Regent Sahai: 'Maybe we dropped the ball'

[mstp1992]

From what I can tell they'll protest him until they can determine that he's their puppet - instead of the BoR's.

If he comes in and actually wants to be a leader - not a chance. Disaster will ensue if he steps out of line with regard to the plan the faculty senate has for the U of Iowa.

He has to come in and determine if he's president of the university of Iowa or not. Simple as that. If he has changes that he wants made (which I assume to be the case) then he has to present them in a way to prove their necessity. I think most on campus already understand the need to streamline some administrative services, or maybe even at the departmental level to reduce redundancy. Of course, increasing revenue streams is critical as well. If he comes in wanting to make wholesale changes (read: major staff reductions), especially if they're perceived to have emanated from Rastetter then yes, he'll likely be met with opposition from various campus organizations.

My perspective is a bit different since being on the west side of the river I doubt I'll see much (if any) change in my day-to-day life. But, I can also understand the frustration that has existed, and grown worse, over the years with the relationship with the Board of Regents.

So, at the beginning of 2012 Steven Leath took over the presidency at Iowa State. His background was vice president for research at UNC. Why didn't the BoR go after a corporate type at that time?

 

[fredjr82]

He has to come in and determine if he's president of the university of Iowa or not. Simple as that. If he has changes that he wants made (which I assume to be the case) then he has to present them in a way to prove their necessity. I think most on campus already understand the need to streamline some administrative services, or maybe even at the departmental level to reduce redundancy. Of course, increasing revenue streams is critical as well. If he comes in wanting to make wholesale changes (read: major staff reductions), especially if they're perceived to have emanated from Rastetter then yes, he'll likely be met with opposition from various campus organizations.

My perspective is a bit different since being on the west side of the river I doubt I'll see much (if any) change in my day-to-day life. But, I can also understand the frustration that has existed, and grown worse, over the years with the relationship with the Board of Regents.

So, at the beginning of 2012 Steven Leath took over the presidency at Iowa State. His background was vice president for research at UNC. Why didn't the BoR go after a corporate type at that time?

I haven't really been following, but I've noticed you've been a little more angry about this recently. When he was first hired you were one of the "centrists" who wanted everyone to give him his chance. You didn't so much agree with the hire but were willing to give him a chance

What's changed? Just curious if you were able to hear him speak, meet him personally, etc, etc, etc. Personally I think it was a mistake hire and probably a little shady on the BoR's part but I've noticed you're narrative seemed to shift from the beginning until now.

 

[mstp1992]

"It's up to him to show he's not just a Rastetter/Branstad puppet."

Can you not see just how incredibly jaded that is? If you were an outsider - would you believe the faculty is going to be professional and supportive if you saw this sort of attitude on display?

If you were an "insider" would you have complete faith that someone perceived to have been hand picked by the Board of Regents would NOT be a puppet of them, especially in these times when the BoR is wanting to reduce state funding for the University of Iowa and their hand picked president indicated support for said funding reductions?

 

[mstp1992]

I haven't really been following, but I've noticed you've been a little more angry about this recently. When he was first hired you were one of the "centrists" who wanted everyone to give him his chance. You didn't so much agree with the hire but were willing to give him a chance

What's changed? Just curious if you were able to hear him speak, meet him personally, etc, etc, etc. Personally I think it was a mistake hire and probably a little shady on the BoR's part but I've noticed you're narrative seemed to shift from the beginning until now.

He's refused my Facebook friend requests!!

I'm not so angry with the selection (well, yes I am). What bothers me the most is when there are others on the outside looking in who seem to suggest it's wrong for faculty and student organizations to express their displeasure.

I'm still perfectly happy to give the guy a chance, but I think the Board needs to come clean with their process. Dr. Sahai coming out and admitting they screwed up probably just brought it back to a head again, and then to have Rastetter deny there were any improprieties in his selection just insulting.

Rastetter needs to tell the truth as to why they brought in 3 perfectly qualified candidates and one questionably qualified candidate.

 

[Metuo Accipiter]

He's arriving under a huge cloud of suspicion regarding his motives for wanting this position. There are many who don't believe he actually wanted the position, but came in under false pretenses for Branstad and Rastetter. During his public forum someone asked his opinion about the new funding model proposed by the BoR. His response: "Yes, I can imagine reasons that might be the case. I think you can, too ... I wouldn’t approach it like, gee, we need our own third. You sound like … kids coming at me telling me that because this daughter has so much, the other one wants the same.”

With that type of response how can you NOT get the idea that he will be simply a 'yes' man to the BoR.

The man had to look up information about the University of Iowa from Wikipedia. How confident would you be that he actually understands fully the nature of a large academic institution.

These are just a couple of reasons why it's up to him to show us differently.

There are always "people who believe" just about anything - that doesn't make them credible. I mean - think about your diabolical plan and the logic behind it. Why would Harrelds subject himself to this devious plan you're talking about? Do you honestly think Rattstetter is that powerful? Honestly, believing such gossip borders on paranoia.

 

[mstp1992]

There are always "people who believe" just about anything - that doesn't make them credible. I mean - think about your diabolical plan and the logic behind it. Why would Harrelds subject himself to this devious plan you're talking about? Do you honestly think Rattstetter is that powerful? Honestly, believing such gossip borders on paranoia.

It's not my idea; just stuff I've heard from colleagues.

However, how confident would you be that someone who says they support the BoR proposal to reduce state funding for your institution by 10s of millions of dollars would NOT be a puppet of the BoR?

I'm willing to give him a chance, but he has to show that he has the University of Iowa's best interests in mind even if that is in opposition to the BoR objectives.

 

[Metuo Accipiter]

So, at the beginning of 2012 Steven Leath took over the presidency at Iowa State. His background was vice president for research at UNC. Why didn't the BoR go after a corporate type at that time?

Maybe because they've learned from previous decisions??

 

[Metuo Accipiter]

It's not my idea; just stuff I've heard from colleagues.

However, how confident would you be that someone who says they support the BoR proposal to reduce state funding for your institution by 10s of millions of dollars would NOT be a puppet of the BoR?

I'm willing to give him a chance, but he has to show that he has the University of Iowa's best interests in mind even if that is in opposition to the BoR objectives.

It doesn't matter where it came from - you're passing it along as if it has legitimacy.

And without understanding his statement in a larger context I think it's unfair to freak out and attack the guy like you repeatedly have (or clearly are inferring).

For example - it could be his goal is to be able to reduce state funding by offsetting it with more revenue from other sources. And thus - the budget overall goes up. Would you still freak out if that was his intent??

 

[Metuo Accipiter]

I'm still perfectly happy to give the guy a chance,

This is completely untrue - no matter how many times you say it. Clearly you aren't going to be fair to him. There's no way anyone with such a jaded opinion of him can possibly give him a chance. You've already disqualified him a 100 times over.

 

[mstp1992]

Maybe because they've learned from previous decisions??

No, it's because Rastetter is a petulant horse's ass.

Branstad and Rastetter have consistently show that they favor ISU and UNI, and it's just gotten worse. I'm quite certain they purposely selected a president who would be controversial in large part out of spite.

 

[Metuo Accipiter]

If you were an "insider" would you have complete faith that someone perceived to have been hand picked by the Board of Regents would NOT be a puppet of them, especially in these times when the BoR is wanting to reduce state funding for the University of Iowa and their hand picked president indicated support for said funding reductions?

Absolutely not given this persons qualifications and background. And the circumstances around his hiring (the fact they had to recruit him to apply)

 

[Metuo Accipiter]

No, it's because Rastetter is a petulant horse's ass.

Branstad and Rastetter have consistently show that they favor ISU and UNI, and it's just gotten worse. I'm quite certain they purposely selected a president who would be controversial in large part out of spite.

Oh come on.

 

[mstp1992]

This is completely untrue - no matter how many times you say it. Clearly you aren't going to be fair to him. There's no way anyone with such a jaded opinion of him can possibly give him a chance. You've already disqualified him a 100 times over.

I didn't say how much of a chance .

If he comes in and proposes changes I agree with then more power to him. If he give the impression of acquiescing to Rastetter then he's going to meet opposition.

 

[mstp1992]

Oh come on.

One of my student RA's forwarded that to me. There's a fake one for Bruce Harreld as well.

Have you ever met Rastetter? I have and I think the description is fairly apt.

 

[mstp1992]

It doesn't matter where it came from - you're passing it along as if it has legitimacy.

And without understanding his statement in a larger context I think it's unfair to freak out and attack the guy like you repeatedly have (or clearly are inferring).

For example - it could be his goal is to be able to reduce state funding by offsetting it with more revenue from other sources. And thus - the budget overall goes up. Would you still freak out if that was his intent??

That still doesn't explain why one would purposely give up 10s of millions of dollars in state funding. One could obtain more revenue from other sources while still maintaining current state funding levels, thus increasing the overall budget even more.

 

[mstp1992]

Oh come on.

Absolutely not given this persons qualifications and background. And the circumstances around his hiring (the fact they had to recruit him to apply)

You would not have faith in him NOT being a puppet.

Glad we got that straightened out.

 

[Metuo Accipiter]

How confident would you be that he actually understands fully the nature of a large academic institution.

This is the least of my worries. Seriously - the U of Iowa isn't that large nor is it that complex. The arena he came from is exponentially more complex.

My greatest concerns that will inhibit/preclude his success:

1) Faculty/admin behavior
2) The possibility he's not nearly as great as advertised.

 

[Metuo Accipiter]

You would not have faith in him NOT being a puppet.

Glad we got that straightened out.

You still have not explained WHY he would subject himself to being a 'puppet' for the BoR. Please explain the logic behind a person of his credentials uprooting his life to move out here just so he can be a puppet for a salary that is clearly a fraction of what he used to make.

 

[mstp1992]

This is the least of my worries. Seriously - the U of Iowa isn't that large nor is it that complex. The arena he came from is exponentially more complex.

True, but can he deal with bunch of malcontents like myself?

Seriously, I don't doubt he's extremely capable in his profession and despite my misgivings hope he does well. I would be more confident, though, had he possessed more tangible experience.

Perhaps I'm wrong and university leadership does need to change its focus and pursue a more business oriented model.

 

[Metuo Accipiter]

True, but can he deal with bunch of malcontents like myself?

Seriously, I don't doubt he's extremely capable in his profession and despite my misgivings hope he does well. I would be more confident, though, had he possessed more tangible experience.

Perhaps I'm wrong and university leadership does need to change its focus and pursue a more business oriented model.

Clearly the hospital and research functions can use additional expertise/leadership. Any revenue generating institution can always improve. The academic part is a different animal and I'd expect he will be more hands-off and allow the deans more autonomy. Just a guess.

 

[mstp1992]

You still have not explained WHY he would subject himself to being a 'puppet' for the BoR. Please explain the logic behind a person of his credentials uprooting his life to move out here just so he can be a puppet for a salary that is clearly a fraction of what he used to make.

I believe his organizational mindset is more in line with the likes of Branstad and Rastetter. While maybe not necessarily a 'puppet' of their wishes, I could easily see his long term plans would be what they would want as well.
The other candidates I would predict would be a bit different than that. It's for that reason they selected someone who thinks more like them.