Budget proposal a major blow to UI

As an emeritus member of the faculty of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, I have read the recommendations of the Performance-Based Revenue Model Task Force (Board of Regents committee) with great concern. For 36 years, I shared the aspirations of fellow faculty to teach well and research creatively. Though retired, I continue to take pride in the achievements of faculty and staff.

As quoted in The Gazette, the Miles (Regents) Committee states: '…the board has failed to adequately leverage the most powerful tool of any governing body for influencing behaviors of its executives and institutions - the institution's budget.” With a stunted view of the unique role of the University of Iowa, it then proposes to allocate 90 percent of the budget using criteria more appropriate to a community college than to a great university. Of the remaining 10 percent, one half would be based on sponsored research and the remainder on undefined regents choices. Allocation of the funds would also be based only on the number of students who were Iowa residents.

A great university attracts students from everywhere. It should not be punished financially for that achievement, particularly when the returns from their higher tuition helps to compensate for insufficient support from the state.

If the UI is to lose $60 million of support each year, it will decline in stature.

Kenneth A. Hubel

North Liberty