(Radio Iowa) – The board that governs the state universities would have to appoint someone to investigate alleged violations of state and federal law at the schools under a proposal that’s passed out of a House subcommittee. Republican Representative Taylor Collins is the chair of the House Higher Education committee. He says the role is necessary given the recent slew of changes to state policy.

“I just think it’s important we have a direct conduit when it comes to student complaints,” Collins said. “Right now, we have a process where basically everything is going through the legislature and that’s just unsustainable long-term.” The same bill would nearly double the number of members on the Board of Regents. It would add four state lawmakers and and have three students be appointed to the board, but none of the lawmakers or student would be able to vote on policy.

The board currently has a student member who is authorized to vote. Opponents of the bill say there haven’t been problems with having voting student members and that student Regent’s ability to vote gives students a voice on the board.