From the Daily Iowan:
Following a vote from the state Board of Regents to dissolve the UI Presidential Search Committee and reject the four proposed candidates, the UI Faculty Council, Staff Council, and UI Student Government plan to pursue votes of "no-confidence" in the nine-member board.
The regents' controversial decision comes after the search committee issued"nearly unanimous" support for four of the seven candidates interviewed Nov. 10-11 in Des Moines, said Katherine Tachau, former committee vice-chairwoman and UI professor.
All four candidates were from academia, but for confidentiality reasons, committee members did not divulge their names.
The presidential hopefuls were vying to replace former UI President David Skorton, who resigned earlier this year to assume the top post at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Former business dean Gary Fethke is serving as interim president.
Members of the search committee, the advisory committee, and the regents were present during the Des Moines interviews. But all four regents serving on the search committee - Teresa Wahlert, Michael Gartner, Ruth Harkin, and Amir Arbisser - voted against the potential candidates in Friday's 6-2 vote.
Regents Bob Downer and Rose Vasquez voted to keep the search committee, while Regent Jenny Connolly abstained.
The move was met with shock, disappointment, and confusion among the 25 people listening in on the telephonic conference in Jessup Hall. No reason was offered by the regents during the brief noon phone conference as to why the candidates were rejected.
"The Board of Regents decision is the final betrayal of a process that has been marked at every stage by hostility on the part of the board leadership," Tachau said. "This reflects a loss of mutual confidence."
UI Faculty Council President Sheldon Kurtz called the move a "stab in the back" while Staff Council President Mary Greer said the regents failed the UI, as well as the state of Iowa.
The Gang Of Four (Wahlert, Gartner, Harkin, and Arbisser) are all Vilsack appointees.
Here's what was said about each appointee when their names were proposed.
Michael Gartner:
“The combination of his intellect and passion for Iowa will allow Michael Gartner to serve with distinction on the Board of Regents,” Governor Vilsack stated in making the appointment. “Michael represents the best of our state—a determined sense of duty with a nationally renowned journalistic and business reputation. I am grateful for his work on the Vision Iowa board and look forward to what I am sure will be a lasting impact on higher learning.”
Teresa Wahlert:
“Teresa Wahlert understands how important our Regents schools are to the overall well-being of our state,” said Lt. Governor Pederson. “Her knowledge and expertise will be an asset to the Board in expanding educational opportunities for all Iowans. We are happy she has chosen to serve the people of Iowa in this important capacity.”
Ruth Harkin:
“[Ruth Harkin] understand[s] the importance of continuing the transformational work underway at the Board of Regents,” Governor Vilsack said in announcing the appointments. “[Ruth Harkin] will provide steady, thorough and thoughtful leadership.”
Dr Amir Arbisser:
[Dr Amir Arbisser] will bring new ideas, energy, and a commitment for making Iowa a better place to live, work, and raise a family,” Vilsack said. “[Dr Amir Arbieer] understand[s] the importance of serving all Iowans - across party and professional lines - as we move Iowa forward.”
Related: The Press-Citizen Wants Michael Gartner Fired
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