Regents’ decision a bad one for UI

The decision by the Iowa Board of Regents with regard to state funding of their institutions is a bad one.

The result of the new metrics for funding, which will be based on the enrollment of Iowa students, will damage the University of Iowa. The UI is the flagship institution of higher education in the state, one of the finest public institutions in the world.

This decision will lead to the dumbing down of the entire state, a disturbing trend. It reflects an unfortunate mind-set on the part of the leadership of the Board of Regents and the governor who appoints them.

Given the trends in business practice, and the sweeping power of globalization, we should be enhancing the UI's ability to serve, not diminishing it. We have close to 3,000 Chinese students at the UI, which will be advantageous for the state for years to come.

Hopefully, the legislature will dismiss this recommendation and provide more support for all three institutions. Our universities are charged with the discovery and development of the brainpower of the state, a charge that should be taken seriously. Our institutions are as fragile as they are valuable and should be better funded.

The decision will result in a more aggressive pursuit of Iowa's high school students, who will be recruited like athletes. It implies a competitiveness in a state that prides itself for its politeness. This is a time when we should be pulling together, in order to live up to our unlimited potential.

Wallace Chappell

Iowa City