Governor Chet Culver says he’s not pleased the committee which is interviewing candidates for the University of Iowa presidency opted for secrecy as it nears the end of its search. The search committee publicized when the meetings would be held, but retreated to an undisclosed location to conduct interviews.
"We need to follow the letter and the spirit of the Public Meetings law and I’ve expressed some real concerns that this process has not been open, certainly not as open as it should be," Culver says. When the Iowa Legislature reconvenes next January, the governor may ask legislators to make changes in Iowa’s Open Meetings Law.
"Public means public and open — to the press and more importantly, to the people of Iowa," Culver says. "…It’s their government and we have to make sure it’s open to everyone and I will lead the charge, if necessary, next legislative session to make those changes."