer process from community college to university easier, with the assurance that their credits will seamlessly transfer, according to the release. 'Whether students are aiming for a career in agriculture, education, communication, or social services, these Transfer Majors give them a solid foundation,' said Beth Elman, executive director of marketing, in the release. 'This expansion supports our mission of providing accessible, high-quality education that prepares students for lifelong success.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tuition increases proposed for all 3 state universities
DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa college students are speaking out about a pending decision on proposed tuition increases at all three state universities. The University of Northern Iowa increase is proposed to be 2.7%, while there is a suggested increase of 3% for both Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. New main street project in Cumming aims to preserve small-town charm The increase will add $279 to the cost of tuition at the University of Iowa. Student body President Thomas Knudsen, a junior, says the annual increases are adding up. 'If this trend continues, it's the difference in pursuing a four-year degree or pursuing some sort of alternative option. Now, since I started as a freshman, the cost of attendance has steadily increased. Now, if this proposed increase is approved, it's around a $1,200 increase since my freshman year alone. A rise of close to 12 percent,' said Knudsen. The Iowa Board of Regents will vote on the proposed increase at its next meeting on June 10th. The Iowa State Legislature gave no funding increases to Iowa's state universities in this year's budget. Iowa veteran back on Appalachian Trail, surpasses 900 miles after battling Norovirus Tuition increases proposed for all 3 state universities Clean up underway in Perry after strong storm moves through Monday night New main street project in Cumming aims to preserve small-town charm Wright County landowners hopeful Gov. Reynolds will sign eminent domain legislation Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
University of Northern Iowa business college partners with Thailand university
UNI President Mark Nook, left, signed an agreement with Assumption University of Thailand for a 2+2 program. (Photo courtesy of University of Northern Iowa) The University of Northern Iowa's business school has made its first international partnership to bring students from Thailand to Cedar Falls to study, the university has announced. According to a news release, UNI and Assumption University in Bangkok signed an agreement last week to form a 2+2 program for students to complete the first two years of courses at Assumption then finish a business degree at UNI. The partnership has been in the works for almost two years, according to the release, and students participating in the 2+2 program are expected to start heading to UNI in 2026. Founded as the Assumption School of Business in 1969, Assumption University of Thailand is a private, nonprofit university overseen by global Catholic order the Brothers of St. Gabriel. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX UNI Global Opportunities Coordinator Chris Schrage taught graduate marketing management courses at Assumption during the fall 2024 semester, the release stated, and nine countries were represented among the 40 students she taught. 'We really like what they have to offer: the rigor of their classrooms and the fact that they have such a wide range of students asking about international opportunities when they aren't even from Thailand,' Schrage said in the release. According to the release, the two institutions are also working on programs to offer students international study for shorter terms. A release from Assumption University stated this initial agreement could pave the way for more 'shared learning experiences,' including further student and faculty exchanges and joint programming. Wilson College of Business Associate Dean Mary Connerley said in the release the new partnership will help students from both schools broaden their horizons and global knowledge. 'Bringing international students to UNI helps our students be exposed to different ways of thinking, different cultures and different ways of living,' Connerley said in the release. 'We have a lot of students who like to travel on study abroad programs. We want to continue to offer those programs, but not all of our students can do that. So I think it's great when we can bring more students here from different cultures. It can lead to our students developing some really deep friendships.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
