Don’t punish UI for its global reach

Recently, the Iowa State Board of Regents appointed a blue ribbon commission (headed by David Miles) to evaluate the mechanism of funding allocation to the three regent universities: the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa. The commission came up with the proposal of changing the allocation of 40-40-20, respectively, to one based on the number of Iowa residents enrolled.

The proposed allocation would result in a $60 million slash in funding to the UI, while increasing those to the other two. My question: What does the state gain from this reallocation?

On the surface, the plan is equitable, being based on the interest of Iowa residents. But we have to assess the long-term consequences. Landlocked in the middle of America, Iowans over the years have had less contact, compared with states on the coasts, with other nations across the oceans. It is understandable that, consciously or unconsciously, Iowans are comfortable with a mindset of regionalism.

But in this fast-changing world, globalization is taking place whether we like it or not, and the sooner one blends into the current, the sooner one reaps the benefit, culturally, politically and economically. Among the three regents universities, the UI stands at the forefront of this process.

The UI is a comprehensive university, ranking in the top 30 public universities in the nation. It is a major research university that draws more than $400 million a year in funding from outside sources.

Most important, its academic reputation has attracted many international visiting scholars and students at the undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral levels. Such reputation not only builds goodwill among nations, but also plants a favorable impression of Iowa in their minds. The name recognition eventually promotes commerce and economic exchange in the interest of Iowa.

I only have to cite two examples of how the UI puts Iowa on the international map. One is the space research of Professor James Van Allen in the 1950s that resulted in the discovery of the famous Van Allen Belt. Another example, less known to the Iowa populace, is the designation of Iowa City as the third UNESCO 'World City of Literature,” mainly through the effort of the University of Iowa International Writing Program Director Professor Christopher Merrill. Over the years, it has served as the hub of international writers, more than 1,000 from 140 countries to date, including two Nobel Prize winners of literature.

Such examples of international achievements bring Iowa to the world. They certainly do not provide immediate material reward, but in the long run the economic return will come, benefiting all residents of Iowa.

The state does not have a private university in the rank of the Ivy League, but Iowa can promote a state-supported university that can aspire to this goal: the UI. The UI also educates many Iowa residents and provides most of the practicing physicians, dentists and pharmacists of the state.

The university is in a win-win situation. But the reputation that the UI has arduously built up now is threatened by the possible implementation of a new budget system, which sacrifices internationalism in favor of exclusive regionalism. The Legislature should have foresight beyond what is immediately on the horizon.

Let me propose a simple way to boost Iowa's economy in a practical and effective manner: Expand two-year community college education. While we all want to be good citizens and contribute to society, not everybody has the same aptitude and aspiration. Some are fit for a four-year liberal arts education, but others are happier to have a two-year vocational training that can bring in a decent income. Having our youngsters pursue a two-track college education (a system practiced in many nations) is effective and economical.

On the other hand, encouraging our universities to take in as many resident students as possible regardless of their academic attainment - a likely outcome of the Miles commission recommendation - not only is costly to the state, but also inevitably will lower the standard of our top state universities.

' Ramon Lim is professor emeritus of neurology in the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. Comments: ramon-lim@uiowa.edu