Be a part of solution, not problem

To the editor:

Civility and respect seem to be lost concepts these days among some University of Iowa faculty with their treatment of new President Bruce Harreld.

As a proud UI alum (JD ‘87) and a member of the Presidential Search Committee which recommended four finalists to the Board of Regents, I was shocked, saddened, and frankly, embarrassed by the conduct of the UI faculty and Faculty Senate in how they treated Harreld both during his campus interview and repeatedly after he was selected as the 21st president of the university.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and has the right to voice it, and I understand why the faculty may have preferred to have a fellow academic as their president. But enough already. The Regents have chosen Harreld and it's time to move forward.

Recently, Harreld delivered a message to the entire UI community on why he came to Iowa. It is very positive and inclusive. He is reaching out to his detractors and deserves a chance to succeed instead of being repeatedly attacked.

Now that opinions have been voiced, it's time for the UI faculty and the Faculty Senate to stop being part of the problem and start becoming part of the solution. It's time for the UI faculty, staff and students to work together with the new administration and move forward in unison to make a great university even greater.

Jeff Courter

West Des Moines