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[Note: This material is copyright by The Daily Iowan, and is reproduced here as a matter of "fair use" for non-commercial, educational purposes only. Any other use may require the prior approval of The Daily Iowan.]

At the UI, state funding has struggled to keep up with the increased number of students arriving on campus each semester. Tensions also persist between the majority of the UI community and the state Board of Regents over the regents' management of the school's presidential search.

Prior to his inauguration in Des Moines on Jan. 12, Culver traveled to Iowa City as part of his "One Iowa" tour. He stopped at the Old Capitol to speak with supporters and later attended a celebration held in his honor at Hancher Auditorium.

When asked about his immediate plans to improve the UI, Culver said, "We're looking forward to finding a great president [for the UI]."

In addition, he hopes to improve higher education in the state by making a concerted effort to retain university faculty through salary increases. These incentives would also be used to attract and retain employees capable of advancing university research departments, whom Culver calls "the backbone of the higher education instruction process." He also made a pledge to decrease student-to-teacher ratios at universities and high schools across the state.

But UI interim President Gary Fethke believes Culver may have difficulty selling his new ideas to Iowans. Recently, the two had a chance to speak informally while attending the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio.

"To me, he faces a challenge of vision, both financially and strategically," Fethke said. "But I'm confident he'll do well. [Culver's] a very inquisitive person."

The newly elected governor worked to ease concerns from students and state residents about rising tuition costs by proposing a number of programs designed to make college education more accessible.

To back up his emphasis on improving secondary education, Culver cited a study completed by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis that links an educated population to a state's level of economic success. During the 2006 campaign, Culver spoke repeatedly about the need to create a large, educated workforce led by students graduating from institutions of higher learning across Iowa.

But UI Professor Richard Hurtig said a state the size of Iowa, with a population just under 3 million, confronts unique challenges when attempting to fund three major universities.

"It's important to increase access to education for people who don't have the financial means, but how it's funded is really what's critical," he said.

Ultimately, progress depends on financial allocations provided to the regents.

Peverill Squire, a UI political-science professor, believes the upcoming education budget may be larger than in years past. Yet, he cautions, "The state is running a surplus, but with built-in funding increases for a number of programs, much - if not all - of that surplus is already committed in next year's budget."