The board that governs the University of Iowa will meet late this (Monday) afternoon to re-start the search for a new university president. Board of Regents president Michael Gartner expects the next search committee to be smaller, and headed by a U-of-I dean. Gartner has dismissed what he calls the “lynch mob atmosphere” in Iowa City where faculty, students and Iowa City-area legislators have called for his resignation.
“(I’m) not paying a lot of attention to the circus atmosphere over there…If the faculty wants to have no confidence votes, whatever. They can do it, although I must say I’m demanding a recount,” Gartner says. “I guess it’s all part of democracy and freedom.” Gartner has repeatedly said the next U-of-I president needs to have administrative experience in the health care arena since the medical school, hospitals and clinics and medical research play are such a huge part of the university.
That was his main objection to the four finalists who were selected by the last search committee. Gartner says one of the applicants for the job was a woman with health care experience, but she did not make the final cut. The Board of Regents is scheduled to meet at five o’clock this (Monday) afternoon to re-start the presidential search.