Protesters Bring Signs, Anger Into Board of Regents Meeting

Over 100 protesters brought their signs and dissatisfaction into an Iowa Board of Regents meeting on the University of Northern Iowa campus today.

The protesters, members of several groups opposed to the way funding cuts have been handled at UNI, rallied outside Maucker Union before filing into the meeting, where they stood, holding signs in silence in the back of the ballroom where the regents were meeting.

Many then followed some regents and university officials into a press conference in the next room. Shouts and at times derisive laughter broke out several times in response to statements by UNI President Ben Allen and Regents President Craig Lang.

“This is part of the American way,” Lang said of their presence. “I believe it’s important for people to demonstrate and show their concern. We’ve read their emails, and we’ve seen all their letters. We’ve respected those, much as we’d like them to respect us.”

Many of the protesters were connected to Malcolm Price Laboratory School, which is slated for closure. Others were part of the United Faculty union, which has recently had friction with the UNI administration as the university looks to cut faculty positions in response to budget woes.

That friction became evident when Allen answered a question from a reporter about how many layoffs there have been in connection with the budget cuts.

“Technically, no one’s been laid off,” Allen said. “We’re still going through that process of identifying those who are interested in early separation. We’re also going through the process of how many teachers of Price Lab School can fill these positions that will be used to implement clinical experiences in level two.”

He was referring to a plan for some Price Lab faculty to stay on at UNI by working with area schools that will host teacher education students.

“Here’s a layoff!” United Faculty president Cathy DeSoto shouted, interrupting the press conference as she ushered Price Lab teacher Courtney Clausen forward.

“Terminated, I’ve been terminated!” Clausen yelled, to applause from the protesters.

She said she and three other Price Lab teachers have received termination notices.

“There have been termination notices, but I’m not sure there have been terminations,” Allen said. “There’s still an opportunity for them to find new arrangements with that clinical two experience.”

He said the process for assigning those positions should be concluded within the next two weeks. He implied not all Price Lab teachers will be able to find positions in the new plan, but the number that will ultimately lose their jobs was not clear.

 “There will be X number of positions offered, but I don’t think that will match up exactly with the number of people affected,” Allen said.

After the press conference, Clausen said she had applied for one of the ongoing positions.

DeSoto wasn't the only protestor to address the officials.

“Can I ask a question please? Would the Board of Regents be willing to meet with a coalition of community leaders to have a discussion about Malcolm Price Lab, cutting the museum, gutting academic programs?” one protestor, UNI associate professor of criminology Joe Gorton, asked.

A staff member tried to cut him off, but he continued with, “Everybody be quiet!”

“People, the press conference is over,” the staff member said as regents and university representatives got up and quickly began to leave.

Gorton and DeSoto shouted questions while another protestor thumped a drum as the officials left.