Regents to consider naming policy change regarding elected officials

State regents next week will consider a policy change that would not allow the three regent universities to name centers or institutes for an elected official until that person is no longer in office.

It also removes from board policy the financial thresholds at which the creation of new centers or institutes at the universities are required to go to the board, meaning all new centers and institutions would go to the regents for approval under the proposed change.

The board meets Thursday; meeting information was released today.

There was controversy last April when the regents voted 6-2 to name an Iowa State University institute after sitting U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin. That board approval of the Harkin Institute for Public Policy came despite the objections of some Republican leaders. Harkin, a longtime Democratic senator, is an ISU graduate. His wife, Ruth Harkin, serves on the board of regents but abstained from the naming vote.

The Republican-controlled Iowa House last spring passed a resolution saying public buildings and institutions should not be named after sitting elected officials in response to the regents' approval of the Harkin Institute.

The proposed policy change would add a lengthy section about naming a center or institute for an individual. "All proposed names of centers and institutes at the regent universities, including UIHC, shall obtain specific board of regents approval prior to naming," it reads.

The change also says before proceeding with any naming, all circumstances surrounding the naming must be carefully considered, including the overall benefit to the institution, whether the name is and will continue to be a positive reflection on the institution and whether the name is consistent with the purpose and mission of the board of regents and its institutions.

The added wording also gives examples of who can be considered for naming, such as alumni with close ties to the institution, distinguished Iowans, people who have made outstanding contributions to the field of study or donors.

The Harkin Institute will be funded by private donations and is meant to be a place of scholarly study and academic research on public policy issues. It also will house Harkin's papers.