DES MOINES- Tom Bedell Of Spirit Lake has submitted his resignation from the Iowa State Board of Regents, saying new leadership is needed.
Bedell says the regents have become “mired in controversy and name calling.”
Bedell goes on to say in his letter “as regents we have failed to lead with vision and inspiration”. Bedell says the regents have engaged in power struggles that “are unnecessary and divisive”.
He also refers to the faculty senate, staff and students and their recent votes of no confidence in the regents, says their behavior is “disgusting and embarrassing” and does not represent the values of the people of Iowa nor the University of Iowa at-large.
Bedell’s resignation comes amid a torrent of criticism and controversy aimed at the regents over the failed search for a new President at the University of Iowa.
Bedell says a cooling off period is needed, adding the atmosphere isn’t right to recruit the very best President in America to lead the university.
Bedell sent a letter to Governor-elect Chet Culver and says he will ask Culver to accept his resignation once he takes office next month.
(Some of the information in this story was provided by the Associated Press).
