Sen. Harkin, ISU Battle Over Institute Named For Him

Sen. Tom Harkin and Iowa State University officials are at odds over a research institute named for the senator, the Des Moines Register reports in an exclusive story.

Harkin suggested that he will not donate his papers to the institute and may ask the University to remove his name from the Harkin Institute of Public Policy due to restrictions on agricultural research, the report states.

The University originally created the institute to research issues related to “agriculture, education, international development and health and human services.”

But new ISU President Steven Leath instructed on Nov. 8 that all agriculture research at the Institute “be coordinated with the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development.”

Leath said he asked for this because Center for Agriculture and Rural Development staff were worried that the Institute's research would lessen their influence, the Register reported.

“I want the best for my alma mater, and Ruth and I have always worked hard to support ISU. But I simply cannot be part of any arrangement that restricts full and unfettered academic freedom at this institute,” the five-term Democrat said in a statement to The Des Moines Register late Tuesday afternoon.