Regents approve Hancher, School of Music site proposal

On February 4, the Iowa Board of Regents approved a University of Iowa plan to rebuild Hancher Auditorium and School of Music facilities in two locations, contingent on the university successfully negotiating the purchase of land in downtown Iowa City.

Under the proposal, the new Hancher will go on university-owned land on the west campus, north and west of its current location. It will be constructed above the 500-year flood level plus 2 feet, in accordance with federal requirements and the recommendations of the UI's Flood Mitigation Task Force.

Meanwhile, the School of Music's academic and performance spaces would be rebuilt adjacent to the main east campus, just south of Burlington Street and along South Clinton Street. If agreements with downtown property owners can't be reached by April, the university plans to rebuild the School of Music on the west arts campus, near the new Hancher.

The proposal to separate the facilities came after considerable deliberation and consultation with a wide range of faculty, staff, students, community stakeholders, government leaders and patrons.

From University of Iowa News Services

Podcast examines art museum's future, road taxes and neurodegenerative diseases

In the February 2010 edition of the "Iowa Insights" podcast, University of Iowa Pentacrest Museums Director Pam White talks about the UI Museum of Art's post-flood partnership with the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, the museum's presence on campus and the process of envisioning a new art museum.

Also in this edition, Jon Kuhl, researcher in the Public Policy Center and professor of electrical and computer engineering, speaks about his federally funded study of a mileage-based, road-user charge system that might one day replace the current motor fuel tax. And Internal Medicine Professor Beverly Davidson talks about her research to develop treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, using the blood brain barrier as a therapy delivery system.

"Iowa Insights" is a monthly audio magazine featuring interviews with some of the world's leading thinkers, researchers and teachers. The podcast is produced by the UI Office of University Relations.

For more information, visit http://news.uiowa.edu/iowa-insights/index.html.