My Letter to the Regents

[PDXCyclone]

Today, June 11, the Big 10 universities (including the University of Iowa) unanimously voted to accept the University of Nebraska into the Big 10 conference. This move, as widely reported, is likely to lead to the dissolution of the Big 12 conference which will greatly harm Iowa State University and the state of Iowa.

The information on the regents website clearly explains that the three public Iowa universities exist for the good of the state of Iowa and that the reason one Board of Regents exists is to ensure all of the institutions are coordinated in a way that maximizes benefit for the entire state.

If that is the case, why would the University of Iowa intentionally and deliberately cast a vote that would significantly damage Iowa State University? There is little question that this move will hurt Iowa State University more than it helps the University of Iowa and will have a net negative affect on the state. I certainly realize that one vote would not have changed the outcome in this situation. And I understand that most of the events taking place are beyond the control of Iowa State, University of Iowa, or the Board of Regents. However, the Board of Regents and all of the public institutions need to be actively supporting each other. The University of Iowa could have easily issued a statement saying, "While we respect the University of Nebraska and would view them as a great addition to the Big 10, we will not support any expansion that jeopardizes the position of Iowa State University or the great state of Iowa."

For the more than 214,000 alumni of Iowa State, perhaps worse than the thought of losing our 100 year old rivalries and traditions, is the increasing realisation that we are alone in this fight. We're hardly surprised when the University of Texas doesn't show concern for the future of Iowa State, but when our own regents and our own sister university seem to be supporting the downfall of the Big 12, we go from being angry at the situation to being heartbroken and feeling discarded by the exact people that we considered our closest allies. At this time, many of us are frightened and wonder what lies ahead. I personally have long imagined bringing my children back to Iowa State for football games, to show them the place that shaped me into the person I am today. Now, I wonder if there will even be a game to come back to. And worry whether Iowa State will be able to maintain its enrollment and academic strength.

Now, more than ever, we need your support, if only so that we can maintain pride in our school and our state. Please support Iowa State and please direct the University of Iowa to do the same during this conference realignment. Even if we are unable to come out of this situation unscathed, we should all be able to say we went down fighting and displaying the ideals that unite us as Iowans.

[colbycheese]

Here Here!!!

[swarthmoreCY]

Nice.

[Jables22]

Good lookin' out!

[ty4cy90]

Well put. The last sentence is clearly what Iowa violated today.

[scyclonekid]

Iowa wants it all for themselves they are just as greedy and the ******* texass schools **** them!!!

[kingcy]

It is not Iowa's job to look after ISU. If this were the other way around would you want ISU to help Iowa out?

[acrozier22]

It is not Iowa's job to look after ISU. If this were the other way around would you want ISU to help Iowa out?

No it's not Iowa's job but it is the Board of Regents job.

[PDXCyclone]

It is not Iowa's job to look after ISU. If this were the other way around would you want ISU to help Iowa out?

Ummm....yes?

I have lots of friends and lots of family with ties to ISU, Iowa, and UNI. I don't want to see anything bad happen to any of them. In the end, we all represent the state of Iowa and should stick together.

[kingcy]

Ummm....yes?

I have lots of friends and lots of family with ties to ISU, Iowa, and UNI. I don't want to see anything bad happen to any of them. In the end, we all represent the state of Iowa and should stick together.

This is all about greed and money. When those two are involved everything else goes out the window.

[acrozier22]

This is all about greed and money. When those two are involved everything else goes out the window.

Dude, you don't get it. The Board of Regents is to look out for all three schools. How hard of concept is that to figure out?

[kingcy]

No it's not Iowa's job but it is the Board of Regents job.

The board didnt vote.

[swarthmoreCY]

This is all about greed and money. When those two are involved everything else goes out the window.

How does the state of Iowa get richer by the BoR having the state voting for or against NU? Clearly the BoR knew what the count was going to be.

[kingcy]

Dude, you don't get it. The Board of Regents is to look out for all three schools. How hard of concept is that to figure out?

Nebraska to the Big 10 means a lot of money for the U of I.

[swarthmoreCY]

The board didnt vote.

Since when can the BoR not override a President?