116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Iowa City mayor asks to serve on University of Iowa presidential search committee

Feb. 24, 2015 1:32 pm
IOWA CITY - Iowa City Mayor Matt Hayek is among those who have applied to serve on a 21-member committee charged with searching for a new University of Iowa president.
A final list of names for the committee has not been made public, but city documents show Hayek applied to fill one of two spots reserved for community members, saying, 'I believe that my participation would enhance community input and help the City of Iowa City establish a productive relationship with the next president.”
Hayek referenced the UI push to grow student enrollment by about 500 students per year for the next four years in making his pitch to serve on the search to replace Sally Mason, who plans to retire Aug. 1.
'The anticipated expansion in enrollment will impact student housing, transportation, urban planning, and the delivery of city services,” Hayek wrote in his letter. 'Our institutions presently are making significant capital investments both on campus and near campus that promise to transform the community.”
Ensuring a strong collaboration between the city and university on issues like student safety, arts, culture, public infrastructure, housing, and economic development 'is essential to our shared success,” according to Hayek.
'More than most college towns, the university campus weaves its way around and through Iowa City,” he said. 'This creates a degree of mutuality, and the health of each institution impacts that of the other.” The Board of Regents earlier this month outlined the makeup of the 21-member search committee, which will include representatives from the faculty, staff, student body, public, and Board of Regents. It will be chaired by Jean E. Robillard, vice president for UI medical affairs, and also include representatives from the UI Alumni Association and the UI Foundation.
The Board of Regents has taken nominations from the UI Faculty Senate for those seats on the committee reserved for faculty members, and the board also accepted nominations for the two public seats.
It's unclear when the board will announce the final committee members. Last week, the board announced plans to use Parker Executive Search to find a new UI president - the same search firm it used to find new heads for Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa.
In his letter, Hayek said he would be honored to serve on the presidential search committee and would be of value, and he understands the relationship between the UI administration and municipal leadership.
'Since 2008, the City of Iowa City has worked closely with the university administration on alcohol polices, flood mitigation, public safety, downtown enhancement, environmental sustainability, and other issues of mutual concern,” Hayek said.
Matthew J. Hayek, official mayor's photo.