UI hiring process lacked transparency

To the editor:

At this point it does not matter a whit how you feel about the selection of J. Bruce Harreld in terms of his specific preparation and qualifications for the job. It does matter when anyone with a heart beat and a brain wave are led to believe that the selection process conducted by Bruce Rastetter and the rest of the Iowa Board of Regents was transparent, objective, devoid of strong partisan backroom activity, and a touch of 'we are going to show those free thinkers at the U who's in charge”!

Furthermore, the insult not only trashes the general taxpaying public of Iowa, but also the other candidates who felt they were seriously being considered for this most important hire for the University of Iowa and we the people of Iowa.

We all know that Rastetter is chummy with Gov. Terry Branstad, even introduced Harreld to the governor before the selection process was underway. A lot of us do not agree with the hire. Life goes on. But to patronize a lot of people with this illusion of reflective thinking and all candidates being considered on a level playing field ... come on.

Jack Pilling

Cedar Rapids