In late June 2009, the University Provost announced that Urban and Regional Planning has been asked to participate in the University’s “cluster hiring” initiative to bring top scholars in sustainability to the University of Iowa. This initiative was announced by President Sally Mason in spring 2008. Under this arrangement, Planning, in partnership with the Public Policy Center, will be authorized to hire a resource economist with a specialization in water. This new hire will enable Planning to increase our course offerings and research in environmental planning and policy. The new faculty member will also be part of a campus-wide intellectual community, that will focus on sustainable water. Other participants in the cluster hire initiative include the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Law, the College of Engineering, and the College of Public Health.