Regent: We respect GOP concerns on Harkin center

IOWA CITY - The president of the Iowa Board of Regents says it's unclear whether the panel will reconsider naming a public policy center for U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin.

Board President David Miles told reporters Wednesday that regents respect the Republican-controlled Iowa House's decision to pass a resolution Tuesday protesting the Harkin Institute for Public Policy, which the board approved in April.

Republican lawmakers say it's inappropriate to name the center after the veteran Democratic senator while he's still in office. The institute would house Harkin's papers, research public policy and be a clearinghouse for information about the Iowa Caucuses.

Miles says he was aware of concerns before the board approved the institute, but he says he'll discuss the matter further with other board members before deciding how to respond to the resolution.