The Board of Trustees oversaw the operations of Iowa Agricultural College from its beginning. In 1909, the Board expanded to include the other universities (State University of Iowa and Iowa State Teachers’ College) as well as the Schools for the Blind and Deaf under its purview.



The State Board of Regents is the governing body for Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, the Iowa School for the Deaf and the State Sanitarium at Oakdale. The nine members of the Board are appointed to six-year terms by the Governor with the approval of the Senate. Only five members may be of the same political party.



The Board ordinarily meets once a month at the Board Office in Des Moines or at one of three institutions it governs. It is responsible for major policies, coordinates the activities of the various institutions under its jurisdiction, approves budgets, selects the presidents of the institutions after consultation with representatives of the school involved, approves staff appointments and establishes guidelines for staff salaries.



The immediate regulation and direction of academic, research and extension activities of the University are delegated by the Board of Regents to the President and the faculty of the University. The board appoints an Executive Secretary with the overall responsibility for the administration of the central office of the Board. The Board reports to the Governor concerning budgets and on important educational matters. Named the Board of Trustees from 1859-1909, the Iowa State Board of Education (1909-1955), and presently named the Iowa State Board of Regents (1955).