Iowa State’s Faculty Senate met Tuesday to finalize the discontinuation of 12 graduate programs due to low enrollment numbers.
The Athletic Council’s annual report showed student-athletes’ grade-point averages have exceeded the university-wide average every semester for the past 10 years.
Sarah Davis, an Athletic Council member, also reported stronger academic outcomes among minority student-athletes compared with the overall minority student population.
“It’s wonderful our student-athletes are doing well, but I feel you’re comparing apples to oranges when you compare student-athletes with the whole population,” Steve Butler, Morrill professor in the department of mathematics, said. “What about student-athletes in the same majors? Are they still performing? I teach a lot of calculus, and I don’t see a lot of football players.”
Davis also spoke about student-athletes’ involvement within the community, reporting more than 4,000 hours of service during the assessment year and an economic impact of more than $140,000. Their activities included working with YSS (Youth & Shelter Services) and participating in an adopted family program, while balancing their academic responsibilities and athletic schedules.
Petruța Caragea, academic affairs council chair, said the proposals cited low enrollment as a reason for discontinuation. All 13 proposals were connected to ISU’s program vitality review, which examined academic programs for potential discontinuation.
Discontinued programs
- M.S. & Ph.D. in applied physics
- M.S. & Ph.D. in astrophysics
- M.S. & Ph.D. in condensed matter physics
- M.S. & Ph.D. in high-energy physics
- M.S. & Ph.D. in nuclear physics
- M.S. & Ph.D. in Earth science
- M.Eng. in energy systems engineering
- M.S. & Ph.D. in biophysics; graduate minor in biophysics
- M.S. & Ph.D. in toxicology; Ph.D. in wind energy science
- Engineering and policy environmental studies undergraduate secondary major
The Faculty Senate also approved renaming the existing geology degrees to Geology and Earth Science, consolidating the programs.
During a special-order presentation, Provost Jason Keith discussed the Board of Regents’ Revenue Enhancement and Productivity Study, which examines ways to strengthen the financial futures of Iowa’s three public universities while maintaining the quality of education and services.
Huron Consulting Group was selected in August 2026 to conduct the review after the Board of Regents’ Office solicited proposals. Huron Managing Director Jennifer Ramey and Director Lily Lee outlined the study’s progress, including interviews and an initial analysis of the universities.
The committee narrowed its focus to nine areas for further exploration, including alternative revenue, workforce, research and innovation, facilities and procurement efficiency.
Keith emphasized that the review does not mean specific changes are planned or approved.
“None of this means a particular change in our operations has been proposed or approved for this review,” Keith said. “No decisions have been made.”
The next meeting is slated for Nov. 10 at the Memorial Union.