Note: The Iowa Board of Regents' process used in the search for, and ultimate selection of, a new president for the University of Iowa has been highly controversial throughout. For the details, with links to well over 200 documents, news stories, and opinion pieces, visit this: repository of links from September 2-October 31, 2015 (which also includes links to additional blog posts).
Because that repository, organized by dates, is already far too large, it is now closed to the addition of further items (with rare exceptions) -- although it remains available to users as a valuable resource.
The continuation of that coverage is first found in "UI President Harreld - Nov. 2015," for the month of November, starting with the anticipatory stories on November 1, followed by his first day on the job, November 2.
This blog post, "UI President Harreld - Dec. 2015," is where the continuation of coverage will be found for the month of December. To the extent events warrant, the present plan is to continue to collect items in month-by-month blog posts during 2016.
-- Nicholas Johnson, December 1, 2015
December 1-3, 2015
December 4-6, 2015
December 7-9, 2015
December 10-12, 2015
December 13-15, 2015
December 16-18, 2015
December 19-21, 2015
December 22-24, 2015
December 25-27, 2015
December 28-31, 2015
Josh O'Leary, "UI President Condemns Racist Graffiti Found on Campus," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), November 30, 2015, 10:06 p.m.; hard copy: Josh O'Leary, "UI President Condemns Racist Graffiti Found on Campus; University Conducting an Investigation, Saying Prosecution is Possible," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 1, 2015, p. A1
Gazette Staff, "UI investigates 'Racist Remark' Discovered on Campus; Found Carved on Bathroom Door, the Phrase Was Quickly Sanded Off," The Gazette (online), November 30, 2015, 8:50 p.m.; hard copy: Gazette Staff, "Race Relations: UI Investigates Racist Remark on Campus; Phrase Carved on Door of Bathroom Sanded Off," The Gazette, December 1, 2015, p. A8
Officials Condemn Racist Message; University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld Electronically Condemned an Incident of a Racist Remark Carved Into a Bathroom Stall Found Monday," The Daily Iowan (online), December 1, 2015
Vanessa Miller, "Regents President Reports Another Conflict; Rastetter-Backed TelePharm Looks to Work on UI Project," The Gazette (online), November 30, 2015, 9:55 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Board of Regents: President Reports Potential Conflict; Rastetter-Backed TelePharm Looks to Work on UI Project," The Gazette, December 3, 2015, p. A3
Vanessa Miller, "Speakers Fault Hiring of Harreld at Transparency Hearing; At Hearing Some Faculty Assail Video-Recorded Sessions As 'Essentiallly Meaningless,'" The Gazette (online), November 30, 2015, 9:53 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Speakers Fault Hiring of Harreld; At Hearing Some Faculty Assail Video-Recorded Sessions As 'Essentiallly Meaningless,'" The Gazette, December 1, 2015, p. A3
Here are a couple more for President Harreld to think about:
The First Amendment is most often referenced for its protection of "free speech" -- "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech" (a subject the Supreme Court has made much more qualified, complex and nuanced than the words "freedom of speech" would seem to suggest). Because "Congress" has been read by the Court to include essentially all institutions of government, it applies to public universities like the UI. University presidents are struggling in their efforts to balance, on the one hand, the goals of the First Amendment, and the diversity of viewpoints, free inquiry and civil discourse of universities, against, on the other hand, the consequences of hate speech, or direct incitement to violence. President Harreld's conclusion on such a situation yesterday is described in the stories linked above.
But the very language of the First Amendment has internalized a conflict in its own language with regard to another of its topics: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .." How is a university president to think about a student request for religious courses, services, or facilities? This is another one for Harreld to begin thinking about -- because it's already on his doorstep.
UI's Muslims want a place to pray five times a day. Provide one and it could appear to be an "establishment of religion." Refuse to do so, and it could appear to be "prohibiting the free exercise thereof." What's a university president to do?
See Jeff Charis-Carlson, "MuslimCollege Students Seek Permanent Prayer Space," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), November 30, 2015, 6:58 a.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Muslim Students Seek Permanent Prayer Space; Muslims At All 3 Regents Universities Working to Solve Issue," Iowa City Press-Citizen, November 30, 2015, p. A1.
And speaking of our Muslim friends, surely Harreld is aware that both his Republican Governor, and local Democratic Representative in Congress, are concerned about the U.S. admitting Syrian refugees who might turn out to be terrorists. How should he respond? Speak out, or say nothing to reassure our Muslim students? Support the fear mongers' concerns? Or point out how their pandering to fear is just silly?
Here's another: Is this now a problem for UI students? If not now, but it's proposed in the future, how does President Harreld think he should respond? Will Hobson and Steven Rich, "Why Students Foot the Bill for College Sports, and How Some Are Fighting Back," Washington Post (online), November 30, 2015 ("In 2014, students at 32 schools paid a combined $125.5 million in athletic fees, according to a Washington Post examination of financial records at 52 public universities in the 'Power Five,' the five wealthiest conferences in college sports.")
And while we're talking about student tuition, here's another issue on which we've yet to see a statement from President Harreld: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Proposed Tuition Hike for International Students Draws Ire," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 1, 2015, 7:13 p.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Higher Price to Study in Iowa? Iowa State's Request for $1500 Tuition Hike for International Students Met With Resistance," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 2, 2015, p. A1 (students are saying, if the rationale for an increase is increased costs (a) those costs should be documented, not merely asserted, and (b) the money should be paid as "fees" -- dedicated to those additional services for international students -- rather than "tuition," which can be spent by the administration on nearly anything).
Vanessa Miller, "Iowa University Presidents Pitch Higher Budgetary Needs at Hearing in Des Moines; Harreld Says He Wants to Spend Money on Upping Teacher Compensation, Leath Asks for More Funds to Deal With ISU's Growth," The Gazette (online), December 1, 2015, 4:52 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: UI Leader: Spend on Quality, Not on Quantity; Invest in Excellence Instead of More Growth, Harreld Asks Governor," The Gazette, December 2, 2015, p. A1
Prez Harreld says he wants to bring UI up in the rankings of universities by average faculty salaries (where it has been dropping). He also says he wants to reward those who meet his standards of "excellence" and hire more who will bring UI "quality" rather than "quantity." If Iowa's ranking by average salaries is going to be his guiding star, there are two ways to get there: (1) raise everyone's salary, (2) pay those making the most even more, while laying off those with the lower salaries. Not saying that's what he has in mind, but think about it. Vanessa Miller, "UI President Harreld Promises Regular Public Hearings to Engage UI Community; Harreld: It Will Be 'Very Collaborative,'" The Gazette (online), December 1, 2015, 5:36 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: UI President Promises to Hold Series of Public Forums; Harreld Says He Wants to Engage University in Creating Shared Vision," The Gazette, December 2, 2015, p. A8
Vanessa Miller, "University of Iowa Police: No Students Said They Saw 'Racist Remark;' 'This Act is Offensive,' Harreld Said in Statement," The Gazette (online), December 1, 2015, 7:01 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: UI Responds Quickly to 'Racist Remark' Carved in Door at Lab; Police Don't Believe Any Students Saw Epithet," The Gazette, December 2, 2015, p. A11
Here's how one university president is responding to racial threats on his campus: Peter Schmidt, "How a President Is Fighting Online Harassment of Minority Students," The Chronicle of Higher Education (online), December 2, 2015 ("[Western Washington University President Bruce] Shepard has taken a series of steps since then to make minority students feel safe. They included beefing up campus security, creating an anonymous tip line for reporting threats, and undertaking new efforts to fight racism on the campus. On Monday . . . he held a town-hall meeting to discuss the recent campus tensions . . ..")
"New Presidential Search Documents Released," The Daily Iowan (online), December 2, 2015 (Search Committee and Board of Regents interview questions); and see Stephen Voyce, "FOIA Project: Presidential Search, University of Iowa (2015)," November 29, 2015
Vanessa Miller, "Formerly Confidential: Scores of Comments Advised Against Harreld; Records in UI Presidential Search Released Months After Vote," The Gazette (online), December 2, 2015, 6:12 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: Confidential Comments Advised Against Hiring Harreld; Records in Presidential Search at UI Released months After Selection," The Gazette, December 3, 2015, p. A1
Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Regents Release Presidential Search Comments," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 2, 2015, 8:19 p.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Regents Release Public Comments from UI Presidential Search," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 3, 2015, p. A3
Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Regents Approve Tuition Increase for UI, Freeze for UNI, ISU," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 2, 2015, 3:12 p.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Tuition Hike for UI is Approved; But Resident Undergraduates at ISU and UNI Could See a Tuition Freeze in the 2016-17 Academic Year," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 3, 2015, p. A1
Vanessa Miller, "University of Iowa Tuition to Rise; Board Will Consider More increases if State Support Lags," The Gazette (online), December 2, 2015, 3:13 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: Regents Approve Higher UI Tuition; Board Will Consider More Increases if State Support Lags," The Gazette, December 3, 2015, p. A3
It's wonderful that the Stead family has been generous with its contributions to the University. With legislative cutbacks in financial support of public education, universities are more dependent than ever on generous major donors. We applaud them and are grateful. But this gift, and naming, does raise an interesting question regarding how the University of Iowa goes about selling off naming rights for its buildings. This was a $25 million gift toward a $360 million building, or slightly under 7% of its cost. Is that percentage typical? Does the UI have a rate card? How big a personal or corporate gift would be required to put a personal or business name on the entire university, such as "The Exxon University of Iowa"? Vanessa Miller, "University of Iowa Children's Hospital to be Named After Stead Family; Couple Says They're Motivated by Childrens' Health, Not Glory," The Gazette (online), December 2, 2015, 10:45 a.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Health Care: UI Children's Hospital Honors Donors; New Facility Will Bear Name of Steads, Who Have Given $25 Million to Children's Medicine," The Gazette, December 3, 2015, p. A3 ("He [Jerre Stead] was part of the 21-member committee charged with searching for a new UI president, and Bruce Harreld — who was chosen for the job — said Stead was instrumental early on in recruiting him to apply for the job.")
Breaking news (Dec. 2, 10:33 a.m.): The Rastetter-Robillard-Stead-Harreld connection: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "UI Children's Hospital to be Named After Stead Family," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 2, 2015, 10:31 a.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "UI Children's Hospital to be Named After Family; The Steads Make Single Largest Gift Toward the Hospital's Mission," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 3, 2015, p. A3 ("Bruce Harreld, who was appointed UI president in September, said in a previous interview that he has viewed Stead as a mentor for decades. He also said Stead helped persuade him to meet in early June with Robillard and other members of the UI Presidential Search and Screen Committee – a meeting that helped lead Harreld to consider applying for the job. 'We’re glad Bruce is there,' said Stead, who also served on the search committee. '... It will have a very positive way of balancing our investments in the future knowing that Bruce is leading the University of Iowa to even greater success.'”)
Cindy Garcia, "Regents Boost Tuition; UI Tuition Hike Approved," The Daily Iowan, December 3, 2015; hard copy: Cindy Garcia, "Regents Boost Tuition," The Daily Iowan, December 3, 2015, p. A1
Cindy Garcia, "Harreld Reports Long-Term Goals," The Daily Iowan, December 3, 2015; hard copy: Cindy Garcia, "Harreld Tells Regents UI's Long-Term Goals," The Daily Iowan, December 3, 2015, p. A1
Cindy Garcia, "New UI Children's Hospital Named After Stead Family," The Daily Iowan, December 3, 2015; hard copy: Cindy Garcia, "Children's Hospital Named After Steads," The Daily Iowan, December 3, 2015, p. A1
Tom Ackerman, "Harreld to Hold Forums," The Daily Iowan, December 3, 2015; hard copy: Tom Ackerman, "Harreld to Hold Forums," The Daily Iowan, December 3, 2015, p. 1
Laura McKenna, "Why Are Fewer College Presidents Academics?" The Atlantic, December 3, 2015 ("[University of Missouri President Timothy M.] Wolfe is part of a trend in higher ed of putting non-academics in leadership positions at colleges. Twenty percent of U.S. college presidents in 2012 came from fields outside academia, up from from 13 percent six years earlier, according to the American Council on Education. Many of the non-academic college presidents come from the law and business worlds. Jonathan Lash, who now oversees Hampshire College, was previously a lawyer who served as president of the nonprofit World Resources Institute, a Washington-based environmental think tank. Before Bruce Benson was selected to lead the University of Colorado in 2008, he had a successful career in the oil industry. He has also been involved in banking, real estate, cable television, and restaurants. Neither Lash nor Benson have Ph.Ds. Other nontraditional college presidents have government backgrounds. Margaret Spelling, the new president of North Carolina, is the former Secretary of Education under George W. Bush. Janet Napolitano, the former Secretary of Homeland Security, is the president of the University of California. Bill McRaven, the chancellor of the University of Texas system, is a former admiral in the navy and commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command. Purdue’s president, Mitch Daniels, is the former governor of Indiana. Florida State’s president, John Thrasher, was the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. Proponents of non-academic candidates say that leaders from the worlds of business or government or law are needed to innovate, control costs, and manage a complex organization like a college institution.")
Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Harreld Sets Date for First Public Forum," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 3, 2015, 6:00 p.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "UI President Sets Date for 1st Public Forum," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 4, 2015, p. A2
Vanessa Miller, "UI President Sets Date for First Public Forum; Harreld Announces Two 'Teams' to Shape Campus Future," The Gazette (online), December 3, 2015, 5:13 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: Harreld's First UI Public Forum Set for February; University President Also Creates 2 Teams to Shape Campus Future," The Gazette, December 4, 2015, p. A3
Here's the full text of President Harreld's statement: UI President Bruce Harreld, "Moving Forward Together; A Message from University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld," Iowa Now, December 3, 2015
Vanessa Miller, "UI Presidential Search Lawsuit Set for Trial; Former Candidate Calls UI Search Process 'Unique," The Gazette (online), December 3, 2015, 5:09 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: UI Presidential Search Lawsuit Set for Trial; Former Candidate Not Involved in Case Calls Search Process 'Unique," The Gazette, December 4, 2015, p. A8
Richard Roberts, "Author, Dean's Warning Was Prescient," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 6, 2015, 1:55 p.m.; hard copy: Richard Roberts, "Author, Dean's Warning Was Prescient," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 7, 2015, p. A9
Cindy Garcia, "Graduate Students Take on Advocacy," The Daily Iowan (online), December 8, 2015; hard copy: Cindy Garcia, "Graduate Students Take on Apt. Complex," The Daily Iowan, December 8, 2015, p. 1
Tom Ackerman, "Harreld Announces UI Forum," The Daily Iowan (online), December 8, 2015; hard copy: Tom Ackerman, "Harreld Announces UI Forum," The Daily Iowan, December 8, 2015, p. 1
Sophia Finster, "UI President Harreld Should Address Sustainability," The Daily Iowan (online), December 8, 2015; hard copy: Sophia Finster, "Harreld: Talk Sustainability," The Daily Iowan, December 8, 2015; hard copy: Sophia Finster, "Harreld: Talk Sustainability," The Daily Iowan, December 8, 2015, p. 4
Stephen Gruber-Miller, "UIPD Creates 'Soft Space' Interview Room for Sex Assault Victims," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 7, 2015, 10:22 p.m.; hard copy: Stephen Gruber-Miller, "UIPD Creates 'Soft Space;' University Officials Hoping New Interview Room Will Make It Easier for Victims of Assault, Other Trauma to Talk to Police," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 8, 2015, p. A3
Vanessa Miller, "UI's Largest Undergrad College to Require Diversity Courses; Move Comes as Top University Officials Condemn Racist Incidents," The Gazette (online), December 8, 2015, 7:50 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: UI Undergrad College to Require Diversity Courses; Move Comes as University Officials Issue Statement Condemning Racist Incidents," The Gazette, December 9, 2015, p. A1
Jeff Charis-Carlson, "UI Officials Reaffirm Commitment to Diversity," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 8, 2015, 6:46; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "UI Officials Reaffirm Commitment to Diversity," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 9, 2015, p. A9
Vanessa Miller, "AAUP Completes Investigation Into UI President Hire; Full Report to Be Made Public Thursday," The Gazette (online), December 8, 2015, 4:07 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: Academic Organization Finishes Review of UI Presidential Hire; Full Report from AAUP to Be Released Thursday," The Gazette, December 9, 2015, p. A2
Zach Berg, "Iowa Writers' House Supplies IC a New Support Group for Writers," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 8, 2015, 11:13 p.m.; hard copy: Zach Berg, "Iowa Writers' House Supplies IC a New Support Group for Writers; Nonprofit Created with Coffee, Literary Minds," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 9, 2015, p. A1
President Harreld has said he would focus on "integrity" (e.g., "Harreld said 'I told Gary [Barta] the winning is yours; I’m all about the integrity and the academics.'"). Well, here's one for him. Will he (1) publicly condemn this practice? (2) Provide excuses and supposed justifications for why it was really just fine? Or will he (3) remain silent, leaving the responses (and responsibility) to others? Ryan J. Foley, "Documents Reveal UI Deals With GOP Insider," Associated Press/Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 9, 2015, 12:29 p.m.; hard copy: Ryan Foley, "Documents Reveal UI Deals With GOP Insider; School Awarded Several No-Bid Contracts Totaling $321,900 to a Prominent Consultant," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 10, 2015, p. A3 ("The University of Iowa has quietly awarded several no-bid contracts totaling $321,900 to a prominent GOP consultant . . .. [It looks] like a sweetheart deal among Republican insiders and a potential waste of money. The university sidestepped a policy that normally requires competitive bidding [on contracts of $25,000 or more; this contract was for $24,900] to ensure services are obtained at the lowest cost . . .. [S]ome of the money has gone for statewide opinion polling that the university is refusing to make public, saying doing so would 'serve no public purpose.'")
And see this commentary on the story immediately above: Lynda Waddington, "More GOP Cronyism Staining UI," The Gazette (online), December 13, 2015, 10:45 a.m.; hard copy: Lynda Waddington, "More GOP Cronyism Staining UI," The Gazette, December 12, 2015, p. A6 ("The contracts were managed by UI Vice President for External Relations Peter Matthes, a former Iowa Senate Republican Caucus staff director who served alongside [Peter] Strawn [former Iowa Republican Party Chair, whose company received the $321,900 no-bid contracts from UI].")
Vanessa Miller, "Regents Acted 'In Bad Faith' in University of Iowa President Search, AAUP Concludes; Board Could Face Sanctions from National Professors Group," The Gazette (online), December 10, 2015, 12:01 a.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: Report: Regents Acted 'In Bad Faith;' Professional Organization Concludes Harreld Was 'Foreordained' As UI President,'" The Gazette, December 10, 2015, p. A3
Jeff Charis-Carlson, "AAUP Calls UI Search a 'Crude Exercise in Naked Power,'" Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 10, 2015, 10:51 a.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "AAUP: UI Search 'Crude Exercise in Naked Power;' National Group of Professors Denounces the Recent Search for University's New President," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 10, 2015, p. A1
For the text of the national AAUP Report, see AAUP Reports & Publications, "College and University Governance: University of Iowa," for the AAUP's summary/news of the report; and for the text of the full report "College and University Governance: The University of Iowa Governing Board's Selection of a President," AAUP Bulletin, December 9, 2015 (this link will download a pdf version) (Concluding sentence: "The remedy, so long as these institutions remain under public control, must be found in an informed public opinion, in the expression of the public’s sense that such actions by members of a governing board not only undermine the ideals and purposes of the university but also affront the citizenry the board ostensibly serves.")
Eric Kelderman, "AAUP Blasts Process Used to Hire Bruce Harreld as U. of Iowa's President," The Chronicle of Higher Education (online), December 10, 2015 ("The search process . . . damaged the institution’s national reputation by disrespecting the other three finalists, who had been led to believe that they were participating in an honest search. 'It is difficult to see how anyone of intelligence and probity would permit himself or herself to be considered for a future presidency in Iowa,' the report concludes. . . . Mr. Harreld declined to participate in the association’s investigation that produced the report, but he did review the draft and responded that it was 'accurate from my perspective.'”)
Stacey Murray, "AAUP Report Condemns Presidential Search," The Daily Iowan (online), December 10, 2015; hard copy: Stacey Murray, "AAUP Report Condemns Presidential Search," The Daily Iowan, December 10, 2015, p. 1
Austin Petroski, "Harreld Addresses Staff Council," The Daily Iowan (online), December 10, 2015; hard copy: Austin Petroski, "Harreld Addresses Staff Council," The Daily Iowan, December 10, 2015, p. 1
Sam Lustgarten, "Grad Students Face Bleak Housing Situation," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 9, 2015, 10:20 p.m.; hard copy, Sam Lustgarten, "Grad Students Face Bleak Housing Situation," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 10, 2015, p. A7
Jeff Charis-Carlson and Josh O'Leary, "Grad Students Ask UI to Help Curb Rent Hike," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 10, 2015, 8:57 p.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson and Josh O'Leary, "Campus Housing: Grad Students Ask UI to Help Curb Rent hike; Graduate Students Living on Campus Are Calling on UI Officials to Intervene in a Proposed Rent Hike," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 11, 2015, p. A1
Vanessa Miller, "University of Iowa Graduate Students Outraged by Rising Rental Rates; Rapidly Rising Costs Could Students Away, They Say," The Gazette (online), December 10, 2015, 1:03 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: Out of Reach; As UI Works to Upgrade its Graduate Student Housing, Some Tenants Worry About Rent Prices Rising; University of Iowa's Partnership with Housing Developer Adds to the Concerns," The Gazette, December 10, 2015, p. A1
Vanessa Miller, "UI Extends Sex Assault Survey Deadline After Low Participation, Quality Complaints; Students Demand Apology for Survey's 'Abysmal Quality,'" The Gazette (online), December 10, 2015, 6:30 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: Some Cringe Over UI Sexual Violence Survey; Survey's Deadline Extended to Fix Errors, Increase Participation," The Gazette, December 11, 2015, p. A1
President Harreld is getting a speech coach.
There is so much to be said about this next item.
There's nothing wrong with an executive wanting to improve his or her skills. And it's refreshing to see one paying for the training out of their own pocket.
"Crisis communications" is one thing, and important for every large institution's executive. But the principles are pretty simple and common sense, as I've written elsewhere -- notwithstanding the extent to which many executives prefer to ignore them (from presidents of universities and corporations to presidents of the United States). See, Crisis Communications 101; There are Three Steps," February 14, 2011.
But central to all executive communications, including crisis communications, is that it come from the executive's own center, his moral and ethical polestar, the result of his having read and thought about the issue ahead of time. Taking advice from others regarding what he or she should say, and how they should say it, can and often does backfire as insincere. Why? Because it is insincere, not in an evil sense, but because the executive is using another's words to express thoughts that are not his or her own.
Indeed, as I've written with regard to issues about which Harreld might wish to think about ahead of time, "True 'leadership' requires that there be 'a there there,' a personal set of beliefs, a consistent philosophy." See, "UI President Harreld - Nov. 2015," Sections November 25-27, 2015 and November 28-30, 2015 (numerous examples of issues).
Here's today's story: "Harreld Hires Consultant to Improve Communication Skills," Associated Press/Des Moines Register (online)/Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 11, 2015, 2:00 p.m., revised 5:28 p.m.; hard copy: "Harreld Hires Consultant to Improve Communication Skills; UI President is Paying for It Himself," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 12, 2015, p. A4 ("UI President Bruce Harreld has paid out of his own pocket for the services of Eileen Wixted, a crisis communications consultant known for making people look and sound good on television and in public presentations. Wixted's long list of clients includes Summit Farms, which is Board of Regents President Bruce Rastetter's privately held agribusiness.")
What is written above was based on the AP story that ran at 2:00 p.m. The 5:28 p.m. version (which is what appears when you click on the link, above) contained additional material; to the best of my recollection of the original, the 5:28 additions are what is quoted, below, from that version:
The relationship came about as Harreld sought to get past the controversy surrounding his September hiring, which was condemned by groups representing faculty and students. Critics argued that Board of Regents president Bruce Rastetter and other members of the school's governing board gave Harreld, a former IBM executive, favorable treatment throughout the search. . . .
Beck said an Associated Press story published Friday about Wixted's hiring unfairly implied that Harreld chose to pay her himself to evade the state's open records laws.
"I never thought covering something out of my own pocket would be construed as a bad thing, and I’m disappointed to see it painted in that light," Harreld said in a prepared statement. "When I was selected as president I reached out to colleagues in similar positions across the country for advice. They recommended I seek outside media training and that I pay for it myself in order to get the most candid feedback possible."
Harreld picked Wixted on the recommendation of more than one person, Beck said.
"I really admire the fact that he self-identified, 'this is an area that I don't have a lot of experience in and I need to improve,'" Wixted said.
Media training is a necessary exercise for government agencies, but it's "very strange" for one executive to pay for it out of his own pocket for himself, said communications consultant Claire Celsi.
"To not disclose how much they are paying for that or not have the process vetted or bid on is unusual," said Celsi, a Democrat who called Wixted "top-notch."
Wixted works for clients in nuclear power, health care and agribusiness, including Rastetter's corporation, Summit Farms.
Wixted helped Summit Farms respond to questions last year about $480,000 in no-interest loans it had received from a program based at Iowa State University, which critics called a conflict of interest for Rastetter.
She's also done some work for regents' institutions. She was hired for behind-the-scenes communications advice for University of Northern Iowa when regents approved the closure of its teaching laboratory school and numerous academic programs in 2012.
Wixted declined to disclose her fee.
Wixted said she conducted "on-camera media coaching sessions" for Harreld before he assumed the presidency Nov. 2, focusing on the "mechanics of being interviewed by broadcast media." She hopes to do more.
Wixted said she didn't advise Harreld on strategy and messaging, leaving those functions to UI. Since July, the university has been paying Terri Goren of Atlanta-based Goren and Associates $20,000 a month to oversee its Office of Strategic Communication on a part-time basis. Goren's contract, which called for her to develop a communications plan for the new president, ends Dec. 31.
Robillard's private jet trip. The facts reported in this story raise so many questions. Here are a few. (1) It's 110 miles from Iowa City to Galesburg. With private jets flying out of the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids airports, if Robillard was really in that much of a hurry why would he take an extra couple hours each way to drive to Galesburg? Could it be he was trying to avoid any local record of this trip? (2) The Steads have donated some $54 million to UI and the UIHC over 30 years. “'Dr. Robillard has had a tremendously long relationship with the Steads — more than 30 years,' [UI Foundation spokeswoman Dana] Larson said." Was this private jet trip really necessary to insure another $5 million? (3) What was the incremental additional amount the Steads donated to have the $360 million hospital named for them -- $5 million?! It looks like all, or almost all, of their previous $25 million resulted in their being honored for something else. (4) This was one week before Stead's friend Harreld (whom he first met over 20 years ago) was to be anointed UI president -- following the work of a search committee on which he sat and Robillard chaired. That fact really had nothing to do with the trip? (5) There are opportunity costs to any expenditure. Much is made of the fact the $10,747 trip didn't involve taxpayer funds. But what was not done with this money that otherwise would have been? (6) Details of Harreld's travel expenses, reported in this story, have always been confusing. "He [Harreld] paid for all previous travel to Iowa during the search process, officials said." (a) Why would he do that? Why would the University require (if it did) or permit (if it did) him to do that? (b) Regardless, the University's expenses for Harreld's travel "have totaled $7,278.44 -- including $5,709.04 spent before he officially took office Nov. 2 . . .."
Vanessa Miller, "UI Interim President Took $10,747 Flight to Secure Children's Hospital Donation; Trip Came One Week Before New President's Hire," The Gazette (online), December 11, 2015, 4:59 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: UI Leader Took $10,747 Flight to Denver for $5 Million kGift; The Trip United Two Presidential Search Committee Members One Week Before Decision," The Gazette, December 12, 2015, p. A1
Vanessa Miller, "University of Iowa President Hires Private Media Consultant; Harreld Will Pay for the Consultant Using His Own Money," The Gazette (online), December 11, 2015, 6:37 p.m.; hard copy, Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: Iowa President Harreld Hires Own Media Advisor; Considered a Common Move for Any Leader of a Major University," The Gazette, December 12, 2015, p. A7
Don't forget to check Ditchwalk's "Ongoing Harreld Hire Updates" from time to time.
Here's another major university going through a similar struggle for similar reasons: Valerie Strauss, "Protesters Seek to Reverse Appointment of Margaret Spellings to Run UNC System," The Washington Post (online), December 11, 2015, 12:58 p.m. (University of North Carolina had "dozens of demonstrators protesting the recent appointment of controversial former education secretary Margaret Spellings as the next UNC president. . . . The protesters — students, faculty, staff and others within the UNC community — come from a number of organizations, including the Faculty Forward Network, Scholars for North Carolina’s Future, UnKoch My Campus, the UNC Board of Governors Democracy Coalition, Greenpeace USA, Ignite NC and Progress NC. . . . [T]he protesters said they want the Spellings appointment to be rescinded and for the school’s governing body to have a transparent process to find a replacement, a reference to what many said was a secretive process in the selection of Spellings.")
Why include education and higher ed issues in this blog collection regarding the University of Iowa, its Board of Regents, and new President Bruce Harreld? Because the success or failure of our joint venture will turn in large measure on Harreld's knowledge of these issues, his willingness to read the literature involving other universities here and abroad, his formulation of the directions provided by his own moral compass, and his thinking through the most appropriate responses before the challenges they pose confront our campus.
(a) If he, or anyone on his staff agree with that assessment, and are following the posts to this blog series, hopefully these issues post can be a positive source of help to his administration. (b) For individuals engaged in a kind of "Herrald Watch," these are some of the issues that bear watching.
Harreld's already been exposed to some of the local concerns regarding diversity, racism, and race relations. In this morning's [Dec. 13] New York Times Frank Bruni focuses on an element of those issues that has long been a concern of mine.
Frank Bruni, "The Lie About College Diversity," The New York Times, December 13, 2015, p. SR3 ("So even if a school succeeds in using its admissions process to put together a diverse student body, it often fails at the more important goal that this diversity ideally serves: meaningful interactions between people from different backgrounds, with different scars and different ways of looking at the world. A given college may be a heterogeneous archipelago. But most of its students spend the bulk of their time on one of many homogeneous islands. . . . [Purdue's CLAS Dean] David Reingold: '[C]ampuses . . . haven’t changed a whole lot in terms of self-segregation. . . . I don’t think universities have figured out ways for students to build connectivity.'")
Here is a UI version of the story immediately above, as it applies to our Chinese students. Allison Pestotnik, "Chinese Students at University of Iowa Still Struggle With System; UI's Efforts to Help Receive Mixed Reactions," IowaWatch.org/The Gazette (online), December 14, 2015, 5:30 p.m.; Allison Pestotnik, "Chinese Students Still Struggle at University of Iowa," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 13, 2015, 4:11 p.m.; hard copy: Allison Pestotnik, "Chinese Students Struggle at University of Iowa; Transition to Living, Adapting in U.S. Continues," IowaWatch.org/Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 14, 2015, p. A1
Vanessa Miller, "Emails: ISU Fast-Tracked Initiative for Kraig Paulsen Hire; University Had 'Handshake Agreement' Before Lawmaker Applied," The Gazette (online), December 13, 2015, 5:00 a.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: A 'Handshake Agreement;' Iowa State Fast-Tracked Initiative for House Speaker's Hire: Emails," The Gazette, December 13, 2015, p. A1 Free (taxpayer-funded) education, as a public good, went from four years to eight, and for the last 100 years or so to twelve -- that is, elementary through high school. We experimented with tuition free college in California and New York, and throughout the country with the GI Bill following WWII -- those innovations were followed by significant economic growth. Many other countries provide it today. The U.S. does not, although Senator Bernie Sanders makes it a major element of his platform. Is this something President Harreld would be willing to speak, and then fight, for? Four students have written of the consequences of our failing to follow the example from other nations.
Morgan Musselman, Lizzie Daly, Aleisha Norton and Hannah Uczen, "Students in Period of Debt Crisis," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 13, 2015, 10:04 p.m.; hard copy: Morgan Musselman, Lizzie Daly, Aleisha Norton and Hannah Uczen, "College Students Flounder in a Period of Debt Crisis," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 14, 2015, p. A7
Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Documentary Shows Rastetter, Branstad Discussing Harreld," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 14, 2015, 3:50 p.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Rastetter, Branstad Filmed Discussing Harreld; The Documentary, Titled 'Governor Branstad: Behind the Scenes,' Was Released Friday," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 15, 2015, p. A3 -- the video is available here, with the relevant comments starting around minute 25.
Matt Brown, "Franklin Would Have Plenty to Say on Harreld," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 14, 2015, 2:44 p.m.; hard copy: Matt Brown, "Franklin Woiuld Have Plenty to Say on Harreld," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 15, 2015, p. A5
Vanessa Miller, "Petition Asks UI President to Create Stronger 2050 Sustainability Goals; 'We must Weave Sustainability Into Our Core,'" The Gazette (online), December 14, 2015, 8:34 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: UI Student Petition Pushes for Stronger Sustainability Goals," The Gazette, December 15, 2015, p. A9
MacKenzie Elmer, Lissandra Villa and Charly Haley, "Family Friend: ISU Student Killed Was 'Firecracker,'" Des Moines Register (online), December 15, 2015, 8:00 p.m. ("ISU President Steven Leath issued a statement expressing condolences to [Emmalee J.] Jacobs' family . . .. 'It's always difficult to see a young life taken, particularly when it's one of our students who had been with us only a few months,' he said.")
As a friend commented when coming upon this news: "I think once he gets more training from the communications adviser he should be doing better with public statements." What I want to know is, if Harreld thinks unprepared instructors should be shot, what is the presumably more serious and appropriate punishment for unprepared university presidents? "UI's Harreld Sorry for Saying Unready Teachers Should Be Shot," Associated Press/Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 15, 2015, 12:28 p.m.; hard copy: "Harreld Says He's Sorry for Teacher Comment; UI President is Under Fire for a Statement About Unprepared Instructions," Associated Press/Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 16, 2015, p. A1
Vanessa Miller, "Graduate Students Say University of Iowa President Shiould Quit Over 'Should be Shot' Remark; Harreld Apologizes for 'Off the Cuff' Comment Made During a Meeting," The Gazette (online), December 15, 2015, 4:51 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: UI President Apologizes for His Remark That Unprepared Lecturers 'Should be Shot;' Graduate Students Say He Should Quit Over 'Off the Cuff' Comment," The Gazette, December 16, 2015, p. A3
Vanessa Miller, "University of Iowa Spends Nearly $270,000 on Mumps Vaccines for Students; Number of On-Campus Cases Rises to 152," The Gazette (online), December 15, 2015, 6:20 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Health: Nearly $270,000 Spent on Free Mumps Vaccine for UI Students; Number of Cases Reported on Campus Rises to 152," The Gazette, December 16, 2015, p. A3
Register editorial consistent with "Trouble in River City: Corruption Creep; Sub-heading: UI Deals With GOP Insiders," December 13, 2015, urges Harreld, Legislature act: "Editorial: UI's Secrecy, No-Bid Contracts Deserve Scrutiny," The Des Moines Register (online), December 16, 2015, 5:01 a.m. ("[P]olling is being handled by a top GOP consultant through a series of no-bid contracts, and the school is refusing to release the results of the polling because, it says, disclosure would 'serve no public purpose.' The university has a long, established history of behaving as if it were a private school, accountable to no one. But this takes the school’s penchant for cronyism and secrecy to a whole new level. . . . UI President Bruce Harreld, who is struggling to win the confidence of Iowans and the school’s own faculty, should make the polling results public today, and the Iowa Board of Regents should agree to examine the Strawn contracts and the manner in which they were awarded. If Harreld and the regents refuse to act, the matter should be brought before the Iowa Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee for public hearings on the matter.")
Similarly, after writing "Trouble in River City: Corruption Creep," it was brought to my attention that the Quad City Times had also come to similar conclusions to my own. Editorial, "University of Iowa Stinks of Cronyism," Quad City Times (online), undated, but obtained December 18, 2015 (Example of editorial tone: "As if this bit of putrid meat wasn't rank enough, state Board of Regents President Bruce Rastetter, this week, told Iowa Public Radio that he was in the dark about the sweetheart deal all along.")
Following Register editorial, above, Rastetter acknowledges that maybe the UI should have bids on GOP cronies' sweetheart-deal contracts. Lindsey Moon, Ben Kieffer and Dean Borg, "Rastetter Signals Possible Tightening of Bid Policy at Regents Universities," Talk of Iowa, Iowa Public Radio, December 15, 2015
Ryan J. Foley, "Rastetter: UI Contracts with GOP Should've Been Bid," Associated Press/Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 16, 2015, 11:40 a.m.; hard copy: Ryan J. Foley, "Rastetter: UI Contracts Should Have Been Bid; Regents President Says He Was Unaware of No-Bid Contracts with GOP Insider," Associated Press/Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 17, 2015, p. A3
Vanessa Miller, "University of Iowa Representatives Voted for Graduate Housing Rent Increases; UI Officials Expected Minimal Transfer from Old Apartments to New," The Gazette (online), December 16, 2015, 5:26 p.m.
Corey Hickner-Johnson, "Harreld's Comments Out of Line," December 16, 2015, 5:33 p.m.; hard copy: Corey Hickner-Johnson, "UI President's Comments Are Out of Line," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 17, 2015, p. A9
Gerhild Krapf, "Analysis of Faculty Misses Root Causes," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 16, 2015, 5:37 p.m.; hard copy: Gerhild Krapf, "Analysuis of University of Iowa Faculty Misses the Root Causes," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 17, 2015, p. A9
Vanessa Miller, "University of Iowa President Harreld Tries to Clarify 'Teachers Should Be Shot' Comments; 'I Never Said Teachers Should Be Shot,'" The Gazette (online), December 16, 2015, 4:04 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: Harreld 'Should Be Shot' Remark Misquoted; The UI President Says His Comment to Staff Inaccurately Reported," The Gazette, December 17, 2015, p. A3
Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Harreld Tries to Clarify 'Should be Shot' Comment," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 16, 2015, 6:41 p.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "UI President Harreld Attempting to Clarify 'Should be Shot' Comment," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 17, 2015, p. A1
Jason Follett, "Word Choice Not Ideal, but Bruce Harreld Has a Point," Des Moines Register (online), December 17, 2015, 12 a.m. ("President Bruce Harreld’s choice of words to the UI Staff Council are not acceptable [Harreld tries to clarify 'should be shot' comment, Dec. 16]. I feel his many years in the business world lead to this Donald Trump-like comment. Since Harreld has apologized and it has been accepted, we need to move on, but not ignore the point he was making. . . . Please understand that I am not saying every member of a university’s faculty who does not have solid teacher education preparation is a poor instructor. I have known many who have worked hard to rectify this shortfall. What I am saying is that we need to examine how we prepare university faculty to best meet all of their duties.")
For analysis and commentary regarding President Harreld's comments about how to punish unprepared instructors, see "Quick Draw Harreld and Why Language Matters," December 17, 2015
Jeff Charis-Carlson, "UI Protesters Hold Mock Public Forum with Fake Harreld," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 17, 2015, 7:21 p.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "UI Protesters Hold Mock Forum with Fake Harreld; About 2 Dozen Demonstrators Gather Thursday at President's Office," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 18, 2015, p. A3
KayLynn Harris, "Rally Protests Harreld Policies," The Daily Iowan (online), December 18, 2015
Daniel Elchert, "Rent Skyrocketing for UI Graduate Students," Des Moines Register (online), December 18, 2015, 12:02 a.m. ("Shockingly, their 41-year agreement requires Balfour to pay the university only $1 per year to lease the property. Aspire, which is managed by a private company, is subsidized by the university through free bus services and advertising on its housing website. . . . When Iowa’s future doctors and lawyers consider the University of Iowa, many will find exorbitant rent prices and consider other universities. These are some consequences of reckless privatization of graduate student housing.")
My reaction to the item just above, and the next two items, is that student housing in general, and this outsourcing project in particular, deserve in depth review and investigation. Housing rates in Iowa City are higher than in comparable Iowa cities. Developers have had disproportionate political power in Iowa City; and they clearly have a personal interest in not being under-bid by UI's housing options for students. Recent no-bid contract favoritism toward GOP leaders is evidence that pro-contractor bias has been present in UI contracting. Just what is the UI and Regents student housing policy in this age of ever-escalating tuition, other student costs, and the resulting student debt? What data was there that this arrangement made financial sense for students and the University? Who was behind the proposal, and ultimate selection, of this particular contractor? Why did the contract provide oversight by a four-person board (2 from contractor, 2 from UI) in which all ties would be resolved in favor of the contractor? What went into the selection of the two UI representatives, and what was their prior, and subsequent, relation to the contractor? Why did the meeting record reveal no protests by them to these high rental rates? It may be there's nothing here. If so that should be revealed. But clearly there's enough to warrant a more thorough look.
Vanessa Miller, "University of Iowa Representatives Voted for Graduate Housing Rent Increases; UI Officials Expected Minimal Transfer from Old Apartments to New," The Gazette (online), December 16, 2015, 5:26 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: No Record of UI Rent Concerns; Company's Rate Hikes at On-Campus Complex Spur Student Complaints," The Gazette, December 18, 2015, p. A3
Jeff Charis-Carlson, "UI Grad Students Worried About Direction of Rent Talks," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 17, 2015, 6:20 p.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Rent Talks Worry Grad Students; Concerns Voiced Over Direction of Negotiations," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 18, 2015, p. A1
Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Critic: Give UI President Harreld Time On the Job," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 18, 2015, 9:40 p.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "Critic: Give UI President Harreld Time On the Job; Some May Never Be Able to Work With University President," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 19, 2015, p. A1
Rich Patterson, "Regents Made Mockery of Hiring Process," The Gazette, December 19, 2015, 12:01 a.m.; hard copy, Rich Patterson, "Regents Made Mockery of Hiring Process," The Gazette, December 19, 2015, p. A6 ("Bruce Harreld . . . developing the trust and credibility needed to lead the University of Iowa will be difficult given the sordid hiring process.")
Thomas Kindred, "Student Writes Harreld on Housing, Stewardship," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 18, 2015, 6:30 p.m.; hard copy, Thomas Kindred, "Student Writes Harreld on Housing, Stewardship," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 19, 2015, p. A9
Jeff Charis-Carlson, "UI Grad Student Tenants Disappointed in Rent Deal," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 18, 2015, 6:28 p.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "UI Grad Student Tenants Disappointed; Apartment Management Extends Renewal Discount to Jan. 31, No Long-Term Deal," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 19, 2015, p. A3
Vanessa Miller, "UI Graduate Students Unhappy With New Housing Offer; 'This is the Bad Deal the University Negotiated," The Gazette (online), December 18, 2015, 8:04 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: New Housing Offer Fails to Satisfy Grad Students; Landlord on UI Campus Offers Renewal Incentive," The Gazette, December 19, 2015, p. A3
Sofia Finster, "Student Writes Sustainability Message to Harreld," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 20, 2015, 3:18 p.m.; hard copy: Sofia Finster, "Student Writes Sustainability Message to Harreld," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 21, 2015, p. A5
Brooks Landon, "Harreld Should Know Words Matter," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 21, 2015, 6:30 p.m.; hard copy: Brooks Landon, "Harreld Should Realize That His Words Matter," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 22, 2015, p. A7
Jeff Charis-Carlson, "UI Sets New Diversity Requirement for 2017," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 21, 2015, 2:09 p.m.; hard copy: Jeff Charis-Carlson, "UI Sets New Diversity Requirement for 2017; Change Comes in Response to Initiative Passed in 2014-15," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 22, 2015, p. A1
Vanessa Miller, "University of Iowa Paid Company $75,000 to Extend Rate Offer; 'This is one of the worst deals possible,'" The Gazette (online), December 21, 2015, 9:13 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: Efforts to Rein In Rent Hikes Come at Cost for UI; 'Ths is One of the Worst Deals Possible,' Grad Student Says," The Gazette, December 22, 2015, p. A8
Grayson Schmidt, "Traffic: Tragedy Brings Safety Issues to Fore at ISU," The Gazette, December 21 2015, p. A7 (story references ISU President Steven Leath's involvement, statements, other responses to one student pedestrian's death from traffic accident)
Thomas Kindred, "UI Housing Concerns Are About More Than Rent," The Gazette (online), December 23, 2015, 2:39 p.m.; hard copy: Thomas Kindred, "UI Housing Concerns About More Than Rent," The Gazette, December 23, 2015, p. A5
David J. Horsey, "Board of Regents Made a Good Move," The Gazette (online), December 23, 2015, 12:01 a.m.; hard copy: David J. Horsey, "Board of Regents Made Good Move with Harreld," The Gazette, December 23, 2015, p. A5
Matthew P. Brown, "Pennies, Pounds and University of Iowa Leadership," The Gazette (online), December 23, 2015, 2:52 p.m.; hard copy: Matthew P. Brown, "Pennies, Pounds and Higher Education," The Gazette, December 23, 2015, p. A5
"Health: Alcohol Killing More Americans," The Gazette [from Washington Post, December 23, 2015, p. A4 (college students' participation in binge drinking and other heavy consumption of alcohol is a significant contributor to this uptick in alcohol deaths; so what is the most appropriate and effective response from college presidents?)
Lynda Waddington, "2015 'Gifts' That Should Be Returned," The Gazette (online), December 26, 2015, 7:30 a.m.; hard copy: Lynda Waddington, "2015 'Gifts' That Should Be Returned," The Gazette, December 26, 2015, p. A6 (In the list of 15: "8. Bruce Harreld. Thanks to regent shenanigans, this businessman-turned-university president never had a chance. 9. Regents. If there ever was a 'gift' that cried out for exchange, this is it.")
Motoko Rich, "As Graduation Rates Rise, Experts Fear Diplomas Come Up Short," New York Times, December 27, 2015, p. A1
Richard Perez-Pena, "Schools Evaluate Threats, Questioning When to Shut Down," New York Times, December 27, 2015, p. A16
Alex Sistko, "Grad Student Housing Needs Examining," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 26, 2015, p. A7 (does not appear to be available online at this time: Dec. 27, 2015, 5:04 p.m.)
Jon Kilpatrick, "Reporting on Harreld Little More Than Amusement," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 27, 2015, 4:03 p.m.; hard copy: Jon Kilpatrick, "Reporting on Harreld Little More Than Amusement," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 28, 2015, p. A5
R. Jon Roberts, "Robillard the Best Choice," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 27, 2015, 4:01 p.m.; hard copy: R. Jon Roberts, "Robillard the Best Choice," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 28, 2015, p. A5
Dan Campion, "Harreld, Board Show Lack of Judgment," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 27, 2015, 4:00 p.m.; hard copy: Dan Campion, "Harreld, Board Show Lack of Judgment,"Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 28, 2015, p. A5
Vanessa Miller, "Faculty at Iowa Universities Condemn 'Unpresidential' Remark; Harreld Says His 'Should be Shot' Comment was Taken Out of Context," The Gazette (online), December 28, 2015, 5:05 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "Higher Education: Faculties at UI, ISU, UNI Condemn Harreld's Remark; New UI President Says His 'Should be Shot' Comment was Taken Out of Context," The Gazette, December 29, 2015, p. A2
More on "Quick Draw Harreld and Why Language Matters." "Letter to the Iowa Board of Regents on Behalf of the AAUP Chapters of Iowa State University (contact person: Prof. Mack C. Shelley), the University of Iowa (contact person: Prof. Katherine H. Tachau), and the University of Northern Iowa (contact person: Prof. Joe Gorton)," December 27, 2015 (Full text: "To the Board of Regents, State of Iowa: The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Chapters at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Northern Iowa, join our University of Iowa colleagues and graduate students in deploring the reported statement at a public meeting by the university president, Mr. J. Bruce Harreld, that teachers who are unprepared for class 'should be shot.'
Coming from any university president, Mr. Harreld’s comment, regardless of his intent, would be unprofessional and unpresidential. His words reveal a stunning lack of sensitivity for the safety of Iowa faculty, staff, and students. As Iowans know, the University of Iowa has already experienced the horror of a mass shooting in November, 1991. We have not forgotten the faculty members, students and university administrator who were killed and the student who was paralyzed on that day. We remember, too, the trauma experienced by the entire community. And we abhor the occurrence of such senseless violence on any campus.
Since 1991, faculty members at our universities can be, and have been, disciplined or fired for a similar remark. There is no lesser standard for a university president. Mr. Harreld’s crude, off-the-cuff comment makes it clear yet again that the Iowa Board of Regents disserved our students, our colleagues, and the state of Iowa when, through their dishonesty, they selected someone unprepared for the office of university president to lead one of the three universities for which they have a duty of care.
This insensitivity and lack of knowledge of the University of Iowa once again calls into question Harreld’s ability to lead the campus community. We call on the Board of Regents to revisit their decision. The University of Iowa deserves better.")
Brian Golinick, "Harreld Showing Lack of Leadership," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 29, 2015, 11:31 p.m.; hard copy: Brian Golinick, "Harreld Showing Lack of Leadership," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 30, 2015, p. A9
Pres Harreld's lost opportunity. Compare with Dec 22-24 Item 4, above: ISU Leath's response to a student traffic death. Holly Hines, "UI Student Killed in Chicago Bus Crash," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 29, 2015, 3:43 p.m.; hard copy: Holly Hines, "UI Student Killed in Chicago Bus Crash," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 30, 2015, p. A4 (story contains no quote from President Harreld or other indication of his concern)
More on lost opportunity: Andy Davis, "Friend Remembers UI Student Who Died in Bus Crash," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 30, 2015, 8:19 p.m.; hard copy: Andy Davis, "UI Student Who Died in Bus Crash Recalled; Underwood Was 'A Good Person, Had a Lot of Friends,'" Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 31, 2015, p. A6
Vanessa Miller, ""UI President: Ferentz and Barta Are 'Long-Term Members of Our Family;' Despite Last Season, the Two Athletic Leaders Were 'Never on Thin Ice With Me,'" The Gazette (online), December 30, 2015, 6:39 p.m.; hard copy: Vanessa Miller, "UI President: Ferentz and Barta Are 'Long-Term Members of Our Family,'" The Gazette, December 31, 2015, p. A1
Susan Boehlje, "Board of Regents Lacks Decency," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 31, 2015, p. A7
Phil Beck, "Harreld Blunder Raises Questions," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 31, 2015, p. A7
One of most revealing interviews of President Harreld, including his relationship with UI athletics program: Chad Leistikow, "Harreld on Sports: Iowa President Gets Backing from Ferentz," Iowa City Press-Citizen (online), December 31, 2015, 6:04 a.m. [and Des Moines Register]; hard copy: Chad Leistikow, "New UI President Nets Solidarity from Ferentz," Iowa City Press-Citizen, December 31, 2015, p. B1 (online version contains video of portions of interview)
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