ISU president says Iowans want universities to help

Iowa State University president Gregory Geoffrey is touring the state to talk with Iowans about the university. Geoffrey says he’s heard one major theme. He says there’s an expectation that the universities need to work hard to strengthen the economy of Iowa. Geoffrey says that’s really very good for I-S-U because it fits with a lot of their strengths. He says Iowans are pretty united in this belief.He says because of the general economy of the state, there’s a recognition that something needs to be done. Geoffrey says there’s worry the universities may be hurt by the budget cuts that’ve been an outgrowth of the slow economy. He says people in Iowa care a lot about the quality of education and he says there’s growing concern because of the budgets cuts. Geoffrey made his comments during a stop in Creston today where he toured the high school, Southwestern Community College, and a local business.